History
Burckhardt Compression has been founded in 1844 as mechanical workshop. Today Burckhardt Compression is the worldwide market leader for reciprocating compressor systems and the only manufacturer and service provider that covers a full range of reciprocating compressor technologies and services.
2023
Launch of service solution BC ACTIVATE
2022
Burckhardt Compression takes complete ownership of Arkos Field Services
Together, Arkos Field Services and Burckhardt Compression (US), now one company, combine the best from two strong companies.
Arkos and Burckhardt Compression are integrating into one company to better serve our customers. Our ambitious targets to grow our business significantly over the next years can only be reached if we act with the customer in mind, from one platform as one team.
2021
Burckhardt Compression strengthens its service business in the maritime and petrochemical industry
Burckhardt Compression has signed on December 2, 2021 an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Mark van Schaick BV, based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The company has more than 20 years of experience in machining and is a leader in servicing complex repairs such as crankshafts. In 2020, it recorded sales of about CHF 9 million with 27 employees.
2021
Burckhardt Compression purchases remaining shares of Shenyang Yuanda Compressor
February 23, Burckhardt Compression acquires the remaining 40% of Shenyang Yuanda Compressor, based in Shenyang, China. Shenyang Yuanda Compressor is now a 100% subsidiary of Burckhardt Compression.
2020
Burckhardt Compression purchases global compressor business from The Japan Steel Works
March 4: Burckhardt Compression is strengthening its market presence and acquiring the global compressor business from The Japan Steel Works Ltd., abbreviated JSW.
2019
Burckhardt Compression purchases remaining ownership of Arkos Field Services
November 25: Burckhardt Compression purchased the remaining 60% of Arkos. With this step, Arkos Field Services becomes a 100% subsidiary of Burckhardt Compression and is fully consolidated as of November 25, 2019
2019
Burckhardt Compression celebrates its 175 year anniversary
January 9: Burckhardt Compression celebrates its 175 year anniversary. To honor the founder of the company, the street in front of the headquarters has been renamed into Franz-Burckhardt-Strasse.
2017
Stronger presence in Canada
June 26: Burckhardt Compression expands its presence in Canada and acquires CSM Compressor Supplies & Machine Work Ltd based in Edmonton and Drumheller, Alberta. This acquisition helps Burckhardt Compression to expand its presence in the reciprocating compressor service market in Canada.
2016
Further expansion of the business
March 11: Burckhardt Compression gets a majority stake in Shenyang Yuanda Compressor, the leading manufacturer of reciprocating compressors in China. This acquisition extends Burckhardt Compression’s local presence in China to new segments of the market, widens its product range so it can address a broader range of market needs.
September 19: Burckhardt Compression is acquiring IKS Industrie- und Kompressorenservice GmbH, based in Bremen and expands its presence in Germany.
2015
Strong presence in the US
December 22: Minority stake in Arkos Field Services, a US-based, highly experienced provider of compressor services and components to the natural gas industry. Arkos Field Services has 17 strategically placed workshops in the US. Acquiring a stake in Arkos Field Services improves Burckhardt Compression’s access to the US market.
2013
First Laby®-GI for LNG carriers
First Laby®-GI for dual-fuel two-stroke engines on LNG carriers, those modules enable direct injection of boil-off gas into dual-fuel diesel engines of LNG tankers.
2007
Worldwide strongest compressor, second world record
Burckhardt Compression builds world’s most powerful single frame compressor with 27’500 kW and delivers it 2007 to its customer.
2006
Going public
June 26: Burckhardt Compression Holding AG is listing its shares at the SIX Swiss Exchange as BCHN. Five members of the management owned 20.9 % of the shares and concluded a shareholders’ agreement which is regularly renewed.
2005
Expansion to India
Acquisition of the compressor division of Sulzer India Ltd.
2002
Management buyout
In April 2002, the company becomes legally independent through a management buyout of five members of the management, Sulzer-Burckhardt AG becomes Burckhardt Compression AG.
2001
Winterthur becomes domicile
Winterthur becomes the company’s domicile. Divestiture of standard high-pressure compressor business to Nord Holding, Germany; the business activities continue under the name Greenfield Ltd.
1999
First world record
Building and delivering of world’s most powerful Hyper Compressor with 23’500 kW
1990
Relocation
Relocation of the Winterthur workshop and offices to Oberwinterthur.
1969
Sulzer Group
Through the acquisition of the shares, Burckhardt Engineering Factory becomes part of the Sulzer Group. There are now two sites in Switzerland: Basel and Winterthur. A few years later, the company was renamed into Sulzer-Burckhardt AG.
1951
Huge order intake
Order of 11 Hyper Compressors for LDPE production at 1’500 bara
1948
Order for the US
Special compressor with an end pressure of 4’000 bar for a pilot plant in the US
1935
First Laby® compressor
Development and sale of the first Labyrinth Piston Compressor (Laby®)
1920
Ammonia synthesis
Start of development of ammonia synthesis compressors for 850 bar (Casale process) and 1000 bar (Claude process)
1883
First reciprocating compressor
Development and sale of the first single stage, dry-running reciprocating compressor which produced a pressure of 6 bar. Since 1883, Burckhardt Compression focuses on reciprocating compressors.
1844
Founding of the company
In 1844, Franz Burckhardt acquired his first three properties at the Rümlin river in Basel and founded a mechanical workshop. There he manufactured rolling and engraving tools for silk ribbons for the textile industry which flourished that time. Later he expanded his range and produced milling machines, gas-powered machines and bell frames.