History of ANDRITZ  

The cornerstone of today's international technology group ANDRITZ was laid in 1852 as a small iron foundry in Graz, Austria. Fast forward over 170 years, the company has become a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, automation solutions and services for hydropower stations, pulp and paper, metalworking and steel, as well as environmental and green energy-focused sectors. Over the years, ANDRITZ has stood for passion, partnership, perspectives and versatility — core values to which we are committed. 

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A journey of over 170 years: From a foundry to global technology leadership

What began in 1852 with the production of metal goods such as wire nails, chains, iron gratings and grave crosses developed into a market-leading, globally operating technology group.

1852	Josef Körösi establishes ANDRITZ as a foundry and machine works.
1900	ANDRITZ becomes a stock corporation, integrated into the Gutmann group under the name of "Maschinenfabrik Andritz Actiengesellschaft".
1922	The ANDRITZ apprentice workshop is founded. Since then, the training and further education opportunities have offered many young people the start of a promising career.
1949	A long-lasting cooperation with the Escher Wyss Group, Switzerland, begins, and the focus of ANDRITZ shifts towards water turbines, centrifugal pumps, cranes and steel structures.
1950	Creditanstalt-Bankverein, Austria, acquires a majority interest in ANDRITZ, and the company undergoes the eighth change of ownership in its not-quite 100-year history.
1951	ANDRITZ starts to produce complete paper machines in cooperation with Escher Wyss.
1987	AGIV AG acquires a majority stake in ANDRITZ, and the strategic direction begins to change from being a licensee of other equipment manufacturers to becoming a leading international supplier of its high-tech production systems.
1990	The acquisition of Sprout-Bauer, USA, an equipment supplier for mechanical pulp and animal feed production, marks the beginning of ANDRITZ's successful expansion policy through complementary acquisitions.
1992	The success story of ANDRITZ Brasil begins with a staff of five in a sales office in Curitiba.
1997	ANDRITZ China is founded with the launch of a joint venture in Foshan to manufacture stock pumps locally.
1999	A consortium of investment companies and the Custos private foundation (founded by the then CEO Wolfgang Leitner) take over ANDRITZ.
2000	The acquisition of the Ahlstrom Machinery Group makes ANDRITZ a globally leading supplier of pulp production systems.
2001	ANDRITZ goes public on the Vienna Stock Exchange with two million shares successfully placed with national and international investors.
2003	The Secondary Placing of ANDRITZ shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange results in a rise in free float to around 70%.
2006	With the acquisition of VA TECH Hydro, ANDRITZ advances to a globally leading supplier of electromechanical equipment for hydropower plants.
2013	ANDRITZ substantially expands its Metals business area by acquiring the Schuler Group, the world market leader in forming technology.
2018	ANDRITZ acquires Xerium Technologies, a global provider of wear parts (machine clothing, roll covers) and services for the paper industry, thus substantially expanding its service business.
2021	"We Care", the first ANDRITZ sustainability program, is launched, emphasizing the company's strong commitment to this topic.
2022	With the acquisition of Sovema, ANDRITZ takes a big step forward to becoming a leading systems supplier of battery cell manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry and other sectors.
2025	The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approves ANDRITZ’s climate targets.
2020s	ANDRITZ accelerates the green transition by advancing innovative technologies and expanding its portfolio through targeted acquisitions in green hydrogen, carbon capture, batteries, circular economy, and grid stability.