Performance through Precision

VPG HISTORY

In July 2010, VPG (Vishay Precision Group) became an independent company as part of a spin-off from Vishay Intertechnology.  VPG is proud to be part of the legacy that spans six decades and reflects the vision of the founder, Dr. Felix Zandman.

VPG continues to build on that tradition of innovation and has expanded its portfolio of precision measurement technologies to address new applications in test and measurement, automotive, consumer, and medical. 

VPG’s focus on operation excellence has allowed for company growth by internal investments to expand capabilities and product offerings, as well as strategic acquisitions. VPG brands include George Kelk Corporation, Stress-Tek, Pacific Instruments, Dynamic Systems Inc. (Gleeble) and Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. All of these strategies have expanded and strengthened VPG’s global manufacturing, sales and distribution networks, which includes facilities in Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

VPG FOUNDER

Dr. Felix Zandman developed the first generation of Bulk Metal® foil resistors and later, foil strain gages. Dr. Zandman’s innovations have created unique products and technology that have become standards helping customers differentiate their products and solutions.

 

 

NAME:
Felix Zandman
BORN:
May 7, 1928, in Grodno, Poland
Married, Three Children
CITIZEN:
U.S.A. and Israel
EDUCATION:
High School (Poland)
Mechanical Engineering Degree
E.N.S.E.M. (University of Nancy, France)
Masters Degrees in General Physics and Applied Mechanics
(University of Nancy, France)
Doctorate, Mechanical Physics
(University of Paris, Sorbonne), 1953
Subject of Thesis: Strain Behavior of Plastics
Imposed Subject: Crystal Dislocations in Metals Due to Fatigue
POSITIONS HELD:
Attaché of Research at the French National Center of Scientific
Research (C.N.R.S.), France, 1950-1953
Chief of Stress Analysis Laboratory and Chief of Research Section (S.N.E.C.M.A.) (Jet Engine Factory), France, 1953-1955
Lecturer on Stress Analysis at E.N.S.A. (Engineering School of Aeronautics),
Part–Time Position, France, 1954-1957
Director of Basic Research, Tatnall Measuring Systems Co., a Division of the Budd Company, U.S.A., 1956-1962
Teaching and Lecturing on Stress Analysis at Various Universities (M.I.T., U.C.L.A., Wayne State University), U.S.A., 1958-1966
Founded Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., Malvern, PA, U.S.A., 1962
Chairman and CEO until 2004
Executive Chairman, Chief Technical Officer, and Chief Business Development Officer, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
CORPORATE PROFILE:
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishay's product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and "one-stop shop" service have made it a global industry leader.
Vishay can be found on the Internet at www.vishay.com.
HONORS:
Order of Merit for Research and Invention, France 1960
Conferred by Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Edward Longstreth Medal Conferred by the Franklin Institute, 1962, U.S.A.
Citation: For his development of a photoelastic analysis technique by means of which, for the first time, it has been possible to analyze stresses quantitatively in actual structures for use in machine and structural design and for the development of the theory and instrumentation required
Distinguished Contribution Award Conferred by American Society for Stress Analysis, U.S.A., 1970
Citation: For outstanding original contributions to the technology of experimental mechanics through the development of birefringent coatings
Legion of Honor, the highest French government award, awarded in 1993, France; conferred by the President of France; contribution to science and industry
Best Strategic Investor Award, Israel, 1992; awarded by the
Manufacturer's Association of Israel and presented by the
President of the State of Israel
Master Entrepreneur Award, U.S.A., 1993
Electronic Industries Alliance 2001 Medal of Honor, U.S.A., awarded in the presence of the President of the United States of America
Lifetime Achievement Award, U.S.A., 2009; awarded by the National Electronic Distributors Association
Doctor Honoris Causa;
  1. PhotoStress – Photoelastic Coating Method of Stress Analysis
  2. Foil Resistor Technology – Essentially Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance
  3. Photoclusion – Photoplastic Measurement of Bite Conditions (Bio-Mechanics)
  4. Special Strain Gages
  5. Thermal Shroud used on guns of Merkava Tanks (First-Hit Accuracy)
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT:
Felix Zandman is credited with the following developments used in industry and research:
  1. PhotoStress – Photoelastic Coating Method of Stress Analysis
  2. Foil Resistor Technology – Essentially Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance
  3. Photoclusion – Photoplastic Measurement of Bite Conditions (Bio-Mechanics)
  4. Special Strain Gages
  5. Thermal Shroud used on guns of Merkava Tanks (First-Hit Accuracy)
BOOKS:
“Study of the Deformation and Rupture of Polymers”, F. Zandman (Scientific and Technical Publication of the French Ministry of Air Force, Paris, 1954)
“Photoelastic Coatings,” F. Zandman, J. Dally, S. Redner (Iowa University Press, 1977)
“Resistor Theory and Technology,” F. Zandman, P.–R. Simon, J. Szwarc (Scitech, Inc., 2001)
“Never the Last Journey,” F. Zandman, autobiography (Schocken Books, 1995)
PUBLICATIONS: Published many papers in the fields of Photoelasticity, Strain Gages, Moiré, Resistors, and Bio-Mechanics
PATENTS: U.S.A. and abroad – 71 patents in the fields of Photoelasticity, Strain Gages, Moiré, Resistors, Potentiometers, and Semiconductors

Learn more