About Us: A Brief History of Tyco Thermal Controls

Today, Tyco Thermal Controls is a global company providing optimal solutions for various applications involving heat tracing, floor heating, snow melting & de-icing, temperature measurement, wiring, and leak detection systems. With operations in 48 countries and experience in managing projects around the globe, Tyco Thermal Controls is the ideal partner for companies worldwide. Currently, we manufacture and distribute products and provide services under brand names such as Raychem ^®, Pyrotenax ^®, Pyrotenax-Jiuli ^TM, DigiTrace ^®, Tracer ^TM, Isopad, T2 ^TM, TraceTek ^®, and WinterGard ^®. The roots of Tyco Thermal Controls can be traced back to Raychem Corporation which was based in Menlo Park, CA. The following paragraphs contain a short history of how Tyco Thermal Controls came into existence and how it has transformed into a world leader in heat-tracing solutions.

In 1957, Raychem (formed from Radiation Chemistry) Corporation was founded by Paul Cook, an inventor and engineer. Among its many achievements, Raychem has been renowned for more than thirty years as the inventors and purveyors of self regulating heat-tracing technology. Raychem acquired Chemelex in 1969 for their for their Celotherm constant wattage heater technology. From there Raychem invented the world's first self regulating heating cable that soon became the industry standard for pipe freeze protection and temperature maintenance applications. Over the next 20 years, Raychem continued R &D focus in the area of polymer science and continued to develop and market innovative solutions. Finally, In 1998 Raychem acquired Thorin & Thorin - a Swedish Floor heating specialist - and entered the underfloor heating market, a business which continues to grow today on a worldwide level.

In 1999, Raychem Corporation was purchased by Tyco International and split into two segments; electronics and heat tracing. The former Raychem Heat-Tracing Division was renamed Raychem HTS (for Heat-Tracing Systems) and placed within Tyco's Flow Control Division. There it began to grow through acquisition, obtaining different heat-tracing related companies such as Accutron, Isopad, and Tracer Industries. The latter, Tracer Industries, would prove to have a major impact on the capabilities of Tyco Thermal Controls as it brought the company a full range of engineering, design and construction capabilities.

In January 2001, Tyco Thermal Controls acquired LG-Cable's Heat-Tracing Division. This event marked an important step in Tyco Thermal Controls' strategy to increase sales and presence in Asia by providing new distribution channels, as well as a manufacturing facility in Korea.

Soon to follow was the March 2001 acquisition of mineral insulated (MI) cable giant, Pyrotenax, from General Cable Corporation. Already a world leader in the manufacturing of MI heat-tracing cable and the maker of the DigiTrace brand of control & monitoring products, Pyrotenax also brought with it manufacturing facilities in Canada and the UK, as well as two new businesses--wiring & temperature measurement.

At this point, Raychem HTS was faced with a dilemma. It had a name which was identified with only one business (heat tracing), one brand (Raychem) and one cable technology (self- regulating). However, the recent acquisitions of additional brands, technologies and businesses had transformed the company into so much more. Thus, in a move designed to recognize its increased offerings and capabilities, Raychem HTS changed its name to Tyco Thermal Controls.

By the fall of 2003, a major acquisition involving the China-based Jiuli Group was completed. Engineered to increase market presence and capabilities in Asia, this acquisition gave birth to the Pyrotenax-Jiuli brand of products and provided Tyco Thermal Controls with a second manufacturing site in Asia.

After only four short years, Tyco Thermal Controls stands today as a global company with the ability to offer a wide range of products and services for heat tracing, floor heating, snow melting & de-icing, wiring, temperature measurement, and leak detection applications. By uniting the experience and expertise of leading brands such as Raychem ^®, Pyrotenax ^®, Pyrotenax-Jiuli ^TM, DigiTrace ^®, Tracer ^TM, Isopad, T2 ^TM, TraceTek ^®, and WinterGard ^® into a single company that has more than 1600 employees and operations in more than 48 countries, Tyco Thermal Controls has become the ideal partner for companies worldwide.