Marquardt Group



Marquardt, a family-run company founded in 1925 and based in Rietheim-Weilheim, Germany, is a manufacturer of electromechanical and electronic switches and switching systems. The products of the company are used by customers in the automotive industry and include operating components, vehicle access, driver authorisation systems and battery management systems. Additionally, the company's products are used in household appliances, industrial applications, as well as power tools.

the Marquardt Group employed approximately 10,000 people in 20 locations across four continents. There was a sales revenue of 1.2 billion euros generated by the company in fiscal year 2020, according to company reports. In terms of research and development, Marquardt invests approximately ten percent of its revenues each year into it.

1925-1945
In 1925, businessman Johannes Marquardt (1885–1963) and technician Johannes Marquardt (1889–1942), who share the same name but are only distantly related, established a factory specialising in electrical supplies and precision mechanics in Rietheim. They developed built-in switches for electrical appliances and power tools.

In 1926, Marquardt products were introduced to the household appliance industry. The first switches with roller contacts were utilised in handheld vacuum cleaners and radios.

The global economic crisis of 1929 and its aftermath resulted in significant losses for the young company in the early 1930s. The 60-member workforce was retained through substantial sacrifices. Despite a decrease in orders and the implementation of short-time work, no layoffs occurred.

In the mid-1930s, the company experienced growth, increasing its workforce to 160 employees. However, the Second World War introduced new challenges: nearly all male employees in construction and production were drafted into the Wehrmacht, and many perished in the war. During the final years of the war, production was primarily maintained by women.

1945-1965
After the war, all Marquardt offices were initially occupied by the staff of a French commander and were only released after six months. Nearly all furnishings, machines, and tools were dismantled and taken to France, leaving Marquardt without the technical means for production and facing a collapsed market. The company seemed on the brink of collapse. However, war damage to electrical installations caused supply shortages for plaster-mounted light switches in the French occupation zone and in France. Using the few machines that remained, Marquardt began producing toggle switches, which formed the foundation for the company's rebuilding efforts.

In 1953, Marquardt began producing snap-action switches, marking a significant development in their product line. Two years later, in 1955, a new branch plant was constructed in Böttingen, and by 1959, the existing plant at the Rietheim headquarters was expanded. In 1963, the company further innovated by developing switch keypads for washing machines.

The management team also saw changes during this period: Heinz Marquardt joined in 1949, followed by his brother Erich Marquardt in 1965. Jakob Marquardt had been responsible for production and human resources as managing partner since 1955, and Ewald Marquardt joined the management team in 1965.

1965-1985
In 1968, Marquardt established an electronic laboratory, laying the foundation for future product developments that complemented conventional electromechanics. That same year, the first assemblies rolled off the production line in Rietheim. The following year, they built a training workshop in Rietheim. In 1972, Marquardt introduced the 1800 rocker switch series, which would be produced in large quantities over the following decades, and launched electronic power tool switches. In 1978, Marquardt began supplying the automotive industry with standard and custom snap-action and control switches, employing over 1,000 people and generating an annual revenue of approximately 50 million Deutsche Marks. In 1981, Marquardt expanded internationally by founding its first foreigh subsidiary, Marquardt Switches Inc. in Cazenovia, New York, USA, and constructed a factory there in 1985.

1985-2005
In 1991, Marquardt expanded its global presence by acquiring the device switch manufacturer Russenberger, and adding subsidiaries in France, Spain, and Tunisia. The following year, as electronic control of various automotive functions such as central locking, seat adjustment, and window regulators became more prevalent, the demand for switches increased. Marquardt's dust-and water-protected snap-action switch series 1055 (the smallest switch the company had developed), saw particularly high demand. Furthermore, Marquardt's innovative battery-operated switches paved the way for the development of battery-operated power tools.

In 1996, Marquardt extended its reach into Far Eastern markets by founding the subsidiary Marquardt Switches Shanghai in China and forming a joint venture with the Indian switch manufacturer RG Keswani. By 1997, Marquardt, now employing 2,500 people, had developed the first driving authorization system featuring an electronic key and ignition switch.

The year 2003 saw the launch of Marquardt's first keyless entry system for automobiles. Concurrently, the company inaugurated a new factory for automotive systems at its headquarters in Rietheim-Weilheim. This facility, with its just-in-time production and optimised processes, served as a model for further expansion. In 2004, Marquardt diversified into a new market by developing sensors for household appliances and high-gloss control panel surfaces using "black panel" technology. In the automotive sector, the company focused on the small switching module 3006 and the microswitch 1065, and introduced "Shift by wire" technology, which enables switching control via electronic impulse.

2005-2020
In 2009, Marquardt introduced complex electronics and motor controls for small household appliances and cleaning machines into series production. The following year, in 2010, Marquardt launched its electronic steering lock, enhancing the safety of parking keyless vehicles.

By 2012, Marquardt had produced its first touchpad, intended for use in vehicle center consoles. That same year, the company founded the subsidiary E&C Testlab GmbH in Trossingen, which specializes in measuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). In 2013, Marquardt introduced a new dosing system for liquid detergent that altered the internal operations of washing machines and dishwashers. This system uses a precise dosing pump to automatically dispenses the required amount of liquid detergent for each wash cycle, accurate to the milliliter.

In 2014, the ECO switch series was launched. This switch series was designed to completely turn off devices in standby mode after a defined period, ranging from 4 seconds to 71 hours. Additionally, Marquardt released the 2720 switch series, this switch series was especially compact with a height no greater than a 10 cent piece and a dimension of 20 mm. Marquardt also made strides in electromobility, with new battery management systems benefiting electric vehicles.

By 2015, the company had developed multicolor lighting technology, allowing for customisable vehicle cockpit designs. By 2020, Marquardt had grown significantly, employing over 10,600 people across 20 locations worldwide.

Automotive
The “Automotive” business unit develops and implements, among other things, drive authorisation systems (such as drive authorisation via smartphone, electronic keys and electronic ignition start switches, electronic steering locks, start-stop systems), operating components (such as seat adjustment switches, rotary light switches, door and convertible top control panels), ultra-wideband communication (UWB), and dynamic lighting systems.

In May 2024, Marquardt showcased its battery management systems, sensors for hydrogen fuel cells, and components for digital vehicle communication. Additionally, the company presented its advancements in Bluetooth Low Energy and Ultra-Wideband technology positioning.

Mechatronic
The "Mechatronic Devices" business unit develops, manufactures and sells, among other things, switching systems for power tools, sensors, systems and switches for the home and for industrial and electrical applications. The "Power and Energy Solutions" business unit has bundled the Marquardt competencies in the field of e-mobility since the beginning of 2021 and develops, produces and sells battery management systems from twelve to 800 volts, charging and converter systems for battery electric vehicles, as well as control units, sensors and electromechanical components for fuel cell vehicles.

Locations
The Marquardt Group operates at a total of 20 locations in 14 countries on four continents.

Europe

 * Rietheim-Weilheim, Germany, Headquarters (location for  production, sales and development)
 * Böttingen, Germany (location for production)
 * Ichtershausen, Germany (location for production)
 * Trossingen, Germany (Independent lab for measurements of electromagnetic compatibility)
 * Harrislee, Germany (location for production and sales)
 * Sibiu, Romania (location for production and development)
 * Lieusaint, France (location for sales and development)
 * Veles, North Macedonia (location for production)
 * Torino, Italy (location for sales)
 * Warwick, Great Britain (location for sales)

America

 * Cazenovia, USA (location for production, sales and development)
 * Rochester Hills, USA (location for sales and development)
 * Irapuato, Mexico (location for production)

Africa

 * Tunis, Tunisia (location for production)

Asia

 * Shanghai, China (location for production, sales and development)
 * Weihai, China (location for production)
 * Mumbai, India (location for production, sales and development)
 * Pune, India (location for production, sales and development)
 * Seoul, South Korea (location for sales)
 * Tokyo, Japan (location for sales)