Company
Car radios for the roads of the world
The company history starts after the nightmare of Hitlerism and the Second World War amidst a Europe completely in ruins. It is the paradigmatic history of a natural-born entrepreneur. Automobile production restarts from zero, many roads are demolished, and travelling in Germany still resembles an obstacle course, when pioneer Max-Egon Becker is moved by a vision of mobile communication. The company's founder, along with Max Grundig, Helmut Horten and Josef Neckermann, is amongst the pioneers of the German economic miracle of the Fifties and Sixties. He anticipates the vital role of the automobile in post-war society.
Passion for automobile racing
Max-Egon Becker's passion as a rally driver and his talent to enthuse competent collaborators identify the corporate culture right from the beginning. In an improvised workshop in Pforzheim, just below the mountains of the Black Forest, the small team is just indefatigable in their tests with different antennae and various techniques for suppression of interference. Finally they succeed in utilizing FM for mobile radio reception. Becker car radios soon gain a worldwide reputation.
1955, Germany flies again!
1955 marks the birth of German post-war aviation. The Allies abolish the flying ban in occupied Germany. At the same time it is the starting point for amateur aviation in Germany. And again the charismatic entrepreneur proves to be a visionary. Piloting his own "Bücker-plane" Max-Egon Becker experiences the deficiencies of aircraft radio in those early years, a true challenge to the inventive talent and know-how of his engineers. In fall 1956 the hangar of Becker Avionics is set up at the edge of a French military airfield in Baden-Baden in close touch with everyday aviation.
Crystal-clear communication
Within a few years this tiny airstrip at the foot of the Black Forest Mountains becomes the Mecca for the small but committed community of German amateur aviators. This is the place to meet each other, to talk shop, to exchange experiences with Becker engineering technicians.
Very soon air radios "made in Baden-Baden" mark important steps in the history of technology: high selectivity and transmitting power, enlarged frequency-range, modular manufacturing.
Becker air radios mark the history of technology
Engineers at Becker in Baden-Baden acquire the reputation of trendsetters in air traffic security. The list of world premieres in the annals of company history is extensive:
- - first use of LC-Displays for frequency indication;
- - first 2 1/4 inch fit VHF air radio, which can easily be installed in all types of cockpits.
New product lines are developed
With the same passion for technically perfected solutions, navigation systems, transponders, audio systems for on-board communication, search & rescue systems, ground to air communication systems, are produced. Within a short time Becker is able to offer a complete avionic-line for professional aviators.
Bespoke system solutions
The system-engineering department develops made-to-measure solutions for aircraft manufacturers and suppliers. In the late Sixties Becker Avionics furnishes the German police and Border Control Squadrons with an onboard communication system especially developed for this purpose. The company maintains maintenance shops on all important German airports and becomes an internationally renowned high-tech manufacturer for military as well as civil avionic systems.
In the early Eighties the son of the corporation's founder, Roland Becker, takes over the management of the Becker Flugfunk Corporation. He succeeds in maintaining the specific profile of a medium sized corporation in a market increasingly dominated by global players. A breakthrough is achieved with the MBB Corporation accepting Becker avionics for the BO 105 helicopter.
Strong partner of the aircraft industry
As during those heroic earlier days at the airstrip in Baden-Baden, Becker Avionics maintains a close and personal relationship with all aviators who share the passion for flight. All the experience and know-how acquired over five decades is at the disposal of Becker's aviator friends. Their wishes and needs are our guidance in all research and development activities. Becker Avionics achieves technological progress by bringing the latest certified aviation technical standards into the cockpit without throwing away proven systems through premature obsolescence. Affordability, but without quality compromise, is the ultimate aim. In this respect the aviation community may expect quite a number of innovations from Becker Avionics in the coming years.
Becker Avionics search & rescue
Five decades experience is incorporated in the new Becker product line. The avionic line for general aviation is an example of the equipment that characterises Becker Avionics International today. Becker Search & Rescue systems are the most reliable worldwide. Global use by armed and paramilitary forces proves their enviable efficiency and ruggedness. We are proud that increasing numbers of aviators and sailors entrust their life to Becker survival equipment.
From the analogue to the digital world
A new generation of Becker Avionics designs assures the transition from analogue to digital technology, while meeting the quality and reliability standards which characterise the corporation since its beginnings.
