ELAC history
1926
The company Electroacustic GmbH is founded on 1 September 1926 in Kiel. The companies focus is on the development of sonar technology and the research of signal and sound channels in air and water.
1945
After the end of World War II, production is converted to urgently-needed consumer goods. The Kiel-based company builds sewing machines and car components, with just 248 of its former 5,000 employees. A product manufactured by ELAC for Siemens sets the trend for the future: a radio set. The first step on its successful journey into consumer electronics.
1948
The first ELAC turntable, the record changer PW 1 is launched on 14 December 1948. It is the foundation for ELAC's later market leadership in the field of record players.
1949
The company is once again allowed to carry out work in the nautical sector, for the first time since the World War II. The hifi and nautical divisions are developed simultaneously.
In the decades to follow ELAC becomes a world renowned brand in the field of consumer electronics and one of the leading manufacturers of record players. In the nineteen seventies ELAC introduces famous brands like Sony, Fischer and Nakamichi to the German market by becoming the exclusive distributor for these brands.
In the decades to follow ELAC becomes a world renowned brand in the field of consumer electronics and one of the leading manufacturers of record players. In the nineteen seventies ELAC introduces famous brands like Sony, Fischer and Nakamichi to the German market by becoming the exclusive distributor for these brands.
1978
ELAC goes into receivership. The American corporation Honeywell purchases the nautical department. The hifi department becomes ELAC Ingenieurtechnik GmbH with shareholding partner Integral-Hydraulik from Düsseldorf.
1981
John & Partner Vetriebsgesellschaft mbH, a Munich-based marketing and distribution company for high-quality HiFi products, newly founded by Wolfgang John, Kurt Kreibich and Dorothee Thomanek, takes over the marketing and distribution of ELAC's hifi products.
Despite innovative products in the field of analogue record players, ELAC Ingenieurtechnik is soon faced with financial difficulties. With courage, corporate vision and clear strategic planning, Wolfgang John on behalf of John & Partner Vertriebsgesellschaft acquires the consumer electronics department of ELAC in December 1981, supported by financial and development institutions, founding the new ELAC Phonosysteme GmbH. ELAC focuses now on research, development and production. John & Partner fulfils the task of marketing and distribution.
Despite innovative products in the field of analogue record players, ELAC Ingenieurtechnik is soon faced with financial difficulties. With courage, corporate vision and clear strategic planning, Wolfgang John on behalf of John & Partner Vertriebsgesellschaft acquires the consumer electronics department of ELAC in December 1981, supported by financial and development institutions, founding the new ELAC Phonosysteme GmbH. ELAC focuses now on research, development and production. John & Partner fulfils the task of marketing and distribution.
1984
ELAC starts designing loudspeakers. The company AXIOM Elektroakustik GmbH, a speaker specialist from the Taunus area near Frankfurt, in which John & Partner have since acquired shares, is integrated into ELAC.
1985
Thanks to the development of the omnidirectional emitting 4Pi tweeter ELAC is able to make the leap into the world elite of speaker manufacturers.
1993
ELAC purchases the J.E.T. tweeter system from the bankrupt Berlin speaker company A.R.E.S.. Over the years this unit is fundamentally re-engineered on an acoustic level and its production methods are optimized. It rises to the "JET" trade mark and becomes a unique feature for many ELAC products.
1997
ELAC ceases the production of phono cartridges. Ever since the company exclusively manufactures loudspeakers innovative drivers such as tweeters, woofers, mid-range speakers and coaxial drivers. In the meantime ELAC has received numerous awards for its innovative products and environmentally-friendly management system (1996).
1998
The distribution company John & Partner Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH merges with the development and production company ELAC Phonosysteme GmbH. They adopt the name ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, rich in tradition from the time when the company was originally founded back in 1926. ELAC expands the vertical integration of its production. Magnets are now produced in house, expanding the possibilities for transducer technology.
2000
SCARA robots are deployed in the assembly of JET tweeters for the first time, facilitating not only the highest level of precision, but also larger production quantities. ELAC simultaneously develops highly-performance exciters, opening up new possibilities in OEM custom install and automotive engineering.
2003
JET experiences a technological quantum leap. It sets new standards in the world of HiFi systems in the form of the JET III.
2005
ELAC couples the JET tweeter with a mid-range speaker to form a unique transducer system. An acoustic milestone by the name of X-JET.
2005
At the same time, LLD (Long Linear Drive) bass drivers also help improve
audio at low frequencies. The legendary 600 Series with hybrid aluminium / MDF cabinets proves a sensational hit.
2008
ELAC's transducers move into the OEM automobile sector, with leading German sports car manufacturers opting for ELAC. The "crystal" woofers (CE edition) improve the bass performance of ELAC speakers even further.
2010
Change of the shareholder structure. Shareholder and Managing Director Dorothee Thomanek retires from the company, as does shareholder Jens Brendel. Previous shareholder Wolfgang John still retains a third of the shares. Strategic investor Global Legend Holdings Co., Ltd. USA acquires two thirds of shares in the company. Wolfgang John now becomes sole Managing Director of ELAC ELECTROACUSTIC GmbH.
2011
ELAC presents the first adjustable coaxial speaker unit. The VX-JET combines the highest acoustic quality with the ability to adjust the speaker to individually accommodate any type of room and resulting acoustic challenges.
01.09.2011
ELAC officially announces a further milestone in the development of the
company on 1 September at IFA in Berlin: the systematic
reorientation of the company. ELAC acquires a modern image and a new
marketing and distribution strategy. Even more so than before, the focus
is on customers and their personal experience with ELAC speakers.
