History

The iron and steel industry, heavy machinery, and ship building in the 19th century. Electricity and automation management in the 20th century. In 170 years of existence, Schneider Electric has risen to numerous challenges and made major strategic choices to become a leader.

• 1836: The Schneider brothers took over the Creusot foundries (71), which were in difficulty.  Two years later, they created Schneider & Cie.
• 1891: Having become an armaments specialist, Schneider innovated by launching itself into the emerging electricity market.

• 1919: Installation of Schneider in Germany and Eastern Europe via the European Industrial and Financial Union (EIFU).
In the years that followed, Schneider associated with Westinghouse, a major international electrical group.  The Group enlarged its activity to manufacturing electrical motors, electrical equipment for power stations and electric locomotives.
• Post war: Schneider gradually abandoned armaments and turned to construction, iron and steel works and electricity. The company was completely reorganised in order to diversify and open up to new markets.

• 1981-1997: Schneider Electric continued to focus on the electrical industry by separating from its non-strategic activities.  This policy was given concrete form through strategic acquisitions: Telemecanique in 1988, Square D in 1991 and Merlin Gerin in 1992 became part of the Schneider Electric Group.
• 1999: Development of Ultra Terminal with the acquisition of Lexel, European N°2 in electrical distribution. In May 1999 the Group was renamed Schneider Electric, to more clearly emphasise its expertise in the electrical field. The Group engaged in a strategy of accelerated growth and competitiveness.
• 2000-2005: Organic growth and pursuing its policy of acquiring companies that allow Schneider Electric to position itself on new market segments: man-machine dialogue, UPS - uninterruptible power supply, movement control, Voice Data Image, Sensing Technology, Building Automation and security, (Digital, Crouzet, Clipsal, MGE UPS Systems, TAC, Kavlico, Andover Controls …).

Source: "Schneider, l'Histoire en force".
(available only in French)
Tristan de la Broise et Felix Torres. De Monza editions.