Explore our
150 Years of Henkel Timeline
HENKEL HISTORY IN Australia & New Zealand
Henkel Australia was established in 1975. Following a series of mergers and acquisitions, Henkel New Zealand was established in 1988. Over the decades, Henkel ANZ's footprint has expanded through local manufacturing, strong partnerships, and strategic acquisitions - from Adhesives in 1975, to Beauty in 1990, and Laundry in 2015.
In 2025, Henkel Australia celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Our Milestones
1975
Henkel Australia
A small but passionate team launched local operations with a bold vision, quickly moving into the production of adhesives, sealant and coatings.
1988
Henkel New Zealand
Following a series of mergers and acquisitions, Henkel New Zealand was established in 1988.
1990 - 1999
The 1990s
Henkel ANZ's history in the 1990s were characterized by expansion and acquisitions,...
2000 - 2009
The 2000s
2005 saw the opening of a new head office in Kilsyth for Henkel Australia.
2010 - 2019
The 2010s
In 2015, Henkel strengthened its position as a market leader in the laundry sector by acquiring Colgate-Palmolive's laundry detergent and...
2020 - 2025
The 2020s
In 2022, Henkel Australia adhesive plant sites became 100% powered by renewable energy.
1975
Henkel Australia
A small but passionate team launched local operations with a bold vision, quickly moving into the production of adhesives, sealant and coatings.
1990 - 1999
The 1990s
Henkel ANZ's history in the 1990s were characterized by expansion and acquisitions, including the acquisition of Schwarzkopf in 1995 and Loctite in 1997.
2000 - 2009
The 2000s
2005 saw the opening of a new head office in Kilsyth for Henkel Australia. National Starch was acquired by Henkel in 2008.
2010 - 2019
The 2010s
In 2015, Henkel strengthened its position as a market leader in the laundry sector by acquiring Colgate-Palmolive's laundry detergent and pre-wash brands in ANZ. In 2016, the R&D Innovation Center for Laundry and Homecare was opened in Sydney.
2020 - 2025
The 2020s
In 2022, Henkel Australia adhesive plant sites became 100% powered by renewable energy.
Henkel Australia's Consumer Brands business relocated from Frenchs Forest to Chatswood in 2023. In 2023, Henkel acquired Earthwise in New Zealand and launched the brand across key retailers in Australia in 2024.
Henkel's story begins in 1876 with a twenty-eight-year-old merchant who was interested in science: Fritz Henkel. On September 26, 1876, Fritz and two partners founded the company Henkel & Cie in Aachen, Germany and marketed their first product, a universal detergent based on silicate. During the following years, the Henkel family and thousands of their employees built Henkel into a global company.
