Trust a brand born in France

Since 1893

• Early Beginnings:

  
  The Thomson brand in the USA originates from the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, founded in the late 19th century as a pioneer in electrical engineering and power systems. This company was one of the predecessors to General Electric (GE), which was formed after the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston in 1892.

• Industrial Impact:
  Thomson-Houston contributed extensively to the electrification of America and development of electrical infrastructure and equipment. The company was a leader in electrical innovation, including power generation, lighting, and early electrical appliances.

• Legacy:
  Though the original Thomson-Houston entity merged into GE, the name “Thomson” persisted in various forms internationally, notably influencing the French branch.

Thomson in France

• Founding:
  In 1893, shortly after the U.S. merger, Compagnie Française Thomson-Houston (CFTH) was established in France as a subsidiary of the American Thomson-Houston Electric Company. This marked the official start of the Thomson brand in France.

• Growth & Diversification:
  CFTH played a vital role in France’s electrification and industrialization, expanding into consumer electronics, telecommunications, and military technologies.
  In the mid-20th century, the company merged with others to form Thomson-Brandt, broadening its scope to household appliances and professional electronics.

• Nationalization & Innovation:
  The French government nationalized Thomson in the early 1980s, aiming to strengthen the country’s industrial base. Thomson became a leader in semiconductors, defense electronics, and broadcasting equipment.
  The defense division was spun off as Thomson-CSF, which later evolved into the multinational defense firm Thales Group.

• Privatization:
  By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Thomson underwent privatization and restructuring. The consumer electronics segment became Technicolor SA.

• Thomson continued to be used globally for consumer electronics, lighting, and appliances.