AEG (German company)

AEG AG

File:AEG Logo Red CMYK.svg The current and eleventh AEG emblem, created by Prophet in 2016. This design succeeded the famous logo originally crafted by Peter Behrens in 1912, which underwent four revisions—two incorporating the Electrolux emblem—between 1985 and 2010.
File:AEG - Allgemeine Elektrizitätsgesellschaft.jpg Original AEG headquarters
Company type	Aktiengesellschaft
Industry	Electrical industry
Predecessor	Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen
Founded	1883 in Berlin as Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektricität
Founder	Emil Rathenau
Defunct	2 October 1996 (brand rights acquired by Electrolux)
Headquarters	Initially Berlin, later relocated to Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
Area served	Global
Key people	Ernst Stöckl (1996)
Products	Electrical power generation and transmission Telecommunication (Phones and Mobile Phones) Automation Transportation and Automotive Home appliances Personal Care Machine Tools Projectors Printing equipment and Supplies
Revenue	Decrease DM 20.5 billion (1995)
Number of employees	11,000 (1995)
Parent	Electrolux
Website	aeg.com

File:Emil Rathenau.jpg

Founder Emil Rathenau

Template:Langnf; commonly known as AEG, was a German manufacturer specializing in electrical equipment. Founded in Berlin in 1883 by Emil Rathenau, it was originally named Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektricität.

The enterprise’s early endeavors centered on electric lighting, following Rathenau’s acquisition of the electric light bulb rights at the 1881 International Exposition of Electricity held in Paris. Despite high expenses and technical constraints, the firm implemented electrical illumination via small-scale power stations in venues such as cafés, theaters, and restaurants. By the close of the nineteenth century, AEG had established 248 power plants capable of delivering a combined output of 210,000 hp, servicing lighting needs, tram systems, and household appliances.

During the Second World War, AEG collaborated with the Nazi regime and exploited forced labor sourced from concentration camps. Post-war operations saw the company relocate its headquarters to Frankfurt am Main.

In 1967, AEG merged with its subsidiary Telefunken, forming Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken. Subsequently, in 1985, AEG-Telefunken Aktiengesellschaft was acquired by Daimler-Benz and renamed AEG Aktiengesellschaft. The corporation was fully absorbed into Daimler-Benz AG by 1996 (which became DaimlerChrysler in 1998). Remaining segments of AEG were integrated into entities such as Adtranz (later acquired by Bombardier Transportation) and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (known as DASA since 1998 and currently part of Airbus SE).

Following Electrolux’s purchase of AEG's household appliance division, AEG Hausgeräte GmbH, in 1994, Electrolux secured rights to use the AEG brand name in 2005. Today, Electrolux markets various products under the AEG trademark and licenses the brand through its Global Brand Licensing program.

Overview

File:Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektrizität 1883.jpg

Share certificate of the Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektricität, dated 20 May 1883

The company was established in Berlin in 1883 by Emil Rathenau under the name Deutsche Edison-Gesellschaft für angewandte Elektrizität. It adopted the name Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft in 1888. Initially focused on manufacturing electrical devices such as light bulbs, motors, and generators, the firm soon expanded into alternating current (AC) electrical transmission systems. In 1907, Peter Behrens was engaged as an artistic advisor to AEG, initiating the development of the company's first unified corporate identity, with consistent design elements across products and marketing materials.

Throughout the early 20th century, AEG grew significantly and is recognized for numerous pioneering achievements and inventions in the field of electrical engineering. During this era, it also ventured into the automobile and aviation industries. The production of electrical equipment for railways began during this period, marking the start of a long-standing relationship with German railway systems. According to the 1930 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica: "Before 1923 it was Germany’s largest electrical manufacturer and ranked among the world’s foremost industrial enterprises."

During World War II, AEG collaborated with major corporations such as IG Farben, Thyssen, and Krupp in supporting the Nazi regime. The company exploited a substantial workforce comprised of forced laborers and concentration camp inmates, who endured brutal working conditions.

Following the war, AEG lost its operations located in East Germany. In 1967, after a merger, it was renamed Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken (shortened to AEG-Telefunken from 1979). Financial struggles during the 1970s led to divestitures of various assets. The consumer electronics branch, Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH, was sold in 1983. In 1985, the company reverted to the name AEG, with Daimler-Benz acquiring its remaining divisions primarily focused on electric power distribution and motor technologies. Under Daimler-Benz’s ownership, these former AEG units were integrated into Adtranz in 1995, effectively retiring the AEG brand name. Meanwhile, Electrolux, having purchased AEG Hausgeräte GmbH in 1994, currently holds the rights to use and license the AEG trademark.

Foundation to 1940

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Electrically powered artificial waterfall showcased at the International Electro-Technical Exhibition – 1891

The company's inception dates back to 1882, when Emil Rathenau secured licenses to manufacture lamps based on some of Thomas Edison's patents for use within Germany. In 1883, with financial support from banks and private investors, the Deutsche Edison Gesellschaft ("German Edison Company") was established, appointing Emil Rathenau as its director.

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AEG power station constructed in 1930 in the city of Kryvyi Rih (formerly Krivoy Rog)

In 1884, engineer Oskar von Miller, originally from Munich and later founder of the Deutsches Museum, joined the company's executive board. That same year, negotiations commenced with Berlin's municipal authority, the Magistrat, aiming to supply electricity over a broad area from a centralized source. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Städtischen Elektrizitätswerke (A.G.StEW) ("City Electricity Works Company (Berlin)") on 8 May 1884. The initial manufacturing facility was situated near the Stettiner Bahnhof. By 1887, AEG had purchased land in the Berlin-Gesundbrunnen district previously occupied by the Weddingsche Maschinenfabrik, founded by Wilhelm Wedding. That year also saw a corporate restructuring and expansion of product lines, alongside adopting the AEG brand name. In 1887, Mikhail Dolivo-Dobrowolsky joined as chief engineer and later became vice-director. His pioneering work on polyphase electric power established him as a foremost expert in three-phase electrical systems by the late 1880s. In 1891, Miller and Dobrovolsky successfully demonstrated transmission of electrical energy over 175 km (109 mi) from a hydroelectric plant in Lauffen am Neckar to Frankfurt, where it illuminated 1,000 light bulbs and powered an artificial waterfall during the International Electrotechnical Exhibition held in Frankfurt am Main. This achievement marked a critical milestone for alternating current electrification in Germany and proved the economic viability of long-distance electrical power transmission. Additionally, in that year, the Stadtbahn Halle/Saale inaugurated Germany’s first significant electric tram system. Tropp Paul contributed to AEG’s developments between 1889/90 and 1893, while architect Franz Schwechten designed facades along Acker- und Hussitenstraße during 1894–95. In 1894, AEG acquired the former Berlin Viehmarktgasse site, which featured a railroad siding linked to Berlin's rail network; however, no direct rail connection existed between this location and their original plant. To address this, in 1895 an underground railway tunnel measuring 270 meters was constructed to connect both sites. Siemens & Halske (later known as Siemens) executed this project under the supervision of C. Schwebel and Wilhelm Lauter, who were also involved in building what is now known as the Spree tunnel Stralau, used by Berlin’s U-Bahn system. By 1889, AEG had gained recognition for manufacturing portable industrial drilling machines driven by flexible shafts connected to electric motors. The company also innovated a toothed belt drive mechanism designed to reduce motor speeds suitable for machine tools. In 1903, AEG merged its radio operations with those of Siemens & Halske, creating a joint venture called Telefunken. Architect Peter Behrens joined AEG as artistic advisor in 1907. He was responsible for overseeing product design, advertising, and architectural projects, earning recognition as one of the earliest corporate designers globally. Behrens emphasized designing buildings that were robust, straightforward in structure, and well-suited for producing large-scale heavy machinery. The dimensions of these facilities accommodated turbine transport above other equipment within the premises. During the 1920s, AEG expanded into an international supplier of electrical expertise and equipment. For instance, in 1923 it supplied most key materials and engineering personnel to supervise electrification efforts in British-controlled Palestine—an area where British companies struggled to compete on price against AEG’s offerings.

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AEG turbine factory (1909), designed by architect Peter Behrens

The company's scope rapidly grew to encompass all facets of electrical power engineering including electric lighting systems, power generation, electric railways, electrochemical installations, steam turbines manufacturing, automobile production, as well as cables and cable materials fabrication. In its early decades, AEG operated numerous factories around Berlin:

• Maschinenfabrik Brunnenstrasse (producing steam turbines, dynamos, electric motors)
• Apparatewerk Ackerstrasse (manufacturing carbon-filament and metal-thread light bulbs including Nernst lamps; switches; fuses; resistors; electrical measuring instruments; dynamos; electric motors)
• Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO) (specializing in cables; copper and metal processing; rubber products; insulators)
• Transformatorenwerk Oberspree (TRO) (transformer production)
• Glühlampenfabrik Moabit (operating between 1907–1912 producing carbon-filament and metal-thread light bulbs; Nernst lamps; vacuum tubes) — later integrated into Osram and from 1939 part of Telefunken
• Turbinenfabrik (established in 1909 producing steam turbines) — renowned for its industrial architectural design
• Apparate-Werke Treptow (AT - founded in 1926 focusing on arc lamps; switches; fuses; control devices; starters; electrical measuring equipment)

Several significant milestones involving AEG occurred during this era:

• 1900: Introduction of the hairdryer invention.
• 1901: Incorporation of Neue Automobil Gesellschaft ("New Automotive Company") into AEG following acquisition of Allgemeine Automobil-Gesellschaft.
• 27 October 1903: An experimental three-phase railcar equipped by AEG reached a speed record of 210.2 km/h (131 mph) on the Königlich Preußische Militär-Eisenbahn test track between Marienfelde and Zossen, holding this world rail speed record until 1931.
• 1904: Merger between AEG and Union-Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft (UEG).
• 1910: Opening of factory at Hennigsdorf and entry into aircraft manufacturing market.
• 1929: Production launched for compressor-driven refrigerators and temperature-regulated irons.
• 1933: AEG aligned with other major manufacturers supporting Adolf Hitler's regime.
• 1935: Unveiling of the world's first tape recording device—the Magnetophon K1—based on Eduard Schüller's research at the Berlin Radio Show (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin).
• 1941: Acquisition by AEG of Siemens & Halske's shares in Telefunken, making it a subsidiary company.

Founder Emil Rathenau passed away on 20 June 1915 at age seventy-seven.

The Nazi Period and the Second World War

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Commemorative plaque honoring Polish forced laborers at the AEG facility in the Blechhammer camp near Auschwitz

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Memorial plaque in Berlin dedicated to Polish forced laborers at AEG in Berlin-Gesundbrunnen, Germany

Following the Secret Meeting of 20 February 1933, where Hitler outlined the objectives of absolute control and national rearmament, AEG contributed 60,000 Reichsmarks to the Nazi Party. Alongside other industrial giants such as IG Farben, Thyssen, and Krupp, AEG supported the Nazi regime, particularly endorsing the rearmament initiatives of the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, and Kriegsmarine. Throughout the conflict, the company extensively exploited forced laborers and concentration camp detainees, subjecting them to brutal working conditions.

AEG maintained significant collaboration with the Nazi Party in territories occupied by Germany, particularly in Poland. The company was compelled to surrender control of Kabelwerk Krakow, a cable production facility situated within the confines of the Krakow-Plaszow area, where from 1942 to 1944 Jewish forced laborers were utilized for cable manufacturing. In 1943, AEG initiated the transfer of products and evacuation of personnel, relocating goods to locations including Berlin and the Sudetenland. When outfitting electrical and lighting installations for the Waffen-SS training grounds in Dębica, AEG employed coerced Jewish laborers from the Pustkow labor camp in southeastern Poland.

During the course of World War II, a factory operated by AEG near Riga exploited female slave labor. Additionally, AEG was engaged in manufacturing electrical components at Auschwitz concentration camp.

AEG utilized enslaved workers from Camp No. 36 at a subcamp of Auschwitz III, also referred to as Monowitz, specifically known as "Arbeitslager Blechhammer". The majority perished during the forced evacuations known as death marches in 1945 and subsequently at Buchenwald.

AEG was a key provider of pistol grips for the P38 model produced by companies such as Walther Arms, Mauser, and early wartime production by Spreewerk.

To acknowledge its involvement in utilizing Jewish slave labor during the war, AEG joined forces with firms like Rheinmetall, Siemens, Krupp, and I G Farben to contribute DEM75 million in reparations to the Jewish Claims Conference.

1945 to 1970

Following the conclusion of World War II in 1945, manufacturing activities recommenced at the factories located in the western sectors of Berlin—now the site of Deutsche Welle's headquarters—as well as in Nuremberg, Stuttgart, and Mülheim. Additionally, new facilities were established, including an Electric meter factory in Hameln.

The steam and electric locomotive factory in Hennigsdorf (known as Fabriken Hennigsdorf) was transformed into a Volkseigener Betrieb (VEB), or people's enterprise, under the name Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke (LEW), specializing in electric locomotive production. Other operations such as the cable manufacturing plant (Draht-, Kabel- und Metallwerk Oberspree) and the apparatus factory (Apparatefabrik Treptow) were situated in East Germany and converted into Sowjetische Aktiengesellschaft (SAG), Soviet joint-stock companies. More than 90% of Berlin’s assets were located in the Soviet-occupied zone and consequently lost.

Due to the destruction of its Berlin headquarters, the company relocated its central administration first to Hamburg and subsequently settled in Frankfurt am Main.

• In 1948, AEG established factories in Kassel (FK) on the premises of the former MWK Motorenbau Werk Kassel at Lilienthalstrasse 150, Kassel, Hesse, Germany. The initial facility was a high voltage switchgear factory (HSF), followed by a refrigerator plant (KSF), a ticket printer factory (FDF), an insulating materials factory (IF), and the internationally recognized high voltage institute (HI). By the early 1960s, AEG employed over 5,000 workers at this location. The Lilienthalstrasse site continues to manufacture high voltage switchgear today.
• In 1950, the company’s new corporate headquarters opened at Friedensbrücke (Peace Bridge) in Frankfurt am Main. Between September 1948 and September 1957, employee numbers grew from 20,900 to 55,400. That same year marked a milestone as turnover surpassed one billion Deutsche Mark for the first time. However, extensive investments exceeding 500 million DM from 1948 to 1956 for reconstruction exerted significant pressure on financial statements.
• The year 1958 saw the introduction of the slogan "Aus Erfahrung Gut" ("Benefit from experience"), designed to clarify the company’s name and acronym. Despite this, it became subject to humorous critiques such as "Auspacken, Einschalten, Geht nicht" ("Unpack, switch on, does not work") or "Alles Ein Gammel" ("Everything is 'gammy'").
• By 1962, AEG employed approximately 127,000 people and achieved annual sales totaling 3.1 billion DM. In February of that year, a new factory dedicated to producing fluid control units was inaugurated in Springe, employing around 200 staff.
• Also in 1962, Walter Bruch at Telefunken in Hannover developed the PAL color television system.
• In 1966, Europe’s largest industrial hall was constructed—measuring 175 meters long, 45 meters wide, and 26 meters high—equipped with cranes capable of assembling engines and generators weighing up to 400 tonnes. The opening ceremony was attended by Robert F. Kennedy.
• On 1 January 1967, a merger with Telefunken resulted in the formation of AEG-Telefunken, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.

1970s onwards

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AEG electric motor nameplate

By 1970, AEG-Telefunken employed 178,000 people globally and ranked as the twelfth largest electrical enterprise worldwide. The company faced significant challenges due to failed ventures, including an automated baggage handling system at Frankfurt Airport and nuclear power plant projects. Notably, the nuclear facility at Würgassen experienced prolonged delays caused by technical difficulties, resulting in losses amounting to hundreds of millions of Deutsche Marks for AEG. Consequently, the firm distributed its final dividend in 1972.

The entertainment division (Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH), based in Hanover, was divested. Subsequently, the mainframe computer segment (TR 4, TR 10, TR 440), operated as a joint venture under Telefunken Computer GmbH with Nixdorf, was sold to Siemens. The process control computer line (TR 84, TR 86, AEG 60–10, AEG 80–20, AEG 80–60) persisted under the name Geschäftsbereich Automatisierungstechnik, later renamed ATM Computer GmbH after 1980.

In 1975, the former Telefunken headquarters located at Ernst-Reuter-Platz 7 in Berlin-Charlottenburg was sold; previously, this property had been leased to Technische Universität Berlin.

To bypass the obligation for equal employee representation on the supervisory board, Dr. Walter Cipa (Dipl.-Geol.), who led AEG from 1976 to 1980, established four additional wholly owned joint stock companies alongside the two household appliance firms in 1976. The percentages indicate their share of turnover in 1980:

AEG-Telefunken Anlagentechnik AG (37%)

AEG-Telefunken Serienprodukte AG (16%)

AEG-Telefunken Kommunikationstechnik AG (6%)

Olympia-Werke AG (office technology business, 7%)

AEG-Hausgeräte GmbH (22%)

Telefunken Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH (12%)

In 1979, the company dropped "Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft" from its name, changing from Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft AEG-Telefunken to simply AEG-Telefunken AG. In February 1980, Heinz Dürr assumed the role of board chairman, a position he held until 1990.

A restructuring initiative in August 1982, supported by federal guarantees amounting to 600 million DM and additional bank loans totaling 275 million DM, collapsed due to disagreements among banks. To sustain operations until June 1983, a banking consortium extended an administrative loan of DM 1.1 billion to the AEG Group; DM 400 million of this required federal government guarantees. This financial strain impacted not only AEG-Telefunken AG but also subsidiaries such as Küppersbusch AG in Gelsenkirchen, Hermann Zanker Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in Tübingen, and Carl Neff GmbH in Bretten. Minority shareholders took control of Alno-Möbelwerke GmbH & Co. KG in Pfullendorf, removing it from the group.

Suppliers dependent on AEG were also affected; some declared insolvency—including Becher & Co. Möbelfabriken KG in Bühlertann—with inconsistent corporate policies contributing to instability. The Brunnenstraße site in Berlin's former Wedding district was sold off alongside other facilities such as AEG-Fabrik Essen and Bauknecht.

• 1983/84: The consumer electronics division (Telefunken television and broadcasting GmbH) was acquired by the French corporation Thomson-Brandt.
• 1985: Daimler-Benz AG took over AEG. Daimler-Benz executive Edzard Reuter (later Daimler CEO from 1987) advocated merging two companies into an "integrated technology group" to leverage synergies.
• 1988: Marking its 60th anniversary, the AEG-Forschungsinstituts (AEG Research Institute) established the Carl-Ramsauer Prize for outstanding scientific and technical dissertations.
• 1990: Formation of AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems GmbH through collaboration with Westinghouse Transportation Systems Inc.
• 1992: The railway division merged with Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke (LEW) located in Hennigsdorf, creating AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH focusing on locomotive manufacturing.
• 1992: Swedish firm Atlas Copco purchased AEG Power Tools Ltd; this unit was later sold in 2004 to Techtronic Industries.
• 1994: The Automation division was divested to Schneider Electric, while AEG Hausgeräte AG was sold to Electrolux.
• 1995: AEG Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH became part of ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (Adtranz), which subsequently integrated into Bombardier Transportation in 2001 and later transitioned to Alstom on January 29, 2021.
• 1996: At Daimler-Benz AG's Annual General Meeting chaired by Juergen Schrempp, a decision was made to dissolve the unprofitable group.
• 1996: GEC ALSTHOM acquired the AEG Power T&D business segment.
• September 1996: The company was officially removed from the commercial register.

Locomotives and Railway Technology

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AEG electric locomotive

AEG significantly influenced the evolution of German rail transport by contributing to the design and production of electrical components for nearly every German electric locomotive series. The company was instrumental in advancing the electrification of Germany's railway network.

Besides electric locomotives, AEG also manufactured numerous steam locomotives at its facilities. In 1931, AEG acquired Borsig and relocated locomotive manufacturing to the AEG-Borsig works (Borsig Lokomotiv-Werke GmbH) from the original Borsig site in Tegel. By 1948, this facility had become the VEB Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke. While electric locomotive production for the DR was extensive, steam locomotive manufacturing persisted until 1954.

With the Federal Republic of Germany's shift toward AC propulsion systems, AEG faced competition from Brown, Boveri & Cie. The prototype DB Class E320, developed jointly with Krupp, served as a dual-voltage (15 kV and 25 kV AC) experimental unit. This technology paved the way for later models like the DB Class 120 and the ICE 1 high-speed train.

Following German reunification and AEG’s acquisition of the LEW plant in Hennigsdorf, the company briefly re-entered full locomotive manufacturing under the name "AEG locomotives GmbH." This entity was eventually integrated into ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (later ADtranz). Today, innovations originating from AEG’s legacy partially underpin Alstom’s successful Traxx locomotive series.

Moreover, AEG produced the Hellenic Railways TRAINOSE Class 520 diesel multiple units during two production periods: 1989–1991 and 1994–1996. Between 1992 and 1994, AEG also manufactured 96 metro cars for the Shanghai Metro.

Aircraft

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AEG G.IV bomber (World War I)

Between 1912 and 1918, AEG produced a variety of aircraft. Their initial model in 1912 was constructed entirely of wood and inspired by the Wright brothers biplane design. It featured a wingspan of approximately 17.5 m (57 ft 5 in), was powered by an eight-cylinder engine generating 75 hp, weighed around 850 kg empty, and could reach speeds up to 65 km/h (40 mph). From that year onward, aircraft construction evolved to incorporate both wood and steel tubing covered with fabric.

Among their designs was the Riesenflugzeug ("giant aircraft") AEG R.I, equipped with four 260 hp (190 kW) Mercedes D.IVa engines connected via a leather cone and dog clutch mechanism. Although initial flight tests were promising, on September 3, 1918, the R.I disintegrated mid-flight, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.

The most widely produced AEG aircraft was the G.IV Grossflugzeuge ("large aircraft") heavy tactical bomber. Out of approximately 320 units built, only one example remains today as the last surviving German multi-engine bomber from World War I.

During World War II, AEG developed reconnaissance equipment including a helicopter platform powered by an AC motor. This tethered rotorcraft was incapable of free flight as it relied on three power cables from ground sources and achieved altitudes up to 300 meters.

Automobiles

In 1902, AEG acquired Kühlstein and established the automotive branch known as Neue Automobil Gesellschaft (New Automobile Company) to manufacture vehicles. However, AEG ceased its involvement in automobile production by 1908.

Among the vehicles produced were:

• AAG (1900 automobile)
• NAG Typ A
• NAG Typ B
• NAG Typ B2

Film Projection Equipment

AEG also engaged in the manufacture of film projectors over an extended period, offering various models such as:

• Stillstandsmaschine 1919 – 35 mm projector
• Theatermaschine 1920 – 35 mm projector
• Triumphator I–III (1924–1935) – 35 mm projector, model ACR 0710
• Successor (Lehrmeister) (1925–1935) – 35 mm projector
• Kofferkino (1927) – enclosed 35 mm projector
• Lehrmeister (1929) – 35 mm projector, model ACR 0709 (Leitz)
• Mechau Modell 4 (1929–1934) – 35 mm projector
• Euro K (1938–1942) – 35 mm projector
• Euro M (1936) – 35 mm projector
• Euro G (1938) – 35 mm projector, Interlock version (G-MB)
• Euro M2 (1939–1944) – 35 mm projector

Executive Leadership

Name	Start Year	End Year
Emil Rathenau	1887	1915
Felix Deutsch	1915	1928
Hermann Bücher	1928	January 1946
Walther Bernhard	January 1946	May 1947
Friedrich Spennrath	May 1947	December 1955
Hans Constantin Boden	January 1956	February 1961
Hugo Bäurle	March 1961	January 1962
Hans C. Boden	February 1962	September 1962
Hans Heyne	October 1962	December 1964
Berthold Gamer	January 1965	December 1965
Hans Bühler	January 1966	June 1970
Hans Groebe	June 1970	July 1976
Walter Cipa	July 1976	January 1980
Heinz Dürr	February 1980	December 1990
Ernst Stöckl	January 1991	September 1996

Current Status of the AEG Brand

Following the dissolution of the original corporation, Electrolux secured the rights to the AEG brand in 2005. The brand name is now licensed to multiple entities and actively promoted by Electrolux itself. The product range under the AEG label continues to cover many categories formerly associated with the company, including power and energy solutions, telecommunications devices such as phones and mobile phones, automation systems, automotive accessories, household appliances, power tools, projectors, printing equipment and consumables, water treatment technologies, and personal care items.

Key licensees and product lines include:

• AEG Hausgeräte – integrated into Electrolux, this division manufactures household appliances including washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators.
• ITM Technology AG – produces consumer electronics and telecommunication products like mobile and home phones under the AEG brand.
• Binatone – responsible for manufacturing mobile accessories, mobile phones, landline phones, and two-way radios branded as AEG.
• AEG Elektrowerkzeuge (Power Tools) – licensed to Techtronic Industries (TTI) since 2009, specializing in hand-held power tools.
• AEG Haustechnik – under license by Stiebel Eltron, focuses on home heating and climate control products including humidifiers and air conditioners.
• AEG Industrial Engineering – produces electrical power equipment such as generators up to 55MW capacity, control gear and switchgear, electric motors, transformers, high-power inverters, and DC power supplies for industrial applications.
• AEG SVS Schweiss-Technik – manufacturer of resistance welding machines and related equipment.
• AEG Gesellschaft für moderne Informationssysteme mbH (AEG-MIS) – develops customized LCD displays for information systems.
• AEG ID – specializes in producing RFID tags and readers.
• AEG Power Solutions (formerly Saft Power Systems or AEG Power Supply Systems) – manufactures uninterruptible power supply systems designed for sensitive electronic equipment like computers.
• AEG Professional Printing Equipment and Supplies – offers wide-format printers along with inks and media products for printing applications; also produces photoconductor drums and toner cartridges for laser printers and photocopiers.

Other associated companies include AViTEQ Vibrationstechnik GmbH, Lloyd Dynamowerke GmbH & Co KG, and Lafert Group.

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Gerd Flaig, Firmengeschichte der AEG ("AEG Company History") Compiled by a former AEG staff member using material from the AEG Telefunken archives at gerdflaig.de

Further reading

• Buddensieg, Tilman. Industriekkultur: Peter Behrens and the AEG, 1907-1914 (1984)
• Buse, Dieter K. and Doerr, Juergen C., editors. Modern Germany: An Encyclopedia of History, People, and Culture, 1871-1990 (2 volumes. Garland, 1998) pp. 10–11.
• Flaningam, M. L. "International Cooperation and Oversight in the Electrical Sector: The General Electric Company and Germany, 1919-1944." American Journal of Economics and Sociology 5.1 (1945): 7-25.
• Erdmann Thiele (editor): Telefunken after 100 Years — The Legacy of a German Global Brand. Nicolaische Verlagsbuchhandlung Berlin, 2003.
• From AEG’s History: 25 Years Ago: Construction of the First AEG Aircraft. In: AEG-Mitteilungen. Volume 1937, Issue 10 (October), pp. 359–362.
• Peter Obst: The Industry at Humboldthain (Machine Factory), AEG 1896–1984. Innovations-Zentrum Berlin Management (IZBM) GmbH.
• S. Müller, K. Wittig, S. Hoffmann (2006): Empirical Findings on Consumer Boycotts: The Case of AEG/Electrolux. Dresdner Beiträge zur Betriebswirtschaftslehre No. 116/06. Marketing-Verein, TU Dresden - Empirical Findings on Consumer Behavior
• Hans-Heinrich von Fersen: Automobiles in Germany 1920–1939.
• 50 Years of AEG, printed as a manuscript. Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft Press Department, Berlin 1956.
• Gert Hautsch: The AEG-Telefunken Empire, a Multinational Corporation. Frankfurt/Main 1979.
• Felix Pinner: Emil Rathenau and the Electrical Era. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Leipzig 1918.
• Harri Czepuck: A Symbol Shattered: The History and Politics of AEG. Dietz Verlag, Berlin 1983.
• Tilmann Buddensieg: Peter Behrens and the AEG: New Documents on the Factory Architecture at Humboldthain. In: Schloss Charlottenburg Berlin-Preußen. Deutscher Kunstverlag, München 1971.
• Peter Strunk: AEG: Rise and Decline of an Industrial Legend. Nicolai, Berlin 2000.
• Jahresringe Verband für Vorruhestand und aktives Alter, Land Brandenburg e.V. (editors): Contemporary Witnesses 1945–1990. Parts I (1999) and II (2000).

External links

• Official website of AEG-Electrolux — company homepage aeg.de (German)
• History of AEG logos Detailed overview on logo evolution at goodlogo.com
• AEG — Allgemeine Elektricitäts Gesellschaft Summary history with images of vintage products and stock certificates (in German)
• The Rise and Fall of AEG: Only Three Letters Survive Article covering AEG’s historical trajectory at heise.de
• Seidel/Dame: 1920 – Supply Buildings for Greater Berlin (AEG constructions); comprehensive illustrated account of AEG architecture in Berlin Authored by Cira López Miró, Gladys Griffault, Eric Sommerlatte, Christoph Bickenbach at laufwerk-b.de
• AEG - A Brand Makes History Twelve-minute documentary available on YouTube

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