Rheinmetall AG
Also known as Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik AG, Rheinmetall-Borsig AG, Rheinmetall Berlin AG, Rheinmetall Aktiengesellschaft, Rheinmetall (Germany)
Rheinmetall AG () is a German automotive and arms manufacturer, headquartered in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The group was promoted to the DAX, Germany's leading stock market index, in March 2023. It is the largest German and fifth-largest European arms manufacturer, and produces a variety of armored fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, in both wheeled and tracked versions, as well as warships through Blohm+Voss. It also manufactures artillery, air defense systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition. Its name is derived from the German-language words Rhein and Metal
Key facts
- Company.name
- Rheinmetall AG
- Company.logo
- Rheinmetall Logo 2021.svg
- Company.logo_size
- 220px
- Company.image
- Rheinmetall Zentrale Düsseldorf.jpg
- Company.image_caption
- Rheinmetall's head office in Düsseldorf
- Company.type
- Public ()
- Company.industry
- Defence
- Company.founder
- Lorenz Zuckermandel
- Company.products
- Automotive parts, military vehicles, autocannons, ATGMs, anti-aircraft defence systems, artillery, mortars, tank guns, munitions, ammunition, fuze systems, electronics, naval ships
- Company.revenue
- billion (2024)
- Company.operating_income
- billion (2024)
- Company.net_income
Article
16 sectionsContents
- History
- Founding and early growth
- World War I and the interwar period
- World War II
- Cold War
- 1990s
- 2000 and onward
- Post 2022
- Divisions
- Finances
- Ownership
- Criticism
- Controversy for financial investment
- Notes
- References
- External links
Rheinmetall AG () is a German automotive and arms manufacturer, headquartered in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The group was promoted to the DAX, Germany's leading stock market index, in March 2023. It is the largest German and fifth-largest European arms manufacturer, and produces a variety of armored fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, in both wheeled and tracked versions, as well as warships through Blohm+Voss. It also manufactures artillery, air defense systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition. Its name is derived from the German-language words Rhein and Metall, translating to "Rhine-metal" when combined.
==History== === Founding and early growth === In April 1889, a conglomerate, the Hörder Bergwerks-und Hütten-Verein founded the Rheinische Metallwaren- und Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft to produce ammunition for the armed forces of the German Empire. The first Rheinmetall factory was established by engineer Heinrich Ehrhardt (1840–1928) in Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall continued to expand production the late 19th century and also acquired the companies Metallwerk Ehrhardt & Heye AG in 1892 (incorporating them into the company in 1896). In 1896, Rheinmetall presented the world's first rapid-fire gun suitable for field service, with variable recoil and combined barrel recoil and a forward feed device. It was based on patents by the engineer Konrad Haußner. The Prussian artillery testing commission rejected it, either misjudging or not realising the possibilities. After the successful introduction of recoil-operated guns by France (Canon de 75 mle 1897), this attitude changed and the development became a great economic success for Rheinmetall. In 1901, on the initiative of Heinrich Ehrhardt, Rheinmetall took over the bankrupt Munitions- und Waffenfabrik AG in Sömmerda, expanding its product range.