FOUNDED IN 1953. AND ON THE MOVE EVER SINCE.
Since its founding in 1953, RACO-ELEKTRO-MASCHINEN GmbH has developed into a leading company in the field of electromechanics. The company's origins are based in the mining industry, where RACO manufactured electromechanical devices for adjusting points underground. Since then, the company has undergone an impressive development characterized by groundbreaking milestones:
1953
RACO-ELEKTRO-MASCHINEN GmbH is founded on the initiative of Richard Wilke. The company has its roots in mining, for which RACO initially produced electromechanical devices for adjusting points underground.
1955
Launch of the first product series of RACO servomotors type “SM”.
1960
Market launch of ball screw drives for machine tools.
1962
RACO starts selling actuators in the United States through the acquisition of a manufacturer representative company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1968
Market launch of the first purely electromechanical spring-applied braking devices for trams.
1970
Registration of patents such as the "spring pot with reversing pin" for RACO actuators.
1973
Market launch of the modular assembly system of RACO Electric Actuators® as actuator design type 1 with 11 sizes from 200 lbs to 200,000 lbs of actuating force.
1980
RACO International, L.P. is founded as an American subsidiary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1990
Market launch of the modular assembly system of RACO Electric Actuators ® as actuator type 6 "COMPACT."
1995
Reinhard Wilke takes over the management of the company as sole owner and partner.
2003
Anniversary and "Open Day" to mark the 50th anniversary of RACO-ELEKTRO-MASCHINEN GmbH.
2006
Market launch of the non-contact digital electronic position sensor (EPS).
2008
ATEX certification of RACO Electric Actuators® in actuator design type 1 (size 4-8).
2013
Market launch of the RACOmatic® to mark the company's 60th anniversary.
2016
Equipping of the largest flood gates in Germany with two RACO Electric Actuators® for flood protection in the Elbe area near Döbeln, Saxony.
2018
Expansion of the product range with RACO DC electric actuators, especially for mobile applications with high power density.
2020
Succession of the operational business to the sons Sebastian Wilke and Thomas Wilke as Managing Directors.
2021
Expansion of the modular assembly system of RACO Electric Actuators ® as actuator type 1 with size 12 for actuating forces up to 280,000 lbs.
2023
Anniversary "70 years of RACO."
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