ADVERTISEMENT

Last Updated:
2024-05-17 11:56:11

Henkel

German multinational company headquartered in Düsseldorf
German multinational company headquartered in Düsseldorf
Founded in 1876, Henkel operates in Consumer Brands and Adhesive Technologies. It owns popular brands like Loctite, Persil, and Fa. In 2023, Henkel's sales reached 21.5 billion euros with 47,750 employees worldwide.
1848
175th Anniversary of Fritz Henkel
Celebrating the 175th anniversary of Fritz Henkel (1848-1930), the founder of Henkel, known for his pioneering spirit and responsible leadership that laid the foundation for the company's success.
1876-09-26
Founding of Henkel & Cie by Fritz Henkel
In 1876, Fritz Henkel, a 28-year-old merchant with a passion for science, along with two partners, established Henkel & Cie in Aachen. They introduced their first product, a universal detergent based on silicate, marking the beginning of Henkel's history.
1878
First success with a branded product: Henkel’s Bleich-Soda
In 1878, Henkel launched its first branded product, the bleaching soda, made from sodium silicate and water-free soda. Fritz Henkel also began exporting products abroad in the same year.
1883
Henkel Expands Product Range
In 1883, Fritz Henkel started selling merchandise in addition to detergents, including items like colorant ultramarine, gloss starch, and cleaning agents, to improve liquidity and sales.
1887
Henkel's Thee
In 1887, Henkel expanded its product range by introducing Henkel's Thee, which led to the company becoming one of the largest tea importers in Germany.
1888
Foundation of Henkel's Adhesive Technologies
Henkel's Adhesive Technologies was founded in 1888, marking the beginning of the company's journey in the adhesive industry.
1893
Fritz Henkel Jr. joins Henkel firm
In 1893, Fritz Henkel Jr. joined the Henkel firm as an apprentice.
1898
Foundation of Schwarzkopf
In 1898, the state-approved chemist Hans Schwarzkopf took over a dye, drug and perfumery business in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Schwarzkopf has been part of Henkel since its acquisition in 1995. The name Schwarzkopf has been synonymous with hair competence, modernity, high quality, and innovative strength.
1907
Launch of Persil as the First Self-Acting Laundry Detergent
Persil was introduced in 1907 as the world's first self-acting laundry detergent, revolutionizing laundry cleaning methods and contributing to household hygiene.
1912
Persil production reaches 49,890 tons
In 1912, Persil laundry detergent production in Düsseldorf-Holthausen reached 49,890 tons.
1917
Henkel Floral Fertilizer with Motto
Until 1917, Henkel sold the Floral fertilizer in Germany with the motto 'Makes plants thrive and flower abundantly.'
1920
Foundation of Adhesive Technologies
Adhesive Technologies, the global market leader for adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, was founded 100 years ago. They have been providing high-performance technologies to meet the evolving needs of various industries.
1922
Henkel's 100 Years of Adhesive Technologies
Henkel has a century-long history of developing adhesive technologies. They have been at the forefront of innovation in the industry, providing high-impact solutions for various applications.
1923-06
Establishment of Henkel's glue factory
In June 1923, Henkel established its own glue factory to produce adhesive products for its own use and to sell to neighboring companies. The first products included 'Mala' painter's glue and 'Tapa' wallpaper adhesive.
1929
Dixol Antifreeze Agent Launch
In 1929, Henkel launched Dixol, an antifreeze agent for car radiators. This was in response to the increasing demand for glycerol as a cooling agent due to the rise in car usage.
1930
Henkel Swimming Pool Donation
In 1930, Hugo Henkel, the youngest son of Henkel's founder, donated a swimming pool for employees and their families to enjoy in their free time. The pool was a part of the company's health program and hosted dedicated Henkel Olympics.
1932
Henkel movie
In 1932, Henkel introduced the talking film 'Wäsche – Waschen – Wohlergehen' to German movie theatres. The film attracted around 30 million viewers in the subsequent years.
1933
Henkel joins Nazi Party
Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Hugo Henkel joined the Nazi Party and received awards from the regime.
1938
Hugo Henkel steps down as managing director
Under pressure from the local party chapter, Hugo Henkel resigned from his position as managing director in 1938.
1942
Werner Lüps takes over as managing director
Werner Lüps, the oldest grandson of Fritz Henkel, became the managing director after Hugo Henkel's resignation and remained in the position until his death in 1942.
1945-04-16
American troops occupy Henkel's Düsseldorf site
On April 16, 1945, American troops took control of Henkel's site in Düsseldorf during World War II.
1947
Poly Color - the first liquid hair coloring
Poly Color launched the first liquid hair tinting lotion in 1947, causing a stir in post-war Germany. Despite the initial controversy, Poly Color became a major success after some packaging modifications.
1949
Launch of Schauma shampoo by Schwarzkopf
In 1949, Schwarzkopf introduced Schauma shampoo, which became one of the most successful German shampoos.
1950
Acquisition of TheraChemie by Henkel
Henkel entered the cosmetics business by acquiring TheraChemie in 1950, which marketed liquid hair colorants.
1954
Dreiring launches Fa soap
In 1954, Henkel-subsidiary Dreiring introduced Fa soap, a new type of toilet soap that later expanded into deodorants, shower gels, and bubble baths.
1956
Introduction of First Loctite adhesive
Professor Vernon Krieble introduced the first Loctite adhesive in 1956, known as 'Loctite, the liquid locknut.' This adhesive was designed to address the issue of loose nuts and bolts in machinery. Henkel later acquired Loctite entirely in 1997, making it the leading brand in the Adhesive Technologies business.
1960
Henkel acquires Standard Chemical Products, Inc.
In 1960, Henkel acquired Standard Chemical Products, Inc., entering the U.S. chemical products market.
1961
Colorful Flowers at Henkel Greenhouse
In 1961, colorful flowers grew in all colors at the Henkel greenhouse, marking the sunny spring days at the company's headquarters.
1962
Henkel acquires Sichel-Werke AG
Henkel acquired Sichel-Werke AG in 1962, its main German competitor in the adhesives sector.
1969
The world’s first glue stick
In 1969, the world's first glue stick was introduced.
1970
Greyhound Corporation purchased Armour and Company
In 1970, The Greyhound Corporation acquired Armour and Company for $400 million, leading to the relocation of its headquarters to Phoenix, Arizona.
1974
Henkel acquires shares in The Clorox Company
In 1974, Henkel acquired shares in The Clorox Company to produce and sell certain household products.
1975-01-01
Henkel KGaA
Henkel GmbH transformed into Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA) on January 1, 1975. The Shareholders' Committee was established as the decision-making body for the Henkel family.
1977
Pattex House Transportation
In 1977, Pattex carried the weight of a house, which was then transported by a helicopter, demonstrating the strength and reliability of the product.
1982
Dac detergent brand joint venture
In 1982, Henkel initiated a joint venture with partners from Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Germany to create the regional detergent brand 'Dac'.
1983
Henkel acquires AOK facial care range
Henkel strengthened its position in the cosmetics retail trade by acquiring the AOK facial care range in 1983.
1984
New production plant opened in Malaysia
An important new production plant was established in Malaysia in 1984 by Henkel.
1985
Henkel purchased Loctite's stock
In 1985, Henkel acquired over 25% of Loctite's ordinary stock from the Krieble family.
1986
First Public Annual General Meeting
In 1986, the first public Annual General Meeting of Henkel KGaA was held at the Düsseldorf City Hall. It was also the first time the Information for Shareholders was published.
1988
Greyhound acquired Boraxo, Borateem, and 20 Mule Team Borax brands
In 1988, Greyhound acquired the Boraxo, Borateem, and 20 Mule Team Borax brands from United States Borax.
1989
Significant investment in 1989
In 1989, Henkel invested DM 282 million in a particular area, with additional capital expenditure earmarked for related purposes.
1990
Change in Greyhound's name to The Dial Corp
In 1990, Greyhound was renamed Greyhound Dial Corporation and then The Dial Corp following the sale of Greyhound Lines.
1991
Acquisition of Teroson
In 1991, Henkel acquired Teroson of Heidelberg and merged it into its Adhesives and Surface Technologies business sectors.
1992
Henkel publishes its first Environment Report
In 1992, Henkel released its inaugural Environment Report, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
1995-07
Acquisition of Schwarzkopf
Henkel acquired Schwarzkopf in July 1995, leading to a significant growth in the sales of its Beauty Care business unit. Schwarzkopf is now a prominent brand in the global hair cosmetics industry.
1996
Acquisition of Thiem Automotive
In 1996, Henkel acquired Thiem Automotive from National Starch and Chemical Company, which included a manufacturing plant in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
1997
Acquisition of Loctite
Henkel acquired all shares of the Loctite Corporation, a leading specialist in engineering adhesives, particularly for miniaturization like Chip-bonding and microelectronics. The integration of Loctite helped Henkel become the world market leader in adhesives.
1998
25th Anniversary of 'Make an Impact on Tomorrow' Initiative
Henkel's volunteering initiative 'Make an Impact on Tomorrow' (MIT) was launched in 1998 to promote employee engagement in social projects, making Henkel a pioneer in integrating social engagement into its sustainability efforts.
2001
Pritt Glue Stick Tested in Space
In 2001, the Pritt glue stick, invented by Henkel, was tested in space, making it the first brand on Earth to receive the 'space-proof quality' seal.
2002
Renaming of Loctite India Private Limited
Loctite India Private Limited, incorporated in 1990, was renamed Henkel-Loctite India Private Limited after Henkel's acquisition. This move was part of the integration process to strengthen Henkel's presence in India.
2004
Acquisition of The Dial Corporation
Henkel acquired The Dial Corporation, a U.S.-based company known for manufacturing laundry detergents, household cleaners, and body care products such as bar soaps, liquid soaps, and shower gels.
2007
Introduction of Persil Abaya Shampoo
Henkel introduced Persil Abaya Shampoo to the Saudi Arabian market in 2007, targeting it as a specialist detergent for abayas, the traditional black garments worn by women in Islamic cultures.
2008-04
Acquisition of National Starch
In April 2008, Henkel acquired National Starch, including the adhesives and electronic materials businesses previously owned by AkzoNobel, for a significant purchase price.
2011-05-05
Jyothy Laboratories' Stake in Henkel India
On 5 May 2011, Jyothy Laboratories acquired a majority stake in Henkel India, with plans for further investment through a compulsory open offer.
2012
Henkel's Sustainability Strategy 2030
In 2012, Henkel presented its new Sustainability Strategy 2030, aiming to achieve more with less and triple efficiency. The strategy focuses on 'more value' and 'reduced footprint' dimensions, with goals to reduce energy, water, and waste by 15% per production unit by 2015.
2014-11-06
Henkel Opens Largest Automated Storage Facility
At the Corporate Headquarters in Düsseldorf, Henkel inaugurated its largest automated storage facility, providing storage capacity for over 25 million packs of laundry and home care products.
2015
Launch of Persil ProClean in the U.S.
Henkel successfully launched its flagship brand, Persil ProClean, in the United States in 2015. This marked the introduction of Persil to the American market.
2016-05-01
Hans Van Bylen becomes Henkel CEO
Hans Van Bylen took over as the CEO of Henkel on May 1, 2016, succeeding Kasper Rorsted. He had been a member of the Management Board since 2005 and was previously responsible for the Beauty Care business unit.
2016-09-01
Henkel acquires The Sun Products Corporation
Henkel completed the acquisition of The Sun Products Corporation, a US-based laundry and home care company, on September 1, 2016. This acquisition included popular laundry care brands like all, Sun, and Snuggle, expanding Henkel's portfolio.
2016-11-17
Henkel presents new strategic priorities and financial ambition
On November 17, 2016, Henkel introduced its new strategic priorities and financial goals under the initiative 'Henkel 2020+'. The company aimed to achieve continued profitable growth by focusing on driving growth, digitalization, agility, and funding growth.
2017-09-07
Henkel opens North American Consumer Goods headquarters
On September 7, 2017, Henkel inaugurated its new headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, as part of integrating The Sun Products Corporation.
2018-06
Opening of 3D Printing Technology Hub in Tallaght, Ireland
In June 2018, Henkel inaugurated a new 3D printing technology hub in Tallaght, Ireland, showcasing its commitment to innovation in the field of 3D printing.
2018-09
Henkel's New Targets for Global Packaging Strategy
In September 2018, Henkel announced new targets for the global packaging strategy to promote a circular economy.
2019-10
Carsten Knobel appointed as CEO of Henkel
Carsten Knobel was named the CEO of Henkel, succeeding Hans Van Bylen, effective from January 1, 2020.
2019-11
Henkel acquires DevaCurl
In November 2019, Henkel acquired DevaCurl from a fund managed by Ares Management Corporation.
2020-01-01
Carsten Knobel becomes CEO and Marco Swoboda becomes CFO of Henkel
Carsten Knobel became the new CEO of Henkel on January 1, 2020, succeeding Hans Van Bylen. Marco Swoboda also took over as the new Chief Financial Officer of Henkel on the same date.
2020-07-08
The Loctite story - The fascinating world of adhesives
Explore the fascinating world of adhesives through the Loctite story. Learn about the history and impact of Loctite products in various industries.
2020-11-21
St. Nicholas Day Celebration at Henkel
Children in many countries expect a visit from St. Nicholas on this day. At Henkel, a special journey back in time was organized to celebrate the tradition of St. Nicholas Day. The company wishes everyone a peaceful St. Nicholas Day.
2021-02-03
Henkel Update
On February 3, 2021, Henkel provided an update or announcement. The specific details of the update are not mentioned in the provided text.
2021-02-14
Henkel Vintage Advertisements on Valentine's Day
On February 14, 2021, Henkel showcased their love-themed vintage advertisements, including a Persil ad from 1956 with the message 'do your laundry with love'. The company celebrated Valentine's Day by sharing these nostalgic ads.
2021-02-19
Henkel
On February 19, 2021, Henkel made a significant impact in the industry.
2021-03-20
Fritz Henkel's 173rd Birthday Celebration
Fritz Henkel, the founder of Henkel, believed that a business is only successful if everyone involved enjoys it. He focused on customers, employees, and people in general. This event commemorates what would have been his 173rd birthday.
2022-08-04
Driving sustainability in the industry with Henkel Adhesive Technologies
Henkel Adhesive Technologies continues to drive sustainability in the industry with innovative solutions. Their products and technologies play a crucial role in promoting environmental responsibility.
2022-11-10
Innovation in Technology and Future Shaping
Henkel focuses on innovation by researching new technologies, understanding consumer needs, and collaborating with customers to develop future solutions.
2023-05-17
Henkel Celebrates 100 Years of Adhesives
Henkel commemorates a century of excellence in adhesive products, showcasing its journey to becoming a prominent global leader in adhesive technologies.
2030
Henkel Sustainability Strategy 2030
Henkel published its Sustainability Strategy 2030 with the goal of achieving more with less and tripling its efficiency across all business sectors and the entire value chain.
End of the Timeline
Henkel

Information

Henkel

German multinational company headquartered in Düsseldorf
Last Updated:

Event

Last Updated: