1990-1999
The Dawn of a New Era
The fall of the Berlin Wall changed the world. In this transformation, WAGO saw opportunities and actively pursued them, achieving the most extensive expansion in its history. A new facility was founded in former East Germany. International locations were added in the UK, India, China and Italy. When the patent expired, CAGE CLAMP® took off around the world, prompting the motto: “If you’re already using spring pressure connection technology, stick with the original.” In addition, debuting the modular, fieldbus-independent I/O System in 1995 helped WAGO break into the automation technology market. Its development of the POWER CAGE CLAMP in 1998 simplified spring pressure connection of conductors with cross-sections up to 95 mm².
Product Developments and Events from the 1990s
- 1990: WAGO Japan and WAGO UK established
- 1991: Sondershausen plant opens 1992: WAGO Czech Republic established
- 1995: WAGO India established
- 1995: Introduction of the WAGO X-COM-SYSTEM® – system for integrated pluggable control cabinet wiring
- 1995: WAGO I/O System introduced as the world’s first fieldbus-independent, modular I/O system
- 1996: WAGO Italy and WAGO Singapore established
- 1997: WAGO China and WAGO Poland established
- 1998: WAGO introduces high-current terminal blocks with POWER CAGE CLAMP connection
- 1998: WAGO Netherlands established
- 1999: WAGO Belgium established
Milestones in the 1990s
1990
WAGO Grows Faster
The fall of the Berlin Wall and the impending reunification engendered a spirit of optimism at WAGO. WAGO Kontakt GmbH in Sondershausen was founded in September 1990. In February 1991, WAGO had already begun manufacturing, although this initially occurred in rented spaces. So plans for a new factory began at the same time. The new facility was inaugurated in 1993 by the State Premier of Thuringia. But WAGO is expanding not only in Germany, but also internationally. Ten new sales companies were founded abroad. As the new Interim Export Manager, Sven Hohorst completed more than thirty trips abroad because personal familiarity and comfort with people and cultures were considered one of the foundations for understanding and long-term, successful cooperation at WAGO.
1990
Patent Protection Ended – The Original Conquers the Market
The CAGE-CLAMP patent expires in 1997. As the competition of spring pressure connection technology had been extremely critical, surprise followed the announcement that several competitors planned to offer rail-mount terminal blocks with spring pressure technology shortly before the patent expired. However, many prospects continued to trust the original from WAGO. The competition’s sudden endorsement of CAGE CLAMP® technology created conviction among skeptics and strong growth for WAGO. The success of the original was reinforced by the motto: “If the spring clamp, then the original!”
1995
Getting Started in Automation Technology
The degree of automation continued to increase in the market. The growth of control lines within machines and systems prompted the invention of fieldbus technology. Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG was already working in this area, using WAGO pluggable connectors. This close contact between WAGO and Beckhoff led to the joint development of a modular, fieldbus-independent I/O system in 1993. At the Hanover Fair in 1995, the two companies finally presented their new I/O systems independently of each other.
1995
Egg of Columbus
In 1995, WAGO introduced the 750 Series I/O System as an “Egg of Columbus” at the Hanover Fair: It was WAGO’s solution to the many new challenges facing the industry when implementing automation tasks. The WAGO I/O System is the world’s first modular data acquisition system with couplers for different fieldbus technologies, which makes WAGO even easier for users. Expandable at any time, fieldbus-independent, mounted on a standard DIN-rail, each module is easily replaceable, field side with CAGE CLAMP® connection – these features made the system completely flexible. A successful introduction to automation technology.
1998
The Power CAGE CLAMP
Many users of CAGE CLAMP® rail-mount terminal blocks up to 35 mm2 requested terminal blocks for larger cross-sections. This prompted WAGO to develop Power CAGE CLAMP technology in 1992. In 1998, the first rail-mount terminal block with a nominal cross-section of 95 mm2 was finally launched. Thanks to their ease of use, the new rail-mount terminal blocks with Power CAGE CLAMP technology made it easier and faster for installers to connect the largest conductors. A development that pays off: WAGO currently offers rail-mount terminal blocks with Power CAGE CLAMP for 50, 95, 150 and up to 185 mm2 nominal cross-sections.
From Then to Now
Get insight into other decades of WAGO corporate history here
Tina Meyer
