History
Hansen Transmissions’ history can be traced back to the formation of "La Mécanique Générale" in 1923, a small workshop in Antwerp producing spare parts for gear units. Gradually, the company’s activities shifted towards the production of customised gear units, mainly under the influence of young engineer called David Hansen. In 1939, the company relocated to its present location in Edegem, offering a range of possibilities for future expansion.
The breakthrough came in 1950 when David Hansen invented his concept for standardisation of gear units which he patented worldwide as “Hansen Patent”. He subsequently set up the “MGH” (Machinery & Gear Hansen) subsidiary for research and marketing. Until then the company was considered purely a manufacturer of gear units, but was soon recognised as an innovator in industrial power transmission technology. In 1966, La Mécanique Générale and MGH merged and in 1972 the company name was changed to reflect its international standing and expansion, becoming "Hansen Transmissions International (HTI)".
In 1969, HTI joined Thomas Tilling Ltd., a London based holding company. That company was acquired by BTR plc in 1983. In 1993, the Hansen group merged with the UK-based Brook Crompton Group, a manufacturer of electric motors, to form Brook Hansen. In February 1999, BTR Plc and Siebe Plc merged and changed names to Invensys. For a short time, Hansen was part of the Rexnord Product Group within the Invensys organisation until it was sold to Allianz Capital Partners. Today, Hansen Transmissions' main shareholder is Suzlon Energy and the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
L. da Vincilaan 1 B-2650 Edegem