Amphenol vs TE Connectivity: Founders, CEOs and History
Amphenol was founded in 1932 by Arthur J. Schmitt and is led by R. Adam Norwitt. TE Connectivity was founded in 2007 by Uncas A. Whitaker and is led by Terrence Curtin.
Company facts
Amphenol
- Founded
- 1932
- Headquarters
- Wallingford, Connecticut
- Current CEO
- R. Adam Norwitt
- Employees
- 170,000
TE Connectivity
- Founded
- 2007
- Headquarters
- Galway, Ireland
- Current CEO
- Terrence Curtin
- Employees
- 90,000
Founders
Amphenol
Arthur J. Schmitt
Amphenol was founded in Chicago in 1932 by an effective, pragmatic entrepreneur named Arthur J. Schmitt.
TE Connectivity
Uncas A. Whitaker
Uncas A. Whitaker (1900-1975) was an American engineer and patent attorney who founded Aircraft-Marine Products (AMP) in 1941.
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
TE Connectivity
- Tom Lynch2006–2017
Chief Executive Officer
Led TE through its 2007 separation from Tyco International; Terrence Curtin succeeded him in March 2017.
Source - Terrence R. Curtin2017–present
Chief Executive Officer
Curtin joined Tyco Electronics in 2006 and was CFO and then President before becoming CEO in March 2017. Under him TE delivered record FY2026 quarterly results, including Q3 sales of $5.16 billion.
Source
Timeline: Amphenol and TE Connectivity 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.
1941TE Connectivity
AMP founded
Uncas A. Whitaker founds Aircraft-Marine Products (AMP) to make solderless crimped electrical terminals.
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.
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.
1999TE Connectivity
Tyco buys AMP
Tyco International acquires AMP and folds it into Tyco Electronics.
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.
2007TE Connectivity
Spin-off from Tyco
Tyco Electronics becomes an independent NYSE-listed company (TEL).
2011TE Connectivity
Renamed TE Connectivity
Tyco Electronics adopts the TE Connectivity name.
2014TE Connectivity
Measurement Specialties acquired
TE buys sensor maker Measurement Specialties for about $1.7 billion, building its sensor business.
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.
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.
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.
2024TE Connectivity
Move to Ireland
TE completes its change of legal domicile from Switzerland to Ireland on September 30, 2024.
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.
2025TE Connectivity
Richards Manufacturing and FY2025 results
TE closes the $2.3 billion Richards Manufacturing acquisition in April 2025, reorganizes into two segments and reports FY2025 net sales of $17.262 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.
2026TE Connectivity
Record quarter and Astrodyne TDI deal
Q3 FY2026 sales reach a record $5.16 billion with $5.7 billion of orders; TE agrees to buy Astrodyne TDI for about $1.4 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
TE Connectivity
- Astrodyne TDI (pending)2026$1.4B
- Richards Manufacturing2025$2.3B
- First Sensor2020Undisclosed
- Creganna Medical2016$895M
- Measurement Specialties2014$1.7B
Questions about Amphenol vs TE Connectivity
Who is the CEO of Amphenol Corporation and TE Connectivity plc?
Amphenol Corporation is led by R. Adam Norwitt and TE Connectivity plc is led by Terrence Curtin. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Amphenol Corporation founded vs TE Connectivity plc?
Amphenol Corporation was founded in 1932 — 75 years before TE Connectivity plc, which was founded in 2007. Amphenol Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger TE Connectivity plc.
How many employees does Amphenol Corporation have compared to TE Connectivity plc?
Amphenol Corporation employs approximately 170,000 people, while TE Connectivity plc employs approximately 90,000. Amphenol Corporation has the larger workforce at 170,000 employees, compared to TE Connectivity plc's 90,000. 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 TE Connectivity plc headquartered?
Amphenol Corporation is headquartered in United States and TE Connectivity plc is headquartered in Ireland. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Amphenol Corporation and TE Connectivity plc?
Amphenol Corporation was founded by Arthur J. Schmitt. TE Connectivity plc was founded by Uncas A. Whitaker.
Which company has a longer operating history — Amphenol Corporation or TE Connectivity plc?
Amphenol Corporation has been operating for approximately 94 years, making it the more established of the two companies. TE Connectivity plc has been in operation for around 19 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 TE Connectivity overview