The history of Schneider Electric

• 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.
• 2000-2009: Period of organic growth, positioning itself in new market segments: UPS (uninterruptible power supply), movement control, building automation and security through acquisitions of APC, Clipsal, TAC, Pelco, Xantrex, and more.