The year was 1975. Newly created Festo Canada joined an industrial eco-system feeling the stirrings of accelerating technological change, a transformation that would become known as Industry 3.0. PLCs, articulated robots, computer numerical control systems were beginning to proliferate. The first US patent for Ethernet was filed that year. That was also the year Festo launched the world’s first standard pneumatic cylinder series.

It all began 100 years ago in a workshop in Esslingen am Neckar. Festo founder Gottlieb Stoll asked himself how technology could make work easier. From the initial production of machines for woodworking, the company developed into the production of pneumatic and electrical automation technology for mechanical engineering in a wide range of industries. Today, Festo is one of the world's leading automation specialists.

During a tour of the Hannover Messe at the Festo stand, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated the company on its 100-year success story: In the anniversary year, Festo welcomed the Federal Chancellor accompanied by Stéphane Dion, Special Envoy of the partner country Canada to the European Union, and Stephan Weil, Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, with a special exhibit, the "Festo Incredible Machine". 

The Festo Group achieved a positive result in the financial year 2024, on a par with the previous year. This was announced by the Chairman of the Management Board, Thomas Böck, at the press conference held during the Hannover Messe. The innovation leader significantly expanded its portfolio in electric and pneumatic automation, particularly in the areas of control technology and digital solutions, software and AI. The company will continue to invest heavily in innovations in the future. This enables Festo, as a partner in motion, to offer...