Amphenol vs TDK: Founders, CEOs and History
Amphenol was founded in 1932 by Arthur J. Schmitt and is led by R. Adam Norwitt. TDK was founded in 1935 by Kenzo Saito, Dr. Yogoro Kato and is led by Noboru Saito.
Company facts
Founders
Amphenol
Arthur J. Schmitt
Amphenol was founded in Chicago in 1932 by an effective, pragmatic entrepreneur named Arthur J. Schmitt.
TDK
Kenzo Saito
Kenzo Saito founded Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo K.K., later TDK, on December 7, 1935. He was inspired by Dr. Yogoro Kato's statement that original technology is the source of true industry, and set up the company to industrialize ferrite.
Dr. Yogoro Kato
Dr. Yogoro Kato co-invented ferrite with Dr. Takeshi Takei at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1930. TDK credits his philosophy with inspiring Kenzo Saito to found the company, and TDK co-developed ferrite cores with the institute.
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
TDK
- Shigenao Ishiguro2016–2022
President and Chief Executive Officer
Led TDK through the acquisitions of Micronas (2016) and InvenSense (2017) and the growth of ATL batteries; became Chairman when Noboru Saito took over in 2022.
Source - Noboru Saito2022–present
Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Former head of the Sensor Systems business; became CEO on April 1, 2022, and has led TDK to record results in FY2026 on battery, HDD head and AI data center demand.
Source
Timeline: Amphenol and TDK 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.
1935TDK
Founding and First Ferrite Core
Kenzo Saito founds Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo K.K. on December 7, 1935, to industrialize ferrite, invented in 1930 by Dr. Yogoro Kato and Dr. Takeshi Takei; ferrite cores are commercialized in 1937.
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.
1966TDK
Expansion into Magnetic Recording Media
TDK expands into the magnetic tape market, developing advanced audio and data recording tapes that become the global standard for the consumer electronics and early computing industries.
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.
1980TDK
Development of Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs)
TDK builds its multilayer ceramic capacitor business, part of its shift from recording media toward electronic components.
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.
1983TDK
Renamed TDK Corporation
Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo was renamed TDK Corporation in 1983.
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.
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.
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.
2005TDK
Acquisition of Amperex Technology Limited (ATL)
TDK acquires Hong Kong-based battery maker Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), which later becomes its largest business.
2007TDK
Recording Media Brand Sold to Imation
TDK sold its branded recording media business to Imation in 2007.
2008TDK
Acquired EPCOS
TDK acquired EPCOS. TDK made a public tender offer of EUR 17.85 per share in cash for EPCOS, the Munich-based maker of passive electronic components, valuing it at about $1.36 billion (EUR 1.2 billion), and combined the two companies' passive component busines…
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.
2017TDK
Acquisition of InvenSense and Micronas
The company acquires specialized MEMS sensor and semiconductor sensor firms, expanding its portfolio into advanced motion, environmental, and magnetic sensing solutions for automotive and IoT applications.
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.
2022TDK
Noboru Saito Becomes CEO
Noboru Saito becomes President and CEO on April 1, 2022, succeeding Shigenao Ishiguro.
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.
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.
2026TDK
Record FY2026 Results
TDK reports record FY March 2026 net sales of ~$16.8 billion (¥2,504.8 billion) and operating profit of ~$1.83 billion (¥272.4 billion).
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
TDK
- InvenSense2017$1.3B
- Micronas2016Undisclosed
- EPCOS2008Undisclosed
- Amperex Technology Limited (ATL)2005$100M
Questions about Amphenol vs TDK
Who is the CEO of Amphenol Corporation and TDK Corporation?
Amphenol Corporation is led by R. Adam Norwitt and TDK Corporation is led by Noboru Saito. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Amphenol Corporation founded vs TDK Corporation?
Amphenol Corporation was founded in 1932 — 3 years before TDK Corporation, which was founded in 1935. Amphenol Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger TDK Corporation.
How many employees does Amphenol Corporation have compared to TDK Corporation?
Amphenol Corporation employs approximately 170,000 people, while TDK Corporation employs approximately 106,545. Amphenol Corporation has the larger workforce at 170,000 employees, compared to TDK Corporation's 106,545. 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 TDK Corporation headquartered?
Amphenol Corporation is headquartered in United States and TDK Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Amphenol Corporation and TDK Corporation?
Amphenol Corporation was founded by Arthur J. Schmitt. TDK Corporation was founded by Kenzo Saito, Dr. Yogoro Kato.
Which company has a longer operating history — Amphenol Corporation or TDK Corporation?
Amphenol Corporation has been operating for approximately 94 years, making it the more established of the two companies. TDK Corporation has been in operation for around 91 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 TDK overview