Thorens

Thorens Export Company Ltd.

Type	AG
Industry	Electronics
Founded	1883
Headquarters	Giebenach, Switzerland
Key people	Heinz Rohrer, CEO
Products	Hi-fi equipment
Revenue	unknown
Website	www.thorens.com

Thorens is a Swiss manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. They are historically renowned for the range of phonographs (turntables) they produce. In addition to audio playback equipment, they are also a historical producer of harmonicas and cigarette lighters, most notably the button actuated "automatic lighter".

History

In 1883, the Thorens family business was first registered in Sainte-Croix (Ste-Croix), Vaud, Switzerland by Hermann Thorens. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements, they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.

In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even today, regarded as high-end audio equipment, and are much sought-after. As of 2006, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.

Company Headquarters

Thorens Export Company AG
Im Hübel 1, Gienbach
Basel-Land, Switzerland 4304

Telephone: +41-618130336

External links

• The History of Thorens and free manuals to download
• The Thorens 'Excelda' portable gramophone: 360° rotatable view of a machine held at the British Library