1962
The Materials Research Laboratory and Tyco Semiconductor are merged. The business is supported by U.S. government research contracts. But soon, management recognizes the commercial applications of its work and Tyco begins to search for acquisitions to develop product, manufacturing and marketing capabilities.

1964
Tyco becomes a publicly owned company.

1965
Mule Battery Products is Tyco's first acquisition. Tyco Inc. changes its name to Tyco Laboratories.

1968
By this time, Tyco has acquired sixteen companies, including North American Printed Circuits, one of six companies that would later form Tyco's Printed Circuit Group.

• 1974: Simplex Technologies, manufacturers of undersea fiber optic telecommunications cable
• 1976: Grinnell Fire Protection Systems, manufacturers of and contractors for fire sprinkler systems
• 1979: Armin Plastics, manufacturers of polyethylene film products
• 1981: Ludlow Corporation, manufacturers of packaging products.

• To achieve significant market share in each of its principal product lines;
• Establishment of each product line as the leader and high-value producer in its field;
• To maintain, throughout all Tyco business segments and product lines, a reputation for product quality, reliability, and customer service.

Tyco accomplished this by:

• Decentralizing company operations into a more cost-effective, independent profit center operating system;
• Selling unprofitable units and existing business, and divesting itself of companies not fully owned by Tyco;
• Reducing administrative overhead by consolidating under Tyco Corporate appropriate business functions like: taxes, legal, financial reporting, insurance and human resources;
• Reducing subsidiary operating costs by providing them with opportunities to take advantage of Tyco's global corporate economies of scale through such activities like inter-company purchasing of raw materials.

The Company also adopted synergistic and strategic acquisition guidelines which established three base-line standards for potential acquisitions:

• An acquisition candidate must be in a business related to one of Tyco's four business segments;
• It must be able to expand the product line and/or improve product distribution for at least one of Tyco's business segments;
• It must have excellent long-term growth prospects.
• It must be using a manufacturing and/or processing technology already familiar to one of Tyco's business segments if it plans to introduce a new product or product line.

Using the synergistic/strategic guidelines and stringent financial requirements to guide acquisitions, Tyco succeeded in significantly improving the Company's positions in each of its four business segments. Major acquisitions included:

1986

• Grinnell Corporation, manufacturers and distributors of industrial/construction products

1988

• Allied Tube and Conduit, manufacturers of steel pipe and related tubular products.

1989

• Mueller Company, manufacturers of water and gas flow control products.

1991

• Wormald International Limited, manufacturers, contractors and suppliers of fire protection systems and products.

1992

• Neotecha, manufacturers of Teflon-lined butterfly/ball valves and sampling devices.

1993

• Hindle/Winn, manufacturers of high performance butterfly/ball valves.

1994

• Classic Medical, Uni-Patch and Promeon, three companies involved in providing a disposable medical product or supplementary products.
• Preferred Pipe, manufacturers of forged steel products.
• Kendall International Co., among the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of disposable medical supplies, wound care dressings, bandaging, elastic support and other vascular therapy compression products.

1995

• Tectron Tube, manufacturers of pipe and tubular products.
• Unistrut, manufacturers of metal framing products and services.
• Earth Technology Corporation, an engineering consulting firm specializing in the design, construction, and operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities.

1996

• Professional Medical Products, Inc., makers of adult incontinence products and other disposable medical products.
• Thorn Security, manufacturer, installer and servicer of fire and security systems worldwide.
• Carlisle, a leading manufacturer of specialty packaging materials and garment hangers.
• Watts Waterworks Businesses, manufacturers of valves, hydrants, and fittings used primarily in water utility, wastewater treatment and power generation markets.
• Sempell, a manufacturing and servicer of specialty valves used in industrial and power generation applications.
• ElectroStar, a leading manufacturer of complex printed circuit boards.

1997

• American Pipe & Tube, a manufacturer of steel pipe, tubing for the fire protection, fence markets and steel studs/tresses for the residential and commercial construction markets.
• Submarine Systems Inc., the leader in the design, development, manufacture, installation, supply and maintenance of undersea fiber optic telecommunications cable systems.
• ADT, a leading installer and servicer of electronic security systems.
• Keystone, a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial valves, actuators and accessories.
• INBRAND, a manufacturer and distributor of adult incontinence products.

1998

• Sherwood Davis & Geck, a manufacturer and distributor of disposable medical products.
• United States Surgical, maker of suture and auto suture medical devices.
• Wells Fargo Alarm, EntAlarmingmguard, and Holmes Protection Group, providers of electronic security services, including intrusion, fire detection and monitoring, and CCTV and access control.

1999

• AMP, a leading manufacturer of electrical, electronic, fiber-optic and wireless interconnection devices and systems.
• Raychem, a leading international designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-performance electronic products for OEM businesses and a broad range of specialized applications.
• Glynwed, producer of steel tubing, steel electrical conduit and other similar products.
• Temasa, provider of submarine cable maintenance and installation services.
• Central Sprinkler designs, manufactures, and distributes a complete line of fire sprinklers, valves and accessories, PVC pipe and fittings, steel pipe, and iron grooved products.
• Divestiture of Mueller/Grinnell Supply Sales, consistent with Tyco's focus on businesses with strong recurring revenue streams and low cyclicality. In addition, during the period from 1986 to the present, a number of smaller acquisitions were made to strengthen specific product lines or enhance the Company's competitive position in the various segments.

2000

• General Surgical Innovations, a medical manufacturer and distributor of SPACEMAKER® balloon dissection-devices used in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
• Siemens Electrochemical Components, a leading European producer of relays and connectors for the automotive market.
• AFC Cable, a leader in the design, manufacture and supply of prewired armor cable, flexible conduit, modular wiring systems and electrical fittings.
• Praegitzer, a highly-regarded maker of printed circuit boards, specializing in quick-turn applications.

In addition, during the period from 1986 to the present, a number of smaller acquisitions were made to strengthen specific product lines or enhance the Company's competitive position in the various segments.

As a result of these acquisitions, as well as strong growth of existing operations, Tyco today has a leading market share position in each of its business segments. It remains committed to being the low-cost, high value producer in each of its manufacturing divisions, as well as a world-class service provider to customers around the world.

2001

• Mallinckrodt Inc. (NYSE: MKG), a global healthcare company which manufactures and distributes specialty medical products designed to sustain breathing, diagnose disease and relieve pain.
• The CIT Group, Inc., a leading commercial and consumer finance company with over $50 billion in assets.
• Paragon Trade Brands, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PGTR), a global supplier of infant disposable diapers and other absorbent personal care products.
• SecurityLink and Southern California Edison, increased Fire and Security Service' North American customer base to five million in fiscal 2001.
• Sensormatic, the world's leading retail security firm, allowing Tyco Fire and Security Services to offer a complete security package to retailers around the globe.
• Simplex Time Recorder making Tyco the largest fire alarm company in the world.
• MacFarlane Plastics in Scotland and Manuli Tape in Italy, expanding Tyco's plastics and tape manufacturing businesses to Europe for the first time.
• Scott Technologies, a leading designer and manufacturer of sophisticated, high performance respiratory protection systems, gas detection instruments and other life saving products for fire fighting, industrial, aviation and government markets.
• Lucent Power Systems, one of the largest suppliers of power systems in North America, providing a full line of energy solutions and power products for telecommunications service providers and for the computer industry.

New product launches included Nellcor's fetal oximeter, which revolutionizes the way doctors can monitor a fetus's heartbeat; ADT's Safewatch™ iCenter, an Internet-enabled home security system; and new automotive radar sensors that improve driver safety, a new automotive radar sensor to further improve driver and passenger safety; an electrical distribution box system for the automotive market; chip carrier sockets for Intel's Pentium 4 processor; and interconnect products for Sony's Memory Stick and PlayStation 2.

2002

• CII Technologies, a provider of advanced control electronic solutions in high-performance relays, general-purpose relays, transformers and EMI/RFI filters was integrated within Tyco Electronics

In January 2002 Tyco announced a plan to separate the company into four independent, publicly traded companies.

In April, after re-evaluating the initial break-up plan, the Company decided to terminate the plan and monetize CIT through a 100% public offering.

In June, Chairman and CEO Dennis Kozlowski resigned and former Tyco CEO John F. Fort became interim CEO until the Board's search for a permanent replacement was completed. The Board of Directors launched an internal investigation, under the direction of independent outside counsel, to review past use of Company funds by Tyco's former chief executive officer.

The CIT IPO was completed by Tyco in July 2002 and raised $4.6 billion.

In July, Edward D. Breen was appointed the new Chairman and CEO of Tyco International. Mr. Breen immediately took actions to help stabilize the company and restore shareholder confidence. The new CEO brought a world-class leadership team to Tyco with appointments of David FitzPatrick as Executive Vice President and CFO, William Lytton, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Eric Pillmore, Senior Vice President of Corporate Governance.

In August, Tyco announced the appointment of Jack Krol to the Board of Directors. With the priority of improving Tyco's Corporate Governance, Mr. Krol was appointed lead director of the Board and Tyco committed to replacing the Board of Directors with all independent directors.

2003

Phase 1 of the internal investigation was concluded in September 2002 and in-depth review of the company’s accounting practices was conducted in a Phase 2 investigation. Having successfully completed the internal investigations in Q1 of 2003 and determining that there was no significant fraud affecting the company's prior financial statements, Tyco now focused on profitability and organic growth of its businesses.

Tyco formed its Plastics & Adhesives business segment, carved out from the Healthcare & Specialty Products segment. The newly created segment manufactures a wide range of products, including polyethylene-based films, packaging materials, laminated and coated products, plastic bags, sheeting and garment hangers, specialty adhesives and tapes, and corrosion protection products.

Tyco’s newly appointed Board of Directors voted to take several actions, beyond those that had already been implemented under the company’s new management, to improve corporate governance at Tyco. The actions included:

• Re-election by the independent directors of John A. Krol as Lead Director;
• New assignments for membership on the Board’s committee;
• Adoption of new Board Governance Principles;
• Adoption of a new employee Guide to Ethical Conduct;
• And the adoption of a new Delegation of Authority policy to strengthen control over cash disbursements at the Company.

New product launches included:

• ADT Security Services’ portable Global Positioning Satellite system (GPS) locator and safety device for vehicles that gives both drivers and their loved ones peace of mind when they are on the road
• Nellcor’s line of high-quality INdGO™ Disposable Manual Resuscitators which provide a convenient, cost-effective way for clinicians and first responders to meet current clinical guidelines requiring the use of CO2 detection during intubation.

Contract wins included:

• M/A-COM’s $25.7 million contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to install an 800 MHz voice and data communications system
• ADT Security Services’ selection by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide integrated fire, intrusion and access control systems in a majority of Washington, D.C., Metrorail underground stations.
• The Smithsonian Institution chose Software House’s C-Cure 800 for complete access control and security. Software House, a Microsoft Certified Partner, is a business unit of Tyco’s Fire & Security segment.

2004

Tyco International’s multitude of products and services play a vital role in satisfying the needs of people and companies around the world, every minute of the day, but company research showed that customers didn’t understand the breadth and depth of Tyco’s offerings. Aiming to significantly improve customer awareness and understanding and revive its corporate image, Tyco launched a new global print advertising campaign under the theme line “A vital part of your world,” in June 2004.

On Oct. 5, 61-year-old Mark Junge from Cheyenne, Wyo., pedaled into New York’s Times Square for a victory celebration after cycling across the United States. This cross-country trek was unlike any other because Mr. Junge (pronounced “Young-ee”) suffers from blood clots in his lungs. He traveled the entire Lincoln Highway journey with a HELiOS® Plus Portable Oxygen Unit, from Puritan Bennett, a business unit of Mallinckrodt, part of Tyco Healthcare, on his hip. Unlike cumbersome traditional oxygen canisters, the HELiOS Plus unit is only 10 inches tall, weighs 3.6 pounds when filled and lasts up to 10 hours on a setting of two liters per minute.

Tyco agreed to sell its Tyco Global Network to Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), India’s leading telephone and internet services provider.  Divestiture of the TGN is part of the company’s strategy to sharpen its focus on core businesses, simplify operations and improve its cost structure. Tyco does retain the telecommunications systems supply business, which provides maintenance and undersea cable construction.

2005

• Valleylab, a division in Tyco’s Healthcare segment, acquired Vivant Medical Inc., a leading developer of microwave ablation medical technology.
• Tyco Healthcare's surgical business agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Floréane Medical Implants, S.A. ("Floréane"). 

M/A-COM, a business unit of Tyco Electronics, signed a contract to design, deploy, operate and maintain New York’s Statewide Wireless Network (SWN) with the New York State Office of Technology.  The contract amount is valued at approximately $2 billion over 20 years, making it the largest statewide public safety communications project to be awarded in the United States. 

Tyco announced that it reached a definitive agreement to sell its Plastics, Adhesives and Ludlow Coated Products businesses to an affiliate of private investment firm Apollo Management, L.P.  Earlier in the year Tyco announced its intent to sell its Plastics & Adhesives business segment, which no longer fit within the company’s portfolio.

ADT Security Services debut of its ADT® WellHealth™ line of health monitoring services at the White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C.  ADT’s WellHealth solutions can help people remain independent in their homes longer and reduce preventable hospital care -- helping to reduce medical costs for individuals and employers, as well as private and government health insurers. 

Tyco published its first annual Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) report. The report is part of Tyco’s ongoing commitment to developing EHS excellence and best practices across the company.  The report is significant in demonstrating Tyco’s successful development and implementation of global EHS policies, management systems and directives to sustain compliance obligations and internal company requirements.

2006

Tyco announced that its Board of Directors approved a plan to separate the company’s current portfolio of diverse businesses into three separate, publicly traded companies – Tyco Healthcare, one of the world’s leading diversified healthcare companies; Tyco Electronics, the world’s largest passive electronic components manufacturer, and the combination of Tyco Fire & Security and Engineered Products & Services (TFS/TEPS), a global business with leading positions in residential and commercial security, fire protection and industrial products and services. 

• U.S. Surgical, a division in Tyco’s Healthcare segment, acquired Confluent Surgical, Inc., a leading developer and supplier of polymer-based technology used in sprayable surgical sealants and anti-adhesion products. 
• Tyco Healthcare agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Airox, S.A., a leading European company in home respiratory ventilation systems.

 
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