Our history

As a family-owned business, Lenze has evolved over a period of 70 years from a local trading company to a global provider of drive and automation technologies.

1947

On November 5, Hans Lenze takes over Stahlkontor GmbH in Hameln - the origin of today's Lenze SE - from the Mannesmann Group.

1950

The Alquist winder, an innovative three-phase AC motor, becomes Lenze's first own product, marking the company's entry into winding technology.

1957

The Hans Lenze KG machine company is founded in Extertal.

1962

Expansion of production, with a new plant being built in Groß Berkel.

1977

The first frequency inverter for controlling three-phase AC motors is launched.

1996

Drive-based automation starts with yet another innovation. Thanks to its integrated technology and control functionality, the 9300 servo inverter is able to carry out complete processes or process parts.

1998

Using the slogan "Drive meets Automation", Lenze positions itself with intelligent drive technology as a provider of integrated automation solutions.

1999

The acquisition of US drive technology manufacturer AC Tech marks the establishment of Lenze's first production and logistics site outside Germany.

2000

Lenze founds software company encoway in Bremen and starts developing configuration software.

2004

L-force, an integrated platform for drive and automation technology, is introduced.

2009

Reflecting its stronger international focus, Lenze AG is converted into an SE.

2011

Lenze simplifies motion engineering - from the mechanical engineer's initial idea to after-sales, and from control system to drive shaft. The claim is: "As easy as that."

2012

The new FAST software components make developing modular machine controls easy.

2013

The first manufacturing site in India is opened. Lenze now maintains ten international production and logistics sites and a global sales network.

The company's first "smart" product is unveiled at HANNOVER MESSE. The Lenze Smart Motor can be integrated easily and quickly into horizontal materials handling technology. Customers benefit from a drive solution that has been tried and tested a thousand times over.

2017

Lenze acquires a majority stake in cloud and IoT service provider logicline, thus enhancing encoway's solution expertise in cloud and mobile environments.

2020

With our strategy 2020+ we set the cornerstones to continue our growth path - focusing on our fields of competence: mechatronics, systems and digital.

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