Hilti

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Hilti Corporation, Hilti Aktiengesellschaft or Hilti AG also known as Hilti Group develops, manufactures, and markets products for the construction and building maintenance industries, primarily to the professional end-user. It is known for its cartridge activated tools, hammer drills, firestop & installation systems.

Hilti is based in Schaan, Liechtenstein and is the country's largest employer. Hilti employs more than 20,000 people worldwide with over 2,500 employees in the United States. Hilti's North American Headquarters is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but employs account managers, engineers and specialists in all fifty states. Hilti is the family name of the founder and is also a registered trademark of Hilti corporate entities.

The name "Hilti" is often associated with the masonry or concrete-drilling process or concrete anchoring systems. The company is especially known in the United States for its direct-fastening tools. These are powerful, low-velocity, powder-actuated fastening systems capable of driving a fastener into steel, concrete and similar substrates. Recently gas-powered variants have been produced.

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[edit] History

The Hilti company was founded in 1941 by Martin and Eugen Hilti,[1] with the opening of a mechanical workshop in Schaan, Liechtenstein.

[edit] Research and development

The Liechtenstein-based Hilti Group, which owns all Hilti subsidiaries and marketing organizations worldwide, invests over CHF$140 million annually in researching and developing safer and more efficient building technologies. A recent example of this R&D in power tool technology is Hilti's TPS (Theft Protection System), which relies on RF technology to prevent unauthorized users from activating power tools, thus discouraging theft. Similarly, Hilti's ATC (Active Torque Control) technology monitors tool-body movement to prevent equipment from twisting out of the operator's grip and causing injury. More subtle developments include better design of chemical and mechanical anchors to perform during seismic events, thus helping to save lives during natural disasters.

Product Engineering awarded Hilti its highest honor in 2005, judging Hilti's hand-held diamond core drill, the DD-EC1, best in class for its revolutionary Top Spin coring technology. Hilti had previously won the award for its Speed Lock clevis hanger. Hilti's rotary hammers & combi hammers have been consistently named Best in Class by Tools of the Trade Magazine.

[edit] Hilti Foundation

The Hilti Foundation is a foundation of the Martin Hilti Family Trust, which in itself holds all of Hilti's registered shares as of 2003.[2] The Foundation is an acknowledged supporter of cultural, social and scientific as well as educational activities, focusing on well-selected projects. Michael Hilti, President of the Foundation’s Council, is also a Member of the Board of Directors of Hilti AG.

By merit of their cultural and scientific significance the Hilti Foundation supports the expeditions of underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio since 1996. In Egypt, Goddio and his team in co-operation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities have located the remains of the fabled ancient harbour of Alexandria with parts of the royal quarter, the legendary lost city of Heracleion and parts of the city of Canopus. Near the Philippines in the South China Sea, Goddio found and/or excavated several historically important sunken ships, which had been resting on the bottom of the ocean for hundreds of years.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hilti: Company Milestones.
  2. ^ Hilti: Company.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 47°10′50″N, 9°31′27″E