History
Burckhardt Compression, formerly known as Maschinenfabrik Burckhardt, was founded in Basel in 1844, as a mechanical workshop by Franz Burckhardt.[3] The company specialised in compressors and vacuum pumps from 1878, under the direction of Burckhardt's son, August Burckhardt. Early compressors from 1913 reportedly delivered 4350 psig (300 bar), increasing to 58,000 psig (4000 bar) by 1948 through the development of high-pressure technology.[4]
In 1969, Maschinenfabrik Burckhardt became part of Sulzer, at which point a second production plant was opened in Winterthur. In 2000, all business activities were combined in Winterthur - the Basel site was closed and in 2001, the headquarters were relocated to Winterthur.
Following a management buyout in June 2002, the company was renamed Burckhardt Compression AG, and a holding structure was put in place, under the name Burckhardt Compression Holding AG. In June 2006, an initial public offering (IPO) (VTX:BCHN) took place.
In December 2015, Burckhardt Compression acquired a 40% stake in Houston-based Arkos Field Services,[5] a provider of gas compression services and components. which was increased to 60% in November 2019 as company gains increased access to the American market.[6]
In March 2016, the company acquired a majority stake in Shenyang Yuanda Compressor, a leading Chinese manufacturer of reciprocating compressors, thereby gaining local market proximity and expanding the portfolio to cover different market needs.[3]
In September 2016, the company acquired IKS Industrie- und Kompressorenservice GmbH based in Bremen and in June 2017 Burckhardt Compression strengthened its presence in Canada through the acquisition of CSM Compressor Supplies & Machine Work Ltd based in Edmonton and Drumheller, Alberta.
In March 2020, the company acquired the global compressor business from The Japan Steel Works.[3] In December 2021, the company expanded its service business in the maritime and petrochemical industries by acquiring 100% shares in Mark van Schaick BV, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
In 2023, Burckhardt Compression fully acquired Arkos Field Services and integrated it into its operations, aiming to better serve customers and achieve ambitious growth targets. In April of the same year, the company acquired Thailand-based SPAN Maintenance and Service Co. Ltd. and established Burckhardt Compression (Thailand) Co. Ltd. through this acquisition. The acquisition of the Thai-based Burckhardt-authorised service partner increased the company position in Southeast Asia and included taking over two dozen employees.[7]
