History of the FUCHS Group

1931

Foundation of the RUDOLF FUCHS company in Mannheim. Import and distribution of high-quality Pennsylvanian refinery products. Establishment of a regional engine oil business.

1936

Start of production and opening of the first representative office in Munich.

1939

Outbreak of WW2. Import stop for Pennsylvanian oils. Loss of traditional oil suppliers. Relocation to the Mannheim industrial port.

1945

End of WW2. Sales revenues hit an all-time low.

1947

Focus on supplying industry for the reconstruction.

1948

FUCHS lubricants used on German racing circuits for the first time.

1951

Foundation of FUCHS LUBRITECH.

1952

More than 200 employees for the first time.

1959

Death of company founder Rudolf Fuchs.

1960

Dr. Manfred Fuchs takes over as the head of the company.

1968

First steps of company internationalization through establishment of subsidiaries in France and Spain.

1971

FUCHS specializes its product portfolio. In Mannheim, 33 employees dedicated to research, development and quality assurance.

1972

The company becomes a corporate group. Strong expansion through acquisitions and mergers from 1972 to 1991.

1981

50th company anniversary. The company develops into a diversified Group with 80 production and trading companies.

1985

FUCHS launched on the stock exchange. Listing of preference shares on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges.

1991

Following lubricant acquisitions, FUCHS invests in technological and distribution integration measures, as well as exploiting synergy and rationalization potential. Focus on the lubricant business.

1994

A new FUCHS logo for the entire Group. The modern, dynamic logo is an important step toward integration of the individual entities.

2000

FUCHS PETROLUB is the largest independent supplier of lubricants. Worldwide sales revenues are €900 million with around 4,000 employees.

2004

Stefan Fuchs becomes Chairman of the Executive Board. Dr. Manfred Fuchs, who headed the company for 41 years and led it into the elite group of global lubricants manufacturers, leaves the Executive Board and is succeeded by his son.

2006

FUCHS celebrates its 75th birthday. With over 4,000 employees worldwide at around 60 operating units, the Group generates sales revenues of €1.2 billion.

2008

Inclusion of the preference shares in the MDAX on June 23, 2008.

2010

FUCHS commits to a "Code of Responsible Conduct for Business".

2011

FUCHS looks back over 80 years of success.

2013

FUCHS PETROLUB AG changes its corporate form to a European Company (Societas Europaea): FUCHS PETROLUB SE

2015

For the first time, FUCHS generates sales revenues of €2 billion.

2016

FUCHS launches the largest investment program in the company's history. By 2018, € 300 million will be invested in a global growth initiative.