Bunzl plc was incorporated in 1940 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1957, but its origins date back to 1854 when Moritz Bunzl opened a small haberdashery business in Bratislava, now the capital of Slovakia. The business has changed and grown considerably over the years to become what is now a well-known and recognised international distribution and services Group.
1854
Moritz Bunzl registers a haberdashery business in Bratislava, now the capital of Slovakia
![1854 Slovakia image](/media/tbxd1dyn/_0019_1854.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001744570000)
1883
HQ relocates to Vienna and paper manufacturing business begins
![1883 Vienna image](/media/f0zci4hq/_0018_1883.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001725900000)
1938
HQ relocates to London due to political upheaval in Central Europe
![1938 London Big Ben](/media/xtrh5wem/_0017_1938.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001809500000)
1957
Bunzl lists as a public company on the London Stock Exchange
![1957 London Stock Exchange](/media/eehkulhu/_0016_1957.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001646030000)
1980s
Bunzl is a diversified business with a fine paper distribution and manufacturing arm
![1980S paper distribution](/media/gfwfzzys/_0015_1980s.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001826730000)
1981
Acquisition of first consumables distribution business in the USA
![1981 Bunzl lorry](/media/wbibeqza/_0014_1981.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001668570000)
1993
First European consumables distribution business acquired
![1993 Busy highway](/media/ew5doffq/_0013_1993.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001609970000)
2002
Sale of fine paper distribution business
![2002 person signing contract](/media/3i5nk5fk/_0012_2002.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001728170000)
2005
Manufacturing businesses demerge and Bunzl becomes a focused distribution and outsourcing Group with a presence in 18 countries
![2005 Bunzl lorry distributing goods](/media/yihab0qu/_0006_2005.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001830400000)
2007
Bunzl celebrates 50 years as a listed company on the London Stock Exchange
![2007 Bunzl celebrates 50 years as a listed company on the London Stock Exchange](/media/lzublbfz/_0010_2007.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001733170000)
2008
Expansion into South America with acquisition in Brazil AND Shanghai sourcing and auditing office opened
![2008 worker at Shanghai sorting office](/media/sxjbyk11/_0005_2008.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001643600000)
2012
Further growth in South America with acquisitions in Chile, Peru, Argentina and Colombia
![2012 Further growth in South America](/media/qsoadp0m/_0008_2012.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001788530000)
2012
Bunzl has a presence in 27 countries
![2012 a presence in 27 countries](/media/j04bpn13/_0004_2012.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001782130000)
2014
Bunzl acquires its 100th company since 2004
![2014 shot of boardroom](/media/2vzn3q2b/_0003_2014.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001792000000)
2016
Frank Van Zanten appointed as CEO of Bunzl Group
![2016 Frank Van Zanten](/media/lckbfvao/_0002_2016.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001804600000)
2018
Bunzl’s operations now in 31 countries following acquisitions in Singapore, China and Norway over 2017 and 2018
![2018 scientist working](/media/0vhlme53/_0007_2018.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001608900000)
2020
Bunzl completes its 170th acquisition since 2004 and launches its new We Believe programme
![2020 staff hold we are Bunzl sign](/media/xtqjcrpz/_0001_2020.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001672530000)
2021
Bunzl joins the Race to Zero, the largest global alliance on climate change
![2021 Race to Zero logo](/media/qazhvuww/_0000_2021.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001802300000)
2022
30th year of consecutive annual dividend growth (10% CAGR '04-'23)
![Bunzl team - Kansas City](/media/p1udgaqy/20230221_bunzl_kc_photography_trw_0091.jpeg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001578670000)
2023
Surpassing the milestone of £5 billion of committed acquisition spend since 2004
![Happy Warehouse Worker](/media/k3vfqgye/happy-warehouse-worker.jpg?width=200&height=141&rnd=133510001620470000)