As a pioneer enterprise in the global circuit protection field, Littelfuse's development process has spanned nearly a century of technological innovation and strategic layout, gradually evolving from a single fuse manufacturer to a comprehensive industrial giant covering circuit protection, power control, and sensing technology. The following is a summary of its key development stages and technological breakthroughs:
1、 Establishment and Early Innovation (1927, 1960)
Brand Origin
In 1927, Edward V. Sundt founded Lite in Chicago, USA, and invented the world's first small fast melting fuse, which solved the problem of sensitive testing instruments being easily burned out and laid the technical foundation for circuit protection.
Promotion of technical standardization
The company participated in the development of industry standards in the early stages, such as leading the revision of IEC 60127 "Small Fuse Standard" and promoting the standardized development of circuit protection products.
2、 Breakthroughs in Aerospace and Automotive Fields (1960s1980s)
Aerospace applications
In the 1960s, the development of miniature fuses for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) became a key component of the space program, and their technical reliability was recognized by authorities.
Innovation in the automotive industry
In 1976, Autofuse was launched ® Fast melting fuses, adopted by General Motors, have become a standard feature in vehicles worldwide within 8 years, marking the official entry of Peugeot Citroen into the automotive electronics market.
1986: Revolutionary release of MINI ® Automotive fuses, with their smaller size, enhance the electronic protection capabilities of vehicles and become a benchmark in industry design.
3、 Globalization Expansion and Technological Diversification (1990-2010s)
Production base and certification system
Our domestic factory in the United States has obtained ISO 9001/9002 certification, becoming the first fuse manufacturer to receive this certification.
In 1995, the first factory was established in Suzhou, China, followed by factories in Wuxi (2002) and Dongguan (2007), forming a manufacturing network covering Asia and supporting the global supply chain.
Technology Matrix Expansion
Strengthening the technology landscape through mergers and acquisitions:
In 2018, acquired IXYS company and entered the power semiconductor field, developing SiC MOSFET and IGBT modules for application in new energy and industrial equipment.
In 2021, we acquired C&K Switch to expand our switch and sensor product lines and improve our industrial automation solutions.
4、 New Energy and Intelligent Transformation (2010s present)
Layout of new energy technologies
Develop 1500V DC fuses and BMS specific fuses, compatible with photovoltaic inverters and energy storage systems, certified by UL 1741.
Launch an 800V high-voltage platform protection solution to support the super fast charging needs of electric vehicles and enhance the performance of SiC fuses.
Industry 4.0 and Intelligent Manufacturing
Deploying AI visual inspection system in Mexico factory to improve quality inspection efficiency by 5 times, with a missed detection rate of less than 0.01%.
Applying digital twin technology to optimize product design and shorten research and development cycles by 40%.
5、 Market position and industry impact
Global market share: occupying 25% of the circuit protection device market, with a market share of 38% for automotive fuses, and customers covering top companies such as Apple, Tesla, and Huawei.
Ecological Cooperation: Collaborate with CATL and BYD to establish a battery safety laboratory, providing a full chain protection solution from battery cells to systems.
The development process of Lite reflects a leap from single fuse technology to comprehensive solutions in multiple fields, driven by continuous technological innovation and strategic mergers and acquisitions. By deeply cultivating high growth fields such as aerospace, automotive, and new energy, and relying on a global production and research and development network, Lite not only defines the performance boundaries of circuit protection, but also takes the lead in the trend of intelligence and sustainable development. In the future, its investment in areas such as silicon carbide semiconductors and intelligent sensing may further reshape the industry landscape.