2025 marks a truly significant milestone for the BECKER Group, a global leader in industrial vacuum pump and compressor technology. This year marks our 140th anniversary. Founded in 1885 in Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany, as a small machine factory, Becker has grown into an internationally renowned manufacturer, now under the fourth-generation leadership of Dr. Dorothee Becker.
Our foundations as a manufacturer | A glimpse into our rich history:
Paving the way for the future, brothers Robert and Otto Becker founded "Maschinenfabrik Gebr. Becker" in Barmen, starting with just four employees to supply the local chemical and textile industries.
Fast forward to 1928, our first oil-lubricated rotary compressor was developed to support autopilot technology in aviation. In 1932, we entered the paper market and patented our rotary vane pump, which combined vacuum and compressed air. This breakthrough increased sheet feeder output for printing presses to over 3,600 sheets per hour - something piston pumps simply couldn’t achieve!
As we celebrate 140 years of excellence, we reflect on our journey and the principles that continue to drive us forward as a leading vacuum pump manufacturer.
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Over the past 140 years, Becker has been synonymous with innovation, reliability, and customer-centric solutions.
Today, our still family-owned company produces approximately 130,000 displacement pumps, compressors, flow machines, and vacuum systems annually, with 80% of our production exported worldwide. Holding to our foundations, we specialise in cutting-edge industrial technologies across various sectors, including:
Our commitment to advanced production methods and a highly skilled workforce ensures we remain at the forefront of global technological advancements, meeting the evolving needs of industries and their diverse applications, worldwide.
In 2019, we expanded our product portfolio - the anticipated release of our first BC dry claw vacuum pump models. This well-celebrated occasion reaffirmed our commitment to offering our customers a wider choice of operating principles. This portfolio only extends now in 2025, as the first full-line supplier of our BCV claw vacuum pump range, along with innovations for Additive Manufacturing and gas-tight blowers.
For 140 years, Becker has remained committed to people - both our customers and our employees.
We harmonise tradition with modernity to create tailored solutions that optimise system efficiency, delivering maximum performance and cost savings for our customers. What was once our factory in 1929 is now a state-of-the-art training facility, highlighting our global commitment to developing our team and driving continuous innovation, while protecting our historical significance.
See our full forum transformation
Our legacy is not just about longevity; it’s about responsible growth and sustainable engineering. At Becker, we are dedicated to socially responsible practices, ensuring our innovations contribute to a more efficient and sustainable future.
From integrating solar panels at our UK Hull headquarters to using recyclable materials in our products and reducing energy consumption per pump built, we are committed to protecting future generations.
With 19 subsidiaries and over 40 global representatives, Becker provides localised support and flexible responses for our customers worldwide.
At Becker UK, we prioritise reliable service - from initial system planning to long-term maintenance, vacuum pump repair and vacuum pump spare parts supply - to ensure:
As we mark these great 140 years of success in mechanical engineering, Becker remains dedicated to forging lasting partnerships built on trust, expertise, and customer satisfaction. These core principles have guided us since 1885, and they will continue to shape our future as we lead the way in industrial vacuum and compressed air technology.
A special and warm "Thank you!" to our customers, employees, and partners for being part of this journey. This year marks a special token to hard work, dedication and celebration.
Here’s to the next 140 years of innovation and engineering excellence.
Author: Ella Marie Stubbs
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