75 years of induction innovation
From a modest workshop in Freiburg, Germany, to a global powerhouse in induction technology – ENRX has spent 75 years shaping industries through precision, innovation, and an enduring passion for progress.
THE FOUNDER: Fritz Düsseldorf with his wife Leni.
THE FIRST HARDENING MACHINE, completed on the third of September 1950.
It was on the 3rd of September 1950 that skilled craftsmen at Fritz Düsseldorf Induktionserwärmung (FDF) put the final touches on their first universal induction hardening machine. It was a bold step into an emerging market – one that laid the foundation for a lasting legacy.
That first machine was a resounding success, marking the beginning of FDF’s journey to becoming one of Europe’s leading induction hardening companies. As Germany industrialised, demand for efficient and robust heat treatment solutions soared, and FDF was ready to meet the challenge.
In the 1970s, Manfred Düsseldorf, son of the founder, took the reins and propelled FDF even further. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a pan-European leader in stationary induction hardening systems, offering both standard and customised solutions tailored to a growing range of industries.
A revolution sparks in Norway
Meanwhile, as FDF was expanding, a technological breakthrough was unfolding in Trondheim, Norway. Engineers at the local Technical University were pioneering transistorised frequency converters for induction heating, a game-changing innovation that made converters smaller, more precise, and adaptable to a wider range of applications.
By 1981, three young Norwegian engineers – Truls Larsen, Knut Kersten, and Leif Markegård – took this innovation to market, founding ELVA Induksjon. Their groundbreaking Minac mobile converter, launched in 1983, introduced a revolutionary concept – bringing the induction heater directly to the workpiece, eliminating the costly need for transportation to stationary systems.
Over the next decade, ELVA continued to refine and expand its transistorised induction heating products, establishing itself as an industry leader in agile, mobile solutions.
A powerful merger and global expansion
Then, in 1991, an unexpected meeting changed everything. The managing directors of FDF and ELVA crossed paths at a trade fair and quickly saw the potential of combining forces – FDF excelled in stationary induction hardening, while ELVA thrived on mobile induction innovation. By 1996, the two officially merged, creating EFD Induction – a powerhouse that combined engineering excellence with groundbreaking mobility solutions.
EFD Induction wasted no time in expanding globally. A pivotal moment came in 1998, with the acquisition of CFEI in France, a company renowned for its expertise in automotive hardening solutions.
Soon after, the company established manufacturing sites in India (1995) and China (2001), alongside strategic acquisitions across Britain and the US.
Through all this growth, the Freiburg facility remained central to operations, evolving into a specialised hub producing high-performance induction converters reaching 2000 kW and 400 kHz – machines deployed worldwide in automotive shaft hardening, energy sector applications, and large-scale shrink-fitting operations.
THE FOUNDERS OF ELVA INDUKSJON: Truls Larsen, Leif Markegård and Knut Kersten.
FIRST MEETING: The year is 1991, and Truls Larsen is catching his breath at a plastic table during an industrial fair in Paris. On the other side of the table sits the head of Europe’s largest supplier of induction hardening systems — the family-owned company Induktionserwärmung Fritz Düsseldorf GmbH, based in Freiburg, Germany. The two directors strike up a conversation. Both acknowledge that their respective companies are subcritical in size and that a closer collaboration could be mutually beneficial. The Germans are skilled machine builders and market leaders in hardening automotive parts for the European car industry. The Norwegians are the world’s leading supplier of transistor-based frequency converters for induction heating and have a well-developed international sales network.
The ENRX era begins
In March 2023, EFD Induction united with IPT Technology under a new powerful brand: ENRX, ushering in a new era of contactless induction energy transfer and wireless power solutions.
Now, as the company celebrates 75 years, we reflect proudly on a journey that began in a small Black Forest workshop and has grown into a world-class engineering force. The vision, dedication, and relentless pursuit of progress first ignited by the founders remain at the heart of the company today.
“We now see that significant changes are taking place across both the European and global markets, and ENRX must continue to evolve in response,” notes ENRX CEO Bjørn Eldar Petersen. “This requires even closer collaboration within our European organisation, building on our longstanding commitment to integration and strength across borders.”
A legacy of sustainability and innovation
As the world increasingly looks towards sustainable technologies, ENRX has placed environmental responsibility at its core.
“With us, sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s been part of our DNA since long before the term became mainstream”, Petersen explains. “From the very beginning, we have championed eco-friendly induction technology, offering cleaner, faster, and more energy-efficient alternatives.”
To date, ENRX has delivered more than 30,000 installations in over 80 countries. “It’s logical to attribute this growth solely to outstanding products and services,” the CEO smiles. “But we’re convinced the really decisive factor has been something less tangible: Our passion for induction technology – and what can be achieved with it.”
Looking ahead, ENRX continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence – leading the charge towards the future of manufacturing, mobility, and energy. The world is moving towards electric solutions, and thanks to the trailblazing spirit that began in 1950, that future is already in motion.
Truls Larsen