Altech Corporation

ADC Telecommunications, Inc. is a Minneapolis-based company founded in 1935 by two Bell Laboratory engineers, Ralph Allison and Walter Lehnert, initially as Audio Development Company (ADC). The company has evolved significantly over the years, merging with Magnetic Controls Company in 1961 to form ADC Magnetic Controls. ADC has been a pioneer in telecommunications, producing custom transformers and amplifiers for the radio broadcast industry, audiometers for hearing tests, and innovative products like the Bantam jack, which became standard for telephone circuit access. The company has diversified into various telecommunications fields, including fiber optics, broadband connectivity, and wireless networks. ADC's strategic focus on collaboration with industry giants rather than direct competition has allowed it to thrive in a dynamic market. The company was acquired by Tyco Electronics in 2010 and later became part of TE Connectivity, eventually ceasing to exist as a separate entity in 2011.