Founded in 1945 as a local repair shop for radios and electrical equipment, Fronius has grown into a global industry leader over the past 80 years. The Austrian family-owned company has always been driven by teamwork, perseverance, and a commitment to innovation.
The journey began on June 20, 1945, when Günter Fronius started offering maintenance services for radios and electrical appliances from a hotel. Soon after, as an electrical engineer, he had a groundbreaking idea: creating a device to recharge car batteries, allowing them to last longer. This first product was a major success, leading to the development of industrial chargers for applications such as forklift batteries. And so, Fronius’ story of innovation began.
Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, CEO of Fronius and granddaughter of the founder, reflects, “Given the challenging circumstances of the time, our success was built on innovation, boldness, and teamwork. Although resources were scarce, my grandfather’s inventive spirit led him to create affordable and durable solutions that could serve a broad segment of society.”
Within just five years, Günter Fronius expanded the company’s offerings to include welding transformers, establishing the foundation for the company’s growth into a significant industrial player. In 1980, leadership passed to the next generation, Brigitte Strauß and Klaus Fronius, who launched a period of expansion and international growth. This strategy led to the creation of numerous subsidiaries worldwide, now totaling 37. In 1992, Fronius turned its attention to solar energy, which was considered an alternative source of power at the time but has now become vital to the global energy sector.
Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß continues, “Renewable energy is at the heart of our mission, and we are committed to finding solutions that integrate electricity, heating, cooling, and mobility to achieve our vision of ’24 hours of sun.’”
Fronius has contributed significantly to global economic progress, especially in sectors like the automotive industry. One of the key milestones was the introduction of Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding technology, which marked a revolution in welding. CMT enabled the joining of galvanized steel and aluminum sheets for the first time and allowed the welding of ultra-thin aluminum sheets as thin as 0.3 millimeters. This breakthrough shifted the welding industry and opened new possibilities in manufacturing.
Today, Fronius operates in two strategic business areas: Fronius Welding, which continues to innovate in welding technology, and Solar & Energy, which works toward optimizing solar energy use and improving battery charging systems for intralogistics—just like the company’s very first product, a battery charger. Though these two areas may seem distinct, the company’s 7,000-strong global team shares a unified goal: to research and harness electricity as the fuel of the future. “Our mission is to create a future worth living for us and future generations,” says Ms Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß.
As Fronius celebrates its 80th anniversary, it’s also a moment to look ahead. The company will continue to focus on pioneering advancements in electrical current conversion, developing innovative solutions in the process. While the future remains uncertain, the company is committed to maintaining its financial independence and enhancing Austria’s reputation as a hub for business innovation.
“Our commitment to research and development will remain at the core of everything we do,” says Ms Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß. “We will continue to focus on quality and user-friendliness, ensuring that we drive both innovation and value creation for our products in Europe.”
