Our History
In the 125 years since À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ opened the doors of our first international office in Central London, we have carved out a rich heritage of innovation and social commitment in the UK and Ireland. Ours has been the story of the people who make things happen - of the innovations and products that touch the lives of others. Much more than a linear timeline but many interwoven stories of inventing for generations, set over three centuries; branching from automotive to home heating, from Greater London to Glenrothes. Here is a good place to start to get to know us - we invite you to take a step back in time.
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s timeline in the UK
Across our 125 year history in the UK & Ireland there have been several key moments that have helped define and shape our business….
1898 - Robert À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ opens his first office outside of Germany. The location is Store Street in London.
1924 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ expands its UK presence and opens a sales office in Glasgow, Scotland.
1931 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ begins manufacturing operations in the UK, in the West London suburb of Acton.
1972 - Robert À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Packaging Machinery (UK) Ltd begins selling machinery to businesses around the UK.
1984 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ UK moves into its current head office location in Denham, Buckinghamshire.
1990 - BSH Home Appliances is formed as a 50/50 joint venture between À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ and Siemens and is located in Milton Keynes. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ acquires Siemens shares in 2015.
1992 - Worcester Engineering Co Ltd is acquired by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ on 1st January, adopting the name of Worcester, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Group.
1995 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ acquires Atco-Qualcast in Stowmarket, a leading British manufacturer of garden equipment.
2001 - Mannesmann Rexroth AG and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Automation Technology merge on 1st May.
2004 - The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Service Solutions Centre opens in Liverpool.
2012 - The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Service Training Centre is opened in Uxbridge by Boris Johnson, then the Mayor of London.
2015 - Following changes in legislation, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ eBike launches in the UK.
2016 - Move_UK consortium is led by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, and begins on-road testing to accelerate the development of automated driving.
2017 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Smart Home is launched in the UK.
2021 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ acquires Protec Fire & Security Group.
2022 - Automotive Research & Development Centre set up in Limerick, Ireland.
2022 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ acquires Five, the UK start-up that’s at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art software and artificial intelligence-based solutions for autonomous driving.
2023 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ invests In Quantum Motion
2023 - À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ acquires HydraForce.
2023 - The UK is now À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s second largest region in Europe, after Germany, and fourth largest worldwide with 36 sites and around 5,500 associates.
Never forget your humanity, and respect human dignity in your dealings with others.