Amphenol vs Walmart: Founders, CEOs and History
Amphenol was founded in 1932 by Arthur J. Schmitt and is led by R. Adam Norwitt. Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and is led by John Furner.
Company facts
Founders
Amphenol
Arthur J. Schmitt
Amphenol was founded in Chicago in 1932 by an effective, pragmatic entrepreneur named Arthur J. Schmitt.
Walmart
Sam Walton
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 and built the company around low prices, low costs, and its own distribution network. He served as CEO until 1988 and remained chairman until his death in 1992.
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
Walmart
- Sam Walton1962–1988
Founder and CEO
Founded Walmart and set its low-price, low-cost operating approach.
Source - Doug McMillon2014–2026
Former President and CEO
Led Walmart's push into ecommerce, marketplace, advertising, and store-fulfilled delivery, and oversaw the Jet.com, Flipkart, and VIZIO deals.
Source - Greg Penner2015–present
Chairman of the Board
He successfully managed the transition of corporate leadership to Doug McMillon and actively oversees the Walton family's controlling stake in the retail giant.
Source - John David Rainey2022–present
Executive Vice President and CFO
As CFO, he aggressively executed multi-billion-dollar share repurchases while funding massive capital expenditures for store remodels and automation.
Source - John Furner2026–present
President and CEO
Became President and CEO on February 1, 2026, succeeding Doug McMillon. He reshaped the executive team with internal promotions in January 2026.
Source - David Guggina2026–present
President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
As head of supply chain operations, he modernized the underlying logistics network that allowed Walmart to successfully compete with Amazon's two-day delivery speeds.
Source
Timeline: Amphenol and Walmart 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.
1962Walmart
First Walmart Opens
Sam Walton opens the first Walmart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas.
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.
1970Walmart
Walmart Goes Public
Walmart sells shares to the public to fund expansion.
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.
1983Walmart
Sam's Club Launches
The first Sam's Club warehouse club opens in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
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.
1988Walmart
First Supercenter and New CEO
Walmart opens its first supercenter, and David Glass succeeds Sam Walton as CEO.
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.
2000Walmart
Lee Scott Becomes CEO
Lee Scott succeeds David Glass as CEO.
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.
2014Walmart
Doug McMillon Becomes CEO
Doug McMillon, who started as an hourly associate in 1984, becomes CEO.
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.
2016Walmart
Jet.com Acquisition
Walmart buys Jet.com for about $3.3 billion to strengthen its U.S. ecommerce team.
2018Walmart
Flipkart Investment
Walmart acquires a majority stake in Flipkart for about $16 billion.
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.
2024Walmart
VIZIO Acquisition
Walmart completes its $2.3 billion purchase of smart-TV maker VIZIO to expand its advertising business.
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.
2026Walmart
John Furner Becomes CEO
John Furner succeeds Doug McMillon as President and CEO effective February 1, 2026; David Guggina takes over Walmart U.S.
2026Walmart
Q2 FY27 Results
Walmart reports Q2 FY27 revenue of $187.9 billion, up 5.9%, and raises full-year sales and operating income guidance.
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
Questions about Amphenol vs Walmart
Who is the CEO of Amphenol Corporation and Walmart Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation is led by R. Adam Norwitt and Walmart Inc. is led by John Furner. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Amphenol Corporation founded vs Walmart Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation was founded in 1932 — 30 years before Walmart Inc., which was founded in 1962. Amphenol Corporation's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Walmart Inc..
How many employees does Amphenol Corporation have compared to Walmart Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation employs approximately 170,000 people, while Walmart Inc. employs approximately 2,100,000. Walmart Inc. has the larger workforce at 2,100,000 employees, compared to Amphenol Corporation's 170,000. 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 Walmart Inc. headquartered?
Both Amphenol Corporation and Walmart Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Amphenol Corporation and Walmart Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation was founded by Arthur J. Schmitt. Walmart Inc. was founded by Sam Walton.
Which company has a longer operating history — Amphenol Corporation or Walmart Inc.?
Amphenol Corporation has been operating for approximately 94 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Walmart Inc. has been in operation for around 64 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 Walmart overview