Amphenol vs Dell: Founders, CEOs and History
Amphenol was founded in 1932 by Arthur J. Schmitt and is led by R. Adam Norwitt. Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael S. Dell and is led by Michael S. Dell.
Company facts
Founders
Amphenol
Arthur J. Schmitt
Amphenol was founded in Chicago in 1932 by an effective, pragmatic entrepreneur named Arthur J. Schmitt.
Dell
Michael S. Dell
Dell Technologies possesses one of the most famous, foundational founding stories in the history of the personal computer revolution, rooted in an aggressive, direct-to-consumer arbitrage strategy executed entirely from a college dorm room.
CEOs and their tenures
Amphenol
- Arthur J. Schmitt1932–1964
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Arthur J. Schmitt founded American Phenolic Corporation in Chicago in 1932 and led it as chief executive until 1964.
Source - Martin H. Loeffler1996–2008
Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Martin H. Loeffler was Amphenol's chief executive from 1996 to 2008, president from 1987 to 2006 and chairman of the board from 1997 until he retired from the board at the May 2026 annual meeting.
Source - R. Adam Norwitt2009–present
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
R. Adam Norwitt has been Amphenol's chief executive since January 1, 2009 and added the role of chairman of the board in 2026. Net sales grew from $2.82 billion in 2009 to $23.09 billion in fiscal 2025 and the GAAP operating margin reached a record 25.4%.
Source
Dell
- Michael S. Dell1984–present
Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Michael Dell's bold, aggressive strategic maneuvers transformed the company from a successful consumer PC manufacturer into a global leader in complex enterprise data center infrastructure and advanced cloud computing.
Source - Kevin Rollins2004–2007
President and Chief Executive Officer
As CEO from 2004 to 2007, he oversaw a period of severe stagnation, losing the company's #1 PC market share position to HP, forcing Michael Dell to return and retake control.
Source - Jeff Clarke2017–present
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
As Vice Chairman and Co-COO, he is the primary operational architect of Dell's Infrastructure Solutions Group, transforming the company from a PC maker into a massive enterprise IT vendor.
Source - David Kennedy2025–present
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Legal Officer, he navigated the highly contentious 2013 leveraged buyout that took the company private, and the equally complex 2018 transaction that returned it to the public markets.
Source
Timeline: Amphenol and Dell side by side
1932Amphenol
Arthur J. Schmitt founds American Phenolic Corporation
Arthur J. Schmitt incorporates American Phenolic Corporation in Chicago with a patented molded phenolic radio tube socket, establishing the company's foundation in electronic component manufacturing.
1936Amphenol
Introduction of industry-standard 75 series microphone connector and lock-in socket
Amphenol introduces the 75 series uniform microphone connector and a lock-in socket for radio tubes, both becoming industry standards and attracting RCA as a major customer ordering 10,000 sockets daily.
1942Amphenol
Primary supplier of AN connectors for WWII Allied forces
Amphenol becomes a critical defense supplier, with its 5015 AN circular connectors becoming standard equipment on military aircraft and communications gear; A-N connector shipments increase 13,572% from January 1941 to March 1943.
1942Amphenol
Official name change to Amphenol Electronics Corporation
The company officially changes its name from American Phenolic Corporation to Amphenol Electronics Corporation, formalizing the shorthand name customers had used for years.
1945Amphenol
Initial public offering
Amphenol raises $1.5 million from convertible debentures and sells 345,000 shares at $10 per share, giving the company a $4 million market capitalization and providing capital for post-war diversification.
1951Amphenol
Amphenol engineers develop the BNC connector
Amphenol engineers Paul Neill and Carl Concelman develop the bayonet coupled BNC coaxial connector, which becomes a standard interface in radio frequency and test equipment applications.
1957Amphenol
NYSE listing
Amphenol Electronics Corporation lists on the New York Stock Exchange, marking its transition to a major public industrial company.
1958Amphenol
Merger with George W. Borg Corporation
Amphenol completes its largest transaction to date, merging with the George W. Borg Corporation, a maker of automobile clocks, electronic instruments and deep pile fabrics, and is renamed Amphenol-Borg Electronics Corporation.
1967Amphenol
Acquisition by Bunker-Ramo Corporation
Bunker-Ramo Corporation acquires Amphenol, which begins operating as a subsidiary and passes through successive corporate owners for the next 24 years.
1981Amphenol
Allied Corporation buys Bunker-Ramo for $358 million
Allied Corporation acquires Bunker-Ramo for $358 million, including the Amphenol division, making Amphenol part of a larger industrial conglomerate.
1984Dell
PC's Limited Founded
Michael Dell starts PC's Limited from his University of Texas dorm room using a direct-sales PC model.
1987Amphenol
LPL Investment leveraged buyout for $430 million
LPL Investment buys Amphenol from Allied in a leveraged buyout valued at $430 million in cash, and the decentralized management style that defines the modern company takes hold. Martin H. Loeffler becomes president in the same year.
1988Dell
Dell Goes Public
Dell Computer Corporation completes its initial public offering and scales internationally.
1991Amphenol
Second IPO on NYSE under ticker APH
Amphenol returns to public markets with a second initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker APH, beginning the modern era of sustained growth and shareholder returns.
2001Dell
Dell Becomes Largest PC Maker
Dell becomes the world's largest PC maker by market share, validating the direct model at global scale.
2005Amphenol
Acquisition of Teradyne connector business for $390 million
Amphenol acquires Teradyne's connection systems business for $390 million in October 2005, expanding its presence in high speed data and backplane connectors for the growing IT datacom market.
2007Dell
Michael Dell Returns as CEO
Michael Dell returned as chief executive in January 2007, replacing Kevin Rollins.
2013Dell
Dell Goes Private
Michael Dell and Silver Lake take Dell private in a leveraged buyout to reposition the company away from public-market pressure.
2016Amphenol
Acquisition of FCI Asia for $1.275 billion
Amphenol acquires FCI Asia from affiliates of Bain Capital for $1.275 billion in January 2016, strengthening its global connector footprint and adding high speed backplane and board-to-board capability.
2016Dell
EMC Acquired
Dell completes the EMC acquisition, creating Dell Technologies and expanding into enterprise storage, infrastructure, and VMware-linked assets.
2018Dell
Dell Returns to Public Markets
Dell Technologies returns to public-market trading through a complex transaction involving its VMware tracking stock.
2021Amphenol
Acquisition of MTS Systems Corporation for $1.7 billion
Amphenol acquires MTS Systems for $1.7 billion in April 2021, adding advanced sensor capability that deepens its position in industrial and automotive sensing.
2021Dell
VMware Spin-Off
Dell completes the VMware spin-off, simplifying the corporate structure and reducing debt.
2024Amphenol
Acquisition of Carlisle Interconnect Technologies for about $2.0 billion
Amphenol completes the purchase of Carlisle Interconnect Technologies from Carlisle Companies in May 2024 for about $2.0 billion, expanding aerospace, defense and medical harsh environment interconnect capability.
2025Amphenol
Completion of the $2.1 billion CommScope outdoor wireless and DAS purchase
Amphenol completes the acquisition of CommScope's Outdoor Wireless Networks and Distributed Antenna Systems businesses, including Andrew, for $2.1 billion in cash. The businesses had about $1.2 billion of 2024 sales.
2025Amphenol
Record fiscal 2025 revenue of $23.09 billion, up 52%
Amphenol reports record full year 2025 net sales of $23.09 billion, up 52% year over year and 38% organically, with a 25.4% GAAP operating margin, $4.4 billion of free cash flow and Communications Solutions sales up 91% to about $12.1 billion.
2025Dell
PC Brands Simplified
Dell introduces simplified Dell, Dell Pro and Dell Pro Max PC brand tiers at CES 2025.
2026Amphenol
Completion of the $10.5 billion CommScope CCS acquisition
Amphenol closes its largest acquisition, buying CommScope's Connectivity and Cable Solutions business for $10.5 billion on January 12, 2026. Amphenol also acquired the CommScope name and expects the business to generate about $4.1 billion of sales in 2026.
2026Amphenol
Norwitt named chairman as Loeffler retires from the board
Amphenol announces on February 4, 2026 that chief executive R. Adam Norwitt will also become chairman of the board at the May 2026 annual meeting, as Martin H. Loeffler retires from the board after more than five decades with the company.
2026Dell
Record $113.5B Fiscal Year
Dell reports record fiscal 2026 revenue of $113.5B, $64.1B of AI server orders and a $43B AI backlog.
2026Dell
$95B AI Server Backlog
Q2 fiscal 2027 revenue rises 58% to $47.0B; AI orders hit $60.9B and backlog reaches $95B; full-year guidance raised to about $192B.
Acquisitions
Amphenol
- CommScope Connectivity and Cable Solutions (CCS)2026$10.5B
- CommScope Outdoor Wireless Networks and Distributed Antenna Systems businesses (Andrew)2025$2.1B
- Rochester Sensors2025Undisclosed
- Trexon2025$1B
- Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (CIT)2024$2B
Dell
- EMC Corporation2016$67B
- Quest Software2012$2.4B
- Perot Systems2009$3.9B
- Alienware2006Undisclosed
Questions about Amphenol vs Dell
Who is the CEO of Amphenol Corporation and Dell Technologies Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation is led by R. Adam Norwitt and Dell Technologies Inc. is led by Michael S. Dell. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Amphenol Corporation founded vs Dell Technologies Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation was founded in 1932 — 52 years before Dell Technologies Inc., which was founded in 1984. Amphenol Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Dell Technologies Inc..
How many employees does Amphenol Corporation have compared to Dell Technologies Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation employs approximately 170,000 people, while Dell Technologies Inc. employs approximately 97,000. Amphenol Corporation has the larger workforce at 170,000 employees, compared to Dell Technologies Inc.'s 97,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Amphenol Corporation and Dell Technologies Inc. headquartered?
Both Amphenol Corporation and Dell Technologies Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Amphenol Corporation and Dell Technologies Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation was founded by Arthur J. Schmitt. Dell Technologies Inc. was founded by Michael S. Dell.
Which company has a longer operating history — Amphenol Corporation or Dell Technologies Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation has been operating for approximately 94 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Dell Technologies Inc. has been in operation for around 42 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Amphenol vs Dell overview