Marathon Electric – Motors and Generators

Marathon® has a history of over 110 years of making Motors & Generators. Encompassing thousands of products and solutions found in some of the most demanding industrial applications around the world.

A History Of Industry Leadership

Marathon started in 1913 as Marathon Electric in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA. In a converted logging mill on Plumer's Island, the young company made its first product, a single phase 115VAC, 1/4 horsepower washing machine motor.

After a few years as a fledgling motor manufacturer, inventor Austin Kimble took over as general manager. Kimble introduced new production methods and products based on his patents. With mixed results, Marathon's portfolio expanded into fans, talking movies, and metered washing machines. During the 1930s, the company reorganized as Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation and turned profits during the Great Depression.

Marathon expanded in the following decades. New production plants opened and Marathon purchased Pennsylvania-based Burke Electronics in 1949. This purchase allowed Marathon to enter into the generators, fuse, and terminal block fields.