The Amphenol CIT (Amphenol CIT) story goes back to 1940 when Henry Dudley Minich founded what was then known as Tensolite. At first, Amphenol CIT consisted of a research laboratory employing six people in an old, converted house in North Tarrytown, New York. While there, the company investigated the properties and commercial possibilities of various plastics and synthetic fibers.
The Department of Defense awarded Amphenol CIT a contract for the manufacture of electrically heated gloves and flying suits for Air Force pilots. After World War II, work with insulated wire was continued. Two of the most successful products were hearing aid cordage and flexible phonograph tone arm wire.
In April of 1950 the Tensolite Insulated Wire Co., Inc. was founded by Henry Dudley Minich and his son, Charles Harrison Minich. The first line of products consisted of wire with wrapped or extruded vinyl plastic insulation that met the need for flexibility, compactness, light weight and resistance to abrasion, temperature extremes and corrosive chemicals.
Amphenol CIT entered the field of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation and, before the end of 1954, expanded operations made it necessary to acquire additional floor space, which doubled the size of the Tarrytown factory.
Amphenol CIT (then Tensolite) became part of the Amphenol CITcompanies. Amphenol CIT continues to enjoy the support of Amphenol CIT, which provides the financial strength and resources to allow Amphenol CIT to explore emerging technologies and new opportunities as they come to light.
Amphenol CIT became the first company to develop a process to wrap polyimide tapes on wire to produce a tougher, lighter airframe wire. This was the start of Amphenol CIT’s aerospace business, which today remains one of the strengths of the company.
Amphenol CIT developed a unique process to extrude and expand PTFE in a continuous process. This led to a patented high-speed wire and cable insulation system that is the foundation of our RF/microwave cable technology.
Amphenol CIT developed the first arc track-resistant airframe wire and called it Tufflite 2000. This product quickly became the standard for airframe wire safety.
Amphenol CIT began to implement a strategy to vertically integrate into value-added cable assemblies. The focus was to provide superior high-speed, high-density and RF/microwave cable assemblies to our customers. Amphenol CIT’s strategic acquisitions provided the company with a fully integrated product line consisting of cable, connectors and cable assemblies.
The people of Amphenol CIT continue to seek new challenges in the field of high-performance wire, cable and interconnect systems. Every day we’re developing innovative solutions for our partners in the Aerospace, Military, Space, Test and Measurement, Medical Technology and Industrial markets. Mr. Minich would be amazed to see how Amphenol CIT has grown from the small beginnings of his laboratory in North Tarrytown.
The employees of Amphenol CIT continue to perform pioneering work in the field of high-performance wire and cable and interconnect systems. Our products are sold into the aerospace, wireless communications, optical networking, test and measurement and computer/data communications industries. Mr. Minich would be proud to see how Amphenol CIT has grown from the small beginnings of his laboratory on Hudson Street in North Tarrytown, New York.
Our future plans include a continued focus on the dynamic needs of our customers, which means continuous expansion of our product and technical capabilities. We are firmly committed to staying on the forefront of the development of innovative interconnect solutions. That means working closely with our customers to take on what comes next and innovate the next generation of interconnect solutions.
