The relays from Adelberg take on a wide variety of tasks in automation and are combined with electronic, electromechanical, sensor-based and motorized components on both input and output ends. Take, for example, the system engineering produced at the location in Brüttisellen: “Really nice control and regulation systems can be created by combining our components in a practical manner” (Ernst Erni in the December in-house magazine). Case in point: the fully transistorized remote control system for the air traffic control in Kloten has been in operation for two years, with no problems experienced to date.
Beginning and 50s
Relay 20
Adelberg assumes the manufacture of ERNI relays
Just two years after its founding, ERNI Elektroapparate GmbH assumes vast areas of relay manufacturing for the entire group. After the success with relay 60, ERNI continues to develop smaller, higher performance relays that find use in telecontrol engineering applications.
Start-up with a three-man team
On the first floor, Franz Reisinger is busy with the development and assembly of relay coils, while toolmaker Kurt Schlotz manufactures punched and molded parts at the ground level. Horst Opitz works on the top floor as the company’s first Managing Director. The production locations in Adelberg and in Brüttisellen make mutual weekly deliveries of manufactured components for assembly, whereby product is exchanged halfway between both locations - from “trunk to trunk”. This non-bureaucratic method of goods transport over the border makes customs authorities skeptical. After investigating offices, checking delivery notes, the weight of the goods and production lists, everything is declared OK.
The founding of ERNI Elektroapparate GmbH in Adelberg
On July 28th, Ernst Erni has “Erni-Elektro-Apparate GmbH” entered into the trade register, with DM 30,000 of capital stock. The company, which is now legally designated the German GmbH business form, registers a business enterprise with the town hall in Adelberg for the manufacture of electrical devices. Number of employees according to the registration: „4 Pcs“. Adelberg is home to 1,160 inhabitants this year. On a national level, the 45 hour workweek is being implemented, with four jobs available for each unemployed person. A three room apartment currently costs around DM 50, while a flight to Australia cannot be purchased for under DM 5,600; the average worker earns approximately DM 200 to 250 per month. One U.S. dollar equals DM 4.20.
A new era
In order to facilitate exporting from EFTA country Switzerland into other markets, the idea of erecting a manufacturing base in economically expanding Germany is entertained. The plan: by splitting up manufacturing and mutually exchanging components, the certificates of origin of the completely assembled relays are obtained for both markets. The decision to expand across the border is made.
ERNI moves to Brüttisellen
The company moves to Brüttisellen. The new building becomes the main facility of the company group and is considerably expanded over the years. The somewhat cumbersome name for “non-Swiss” ears begins to gain recognition around the globe. Almost 50 years later, a well-known soda company will rent the portion of the building Erni no longer needs. Their red logo fits well with the logo of residing company ERNI Licht-Technik AG. The areas of electricity distribution, heavy current engineering, cable and overhead line engineering are transferred to Erni+Giger AG.
Growth
The range of services offered by the young company quickly grows. For many orders – especially those involving the airport in Kloten – the classic boundaries of heavy and weak current engineering as well as low and high frequency engineering overlap. Activities encompass the distribution and regulation of electricity, cable and overhead line engineering, heavy and weak current relays, runway lighting and time measuring systems.
Winter Olympics in Oslo
The big test is the Winter Olympic Games. Longines “system ernico” time measuring systems clock the competitions on ski slopes, cross-country ski trails and bobsled and luge runs to a hundredth of a second. A time measuring system with large display is also installed in the ice arena. As a member of the Longines delegation, Ernst Erni is personally accountable for his technological invention in Oslo. The entire system is so compact, flexible and reliable that ERNI time measuring systems and chrono cameras are used to document various winter and summer sporting events.
In tune with the times
The Longines “system ernico” time measuring system is used at more and more competitive events. In ice hockey and stadium halls, the units clock the effective playing times, manage the 2- and 5-minute penalties of the teams, output signals and control the clocks of the main display boards. In the years to follow, measurement technology and the chrono camera dominate almost every sport, from track & field all the way to motor sports.
The chrono camera
Commissioned by Longines, Ernst Erni develops the “chrono camera”, the first timer capable of measuring and documenting in one hundredths of a second. A high precision synchronous motor with stable frequency controls a mechanical counter and a film exposure unit comprising a lens, a flasher, synchronized film advance and rapid developing. Every two hundredths of a second, the flash exposes the automatically transported film, creating a “film document” of the counter times.
Airfield lighting
After Ernst Erni used an in-house developed relay to improve the reliability of power management at the Kloten airport, he receives an order to also erect a runway lighting system. It goes without saying that he saw a way to improve the technology used at that time. Ernst develops lights for the runway and files his first patents. Frequently, Ernst’s sons (who are still in school) are seen on the airfield helping their father.
Start in Kloten
In Kloten, the main international airport for Zurich is built. The grounds are a former armory of the Swiss army and have to be cleared of duds. Ernst Erni takes this opportunity to demonstrate his self-developed mine detector. The demonstration is a success and Ernst Erni is commissioned to establish the power supply, power distribution and power control system for the airport.
Ernst Rudolf Erni goes into business for himself
The history of ERNI begins, as 30 year old electrical engineer Ernst Rudolf Erni took his daring step to independence. As a general partner, he founded ERNI & CO. together with his wife and limited partner Elsa Erni. In a residential home in Nänikon/Uster near Zurich, the married couple erect their first workshop for commissioning electrical engineering orders. In the beginning, Elsa Erni also “pitches in” in the workshop, but later moves on to office work and bookkeeping – in addition to being a mother of two sons.
The family cornerstone
Ernst R. Erni marries his spouse Elsa Erni-Gallmann. The two sons Ernst Peter and Rudolf arise from the marriage. Both of them choose a career outside the family business.
The technical cornerstone
Ernst R. Erni successfully graduates from the Technical University of Winterthur, Switzerland, in Electrical Engineering.
A star is born
Ernst R. Erni, the founder of the ERNI Group of Companies, is born in Brüttisellen, Switzerland, being the elder of two sons of Alois and Anna Erni.