Our innovations set standards…
Technologies that our customers rely on worldwide…
From a small locksmith workshop to an international technology company…
Manpower is the most important success factor. That's why we invest in the education of our employees right from the start…

Our innovations set standards…


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1869
Voith obtains the first patent for a wood grinder in 1869

From then on, the prospering paper industry was the foundation for the growing success of Voith. The first patent for the wood fiberizing machine was followed by many others. In 1873, Voith was awarded the progress medal at the world exhibition in Vienna.

1870
Taking up the construction of water turbines with a 100 HP Henschel-Jonval

Friedrich Voith recognized early on that in addition to the paper demand in Germany also the energy hunger grew. From the 1870s onwards, the construction of water turbines became the company's second core business. Since at this time paper machines were mechanically driven by waterwheels, this was a logical derivation from the core business.

1881
Voith produces the first complete Voith paper machine PM1

As an ambitious entrepreneur, Friedrich Voith was no longer confined to producing only individual components for paper machines. Voith did develop and design paper machines, which processed the raw materials to the final product. The first of this kind was then sold to Raitelhuber, Bezner and Cie. in Gemmrigheim on the Neckar.

1929
Voith starts with the construction of the first couplings

The breakthrough in the third business segment, the gearbox construction, which was taken up in 1922, also succeeded: Based on the invention of the hydrodynamic power transmission by Hermann Föttinger, Voith developed the first hydrodynamic couplings. This was followed by new drives for rail and road vehicles.

1960
Voith is among the pioneers of paper recycling - Development of a new flotation deinking process for creating pulp from waste paper

Voith thought further: In a time when environmental protection and resource conservation were not yet on the social agenda, Voith invented the flotation deinking process in 1960. With this technology, it is possible to withdraw the printer ink from the used paper - Voith was thus a pioneer for the resource-conserving recycling of paper.

1985
Voith builds the first Vorecon variable speed planetary gear

With the hydrodynamically controllable planetary gearbox Vorecon, Voith was once again expanding its product range. It regulates the speed of pumps, compressors and blowers, thus saving energy on a large scale.

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Technologies that our customers rely on worldwide…


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1903
Voith receives an order for the world's largest turbines for the power plants at the Niagara Falls

This spectacular order excited the professional world. The power station company at the Niagara Falls ordered twelve Francis spirals in the years 1903 to 1912 with up to 12,000 hp - an unprecedented size at this time. With its successful execution, Voith did become a synonym for technological competence worldwide.

1910
Voith delivers turbines to the first Chinese hydropower plant in the world, Shi Long Ba

The first major order from distant China arrived in 1906 and was completed only four years later. The Swabian factory was gradually becoming a world-wide company.

1956
Export of the first turbo transmission to the United States

On the world market, Voith quickly returned to its former strength despite the war. Voith was able to revive and expand the once close foreign relations, which resulted in many export contracts.

1978
Voith receives an order for the delivery of twelve turbines for Itaipú hydropower plant in Brazil, the world's largest hydropower plant

The growing global economy and the associated demand for energy became a gold mine for Voith: hydropower as a renewable energy source established itself - and so the business with hydropower was also developing well. 12 of the 18 turbines for the hydroelectric power plant in the border area of Paraguay and Brazil came from Voith.

1997
Voith Hydro gets the go-ahead for the delivery of six turbines for one of the world's largest hydropower plants at the Three Gorges Dam in China

For the largest hydroelectric power station in the world, Voith supplied six sets of engines with a capacity of 700 megawatts each. After completion, the hydroelectric power plant now supplies a total of 22,000 megawatts of power and can provide 100 million people with electricity. In the same year, Voith also delivered one of the most powerful paper production lines to Austria: the Triple Star.

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From a small locksmith workshop to an international technology company…


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1867
Johann Matthäus Voith hands over the business to his son Friedrich. January 1, 1867, is the official foundation date of the company J.M. Voith

At the age of 22, Johann Matthäus had taken over his father's locksmith in Heidenheim. His urge for innovation and progress led to the early entry of the small company in industrial paper production. When handing over to his son Friedrich, the small locksmith business had become a thriving company with 30 employees.

1903
First Voith subsidiary in St. Pölten, Austria

In the conquest of lucrative markets, Friedrich Voith invested consistently: the plant in Austria with its 230 employees served to supply the Austrian-Hungarian and Russian market with paper machines.

1913
After the death of Friedrich Voith, his three sons Hanns, Hermann and Walther took over the machine factory.

When Friedrich Voith died in 1913, he left his sons a flourishing machine factory. The workshop with around 30 employees had become a global company with around 3,000 employees thanks to innovative ideas, smart planning and bold decisions.

1956
Voith opens a satellite plant in Crailsheim for the production of hydrodynamic couplings

In the post-war period and the 1950s, employment in Germany rose sharply again. Millions of people had to commute to work every day, which resulted in an increase in public transport. Voith reacted to the new requirements quickly with the commissioning of the branch in Crailsheim.

1964
Voith establishes a branch in São Paulo, Brazil

With its subsidiary in Brazil, Voith was also opening up the South American market. Again the right step at the right time: Many countries around the world were making their way to becoming modern industrial companies. Voith recognized this trend and entered the new markets early.

1994
Voith and the Swiss Sulzer Group merge their paper technology activities in the joint venture Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik

With strategic joint ventures and acquisitions, Voith was able to strengthen the market positions of its business segments. At the joint venture with Sulzer, Voith will acquire the majority of the shares in 2000.

1998
Voith acquires Scharfenbergkupplung in Salzgitter, Germany

With the takeover of the company Scharfenbergkupplung, Voith was expanding and strengthening its position around rail transport and is now able to produce permanently-safe connections that are perfectly matched to their intended use.

1999
Voith takes over the paper technology business of the British Scapa Group plc. and becomes a leading supplier of wires and felts for the paper industry

Voith acquired the business segments covering, roller cover and service from the British company. It still is the largest acquisition of the company's history.

2000
Voith and Siemens set up the joint venture, the Voith Hydro Power Generation, now Voith Hydro, and founds its fourth group Division Voith Industrial Services

With the foundation of the joint venture between Voith and Siemens, the leading manufacturer of turbine technology and the leading generator supplier joined forces. From 2009 on under the name Voith Hydro, the joint venture has further been known for its high competence, excellent research and development, technical reliability and innovations, which are recognized worldwide.

2010
Opening of Voith Paper City in Kunshan, a production and service center for the paper industry in Asia

In 1996, a production facility for covering in Kunshan was established. After continuous expansion, the Center for Paper Technology for the whole Chinese market was officially opened in 2010. The new center covers over 70,000 m2 of office and production area.

2016
Founding of the Voith Digital Solutions Group Division and sale of Voith Industrial Services

The Voith Digital Solutions division is set up to accelerate the digital revolution. It is intended to bundle the group-wide digital and automation activities and help the company to play a major role in shaping digital change in the industries and markets.

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Manpower is the most important success factor. That's why we invest in the education of our employees right from the start…


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1910
Beginning of systematic Voith vocational training

Because Friedrich Voith was convinced that quality products can only be manufactured with a well-trained specialist workforce, he founded his own teaching workshop as early as 1910. The social benefits of Voith were also progressive for this time.

2014
Opening of the Voith Training Center in Kushan. China and Heidenheim, Germany

Voith strengthened its role as a pioneer in training 2014 with the opening of two training centers in Kunshan, China and Heidenheim, Germany. The principle founded in 1910, that Voiths training and qualifications are not only a marginal function, but the cornerstone of the innovative and globally active company, is thus continued.

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