TDK vs TE Connectivity: Founders, CEOs and History
TDK was founded in 1935 by Kenzo Saito, Dr. Yogoro Kato and is led by Noboru Saito. TE Connectivity was founded in 2007 by Uncas A. Whitaker and is led by Terrence Curtin.
Company facts
TDK
- Founded
- 1935
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Current CEO
- Noboru Saito
- Employees
- 106,545
TE Connectivity
- Founded
- 2007
- Headquarters
- Galway, Ireland
- Current CEO
- Terrence Curtin
- Employees
- 90,000
Founders
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.
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
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
TE Connectivity
- Tom Lynch2006–2017
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, he aggressively pivoted the company away from consumer electronics and heavily into highly engineered, high-margin automotive and aerospace sensors.
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: TDK and TE Connectivity side by side
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.
1941TE Connectivity
AMP founded
Uncas A. Whitaker founds Aircraft-Marine Products (AMP) to make solderless crimped electrical terminals.
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.
1980TDK
Development of Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs)
TDK builds its multilayer ceramic capacitor business, part of its shift from recording media toward electronic components.
1983TDK
Renamed TDK Corporation
Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo was renamed TDK Corporation in 1983.
1999TE Connectivity
Tyco buys AMP
Tyco International acquires AMP and folds it into Tyco Electronics.
2005TDK
Acquisition of Amperex Technology Limited (ATL)
TDK acquires Hong Kong-based battery maker Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), which later becomes its largest business.
2006TE Connectivity
Tom Lynch becomes CEO
Tom Lynch became CEO of TE Connectivity in 2006. Led TE through its 2007 separation from Tyco International; Terrence Curtin succeeded him in March 2017.
2007TDK
Recording Media Brand Sold to Imation
TDK sold its branded recording media business to Imation in 2007.
2007TE Connectivity
Spin-off from Tyco
Tyco Electronics becomes an independent NYSE-listed company (TEL).
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…
2010TE Connectivity
ADC Telecommunications Acquired
Tyco Electronics bought ADC Telecommunications in 2010 for about $1.25 billion.
2011TE Connectivity
Renamed TE Connectivity
Tyco Electronics adopts the TE Connectivity name.
2012TE Connectivity
Deutsch Acquired
TE Connectivity bought the connector maker Deutsch in 2012 for about $2 billion.
2014TE Connectivity
Measurement Specialties acquired
TE buys sensor maker Measurement Specialties for about $1.7 billion, building its sensor business.
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.
2017TE Connectivity
Terrence R. Curtin becomes CEO
Terrence R. Curtin became CEO of TE Connectivity in 2017. Curtin joined Tyco Electronics in 2006 and was CFO and then President before becoming CEO in March 2017.
2022TDK
Noboru Saito Becomes CEO
Noboru Saito becomes President and CEO on April 1, 2022, succeeding Shigenao Ishiguro.
2024TE Connectivity
Move to Ireland
TE completes its change of legal domicile from Switzerland to Ireland on September 30, 2024.
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.
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).
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
TDK
- InvenSense2017$1.3B
- Micronas2016Undisclosed
- EPCOS2008Undisclosed
- Amperex Technology Limited (ATL)2005$100M
TE Connectivity
- Astrodyne TDI (pending)2026$1.4B
- Richards Manufacturing2025$2.3B
- First Sensor2020Undisclosed
- Creganna Medical2016$895M
- Measurement Specialties2014$1.7B
Questions about TDK vs TE Connectivity
Who is the CEO of TDK Corporation and TE Connectivity plc?
TDK Corporation is led by Noboru Saito 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 TDK Corporation founded vs TE Connectivity plc?
TDK Corporation was founded in 1935 — 72 years before TE Connectivity plc, which was founded in 2007. TDK 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 TDK Corporation have compared to TE Connectivity plc?
TDK Corporation employs approximately 106,545 people, while TE Connectivity plc employs approximately 90,000. TDK Corporation has the larger workforce at 106,545 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 TDK Corporation and TE Connectivity plc headquartered?
TDK Corporation is headquartered in Japan 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 TDK Corporation and TE Connectivity plc?
TDK Corporation was founded by Kenzo Saito, Dr. Yogoro Kato. TE Connectivity plc was founded by Uncas A. Whitaker.
Which company has a longer operating history — TDK Corporation or TE Connectivity plc?
TDK Corporation has been operating for approximately 91 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 TDK vs TE Connectivity overview