CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS), founded in 1896, is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of a diverse array of electronic components, sensors and actuators.

Primarily fulfilling the needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), CTS is proud of its over 100-year heritage of innovative products and engineering excellence. CTS products are manufactured utilizing state-of-the-art technology driven by a highly capable and dedicated staff.

A Visual Timeline of CTS

We’ve been part of the future for 120 years.As technology has continued to move forward, we’ve been right alongside, engineering intelligent ways to meet people’s ever changing needs.

• 2021

  

  2021 marks CTS Corporation’s 125th anniversary.  In celebration of this significant milestone, we have developed a video to highlight our innovations and achievements over the course of our history. While we are proud of CTS’ legacy, we remain committed to carrying our guiding principles into the future: Play to Win, Responsiveness, Simplicity and Solution Oriented.  Together with our customers, we look forward to seeing what the next 125 years bring.

• 2016

  

  CTS introduces a renewed vision and brand to clearly communicate who we are, why we’re here and what we stand for. The CTS identity has been built on 120 years worth of solid foundation. A foundation that will continue to build our reputation as the company that solves problems, faces challenges and takes advantage of opportunities, all with a level of experience no one can match.

  CTS aims to be at the forefront of technology, delivering innovative sensing, connectivity and motion solutions for the creation and advancement of products and services around the world.

• 2013

  In January of 2013, Kieran O’Sullivan joined CTS as President and Chief Executive Officer.

  During this year, CTS’ redefined strategy to simplify the business model, focus and drive profitable growth resulted in a reduced global footprint, improved competitive position, and improved profitability.

  As part of the strategy, CTS sold the EMS business. The transaction sharpened CTS’ focus on its Components and Sensors business and provided additional capital to drive growth in core capabilities.

• 2007
  2012

  

  During the late 2000’s and early 2010’s, CTS completed a series of acquisitions to expand into key markets and drive growth.

  In 2007, CTS completed the acquisition of Alpha Ceramics, a provider of piezoceramic materials for sensor and transducer manufacturers in military and aerospace markets. As a result, CTS enhanced its leading global position in piezoceramics with a unique range of capabilities.

  The 2008 acquisition of Tusonix, Inc., with manufacturing operations in Nogales, Mexico, added electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) filter components to the CTS product family.

  In 2012, CTS completed the acquisition of Valpey-Fisher Corporation, a leader in the design and manufacture of precision frequency crystal oscillators. The acquisition expanded CTS’ technology and engineering capabilities.

  2012 was also the year that CTS acquired D&R Technology (D&R), a privately-held manufacturer of custom designed sensors, switches and electromechanical assemblies serving the automotive light-vehicle market. The acquisition significantly expanded CTS’ strategic automotive sensor product platform with new customers and a broader product portfolio.

• 1999

  In 1999, CTS acquired Motorola’s Component Products Division (CPD). Renamed CTS Wireless Components, this acquisition placed CTS in the forefront of the emerging cell phone handset and base station market through the manufacturing of ceramic filters, duplexers and other telecommunication components.

  In addition, a late 1990s merger with Dynamics Corporation of America (DCA) bolstered CTS’ position as a leading producer of electronic components.

• 1996

  100 Years

  CTS celebrates its 100th Anniversary, reaffirming a commitment to develop new component technologies, meet customer specifications and exceed customer expectations.

• 1982

  CTS continues to provide innovative solutions by utilizing Cermet technology to supply domestic automotive manufacturers with reliable under-the-hood position sensors.

  In the early 1980’s CTS acquired a successful connector and backplane manufacturer with operations in North America and Scotland. Additionally, this Scottish connection opened many new European market opportunities for CTS position sensor products.

  Later in the decade and in order to address growing global market demand, CTS completes facility expansions in Mexico, Singapore, Scotland, the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and Taiwan, further increasing CTS’ global presence.

• 1971

  

  As CTS transitioned into the 1970s, concerns over environmental pollution led to U.S. Government mandated automotive emissions control requirements. The need for throttle position sensing and exhaust gas recirculation controls immersed CTS into custom under-the-hood and chassis position sensor business, opening new market opportunities for the company.

  Recently, CTS’ Automotive Products achieved a strategic growth milestone by expanding into the commercial vehicle, off-road and heavy equipment markets. CTS developed and introduced a robust Smart Actuator? that is designed for such applications as fuel delivery management, control of variable vane turbochargers and is suitable for a variety of other large diesel engine management functions. Additionally, CTS Automotive Products supplies position sensors to the small engine market (motorcycles, ATVs, outboard engines, etc.).

• 1968

  

  The evolution of consumer electronic manufacturing drove many U.S.-based electronic manufacturers to open operations in Asia. In 1968, CTS established a manufacturing operation in Taiwan to serve the off-shore production facilities of North American based OEMs and counter low-cost Asian component manufacturing. The increased world presence helped CTS further expand product applications into international markets.

  Quality, lower cost CTS quartz crystals are designed into new applications – color televisions.

• 1963

  During the same time period, CTS, through acquisitions and internal development, expanded its product portfolio to include crystal filters, quartz oscillators, selector switches and loudspeakers, along with its expanding variable resistor business. As demand in the electronics industry called for the miniaturization of electronic products, CTS responded by manufacturing hybrid microcircuits, designing more functionality into smaller packages, for applications as varied as heart pacers to missile guidance systems.

• 1960

  

  By the beginning of the 1960s, Chicago Telephone Supply Company had diversified into a manufacturer of many types of switches, variable resistors and a variety of other electronic components. Yet, the company had not produced a commercial telephone for over 20 years. After decades of expanding into new markets with new technologies and product innovations, it became clear that the original name no longer fit the company.

  In 1960, Chicago Telephone Supply Company officially changed its name to CTS Corporation to more accurately reflect its diverse product line offerings. June 4, 1962 was the day that CTS listed its common stock on the “Big Board”? at the New York Stock Exchange. The day marked a turning point in the evolution of CTS as a company, for the listing on the New York Stock Exchange helped give the company greater visibility as an international business.

• 1958

  

  While still enjoying growth driven by the consumer television industry, CTS once again looked to another new, emerging market for opportunities. The data processing or computer market fit the bill and CTS answered with new, innovative products. In 1958, after 4 years of intensive research, CTS engineers introduced Cermet, a new type of stable resistance element. The stability of Cermet fulfilled the demand of miniaturized applications for the computer, as well as military industries, securing CTS’ participation in modern electronic markets.

• 1950

  

  The late 1940s ushered in the next boom in consumer electronics – television. Chicago Telephone Supply Company, already a leading supplier of radio components, applied the technology of variable resistors and switches to the new television market. Illustrating the rapid growth of this new market, U.S. manufacturers produced 6,000 television receivers in 1946, and by 1950 that figure soared to 7,500,000. Where a radio receiver may have used one, two or three Chicago Telephone Supply components, a television receiver required between 6 and 10 variable resistor components. This increased component count drove company production and profits to new heights.

• 1942

  During WWII, the U.S. Army needed a link to the frontline troops, so Chicago Telephone Supply Company integrated telephone and radio component technologies to develop the RM-29 remote telephone field set. The Army / Navy Production Award for Excellence was presented to Chicago Telephone Supply Company for outstanding wartime production of more than 300,000 RM-29 field telephones. Then, in answer to a request from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Radiation Laboratory, engineers worked to create the RLB, a precision potentiometer for radar units. This new technology enabled the Allies to conduct night air strike missions, vital to shortening the war. In later years, peacetime applications for the RLB included air traffic safety, enhanced weather forecasting and medical diagnosis.

• 1922

  

  The beginning of radio broadcasting in the 1920s triggered a boom? for consumer radio receivers. Chicago Telephone Supply Company began re-inventing some of their well-known telephone products, such as jacks, plugs and headphones for use in the emerging radio market.

  By 1922, more than half of company sales came from the radio components business. During the Great Depression, demand for less expensive tabletop radios grew and Chicago Telephone Supply Company responded with the development of more cost effective and stable carbon composition variable resistors that helped lower the cost of radio components. During this time, the company evolved from a manufacturer of finished products (telephones and switchboards) to a manufacturer of components.

• 1910

  By 1910, the company was producing a wide variety of telephone models, as well as 20 different types of switchboards ranging from apartment building size units up to express switchboards that could accommodate up to 300 telephone connections.

  With their economic telephone and switchboard systems designed to have a higher degree of efficiency than will ever be demanded in service,? (a company promotional phrase), Chicago Telephone Supply quickly became a leading producer of telephones and systems for rural areas. The company marketed their products by the statement, “Chicago Telephones Satisfy,”? indicating the high level of quality that the company designed into their products. The last commercial telephone produced by the company was manufactured in 1940.

• 1902

  

  In 1902, in need of more, yet less expensive manufacturing space, the company found suitable facilities in Elkhart, Indiana, about 100 miles east of Chicago. The rapid growth of Chicago Telephone Supply can be attributed to its focus on a market niche that had been largely ignored by other telephone manufacturers, the rural telephone market. Period company catalogs show a wide variety of telephones and components produced during this time. One of the company’s earliest product line expansions included the production of telephone switchboards.

• 1896

  

  In 1896, the enterprising father and son team of A.J. and George A. Briggs partnered with S.A. Buffington, a Chicago Lawyer, to establish Chicago Telephone Supply Company (later to become CTS).  Working out of a small building near downtown Chicago, their telephones were sold through local supply houses, jobbers and mail order. In less than 6 years, business boomed and this small company had grown to encompass a workforce of 250 employees.