August 2026 is going to be a big month for VEM as we celebrate 140 years of company history!

August 2026 is going to be a big month for VEM as we celebrate 140 years of company history! Today's corporate group has its roots in the vibrant city of Dresden, where the visionary engineer and entrepreneur Oskar Ludwig Kummer pioneered a new era in electrical machine engineering in 1886. With his factory for electrical equipment and machines in Dresden-Niedersedlitz, he was among the pioneers of electrification and created the basis for the later development of Sachsenwerk, which remains an important part of VEM to this day.

It's incredible to think how far we've come since those early days. Our strong corporate network has grown and evolved into what it is today, and we're thrilled to see the impact it's had over the decades. We are delighted to announce that, thanks to our ongoing commitment to growth and innovation, we have successfully established additional plants alongside the Dresden site. This significant expansion will allow us to expand our expertise even further. The story of the Elektromotorenwerk Wernigerode begins in 1947, when production of electric motors began in Wernigerode. Over the following decades, this company went on to become a major manufacturer of low-voltage motors!

The roots of today's amazing Zwickau plant even go all the way back to 1908 – how incredible is that?! It was back in the day when the dynamic brothers Kurt and Alfred Stephan set up an electrical workshop in Thurm near Zwickau. And what a success it was! The workshop soon evolved into a thriving electric motor factory. Today, we are proud to present the VEM plant in Zwickau, a true testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation. It has been a remarkable journey of growth and development, spanning over a century of dedication to producing cutting-edge drive technology.

The momentous merger of these traditional sites and the establishment of VEM Holding in 1997 led to the formation of today's corporate group. In the years that followed, the performance portfolio was systematically expanded, with the addition of motors, generators, transformers, converter technology, and complete drive systems. The integration of transresch in 2011/2012 was a real game-changer, propelling VEM into the stratosphere as a leading system provider of sophisticated electrical drive solutions.

Today, the sites in Dresden, Wernigerode, and Zwickau stand for engineering excellence, technological expertise, and industrial continuity. A pioneering Dresden-based company, founded in 1886, has burst onto the global stage as a major player in the electrical machines and drive systems sector. Their products are in demand all over the world, used in industrial, energy and infrastructure projects.

The 140th anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate an incredible company history and the amazing achievements of the many generations of employees who have shaped VEM's path. From the early days of Oskar Ludwig Kummer to the company it is today, it's a journey of success!