---
title: The History of RACO International
description: Discover the 73-year journey of RACO International, from its mining roots to pioneering electric actuators and flood protection solutions.
---

[RACO Electric Actuator blog](https://info.racointernational.com/en-us/blog)

# [The History of RACO International](https://info.racointernational.com/en-us/blog/the-history-of-raco-international)

 Written by [Robert Carrow](https://info.racointernational.com/en-us/blog/author/robert-carrow) | May 7, 2026 7:28:06 PM

 The following is a synopsis of the beginnings of RACO Electric Actuators and advancing through the last 73 years until present day. RACO has, without a doubt, more experience and staying power than most Mechanical Power Transmission Manufacturers in the World. 

**1953 ** RACO-ELEKTRO-MASCHINEN GmbH is founded on the initiative of Richard Wilke. The company has its roots in mining, for which RACO initially produced electromechanical devices for adjusting points underground.

**1980 ** RACO International, L.P. is founded as an American subsidiary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

**1990 ** Market launch of the modular assembly system of RACO Electric Actuators as Actuator type 6 "[COMPACT](https://www.racointernational.com/products/compact-actuator)."  

**1995**  Reinhard Wilke takes over the management of the company as sole owner and partner.

**2003 ** Anniversary and "Open Day" to mark the 50th anniversary of RACO-ELEKTRO-MASCHINEN GmbH.

**2006 ** Market launch of the non-contact digital electronic position sensor [(EPS)](https://www.racointernational.com/products/motors-sensors).

**2008**  ATEX certification of RACO Electric Actuators in actuator design type 1 (size 4-8).

The USA equivalent to the European ATEX directive is the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is governed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). While ATEX uses a "Zone" system, the USA equivalent uses a "Class/Division" or "Class/Zone system to classify hazardous locations where explosion risks exist.

**2013**  Market launch of the [RACOmatic](https://www.racointernational.com/products/controls) to mark the company's 60th anniversary

**2016 ** Equipping of the largest [flood gates](https://info.racointernational.com/en/raco-steel-water-engineering-flood-gates?hsLang=en-us) in Germany with two RACO Electric Actuators for [flood protection](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/29/flood-infrastructure-in-germany-is-it-possible-to-prevent-a-flood) in the Elbe area near Döbeln, Saxony.

**2018 ** Expansion of the product range with RACO DC electric actuators, especially for mobile applications with high power density.

**2020**  Succession of the operational business to the sons Sebastian Wilke and Thomas Wilke as Managing Directors.

**2021 ** Expansion of the modular assembly system of [RACO Electric Actuators](https://www.racointernational.com/products/modular-actuator-ma) as actuator type 1 with size 12 for actuating forces up to 314,700 lbs.

 **2023**  Anniversary "70 years of RACO."  

 **2025**  Launch of new USA [website](https://www.racointernational.com/).

 

 

 

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