Siemens AG, founded in 1847, is a global leader in automation, digitalization, infrastructure, rail transport, and health technology. With around 320,000 employees, it reported a revenue of €78 billion in 2023. Siemens is a key player in industrial automation and software, and a component of the DAX and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
Siemens & Halske was founded by Werner von Siemens and Johann Georg Halske on 1 October 1847. They later played a significant role in the development of the telegraph industry.
Siemens & Halske built the first long-distance telegraph line in Europe, spanning 500 km from Berlin to Frankfurt am Main.
In 1855, a company branch headed by Carl Heinrich von Siemens opened in St Petersburg, Russia. This expansion marked Siemens' growing presence in the international market.
In 1866, Werner von Siemens discovered the dynamo-electric principle, leading to the development of a dynamo that would later be mass-produced by 1875.
Siemens completed the Indo-European telegraph line, stretching over 11,000 km from London to Calcutta.
In 1875, Siemens laid the first transatlantic cable, connecting Ireland and the United States. This technological achievement revolutionized communication across continents.
In 1881, Siemens used an AC Alternator driven by a watermill to power the world's first electric street lighting in Godalming, United Kingdom. This marked a significant advancement in electric power technology.
Siemens expanded its operations by opening its first office in Japan.
In 1890, Siemens & Halske had 6,500 employees, establishing itself as a major player in the field of electrical engineering.
In 1892, Siemens & Halske built a power station at Erding in Bavaria and established an American subsidiary in Chicago. This marked further expansion and innovation for the company.
In 1895, Siemens & Halske constructed South Africa’s inaugural power plant, utilizing cutting-edge generators that were among the largest at the time.
By 1897, Siemens & Halske transitioned into a stock corporation, marking a significant milestone in its corporate structure.
In 1903, Siemens & Halske merged with the major Nuremberg-based power plant builder Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft vorm. Schuckert & Co., forming the Siemens-Schuckertwerke GmbH division. This merger led to the company's involvement in the high-voltage system market.
Around 1905, Siemens & Halske established a central laboratory, which was built around 1916. This laboratory played a significant role in the company's research and development activities.
In 1914, Siemens & Halske centralized its manufacturing operations in a Berlin suburb known as Siemensstadt, establishing a hub for its industrial activities.
Despite significant losses in capital and subsidiaries during and after World War I, Siemens managed to re-establish itself as one of the world's top electrical engineering companies by 1919.
Siemens acquires shares of Deutsche Gasglühlicht AG to establish OSRAM, entering the incandescent lamp industry.
Siemens-Schuckertwerke and Westinghouse initiate a partnership through a patent and knowhow exchange agreement.
Siemens launches the first commercial Benson boiler plant at the Gartenfeld cable plant in Berlin.
In 1929, Siemens-Schuckertwerke completed the electrification of the Irish Free State, with the main power source being the Siemens-built Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power plant.
In 1930, Siemens introduced a fluid circuit breaker that utilized water as the arc quenching medium.
In 1931, Siemens-Schuckertwerke initiated the 228-MW Kraftwerk West plant, marking its first power project at the Siemensstadt site in Berlin.
In 1932, Siemens bundled its majority stake in Reiniger, Gebbert & Schall, which it had acquired in 1924, to create Siemens-Reiniger-Werke AG.
World War II ended, and Siemens faced repercussions for its involvement in forced labor and exploitation during the war.
In 1949, Munich becomes the headquarters city for Siemens & Halske and Erlangen becomes the headquarters for Siemens Schuckertwerke.
In 1953, Siemens developed and patented a technique for producing ultra-pure silicon for semiconductor applications, which had a significant impact on the field of electrical engineering.
In 1956, the 300-MW San Nicolás power plant became operational in Argentina, representing Siemens' reentry into the global market post World War II.
In 1957, Siemens introduced the VM3 gas turbine with a recuperator, marking a milestone in the company's advancements in gas turbine technology.
In 1958, Siemens introduced SIMATIC, the first transistorized control system, which marked a significant advancement in automation technology.
In 1959, Siemens received its first order for the construction of a gas turbine, the VM80. This marked the beginning of Siemens' venture into gas turbine technology.
The Siemens VM80 gas turbine, for which the company received its first order in 1959, began commercial operation in 1961. This marked a milestone in Siemens' gas turbine technology development.
In 1964, Siemens introduced a 220-kV SF6 high-voltage circuit breaker, showcasing the company's advancements in high-voltage technology. This innovation played a significant role in the electrical industry.
Siemens & Halske AG, Siemens Schuckertwerke AG, and Siemens-Reiniger-Werke AG are merged to establish Siemens AG due to increased capital needs in semiconductor and computer technology sectors.
In 1969, Siemens refocused its corporate structure to adapt to the increasing globalization of markets and technological advancements.
In 1974, research conducted at a small reactor in Munich enabled Siemens to construct its inaugural nuclear plant, the 660-MW Stade nuclear plant.
In 1975, Siemens pioneered the world's first thyristor-operated long-distance HVDC transmission system, connecting the Cabora Bassa power plant in Mozambique with the Republic of South Africa.
Two years after the research in Munich, Siemens inaugurated the 1.2-GW Unit A at the Biblis nuclear plant.
In 1977, Siemens entered a joint venture with AMD, purchasing 20% of AMD's stock to enhance technology expertise and enter the American market.
In 1980, Siemens, known for its focus on microelectronics since the 1960s, achieved success in digitalizing telephone technology.
In 1983, Siemens supplied the generator for GROWIAN, a significant wind turbine project that initiated its trial run, highlighting the company's involvement in renewable energy initiatives.
In 1984, Siemens initiated the MEGA project aimed at advancing the development of chips.
Siemens bought Allis-Chalmers' interest in Siemens-Allis in 1985, incorporating it into Siemens's Energy and Automation division.
In 1987, Siemens reintegrated Kraftwerk Union, the unit overseeing nuclear power business.
In 1988, Siemens and GEC acquired the UK defense and technology company Plessey, with Siemens taking over avionics, radar, and traffic control businesses.
In 1989, Siemens underwent restructuring due to its inefficiency, dividing its eight units into 15 new, more streamlined units, two operating groups, and two independent divisions, including power generation, power transmission and distribution, and industrial and building systems.
In 1990, a publication was made on Siemens' history from 1918 to 1945, specifically addressing its involvement in the Nazi camp system.
In 1991, Siemens acquired Nixdorf Computer and renamed it Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme to produce personal computers.
Siemens bought out IBM's half of ROLM in 1992, creating SiemensROLM Communications.
In 1993, Siemens completed the handover of the 704-MW Rye House combined cycle power plant in England, which was considered a successful project showcasing emerging power generating technology.
In 1996, Karl-Heinz Roth published a work focusing on forced labor in the Siemens Group during the years 1938-1945, addressing various facts, controversies, and problems related to the topic.
In 1997, Siemens acquired the fossil-fueled power plant business of the US company Westinghouse, expanding its presence in the power generation sector.
In 1998, Siemens made a significant move by acquiring Westinghouse's gas turbine business, expanding its presence and capabilities in the power generation sector.
In 1999, Siemens spun off its semiconductor operations into a new company called Infineon Technologies.
In 2000, Siemens developed its first 501FD gas turbine in Orlando.
In 2001, Siemens restructured its reactor-making arm and combined its nuclear activities with French company Framatome, leading to the formation of AREVA NP.
In 2002, Siemens sold some of its business activities to KKR, including its metering business.
Siemens planned to introduce annual Xelibri phone lines with new devices launched as seasonal collections.
Siemens established an office in San Jose on this date.
Siemens announced its goal to capture 10% of the mainland China handset market.
Siemens unveiled the latest Xelibri fashion phone model.
In 2004, Siemens acquired Bonus Energy A/S, a wind energy company founded in Denmark in 1980, with an existing installed base of 3.3 GW in 20 countries.
Siemens became involved in a global bribery scandal starting in 2005, leading to legal investigations and settlements.
In 2006, Siemens is involved in a compliance investigation that results in €1.2 billion in penalties and leads to significant changes in its executive team.
In January 2007, Siemens was fined €396 million by the European Commission for participating in a cartel that fixed prices in EU electricity markets. The commission found that Siemens played a leading role in this illegal activity.
In July 2008, Siemens formed a joint venture with the Gores Group to create Unify, a company focused on enterprise communications. The Gores Group held a majority stake in the venture.
In August 2008, Siemens Project Ventures invested $15 million in the Arava Power Company, furthering Siemens' commitment to green and sustainable technologies. Siemens acquired a 40% stake in the company.
In April 2009, Fujitsu bought out Siemens's share of the company, leading to the rebranding of Fujitsu Siemens Computers as Fujitsu Technology Solutions.
In October 2009, Siemens signed a $418 million contract to acquire Solel Solar Systems, an Israeli company specializing in solar thermal power. This acquisition aimed to strengthen Siemens' presence in the renewable energy sector.
In December 2010, Siemens agreed to sell its IT Solutions and Services subsidiary to Atos for €850 million. As part of the deal, Siemens took a 15% stake in Atos and entered into a seven-year outsourcing contract with the company.
In March 2011, it was decided to list Osram, a subsidiary of Siemens, on the stock market. CEO Peter Löscher expressed Siemens' intention to retain a long-term interest in Osram despite its independence.
In September 2011, Siemens announced its decision to exit the nuclear sector after constructing all of Germany's existing nuclear power plants, in response to the Fukushima disaster and changes in German energy policy.
In November 2012, Siemens acquired the Rail division of Invensys for £1.7 billion, expanding its presence in the rail industry.
In August 2013, Siemens secured a $966.8 million order for power plant components from Saudi Aramco, marking its largest bid from the Saudi company.
In May 2014, Rolls-Royce agreed to sell its gas turbine and compressor energy business to Siemens for £1 billion.
In June 2014, Siemens and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced joint ventures to bid for Alstom's energy and transportation businesses, competing against General Electric.
In November 2016, Siemens acquired EDA company Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion.
In December 2017, Siemens acquired the medical technology company Fast Track Diagnostics.
In May 2018, Siemens acquired J2 Innovations.
In August 2018, Siemens acquired rapid application development company Mendix for €0.6 billion in cash.
In May 2019, Siemens AG announced its decision to spin off its energy units in order to focus on its digital core. This move surprised many in the power sector, as Siemens has been a major player in the industry since 1866.
In September 2019, Siemens and Orascom Construction signed an agreement with the Iraqi government to rebuild two power plants, paving the way for future deals in the country.
In January 2020, Siemens signed an agreement to acquire 99% equity share capital of Indian switchgear manufacturer C&S Electric.
In April 2020, Siemens Energy was created as an independent company out of the energy division of Siemens.
In August 2020, Siemens Healthineers AG announced plans to acquire U.S. cancer device and software company Varian Medical Systems.
In February 2021, Roland Busch replaced Joe Kaeser as CEO of Siemens.
In October 2021, Siemens acquired the building IoT software and hardware company Wattsense.
In May 2022, Siemens decided to cease its operations in Russia due to the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, affecting approximately 3,000 employees.
In July 2022, Siemens acquired aerospace simulation firm ZONA Technology.
In October 2022, Siemens announced a strategic partnership with Swedish electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Volta Trucks to deliver eMobility charging infrastructure.
In June 2023, Siemens announced a €2 billion global investment plan to expand manufacturing capacity, with specific commitments in Singapore and China.
In August 2023, Siemens signed an agreement to acquire eBus and eTruck charging technology company Heliox.
In March 2024, Siemens announced the creation of a new digital engineering facility in Wiltshire, UK, to replace its existing rail infrastructure factory in Chippenham.