Arens Controls has long history in the suburbs

Arens Controls’ roots date back to the early days of flying.

Its founder, Charles Arens, was a pioneer in aviation technology who made his first flight in 1911. The Early Birds of Aviation, an organization that recognizes the first solo pilots, said he built model airplanes and was a charter member of the Illinois Model Aero Club.

Arens’ fascination with machinery, along with the control of various mechanical devices, led him to found Arens Controls in 1939, according to the company’s website.

The young company supplied push/pull control cables for airplanes, tanks, submarines, automobiles, commercial trucks and agricultural equipment.

Today, Arens employs about 150 people, President Kenneth Kunin said. It designs and manufactures electromechanical controls, hybrid vehicle components and other power electronics for vehicles.

City of Evanston spokesman Eric Palmer said Arens was located on Greenleaf Street for many years. The company next moved to Commerce Parkway in Carpentersville, where Village Clerk Terri Wilde said it was located between 2006 and 2010.

In fall 2008, Arens entered into a long-term lease for its current location at 3602 N. Kennicott Ave. in Arlington Heights.

A spokesman for Entre Commercial Realty said at the time that Arens planned to move 100 employees to the larger 94,300-square-foot space — capacity that was needed to accommodate its “rapidly growing work in the development of state-of-the-art power electronic drivetrain components and systems for the hybrid electronic vehicle market.”

The first Arlington Heights business license for Arens was issued in 2008, said Valerie Gerstein, permit, inspections and license coordinator. Village records do not indicate any problems reported at that location, she said, and OSHA records reviewed online also showed no violations for the company at any of its locations.

The Chicago-based investment firm the Randolph Group acquired the firm in 1995.