Our history

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
1883

HQ relocates to Vienna and paper manufacturing business begins

1883 Vienna image
1938

HQ relocates to London due to political upheaval in Central Europe

1938 London Big Ben
1957

Bunzl lists as a public company on the London Stock Exchange

1957 London Stock Exchange
1980s

Bunzl is a diversified business with a fine paper distribution and manufacturing arm

1980S paper distribution
1981

Acquisition of first consumables distribution business in the USA

1981 Bunzl lorry
1993

First European consumables distribution business acquired

1993 Busy highway
2002

Sale of fine paper distribution business

2002 person signing contract
2005

Manufacturing businesses demerge and Bunzl becomes a focused distribution and outsourcing Group with a presence in 18 countries

2005 Bunzl lorry distributing goods
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
2008

Expansion into South America with acquisition in Brazil AND Shanghai sourcing and auditing office opened

2008 worker at Shanghai sorting office
2012

Further growth in South America with acquisitions in Chile, Peru, Argentina and Colombia

2012 Further growth in South America
2012

Bunzl has a presence in 27 countries

2012 a presence in 27 countries
2014

Bunzl acquires its 100th company since 2004

2014 shot of boardroom
2016

Frank Van Zanten appointed as CEO of Bunzl Group

2016 Frank Van Zanten
2018

Bunzl’s operations now in 31 countries following acquisitions in Singapore, China and Norway over 2017 and 2018

2018 scientist working
2020

Bunzl completes its 170th acquisition since 2004 and launches its new We Believe programme

2020 staff hold we are Bunzl sign
2021

Bunzl joins the Race to Zero, the largest global alliance on climate change

2021 Race to Zero logo
2022

30th year of consecutive annual dividend growth (10% CAGR '04-'23)

Bunzl team - Kansas City
2023

Surpassing the milestone of £5 billion of committed acquisition spend since 2004

Happy Warehouse Worker
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Related pages

Ataglance Ri
Bunzl at a glance
Business Model Ri
Our business model
Frank Van Zanten
Our leadership