History
ETEL was created in 1974 by Dr. Nicolas Wavre, after he had completed his PhD at the Lausanne Institute of Technology. The idea of this brilliant entrepreneur was to use emerging technologies to provide industry with new products like brushless torque motors and linear motors. Since then, ETEL has shown consistent and strong growth.
In 1999, ETEL joined HEIDENHAIN as a 100% member of the group. This enabled ETEL to consolidate its financial position and to expand the presence on the global markets.
ETEL's main milestones are:
 1974 Foundation.
1977First linear motors development for the motorization of warehouse doors.
1981First brushless torque motor design for food industry.
1988Supply of very large torque motors for telescopes.
 ETEL moves its headquarters to Môtiers, Switzerland.
1990First series production of linear motors for semiconductor industry.
1992High-force linear motors development for machine tool applications.
 1996Launch of the new standard program for direct drive motors and of the first standard digital position controllers.
First extension of the headquarters.
 1998ETEL presents its first precision positioning system.
1999Opening of ETEL GmbH (Germany).
ETEL becomes the largest supplier of direct drives worlwide.
 ETEL joined HEIDENHAIN as a 100% member of the group.
2000Opening of ETEL Inc (USA).
ISO 9001 certification.
 Second extension of the headquarters.
2001Second production plant acquired in couvet, Switzerland.
Opening of ETEL BV (The Netherlands).
2002Serial production of high performance precision motion systems.
 2003Opening of ETEL S.A. (France).
2004According to IMS research, ETEL is listed as the largest supplier for direct drives worldwide.
 Opening of new subsidiaries in Switzerland.
2005Opening of ETEL Italy and ETEL Singapore.
Development of an outstanding range of standard systems.
2007Third extension of the headquarters.
Opening of ETEL Taiwan to pursue the asian market penetration.
2008Fourth extension of the headquarters.
New torque motor family: the TMK |
