Radiall
Encyclopedia
Radiall is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures connectors and associated components for use in electronic applications. The company offers interconnect components, including radio frequency/coaxial connectors and cable assemblies, antennas, fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies, microwave components and cable assemblies, microwave switches, and multipin connectors.
It serves the automotive, telecommunication and information technology networks, civil aviation, consumer goods, defense, instrumentation, tests and measurement, medical, transportation, military, and aerospace markets.
The company markets its products worldwide through a network of agents and distributors.
Co-founded by Yvon and Lucien Gattaz in 1952, it is headquartered next to Paris, France. The Radiall Corporate entity is currently listed on Eurolist by NYSE Euronext, but 87% of Radiall’s shares are owned by its founders (The Gattaz Family). In 2008, Radiall’s revenue was of $290 million and its organic growth was of 8%. Radiall’s Research and Development investment was also of about 8%, which is significantly above the industry standard.
At that time, France intended to be a world leader in television by using higher frequencies through its SECAM
standard. The antenna had to be linked to the TV monitor with a coaxial cable. Yvon and Lucien worked hard to invent a cheap and easy-to-use interconnect that would fit the application. By 1954, Radiall was producing 100,000 connectors per month.
By 1967, opening itself to Europe was already in Radiall's mind, so they created a subsidiary in Staines, England: Radiall Microwave Components Ltd. In 1969, they opened another office in Germany (at Buchslag, close to Frankfurt): RGmbH with the goal of developing a European sales network.
That same year, the company also started getting interested in Aerospace and Fiber Optics. A new facility was built in 1977 in Voreppe, France. A year later, a new factory is created, to produce hyper frequency components for military use, at l'Isle d'Abeau, which was visited by France's Prime Minister on June 6, 1980.
During the 80's, Radiall expands worldwide with offices in the United States (Stratford, Connecticut), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) and Asia (from Hong Kong)
In 1984, arrived the long awaited first qualification by Boeing
for ARINC
600s. This is also a period of inventions, as 15 patents were obtained from 1984 to 1986. Radiall also entered the French stock market in 1989 selling 20% of its capital to the public.
In order to become a major US player in the Multipins Connectors business (concerning mostly the Aerospace industry), Radiall acquired Jerrik in May 1995, located in Tempe, Arizona. Then, Radiall continued its expansion in the USA with the acquisition of Larsen - a company based in Portland, Oregon, which was specialized in antennas for military purposes.
After Hong-Kong, in 1994 the company continues to expand in Asia with Radiall Protectron, located in Bangalore, India. Later on, Radiall creates a presence in Japan when it opened Radiall Nihon. Finally, in July 1997, Radiall Shangai is inaugurated, which officially creates a Radiall entity in China.
Radiall's goal was to reach sales of one billion francs by the year 2000, a goal that was actually reached three years before, in 1997.
2001 was a tough year for the company, due to the telecommunication crisis and the September 11 aftermath, forcing the company to reduce its manpower by 30% in two years, due to a 40% activity loss.
to 95 percent. This move is part of its strategy to reinforce Radiall's position as an innovative leader of electronic interconnect components. This integration will secure D-Lightsys
financials and offer to its customers a guarantee with regards to its developments. Their combination of expertise will allow for the creation of an “Optical Center of Excellence” at Radiall Isle d’Abeau (near Lyon, France). This emerging technology will enable Radiall to service the Aeronautic, Space and Defense markets with complete, end-to-end solutions that integrate Electrical/Optical signal conversion.
It serves the automotive, telecommunication and information technology networks, civil aviation, consumer goods, defense, instrumentation, tests and measurement, medical, transportation, military, and aerospace markets.
The company markets its products worldwide through a network of agents and distributors.
Co-founded by Yvon and Lucien Gattaz in 1952, it is headquartered next to Paris, France. The Radiall Corporate entity is currently listed on Eurolist by NYSE Euronext, but 87% of Radiall’s shares are owned by its founders (The Gattaz Family). In 2008, Radiall’s revenue was of $290 million and its organic growth was of 8%. Radiall’s Research and Development investment was also of about 8%, which is significantly above the industry standard.
1952-1962
In the spring of 1952, two brothers founded Radiall (Yvon and Lucien Gattaz). Yvon Gattaz was the entrepreneur who took care of the commercial and financial aspect of the business. Lucien was the inventor. He was more interested by the technical aspects of research and production. In 1953, they bought their first workshop in Paris, France. A slogan had already been found: "Quick and Good".At that time, France intended to be a world leader in television by using higher frequencies through its SECAM
SECAM
SECAM, also written SÉCAM , is an analog color television system first used in France....
standard. The antenna had to be linked to the TV monitor with a coaxial cable. Yvon and Lucien worked hard to invent a cheap and easy-to-use interconnect that would fit the application. By 1954, Radiall was producing 100,000 connectors per month.
1962-1972
In November 1963, Yvon and Lucien inaugurated their first factory at Voiron in Isere, France, of 2,500 m2 (27,000 sqft). That same year, the company launched the coaxial connector Mini Quick. Five years later, in 1968, Radiall built its headquarters at Rosny-Sous-Bois. This 4,000 m2 (43,000 sqft) two story building (the third floor came after), is made only of glass and foil.By 1967, opening itself to Europe was already in Radiall's mind, so they created a subsidiary in Staines, England: Radiall Microwave Components Ltd. In 1969, they opened another office in Germany (at Buchslag, close to Frankfurt): RGmbH with the goal of developing a European sales network.
1972-1982
In 1972, Lucien Gattaz had identified the company Sogie as a competitor to Radiall in the connector business. It was for sale and showing a deficit, so Radiall made its first acquisition and it only took a few years to make it profitable. Buying Sogie showed Radiall's desire to continue specializing itself in Multipins Connectors.That same year, the company also started getting interested in Aerospace and Fiber Optics. A new facility was built in 1977 in Voreppe, France. A year later, a new factory is created, to produce hyper frequency components for military use, at l'Isle d'Abeau, which was visited by France's Prime Minister on June 6, 1980.
1982-1992
1982 was the year in which Radiall got its first Computer-Assisted-Design equipment.During the 80's, Radiall expands worldwide with offices in the United States (Stratford, Connecticut), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) and Asia (from Hong Kong)
In 1984, arrived the long awaited first qualification by Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
for ARINC
ARINC
Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated , established in 1929, is a major provider of transport communications and systems engineering solutions for eight industries: aviation, airports, defense, government, healthcare, networks, security, and transportation...
600s. This is also a period of inventions, as 15 patents were obtained from 1984 to 1986. Radiall also entered the French stock market in 1989 selling 20% of its capital to the public.
1992-2007
In 1992, Pierre Gattaz, son of co-founder of Radiall Yvon Gattaz, becomes the new CEO of the company.In order to become a major US player in the Multipins Connectors business (concerning mostly the Aerospace industry), Radiall acquired Jerrik in May 1995, located in Tempe, Arizona. Then, Radiall continued its expansion in the USA with the acquisition of Larsen - a company based in Portland, Oregon, which was specialized in antennas for military purposes.
After Hong-Kong, in 1994 the company continues to expand in Asia with Radiall Protectron, located in Bangalore, India. Later on, Radiall creates a presence in Japan when it opened Radiall Nihon. Finally, in July 1997, Radiall Shangai is inaugurated, which officially creates a Radiall entity in China.
Radiall's goal was to reach sales of one billion francs by the year 2000, a goal that was actually reached three years before, in 1997.
2001 was a tough year for the company, due to the telecommunication crisis and the September 11 aftermath, forcing the company to reduce its manpower by 30% in two years, due to a 40% activity loss.
2008
On January 8, Radiall announced an increase in its shareholdings of the start-up D-LightsysD-Lightsys
D-Lightsys, a Radiall Company, designs and manufactures high performance optical interconnect solutions for severe environment applications. D-Lightsys products are based on optoelectronic components. Their transmitters are based on 850 nm Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers . The...
to 95 percent. This move is part of its strategy to reinforce Radiall's position as an innovative leader of electronic interconnect components. This integration will secure D-Lightsys
D-Lightsys
D-Lightsys, a Radiall Company, designs and manufactures high performance optical interconnect solutions for severe environment applications. D-Lightsys products are based on optoelectronic components. Their transmitters are based on 850 nm Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers . The...
financials and offer to its customers a guarantee with regards to its developments. Their combination of expertise will allow for the creation of an “Optical Center of Excellence” at Radiall Isle d’Abeau (near Lyon, France). This emerging technology will enable Radiall to service the Aeronautic, Space and Defense markets with complete, end-to-end solutions that integrate Electrical/Optical signal conversion.