Balluff

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Balluff - Sensors Worldwide

With more than 40 years of experience, Balluff GmbH is today a world leading manufacturer of sensor solutions with headquarters in Neuhausen, near Stuttgart.

Sophisticated technology and the most modern electronics - tested in our certified laboratory -, application-specific customer solutions and individual
assistance and first-class service are the hallmarks of our company.
Provided by over 2.000 employees across the globe.

In every area of automation – comprehensive systems expertise from a single source:

•Electronic and mechanical sensors
•Rotary and linear encoders
•Identification systems and
•optimised connectivity for high-performance automation

Balluff stands for:  
•Mature technology
•Continuous innovation
•Expert application experience
•Highest quality
•Greatest reliability
•Maximum customer orientation

The Balluff Story

Balluff Limited

Balluff's operation in the UK began in 1979 trading under the name of MultiSwitch.

The aim of the fledgling firm back in 1979 was to market switches and sensors to British Industry. MultiSwitch were able to service customers from the automotive, machine tool and factory automation sectors.  These included all major vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers from car seats to tyres.

MultiSwitch was sold to Balluff GmbH in 1997.  For the future the general move of manufacturing industries towards the East promises great challenges for the coming years, however the development of innovative products directly meets the increasing technology demands of UK industry.  With its UK & Ireland Managing Director, Balluff intends to continue to develop new products suitable for all areas of automation as well as supporting the UK's automotive industry.

Balluff GmbH
From the bicycle to a partner of the automobile industry

Bicycles, motorcycles and sewing machines are the starting point for a now 90-year long success story. In 1921 Gebhard Balluff founded his mechanical repair shop, which grew into an operation for precision, turned and milled parts.

Balluff becomes a supplier to the machine builder Heller. In the early 1950's Balluff products custom cam switches for Heller which were needed for the newly developed electric controls for machine tools. Heller then gives Balluff full responsibility for further development of these products.

The result is the first patented electromechanical limit switch: The start of a new era for Balluff as a partner to the machine building industry.

From the inductive proximity switch to the full-range line

In 1968 production of the BES inductive proximity switches begins. BOS photoelectric switches are added in 1978. And with the microprocessor-controlled rotary cam switches together with angle encoders, the product portfolio grows again just a year later. BRG rotary encoders go into production in 1980, the BIS identification system in 1984 and the BTL Transsonar transducer in 1987.

Additional milestones in the success story include the Balluff Testing Laboratory, which has been accredited since 1995 by the German Accreditation Agency (DATech) for testing electromagnetic compatibility.

The diversification continues. Today Balluff GmbH offers a full range for every area of automation.

From the Neuhausen to a globally active company

At the same time Balluff develops into a globally operating large company with more than 1940 employees.

In 1971 the first subsidiary is founded in Austria. Nihon Balluff in Japan follows in 1980 and Balluff Inc. in the USA in 1981. Later comes Brazil and Hungary in 1983, then Singapore in 1989. With the decision in 1989 to build a production facility in Hungary, a decisive turn is taken for the future development of the company. This plant has now grown into a company with over 500 employees. Standard products, large series runs and subassembly production ensure competitiveness in international markets.

Balluff Czech Republic has been operating since 1993. Additions have come with annual regularity now, with the founding of a service office in Shanghai PRC (1994), and additional subsidiaries in Switzerland (1995), Italy (1996), Great Britain (1997), Poland (1998), Canada and Australia (1999).

As the millennium came to a close Balluff, now incorporated as a GmbH, added France and South Korea as well as a production facility in Switzerland, Hy-Tech, to the Balluff Group. In the following years additional subsidiaries were founded in Mexico (2001), the Netherlands and Sweden (2002), China and Belgium (2003), Spain and China (2004) as well as the capital of the Russian Federation in Moscow (2005). And in 2007 Balluff GmbH acquired Sensorik SIE, a manufacturer of capacitive sensors in Viernheim.

Firming up the German headquarters

Balluff GmbH has also been expanding their German central office. The parent company in Neuhausen a.d.F. is expanded with new plants in 1976 and 1984. An additional production facility and a new logistics centre are dedicated in 2000.

WIth the new construction, which goes into operation in May of 2006, the most recent project for firming up the German headquarters is realised. The investments from 2006 of around 8 million Euros represent a clear "yes" to Neuhausen.

Continuing education and trainee promotion

At Balluff, expansion also means building up qualified employees. Training and Continuing Education are written in capital letters at Balluff. Balluff GmbH gives its employees the opportunity to continuously grow professionally and personally. And to encourage the succeeding generation, Balluff offers the chance to enrol in a traineeship or course of study in cooperation with the Vocational Academy of Stuttgart or the Göppingen Technical College.

As evidence that Balluff things progressively in matters of gender in the still male-dominated technology sector, we hold an annual "Girls' Day". This gives girls in grades 5 through 10 the chance to familiarise themselves with what's possible beyond the typical "female" occupations.

Outlook

As a global player with a full range of products, consolidation of the German headquarters and encouragement of the younger generation, Balluff GmbH as a modern company is poised to continue meeting the growing challenges of the future.

Balluff - Sensors Worldwide