Henkel will mark its 150th anniversary on 26 September 2026 with employee events worldwide, including a festival for around 18,000 employees and family members at its Düsseldorf headquarters in Germany.
Founded by Fritz Henkel as a small detergent factory in Aachen, Germany, on 26 September 1876, the company moved its headquarters to Düsseldorf several years later. It now employs around 50,000 people in more than 70 countries and operates industrial and consumer businesses, including Adhesive Technologies, which supplies adhesives, sealants and coatings.
Throughout the anniversary year, Henkel is organising activities across its international locations. The Düsseldorf festival will allow visitors to explore its businesses, innovations and company history, alongside family activities and entertainment. “My great-great-grandfather could hardly have imagined 150 years ago that one day 50,000 employees across the globe would celebrate this anniversary together,” said Dr Simone Bagel-Trah, chairwoman of Henkel’s Supervisory Board and Shareholders’ Committee.
Chief executive Carsten Knobel said the anniversary recognised employees whose ideas, expertise and dedication had advanced the company over successive generations. Henkel is also providing employees worldwide with an additional day of leave during their birthday month. Participants in its employee share programme will receive a one-time anniversary bonus of 41% on their personal investment in Henkel shares.
Alongside the celebrations, Henkel plans to expand its Researchers’ World science, technology, engineering and mathematics education initiative. Active in more than 20 countries, the programme has reached more than 130,000 children. By the end of 2030, Henkel plans five new permanent learning locations and mobile activities in six additional countries. It will invest a double-digit million-euro amount in the programme’s expansion over the coming years, as part of its anniversary programme across its global network.