
Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation that specializes in digital automation and energy management. The company has a rich history dating back to the 19th century when it pioneered iron manufacturing processes and established itself as a leading European weapons manufacturer. Today, Schneider Electric is a global leader in industrial technology, bringing expertise in electrification, automation, and digitization to various sectors. With a focus on sustainability and clean energy transition, the company has earned recognition as one of the most sustainable corporations in the world. Schneider Electric's headquarters are in Rueil-Malmaison, France, and it operates in over 100 countries with a vast ecosystem of colleagues and partners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of company | Multinational corporation |
| Specialization | Digital automation and energy management |
| Registration | Registered as a Societas Europaea |
| Stock | Publicly traded on the Euronext Exchange |
| Stock market index | Component of the Euro Stoxx 50 |
| Revenue in 2024 | €38.15 billion |
| Parent company of | Square D, APC, AVEVA, and others |
| Research | Yes |
| Founders | Adolphe and Joseph-Eugene Schneider |
| Year founded | 1836 |
| Headquarters | Rueil-Malmaison, France |
| Current CEO | Olivier Blum |
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What You'll Learn

Schneider Electric's history and origins
Schneider Electric is a French company with a long history dating back to the 19th century. The company was founded by brothers Adolphe and Joseph-Eugène Schneider, who took over an iron foundry in Le Creusot, France, in 1836. Two years later, they established Schneider-Creusot, which later became Schneider Electric. Initially, the company focused on steel production, heavy machinery, and transportation equipment.
In the late 19th century, Schneider & Cie pioneered iron manufacturing processes using coal and steam-powered machines. They established steelworks and entered the emerging electrical sector, becoming a leading European weapons manufacturer. After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the company significantly expanded its weapons manufacturing capabilities. At the turn of the 20th century, Schneider & Cie kept pace with technological advancements, embracing electrical power systems and production lines.
Following World War II, Groupe Schneider abandoned weapons production and directed its attention to meeting Europe's infrastructure needs. The company formed an alliance with Le Matériel Électrique Schneider-Westinghouse (S-W) and developed power rectifiers for industries and electric locomotives under the Westinghouse license.
In the 1960s, after the death of Charles Schneider, Schneider-Creusot merged with Belgium's Empain group to form Empain-Schneider. The company changed hands again in 1981 when the Empain family sold its controlling stake to Paribas. During the 1980s and 1990s, the company divested from steel and shipbuilding and strategically shifted its focus to the electricity sector through acquisitions of companies like Télémécanique, Square D, and Merlin Gerin.
In January 1999, the company acquired the Scandinavian switch-maker Lexel and renamed itself Schneider Electric to reflect its new focus on electricity. In the 21st century, Schneider Electric continued to expand globally, acquiring companies like American Power Conversion, Areva's transmission and distribution businesses, and Tower Electric. The company also ventured into new technologies, such as smart home solutions, critical power, building automation, and smart grid solutions.
Today, Schneider Electric is a multinational corporation specializing in digital automation and energy management. It is committed to sustainability and carbon neutrality, integrating these values into its products and solutions. The company has a presence in over 100 countries and continues to innovate and adapt to the digital transformation of energy management and automation.
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$106.98 $115

The company's sustainability efforts
Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation that specializes in digital automation and energy management. The company has a rich heritage of innovation, shaping its business since 1836.
Schneider Electric has been recognized as the world's "Most Sustainable Corporation" by Corporate Knights Global in 2021. The company's purpose is to create an impact by empowering people to make the most of their energy and resources, thus bridging progress and sustainability. Sustainability is at the heart of what Schneider Electric does, and the company has committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) program, spanning 2021-2025, is built on six long-term commitments with eleven concrete targets deliverable by 2025. The SSI program focuses on ESG targets and carbon neutrality in operations by 2025. The company's sustainability strategy includes targets for gender diversity, with goals for women hired, front-line managers, and leaders by 2025. They also aim to provide people with access to green electricity by 2025 and save and avoid CO2 emissions by the same year.
Schneider Electric has also invested in clean energy procurement and climate consulting through its EcoStruxure platform for IoT-enabled solutions. The company has partnered with organizations to transform learning environments through sustainability, including electric buses and solar-powered classrooms. They have also hosted events to inspire middle school girls about STEAM careers, highlighting the importance of women in these fields. Additionally, Schneider Electric has acquired companies devoted to climate consulting and net-zero solutions, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
The company's history, expertise, and innovative capabilities position them as a leader in driving sustainability and efficiency. With a presence in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric strives to positively impact its employees, customers, and communities and the planet.
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Acquisitions and acquisitions bids
Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation that has undergone several acquisitions and bids to expand its business and expertise in digital automation and energy management. The company has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, when it pioneered iron manufacturing processes and established itself as a leading European weapons manufacturer. Over the years, Schneider Electric has evolved and diversified its business, and acquisitions have played a significant role in its growth strategy.
One of the notable acquisitions by Schneider Electric was the purchase of Télémécanique in 1988, followed by Square D in 1991 and Merlin Gerin in 1992. These acquisitions helped Schneider Electric expand its presence and expertise in the electricity sector. In 1999, the company acquired the Scandinavian switch-maker Lexel, further solidifying its focus on electrical solutions.
In the early 2000s, Schneider Electric continued its acquisition strategy by acquiring the French controls-maker Crouzet Automatismes and the Swiss motion control specialist SIG Positec. In 2006, the company made a significant move by acquiring American Power Conversion, a data center equipment manufacturer, for $6.1 billion. This acquisition strengthened Schneider Electric's position in the data center market.
Schneider Electric's acquisition journey continued into the 2010s, with the joint purchase of Areva's transmission and distribution businesses with Alstom in 2010 for $2.73 billion. In 2016, the company acquired Tower Electric, a British manufacturer of fixings and fastenings for construction and electrical firms. Schneider Electric also became the majority shareholder of Aveva, a UK-based provider of engineering and industrial software, in 2017.
More recently, in 2020, Schneider Electric made a successful €1.4 billion takeover bid for the German company RIB Software. The same year, it also acquired ProLeiT AG, a supplier of industrial control and MES software. In 2023, Schneider Electric finalized the acquisition of Aveva and EcoAct, a climate consulting and net-zero solutions company. The company's most recent acquisition, as of October 2024, is Motivair, a provider of data center cooling solutions, with Schneider Electric acquiring a 75% stake for $850 million.
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Leadership and management
Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation specialising in digital automation and energy management. It is a publicly traded company on the Euronext Exchange and is a component of the Euro Stoxx 50 stock market index.
The company's leadership and management have a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. In 2021, Schneider Electric was ranked as the most sustainable company in the Corporate Knights' Global 100 index, climbing from 29th place the previous year. The company's leadership has committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance, with 70% of its revenue coming from sustainable solutions and around 75% of its investments directed towards green innovation. Schneider Electric's leadership has also prioritised racial and gender diversity, resource productivity, and safety.
The company's history dates back to 1836 when brothers Adolphe and Joseph-Eugene Schneider took over an iron foundry in Le Creusot, France. Initially specialising in steel, heavy machinery, and transportation equipment, Schneider & Cie became a leading European weapons manufacturer in the 19th century. However, after World War II, the company abandoned weapons manufacturing and focused on Europe's infrastructure needs, particularly in the electrical sector.
In the late 20th century, Schneider expanded its business through acquisitions and joint ventures. In 1999, the company renamed itself Schneider Electric to reflect its focus on the electricity sector. In the following years, Schneider Electric acquired several businesses, including data centre equipment manufacturers, controls-makers, and software providers. The company has continued its acquisition strategy into the 2020s, purchasing companies specialising in industrial control software, climate consulting, and net-zero solutions.
Schneider Electric's leadership has also shown a commitment to research and development, with the company investing in innovative, connected technologies and solutions. The company has a strong international presence, with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries.
In terms of governance, Schneider Electric's Board of Directors implemented a new structure in 2023, separating the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Jean-Pascal Tricoire served as CEO for many years, but in 2024, the Board appointed Olivier Blum as the new CEO.
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Schneider Electric's brand portfolio
Schneider Electric SE is a French multinational corporation specialising in digital automation and energy management. The company's purpose is to create an impact by empowering people to make the most of their energy and resources, thus bridging progress and sustainability.
Schneider Electric is the parent company of Square D, APC, AVEVA, and others. Over the years, Schneider Electric has acquired several companies, including:
- Télémécanique (1988)
- Square D (1991)
- Merlin Gerin (1992)
- Lexel (1999)
- Crouzet Automatismes (2000)
- SIG Positec (2000)
- American Power Conversion (2006)
- Areva's transmission and distribution businesses (2010)
- Tower Electric (2016)
- Larsen & Toubro's electrical and automatic business (2018)
- RIB Software (2020)
- ProLeiT AG (2020)
- Aveva (2023)
- EcoAct (2023)
Schneider Electric has a strong focus on sustainability and aims to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The company also prioritises being an inclusive and caring organisation, providing equitable opportunities for its employees. With a global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric has a vast ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation that specializes in digital automation and energy management.
The headquarters of Schneider Electric is in Rueil-Malmaison, France.
Schneider Electric's purpose is to create an impact by empowering people to make the most of their energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability.
Schneider Electric was founded in 1836 by brothers Adolphe and Joseph-Eugene Schneider, who took over an iron foundry in Le Creusot, France. Initially, the company specialized in the production of steel, heavy machinery, and transportation equipment. Over the years, it diversified into weapons manufacturing, electricity, and digital automation. Today, Schneider Electric is a global leader in industrial technology, providing expertise in electrification, automation, and digitization.
Schneider Electric has made several notable acquisitions over the years, including the purchase of the Scandinavian switch-maker Lexel, the French controls-maker Crouzet Automatismes, and the Swiss motion control specialist SIG Positec. In 2006, they acquired American Power Conversion for $6.1 billion. More recently, in 2020, they acquired ProLeiT AG, a supplier of industrial control and MES software.







































