150 Years of Henkel
Henkel was founded in 1876. On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, the company is not only celebrating its long history – it is also looking ahead. Because shaping the future starts today.
Future? Ready!
What began with the company’s founding by Fritz Henkel, reached its first milestones with the launch of “Henkel’s Bleich-Soda” (bleaching soda) in 1878 and the invention of the first self-acting detergent Persil in 1907, has today grown into a global company with around 47,000 employees worldwide.
The 150th anniversary is themed “Future? Ready!” and conveys the message: Henkel draws on its tradition to actively shape the future. The commitment to maintaining the pioneering spirit of Henkel’s founder to this day is also reflected in the company’s purpose: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.
In its anniversary year, Henkel is setting a variety of initiatives that make the company’s pioneering spirit tangible – both internally and externally. Employees are at the center of these initiatives. For example, all employees worldwide receive an additional day off in their birthday month. They also benefit from exclusive advantages in the employee share program: For 25 years, Henkel has offered an employee share program giving employees the opportunity to become co-owners of the company. In the anniversary year, Henkel increases every investment by 41 percent – 25 percent more than usual. Throughout the year, but especially on September 26 – Henkel’s founding day (“Henkel Day”) – special celebrations take place at Henkel locations worldwide.
“150 years mark an important milestone in Henkel's history. They stand for continuity, a pioneering spirit, and the courage to constantly rethink the status quo. As a family-owned company, we bear responsibility towards our employees, society, and future generations. We are proud of how our employees around the world continue to bring the shared Henkel spirit to life and carry it forward every day. Our purpose expresses what we stand for: creating value and positive impact with our pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit, always keeping the well-being of today’s and future generations in mind. Or, as we say: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This gives me great confidence and trust as we look ahead.”
Simone-Bagel-Trah, Chair of the Shareholders’ Committee & Supervisory Board
“With this special anniversary, we want to reaffirm our confidence in our capabilities, our people, our innovative strength, and our corporate culture. Under the motto ‘Future? Ready!’, we are entering our anniversary year – a year in which we look back with great pride on our long history and, at the same time, look ahead with confidence to the path ahead of us. At the heart of the anniversary are our employees around the world, because they are the key to our success. That is why we are actively involving them in the celebrations – through tangible benefits such as advantages in the employee share program, an additional day of vacation, and, of course, a variety of events worldwide around the company’s birthday in September.”
Carsten Knobel, Chief Executive Officer
Pictures
Fritz Henkel laid the foundation for 150 years of Henkel history.
Fritz Henkel (left) with his family around 1901.
With the new site in Düsseldorf-Holthausen, Henkel’s industrial expansion began in 1900. To this day, it remains the company’s headquarters.
With “Henkel’s Bleaching Soda,” Henkel achieved its breakthrough in 1878. The product marked the beginning of Henkel’s brand story and made quality its trademark.
With Persil, the world’s first self-acting detergent, Henkel made laborious hand washing easier in 1907 and revolutionized everyday life for many people.
In the 1920s, Henkel set new standards in brand communication. Whether through posters, films, or promotion teams, advertising became a stage for innovation and the spirit of the times. Later, Henkel continued to lead the way - for example, with the first TV commercial ever aired on German television.
From producing glue to seal its own packaging, Henkel developed a new line of business in the 1920s – the origin of today’s business unit Adhesive Technologies.
1922 sees the creation of the company’s most famous advertising figure: the Lady in White. Until well into the 1960s, the Lady in White promotes Persil in advertising media such as newspapers, posters and enamel signs, thus contributing significantly to the brand’s success.
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In May 1925, the first 15 apprentices began their training as locksmiths, turners, pipefitters, plumbers, and carpenters at Henkel. Since 1925, Henkel has trained more than 10,000 apprentices and students.
Taft by Schwarzkopf was Europe’s first hairspray in 1955 and shaped generations of hairstyles. The brand has been part of the Henkel portfolio since the 1990s.
With the Pritt stick, Henkel launched the world’s first glue stick in 1969 – a simple idea with a big impact, inspired by the mechanism of a lipstick.
A historic moment: In 1985, Henkel went public as one of the founding companies of the DAX. This step marked the beginning of a new era – balancing tradition, growth, and international responsibility.
On November 1, 1995, Henkel acquired Hans Schwarzkopf GmbH in Hamburg. Today, Schwarzkopf is one of the world’s leading cosmetic brands.
Founded in the USA in 1953, the Loctite brand quickly became synonymous with high-performance adhesives. With its acquisition by Henkel in 1997, American pioneering spirit and German engineering excellence combined to create a global success story.
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel.
Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel.
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150 Years of Henkel Anniversary
150 Years of Henkel Anniversary
