Controles S.A.

History

The world has evolved a lot in the last half century, even more so in a dynamic area such as the electronics industry.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Controles, we present a summary overview of our trajectory, marked by the passion for innovation and the commitment of its work team, which allows us to look to the future with confidence and optimism.

1973 to 1979 1980 to 1985 1986 to 1993 1994 to 2000 2001 to 2007 2008 to 2014 2015 to 2020 2021 onwards

1973 to 1979 period - Company foundation

Company facade in the beginnings

On April 1973 the company was founded under the name GMS by the engineers Juan Guerzi, Enrique Mace and Enrique Sallés. It took a few years to transform from a workshop to a small industrial plant.
Equipment is manufactured for the telephone area (Telex telephone exchange, carrier wave system), industrial automation (level controls, timers, traffic lights) and first steps into the world of elevators with an electronic automation.

1980 to 1985 period - Growing and internationalization

Board of the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, inaugurated in the 1980 Gold Cup.

The company grows and consolidates, doubling the staff and beginning to export. The first microprocessor-based elevator automation is developed. Three-phase battery chargers with electronic regulation are designed for the electrical substation market. The second generation of Telex exchanges exceeds 3,500 lines. Light Boards are manufactured for sports venues, currency prices and other uses, as well as digital clocks for large venues.

1986 to 1993 period - The rise of microprocessors

Exchange house board

The use of microprocessors is intensified, applying them to battery chargers, elevator controllers and industrial automation in general. CAD tools begin to be used for the design of printed circuits boards. The first coordinated controllers for battery elevators are designed. Road clocks are supplied, which are installed throughout Montevideo. The boards division is enhanced with the appearance of paging system line with 7-segment leds. The firm becomes Controles S.A

1994 to 2000 period - Regional benchmark in elevator automation

Elevators division develops new user configurable controllers, incorporates voice announcers and intensifies exports to all Latin America, with a very strong presence in Argentina. It ventures into the area of remote control, developing the first Remote Control Unit (RTU) and the SCADA Mirage software. Callers evolve towards solutions that integrate with PC networks. Power division develops power plants for telephone exchanges and DC/AC inverter systems with synchronous switching to the grid. The building is expanded, the ISO 9001:1994 quality system is implemented and the first web page is launched.

2001 to 2007 period - Consolidation of the remote control division

Control System of the Hydropower Plants of Río Negro, Uruguay

The remote control division has established itself in the electrical network market, carrying out the automation and control of more than 200 substations locally and beginning its internationalization process, with various projects in Chile. The elevator division continues its growth process, consolidating especially in markets such as Venezuela and Chile. It ventures into the design of medical equipment. The quality system obtains certification according to ISO 9001:2000.

2008 to 2014 period - Automation of the production line

Assembly line with Pick & Place Quadra DVC Evo

To keep up with the growth in demand, 2 floors are added to the physical plant and a robotic production line is incorporated, with Pick & Place, an optical inspector and a reflow oven. In the medical equipment department, the NINDEX anesthetic depth monitor is developed. The change in the Uruguayan energy matrix is accompanied, supplying control units for wind farms and photovoltaic plants. The quality system obtains certification according to ISO 9001:2008.

2015 to 2020 period - International product certification

IEC 61850-3 certification test for RTU194 Control Unit

International certifications are obtained for products of the remote control, elevators and medical equipment divisions, attending prestigious laboratories such as DNV-GL and Kema. The level of exports continues to rise, tripling sales in the market. The first RT2HIS, a record management system for a medical assistance point, is installed at the British Hospital. Elevator division develops an Android application to configure controllers. 3D printers began to be used for the production of small plastic parts. A self-developed management system is implemented.

2021 onwards period - Looking to the future

NINDEX Anesthetic Depth Monitor at British Hospital

Uruguay is a regional leader in migration to the IEC 61850 digital station architecture; Remote Control division is committed to become a benchmark, with specific designs such as the MU850 Merging Unit. Power division modernizes its battery chargers, with a new physical design and multi-protocol communications. The NINDEX anesthetic depth monitor is installed throughout the surgical block of the British Hospital. Exports reach records in markets such as Brazil, Mexico and Chile. Work is being done on IoT monitoring of Elevator controllers. In view of the increasing demand, it is planned to expand the robotic production line.