At PUK Portacables, we have been part of this evolution with innovative solutions that have made it easier to adopt new technologies. Our cable management systems, underfloor systems, cable clamps and fire protections have been designed to offer maximum flexibility and adaptability, ensuring that cabling infrastructures can evolve along with the technologies they support. In this sense, cable management systems have been the invisible pillar of modern connectivity, enabling communication networks to grow and evolve continuously across all sectors.

But have you ever wondered what stages connectivity has gone through throughout history? Let's take a little trip back in time to discover how we got here.

First steps

The forerunner of modern connectivity was the telegraph, which in the 19th century became the first form of long-distance communication. Messages were transmitted by wires that ran through towns and countryside, supported by poles which, although at a very early stage, fulfilled their function.

With the advent of the telephone and the growth of telecommunications, the complexity of the cabling system increased significantly, highlighting the need for improved organisation and infrastructure. The cable management systems of the time were simple, but the importance of protecting and distributing cables more efficiently and safely was already recognised.

The need to organise chaos

With the first radio networks and the massive expansion of the use of electricity, electrical installations became more complex. Cables were everywhere and there was an increasing need for systems that allowed for more orderly management, as chaos could cause serious problems such as short circuits or even fires­. It was then that the cable management tray industry emerged in the 1950s, and more traditional methods such as overhead routing or underground piping took a back seat.

Cable management systems were no longer just a basic support, but evolved into more elaborate and efficient structures. Their mission was to keep the cabling under control and ensure that everything ran smoothly. As a result, they became a key part of the safety and efficiency of installations.

It was then that the story of PUK Portacables also began in the late 1980s in Germany. Francisco Redondo, a Spanish immigrant who worked as an assembler at PUK Werke, led the construction of the Seat factory in Martorell in 1989. The success of the project, together with PUK Werke's expansion plans, led to a market study confirming that Spain was a good place to grow. In 1992, PUK Portacables was founded, with Redondo as director, thanks to his knowledge of the Spanish market and his experience with the company's products.

The IT and Internet boom

The advent of computers and the emergence of the Internet in the 1990s changed the rules of the game. Suddenly, businesses and homes found themselves surrounded by cables, needing connections in any context. Cable management was now a priority for everyone and cable management systems emerged as essential tools to manage the complexity of communication networks.

The era of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT)

Today, 5G technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) represent the latest milestone in the evolution of connectivity. With faster and more reliable connections than ever before, the amount of data being transmitted is overwhelming, and the need for a robust infrastructure to support this traffic is non-negotiable.

Our systems offer advanced solutions that ensure fibre optic cables and other conductors are perfectly organised, protected and accessible for tomorrow's upgrades. The flexibility of our trays and racks allows these technologies to be deployed quickly and efficiently, which is key to keeping up with a fast-moving environment.

The history of connectivity is also the history of cable management systems, which have proven to be indispensable to the growth and evolution of technology. That is why, at PUK Portacables, we remain committed to offering solutions that accompany companies and homes on their path towards an increasingly connected future, providing this backbone that allows the flow of information to continue to advance.