Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric was founded over 180 years ago, establishing itself as a prominent company in the field of energy management and automation.

Schneider Electric was founded in 1836, and has a history of over 180 years. The company has a strong focus on innovation.

Two years after acquiring the mines and forges, in 1838, the Schneider brothers founded Schneider & Cie, a company that would later become a significant player in the industrial sector.

Following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, Schneider-Creusot significantly increased its capacity for weapons manufacturing. This marked a shift in the company's focus towards defense production.

In 1881, Edouard Empain established Empain, a company that became a trailblazer in rail transit.

Having become an armaments specialist, Schneider & Cie launches itself into the emerging electricity market.

In the early 20th century, the Schneider brothers made a significant investment in the Creusot foundries, establishing themselves as key figures in the steel and machine industry.

Founded in 1902, Square D became a market leader in electrical distribution, industrial control, and automation products globally.

In 1919, through the European Industrial and Financial Union (EIFU), Schneider & Cie expanded its presence into Germany and Eastern Europe, establishing itself as a key player in the region.

In 1920, Paul-Louis Merlin and Gaston Gerin established a company in Grenoble, specializing in industrial circuit breakers and switching gear.

In 1935, Schneider was founded in Green Bay. Al Schneider took a significant step by selling the family car to purchase the company's first truck.

In September 1938, Christian Schneider and Erwin Blum founded the company 'Blum & Schneider OHG - Factory for Screws and Turned Parts' in Tennenbronn.

In 1949, the company expanded its operations into Germany and Eastern Europe through the European Industrial and Financial Union (EIFU), marking a significant milestone in its international growth.

In 1954, Telemecanique entered into an agreement with Merlin Gerin to streamline production processes.

In 1963, Schneider Electric continued to expand and grow, establishing manufacturing sites in France and abroad. The company's presence extended to pre-Soviet Russia and Czechoslovakia during this period.

In 1968, Modicon developed the first programmable logic controller (PLC) in the United States, revolutionizing industrial automation.

By 1971, Empain-Schneider emerged as a significant industrial conglomerate with diverse interests across heavy industry and infrastructure sectors.

In 1975, the Schneider Group acquired a stake in Merlin Gerin, a prominent player in the field of electrical distribution equipment, strengthening its position in the industry.

In 1980, Didier Pineau-Valencienne spearheaded the restructuring of Schneider Electric after the Empain family reduced its involvement in the group.

In 1981, the Empain family sold its controlling stake in Empain-Schneider to Paribas.

In 1988, Schneider made a strategic acquisition by purchasing Télémécanique.

In 1991, Schneider expanded its portfolio by acquiring Square D.

Schneider further strengthened its position in the electricity sector by acquiring Merlin Gerin in 1992.

In January 1999, Schneider acquired the Scandinavian switch-maker Lexel and rebranded itself as Schneider Electric to emphasize its focus on the electricity sector.

In May 1999, the Schneider Group was renamed Schneider Electric to highlight its expertise in the electrical field.

In 2001, Schneider Electric acquired Telemecanique, a significant move that impacted the brand's development and technological innovation.

In October 2006, Schneider Electric announced the acquisition of American Power Conversion for $6.1 billion, enhancing its presence in the data center equipment market.

In June 2010, Schneider Electric and Alstom jointly bought Areva's transmission and distribution businesses for $2.73 billion, strengthening their position in the industry.

In 2011, Schneider Electric bolstered its smart grid and infrastructure solutions by acquiring leading software firm Telvent.

A PDF file titled 'Schneider Electric, 170 years of history' was published, showcasing the long history of Schneider Electric spanning 170 years.

In 2015, Fortune magazine recognized Schneider as one of the world's most admired companies, highlighting its reputation and standing in the industry.

In 2016, Schneider Electric introduced the next generation of EcoStruxure, an IoT-enabled architecture that utilizes Microsoft Azure.

In 2017, Schneider Electric became the majority shareholder of Aveva, a UK-based provider of engineering and industrial software, expanding its technological capabilities.

In 2018, Schneider Electric acquired Larsen & Toubro's electrical and automation business in a significant cash deal worth ₹140 billion (US$1.8 billion), strengthening its presence in the Indian market.

In April 2019, Schneider Electric launched Schneider Electric Exchange, an open business platform.

Schneider Electric, an SBID Accredited Industry Partner, offers energy and digital automation solutions for residential and commercial markets focusing on efficiency and sustainability. The brand aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and has a 180-year history.

In April 2021, Schneider launched 'The Zero Carbon Project' to demonstrate its commitment to reducing operational carbon emissions by 2025.

In June 2022, Schneider Electric introduced EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin, a digital shadow software solution for handling machine lifecycles.

In January 2023, Schneider Electric completed its acquisition of Aveva, further solidifying its position in the engineering and industrial software sector.

In November 2023, Schneider Electric concluded its acquisition of EcoAct, a company specializing in climate consulting and net-zero solutions, aligning with its sustainability goals.

Schneider Electric marks its 170th anniversary, showcasing a rich history of innovation and growth in the electrical industry.