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Amphenol vs Johnson & Johnson: Founders, CEOs and History

Amphenol was founded in 1932 by Arthur J. Schmitt and is led by R. Adam Norwitt. Johnson & Johnson was founded in 1886 by Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, Edward Mead Johnson and is led by Joaquin Duato.

Company facts

Amphenol

Founded
1932
Headquarters
Wallingford, Connecticut
Current CEO
R. Adam Norwitt
Employees
170,000

Johnson & Johnson

Founded
1886
Headquarters
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Current CEO
Joaquin Duato
Employees
140,800

Founders

Amphenol

  • Arthur J. Schmitt

    Amphenol was founded in Chicago in 1932 by an effective, pragmatic entrepreneur named Arthur J. Schmitt.

Amphenol founders in full

Johnson & Johnson

  • Robert Wood Johnson

    Robert Wood Johnson (1845-1910) co-founded Johnson & Johnson in 1886 and served as its first president.

  • James Wood Johnson

    James Wood Johnson (1856-1932) co-founded J&J with his brothers in 1886. An engineer by trade, he designed the early manufacturing machinery that allowed the company to mass-produce sterile surgical dressings.

  • Edward Mead Johnson

    Edward Mead Johnson (1852-1934) co-founded J&J in 1886, bringing crucial sales and marketing expertise to the early business.

Johnson & Johnson founders in full

CEOs and their tenures

Amphenol

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
Amphenol CEO history in full

Johnson & Johnson

  1. Ralph Larsen1989–2002

    Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Larsen's acquisitions, including Neutrogena, Cordis, DePuy, and Centocor, broadened J&J into medical devices and biologics, laying groundwork for today's MedTech segment and immunology franchise.

    Source
  2. William Weldon2002–2012

    Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Weldon's later years were overshadowed by a wave of consumer product recalls, including Tylenol and Motrin, tied to manufacturing-quality problems.

    Source
  3. Alex Gorsky2012–2022

    Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Gorsky's tenure set up the 2023 Kenvue separation completed under his successor and saw J&J's single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized in 2021. He also oversaw the $30 billion Actelion acquisition in 2017 and the early years of talc litigation.

    Source
  4. Joaquin Duato2022–present

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Under Duato, J&J's sales reached $94.193 billion in FY2025 with $26.804 billion in net earnings, and the company guides to its first $100 billion year in 2026. He also launched the DePuy Synthes separation and the 2026 talc settlement proposal.

    Source
Johnson & Johnson CEO history in full

Timeline: Amphenol and Johnson & Johnson side by side

  1. 1886Johnson & Johnson

    Johnson & Johnson Founded

    Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, and Edward Mead Johnson found the company in New Brunswick, New Jersey, with 14 employees, to mass-produce sterile surgical dressings after Robert was inspired by antiseptic pioneer Joseph Lister's 1885 warnings about i…

  2. 1920Johnson & Johnson

    Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages Introduced

    J&J introduces the first mass-produced adhesive bandage, sold under the Band-Aid brand starting in 1921; it becomes one of the most recognized consumer-health brands in the world before J&J later spins its consumer division out as Kenvue in 2023.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 1943Johnson & Johnson

    Robert Wood Johnson II Writes 'Our Credo'

    Chairman Robert Wood Johnson II authors 'Our Credo,' a one-page statement ranking the company's responsibilities to customers, employees, communities, and shareholders in that order; it remains J&J's official governing philosophy and was later cited as the bas…

  8. 1944Johnson & Johnson

    J&J Goes Public

    Johnson & Johnson lists publicly, becoming an independent, market-traded company as it expands into a diversified healthcare business under Chairman Robert Wood Johnson II.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 1957Amphenol

    NYSE listing

    Amphenol Electronics Corporation lists on the New York Stock Exchange, marking its transition to a major public industrial company.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 1982Johnson & Johnson

    Tylenol Cyanide Poisonings and Nationwide Recall

    After seven people in the Chicago area die from cyanide-laced Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules, J&J issues a nationwide recall of 31 million bottles within a week -- far beyond what investigators said was necessary -- citing Our Credo's customer-safety priority…

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 2012Johnson & Johnson

    Alex Gorsky Becomes CEO

    Gorsky succeeds William Weldon as CEO amid a period of manufacturing-quality recalls, and spends the next decade restoring J&J's operational reputation while expanding the pharmaceutical and MedTech businesses and developing a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine duri…

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 2022Johnson & Johnson

    Joaquin Duato Becomes CEO

    Duato becomes CEO in January 2022, later adding the chairman title, and begins preparing the separation of J&J's consumer-health business from its medicine and device operations.

  23. 2023Johnson & Johnson

    Kenvue Separation

    J&J completes the spinoff of its consumer-health business (Band-Aid, Tylenol, Listerine, Neutrogena) as the standalone public company Kenvue, narrowing J&J around its higher-margin Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments.

  24. 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.

  25. 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.

  26. 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.

  27. 2025Johnson & Johnson

    FY2025 Sales of $94.193B

    Johnson & Johnson reports $94.193 billion in sales and $26.804 billion in net earnings, split roughly 64% Innovative Medicine and 36% MedTech, both segments growing about 6% year over year.

  28. 2025Johnson & Johnson

    Orthopaedics Separation Announced

    In October 2025 J&J announced plans to separate its orthopaedics business as a standalone company operating as DePuy Synthes, targeting completion in 2027.

  29. 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.

  30. 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.

  31. 2026Johnson & Johnson

    Proposed Talc Resolution and Raised Guidance

    J&J raised 2026 sales guidance to about $101.1 billion after Q2 sales of $25.31 billion, and on July 27, 2026 proposed an estimated $5.5 billion resolution of remaining ovarian talc claims.

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
All Amphenol acquisitions

Johnson & Johnson

  • Intra-Cellular Therapies2025$14.6B
  • Shockwave Medical2024$13.1B
  • Kenvue separation2023Undisclosed
  • Abiomed2022$16.6B
  • Actelion2017$30B
All Johnson & Johnson acquisitions

Questions about Amphenol vs Johnson & Johnson

Who is the CEO of Amphenol Corporation and Johnson & Johnson?

Amphenol Corporation is led by R. Adam Norwitt and Johnson & Johnson is led by Joaquin Duato. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.

When was Amphenol Corporation founded vs Johnson & Johnson?

Johnson & Johnson was founded in 1886 — 46 years before Amphenol Corporation, which was founded in 1932. Johnson & Johnson's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Amphenol Corporation.

How many employees does Amphenol Corporation have compared to Johnson & Johnson?

Amphenol Corporation employs approximately 170,000 people, while Johnson & Johnson employs approximately 140,800. Amphenol Corporation has the larger workforce at 170,000 employees, compared to Johnson & Johnson's 140,800. 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 Johnson & Johnson headquartered?

Both Amphenol Corporation and Johnson & Johnson are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.

Who founded Amphenol Corporation and Johnson & Johnson?

Amphenol Corporation was founded by Arthur J. Schmitt. Johnson & Johnson was founded by Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson, Edward Mead Johnson.

Which company has a longer operating history — Amphenol Corporation or Johnson & Johnson?

Johnson & Johnson has been operating for approximately 140 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Amphenol Corporation has been in operation for around 94 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 Johnson & Johnson overview

Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.