- Henkel is celebrating its 150th anniversary under the motto “Future? Ready!”, highlighting its pioneering spirit, innovation, and commitment to responsibility
- Recognition and benefits for employees during the anniversary year, as well as initiatives and events worldwide
This year, Henkel is celebrating a special anniversary: 150 years ago, on 26 September 1876, Fritz Henkel founded the company, which over the course of its history has developed into a global group with around 47,000 employees in more than 70 countries.
The 2026 anniversary year is held under the motto “Future? Ready!”, expressing confidence in Henkel’s continued successful development, even in challenging times marked by geopolitical tensions, technological transformation, and growing volatility. At the heart of the anniversary are the qualities that have shaped the company since its founding a pioneering spirit, innovative strength, and responsibility.
Credit: Henkel
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel.
“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,” says Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel. “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.”
“With this special anniversary, we want to reaffirm our confidence in our capabilities, our people, our innovative strength, and our corporate culture,” says Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel. “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.”
Credit: Henkel
Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel.
An anniversary that brings people together: Benefits for Henkel employees
As part of the employee share program in 2026, Henkel will offer all participants an exclusive anniversary benefit. The company will top up every employee investment by 41 percent, enabling stronger participation in Henkel’s business success. In simple terms: employees who invest 100 euros in Henkel shares will receive shares worth 141 euros. In addition, all employees worldwide will be granted an extra day of vacation in their birthday month during the anniversary year.
In 2026, special celebrations and activities will take place at Henkel sites around the world, connecting the company’s past with a forward-looking perspective. The highlight will be September 26, the company’s founding day.
Tradition meets the future: Henkel looks back on 150 years of company history
Founded in 1876 in Aachen, Henkel has evolved from a small detergent manufacturer into a global company with leading market positions and strong brands such as Loctite, Persil, and Schwarzkopf. Today, Henkel generates annual sales of more than 21 billion euros and employs 47,000 people worldwide.