On March 1st, 2005 DEUTA-WERKE celebrates its hundredth anniversary.
History
The Deutsche Tachometer Werke was founded 100 years ago in Berlin. What started out with just the production of high-quality speed indicators for automobiles developed into a successful company operating at international levels over the decades in the area of rail transportation and industry.
The company history begins in the year 1905 in Berlin: With a bit of money, a lot of courage and even more hope for the future technological progress, the production of tachometers according to the eddy current principle began in the Belle-Alliance-Strasse under the management of the foundation members Steinberg, Tritter and Georg Rensch.
The 10,000th motorcar speedometer is sold only four years after the company had been established. Deuta branches are opened in Paris and London. The name of DEUTA becomes synonymous for accuracy in automobiles and even the Emperor relies on the Deuta tachometers in his vehicles.
In 1910, the corporate headquarters are relocated to the Oranienstrasse 25.
Speedometers are also produced for locomotives as of 1910. The rotation of the wheel axle is transferred to the driver’s cabin of the locomotive by a flexible rotary harrow developed and patent-office protected by DEUTA.
Deuta receives orders from the German Reichsbahn to develop a recording speedometer for the “INDUSI” inductive train interaction developed by Siemens. Next to speed, the device was also supposed to monitor the driving behaviour with braking points and stop signals. The WR1 was developed and introduced at the world exhibition in Paris in 1937. In addition to the Indusi system, the Deuta recording devices now were officially required for every locomotive.
The close business relations with the German Reichsbahn form the springboard for first exports. The state railways in the Netherlands, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Turkey and Scandinavia request Deuta products.
At the end of the Twenties, Deuta acquires the NADIR company; a manufacturer of electrical laboratory instruments. Now a wear-free electrical transmitter according to the dynamo principle completes the product range.
The takeover of the Morell company in 1930 provides Deuta with an in-depth entry in aeronautical engineering. The new Deuta-Morell company builds airplane instruments, such as blind flying devices with turn-and-bank indicator and artificial horizon.
Motorcar tachometers have now become a mass product with constantly increasing demand.
The minor requirements regarding accuracy enabled various production procedures to emerge and the number of competitors increased.
Three competitors – Veigel, Deuta and OTA – consolidate and establish the company V.D.O. However, the Veigel company withdrew a short time later and went bankrupt afterwards. Now the name V.D.O. stands for Vereinigte DEUTA OTA (United DEUTA OTA). The OTA company pays out its assets to the associates Häusler and Schindling. They contribute the cash deposits to V.D.O. OTA is liquidated later on. With its automotive sector, Deuta contributes to the essential basics of V.D.O: Machines, humans, and know-how now belong to V.D.O.
In 1944, the Reichs Ministry of Aviation orders a forced resettlement to Schwarzenbach am Wald in Upper Franconia (Bavaria). Today, a Deuta Competence Centre is located there which prodcues mechanical precision parts for automotive and industrial applications.
Deuta acquires the present factory premises in Bergisch Gladbach in 1951. Relocation is almost concluded in 1954. The sale, construction, development and production sector are relocated to the small town near Cologne on the right side of the Rhine river.
During this time, the prototype of a dead man’s device for rail vehicles called SIFA, or “dead man’s handle” was developed. The locomotive driver must now operate a key on his cab control panel at regular intervals to prove his alertness.
The dawn of a new era breaks in 1960: Mechanical devices are being increasingly replaced with electrical ones.
New developments occur in faster succession, modern technologies determine the production, and sales increase.
In the 70s, electronic components in Deuta products gain increased importance. Switching and indicating devices are equipped with semi-conductor electronics. Deuta maintains the leading position in the area of rotation and speed measurement KWR 1, the first electrical shortcut data memory for streetcars, is an example of this period of development. Similar to the “Black Box” in airplanes, this device records travel data.
Microprocessors in the Eighties enable Deuta to access digital computer technology, because increasing safety requirements, higher travelling speeds and greater train density require highly accurate measuring systems.
A new addition to the product program is the MFA – a Modular Driver’s Cab Indicator – which has its permanent place in the ICE 1 and ICE 2 even today.
Deuta recognises the great growth potential of the Chinese market early on. From close collaboration with SRCEF (Shanghai Railway Communication Equipment Factory), the joint venture SHANGHAI DEUTA Ltd. develops in 1993. The German-Chinese company has been producing sensors, indicators and data memory systems for China and Asia since September 1994.
Mr. Wolfram Rensch managed the family tradition of a founding father as a managing associate for almost four decades. In 1994, the managing directors Dipl. Agt. Felix Kirchgässler and Dr. Neil S. Craigie assumed the company management from those capable hands. Together with about 270 employees, they are working on innovative solutions for the future.
Since May 2003, the Competence Centre Gercom now belongs to the Deuta group and completes the product range with industry computers, industrial indicator technology and customer-specific special solutions.
Deuta today
100 years after its establishment, DEUTA WERKE is a modern company with tradition which faces the requirements of international customers by using intelligent solutions. Deuta offers customer-specific solutions for use in transportation systems and industrial automation. Since its establishment, Deuta has been continuously expanding its core competencies, such as speed and distance measurement technology, man-machine interfaces, computer-supported recording, monitoring and controlling systems as well as information technology for intelligent vehicle technology.
With its own Embedded PC Board design group and a modern BGA production, Deuta offers qualified embedded solutions for new markets. Deuta will be tackling the construction and production of complete driver's consoles as a new product sector. The Deuta Driver’s Desks are distinguished by very high service friendliness and system availability.
Within the scope of promoting the new generation, the Deuta-Werke has tendered a design award for a new company Corporate Design on the occasion of its company anniversary. Several renowned universities and technical colleges have accepted the challenge. The winners of the competition will receive lucrative prizes.
The awards will be presented during the official festivities on the occasion of the company anniversary on May 24, 2005. Further program highlights will be the keynote speech of a political and economical personage, an exhibition regarding the past, present and future of Deuta, as well as the concluding banquet at the "Schlosshotel Lerbach." Many guests from the political and economical sectors have already confirmed their attendance.
May 25, 2005 belongs entirely to the associates and employees of the Deuta Werke. Together with personalities from the local politics and the family members of the “Deutans,” an enjoyable barbecue with entertainment program has been planned.
