Mennekes

Mennekes is a German electrical-equipment manufacturer best known for industrial plugs and connectors and for its role in the development and promotion of the Type 2 charging connector used widely for electric vehicles in Europe. The business operates as Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG and is headquartered in Kirchhundem in the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The company began in 1935 when electrician Aloys Mennekes established an electrical workshop. Two years later the operation expanded into an electrical-goods store. After the Second World War, Mennekes repaired damaged electrical infrastructure and developed products suited to the shortages of the period. In 1945 it produced the Glühauf electric firelighter, a plug-in heating spiral that could be used to light cigarettes and paper. The product became the company's first patent and helped establish a basis for subsequent manufacturing activity. Mennekes moved into the production of plugs for specialized applications soon afterward. It constructed a factory on its present premises in 1947 and transferred the complete operation there in 1948. Early plugs were made from aluminum; from 1960 onward, the company also produced plugs and connectors using plastic. Additional production buildings followed as the business expanded. Aloys Mennekes's sons Dieter and Walter assumed succession responsibilities before their father's death in 1976. Walter Mennekes later became the company's sole owner and shareholder. The MENNEKES trademark was registered in 1990, and the company expanded its manufacturing base through the acquisition of Technoplast in Neudorf, Saxony, in 1991. The company's most consequential technology development came through its entry into electric-vehicle infrastructure in 2008. Working from experience with IEC 60309 three-phase connectors, Mennekes developed a vehicle-charging connector with additional signal contacts for a project involving RWE and Daimler. The connector was standardized in Germany as VDE-AR-E 2623-2-2 and subsequently incorporated into the international IEC 62196 standard as Type 2. It is frequently called the Mennekes connector, although the formal technical designation is IEC 62196-2 Type 2. The Association of European Automobile Manufacturers recommended Type 2 as a common European charging interface, and European Union rules later established Type 2 as the standard for alternating-current vehicle charging in Europe. Mennekes transferred its electric-mobility activities to MENNEKES Stecker GmbH & Co. KG in 2011. The company also established an eMobility showroom and training center at Berlin's EUREF Campus. Its eMobility portfolio includes vehicle inlets, charging cables, wallboxes, and complete charging stations, while its traditional electrical business includes standardized plugs and sockets in many configurations for industrial, commercial, and infrastructure applications. Production and logistics have continued to expand in Kirchhundem, Welschen Ennest, and Neudorf. Kirchhundem received additional production space in 2009 and a new office building in 2017. Welschen Ennest developed into a second major site, with a logistics center followed by injection-molding, warehousing, and office facilities. Neudorf has also received new production and high-bay warehouse capacity. A fire at an office building in 2012 caused damage reported as being in the millions of euros, but the company continued its broader site-development program. Mennekes remains a family-controlled, privately held industrial brand. Reference material describes a workforce of approximately 1,200 people worldwide, with roughly two-thirds based in Germany, and a presence through subsidiaries and representatives in more than 90 countries. Its market identity combines robust industrial connection technology with electric-mobility infrastructure, positioning it as a specialist supplier rather than a mass-market consumer-electronics brand.

Mennekes was established in 1935 by Aloys Mennekes as an electrical workshop in Kirchhundem, Germany. The company became an electrical-goods store in 1937, then gradually developed manufacturing capabilities. In the immediate postwar period it repaired damaged power lines and produced the Glühauf electric firelighter in 1945. This device, made during a shortage of matches, became Mennekes's first patent and was followed by the production of plugs for special applications. The company built a factory on its current premises in 1947 and moved all operations there in 1948. Its early plugs were manufactured from aluminum. Plastic products were added from 1960, reflecting the growing use of molded insulating materials in electrical equipment. Additional buildings were completed in 1957 and 1973 as production expanded. By the time Aloys Mennekes died in 1976, the company employed about 250 people. His sons Dieter and Walter had already taken over succession responsibilities, preserving the business as a family-controlled enterprise. Mennekes registered its trademark in 1990. In 1991 it acquired Technoplast in Neudorf, Saxony; that operation became fully integrated into the Mennekes Group during the following years and is now associated with MENNEKES Elektrotechnik Sachsen GmbH. From 1992, Walter Mennekes was the sole owner and shareholder of Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG. A major strategic transition began in 2008, when Mennekes entered the electric-vehicle market. The company adapted its knowledge of IEC 60309 three-phase industrial connectors to a vehicle-charging application requiring additional signal contacts. The resulting connector was developed in connection with specifications from RWE and Daimler. It was published in Germany under VDE-AR-E 2623-2-2 and later incorporated into IEC 62196 as Type 2. Although the term Mennekes connector remains common in public discussion, Type 2 is the formal technical designation. Type 2 was recommended by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers as a common European charging interface. European Union rules subsequently made the connector the standard for alternating-current electric-vehicle charging in Europe. Mennekes transferred its electric-mobility activities to MENNEKES Stecker GmbH & Co. KG in 2011 and opened an eMobility showroom and training center at Berlin's EUREF Campus. The company expanded its physical infrastructure alongside the new business. Kirchhundum received additional production space in 2009 and a new office building in 2017. Welschen Ennest became a second principal site after the relocation of a logistics center in 2013; later additions included an injection-molding hall, high-bay warehouse, and office building. The Neudorf site also received new production and warehouse facilities. A 2012 office-building fire caused substantial damage, but did not end the company's continuing investment program. Mennekes now combines industrial plugs and sockets with a broad eMobility portfolio, including vehicle inlets, charging cables, and charging stations. Reference material describes operations through subsidiaries and representatives in more than 90 countries and a workforce of approximately 1,200 people worldwide. The company remains privately held and family controlled.

• 2014

  Type 2 becomes Europe's standard charging connector

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  The Type 2 connector associated with Mennekes became the European standard for electric-vehicle charging under European Union rules.

• 2011

  Electric-mobility subsidiary established

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  The electric-vehicle business was transferred to MENNEKES Stecker GmbH & Co. KG, alongside the opening of a Berlin showroom and training center.

• 2008

  Entry into electric mobility

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  Mennekes entered the electric-vehicle charging business.

• 1991

  Technoplast acquired

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  Mennekes acquired Technoplast in Neudorf, which later became part of the Mennekes Group.

• 1990

  MENNEKES trademark registered

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  The MENNEKES name was registered as a trademark.

• 1960

  Plastic connectors enter production

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  Mennekes began producing plugs and connectors made from plastic in addition to aluminum products.

• 1947

  First factory on the current premises

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  The company built a factory at its present site and moved the complete operation there in 1948.

• 1945

  Glühauf electric firelighter is produced

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  Mennekes produced an electric firelighter during the postwar shortage of matches; it became the company's first patent.

• 1937

  Expansion into electrical retail

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  The workshop developed into an electrical-goods store.

• 1935

  Aloys Mennekes establishes the business

  [1]Mennekesen.wikipedia.org

  Electrician Aloys Mennekes founded the enterprise as an electrical workshop in Kirchhundem.

A specialist, engineering-led supplier of durable industrial connection technology and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, with a strong European presence and a family-owned industrial heritage.

• Industrial electrical connection

  Industrial plugs and sockets

  Mennekes's traditional core range consists of standardized industrial plugs, sockets, couplers, and related connection components. The products are designed for demanding commercial, industrial, construction, and infrastructure environments and are offered in numerous configurations, ratings, materials, and installation formats.

• Electric-vehicle charging connector · 2008

  MENNEKES Type 2 connector

  Developed from the company's experience with three-phase industrial connectors, the Type 2 system adds signal contacts for communication between an electric vehicle and charging equipment. It was standardized internationally through IEC 62196 and became the principal European alternating-current charging interface.

• Electric-mobility components · 2008

  Vehicle inlets and charging cables

  Mennekes supplies vehicle-side inlets and charging cables for electric-mobility applications. These components support the company's broader charging ecosystem and connect vehicles with public, commercial, and residential charging equipment.

• Electric-vehicle charging infrastructure

  Charging stations and wallboxes

  The eMobility portfolio extends beyond connectors to complete charging equipment, including wall-mounted units and charging stations. These products serve private, workplace, fleet, commercial, and public charging settings.

• 2011

  Creation of a dedicated electric-mobility businessStrategy

  Background

  The rapidly developing charging market required a more distinct organizational structure.

  Action taken

  Mennekes transferred its electric-vehicle activities to MENNEKES Stecker GmbH & Co. KG and opened a showroom and training center in Berlin.

  Aftermath

  The separate business structure supported Mennekes's expansion from connector manufacturing into complete charging solutions and market education.

  Source

• 2008

  Expansion into electric mobilityStrategy

  Background

  Mennekes identified electric-vehicle charging as an adjacent market where its industrial connector expertise could be applied.

  Action taken

  The company developed charging connectors and expanded its portfolio into vehicle inlets, cables, and charging infrastructure.

  Aftermath

  The Type 2 interface became an internationally standardized connector and the European reference for alternating-current vehicle charging.

  Source

• 1991

  Acquisition of TechnoplastM&A

  Background

  Mennekes sought to strengthen its manufacturing footprint and capabilities.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Technoplast in Neudorf, Saxony.

  Aftermath

  The operation became part of the Mennekes Group and later operated as MENNEKES Elektrotechnik Sachsen GmbH.

  Source

1. 1Mennekesen.wikipedia.org