Top 25 largest European Manufacturing Companies

Europe is home to some of the world’s leading manufacturing companies, which specialize in consumer goods, automotive, energy, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.

These leading European manufacturing companies are renowned for their colossal profitability, product quality, and manufacturing prowess.

Top 25 largest European manufacturing companies

In this overview, we will delve into the world of Europe’s top 20 manufacturing companies.

These companies drive economic growth and innovation and generate jobs. Thus, they drive the global economy.

Below are the leading European manufacturing companies.

Volkswagen Group

• Founding Date: 1937
• Head Office: Wolfsburg, Germany
• Industry: Automotive
• 2023 Revenue: €322.3 billion
• Products/Brands: The Group comprises ten brands from five European countries: Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, ŠKODA, SEAT, CUPRA, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche and Ducati.
  • Volkswagen Passenger Cars: the Golf & Passat
  • Audi: Audi A4 & Q5
  • Škoda: the Škoda, Octavia, and Kodiaq.
  • SEAT: SEAT Leon and Arona
  • Porsche: the 911 and the electric Taycan.
  • Bentley
  • Lamborghini: Huracán and Urus.
  • Bugatti: the Chiron.
  • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: the Transporter and Crafter
• Key Competitors: Toyota Motor Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Tesla, General Motors, Stellantis

The Volkswagen Group is the largest European automotive manufacturing company. It produces popular brands such as Audi, Porsche, and Skoda. In addition, the company is heavily investing in electric vehicle production. The Volkswagen Group operates in over 150 countries, with production plants in Germany, Mexico, China, and the United States. Key challenges in 2023 include soaring commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, particularly semiconductor shortages.

Royal Dutch Shell

• Founding Date: 1907
• Head Office: the Hague, Netherlands.
• Industry: Energy
• 2023 revenue: €295 billion
• Business Segments
  • Upstream: Exploration and production of oil and gas in several countries like Nigeria, Qatar, and the United States
  • Downstream: Refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products.
  • Integrated gas: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas-to-liquids operations.
  • Trading & Shipping: This business area deals with the international trading of oil, gas, LNG, and other products.
• Key Competitors: BP, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni, Saudi Aramco.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is a leading global energy company. It explores, produces, refines, and markets crude oil and natural gas. However, in 2022, it had to halt its massive operations in Russia due to sanctions imposed by the West for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Volatile oil and gas prices and rising production costs also impact its operations.

TotalEnergies SE

• Founding Date: 1924
• Head Office: Courbevoie, France
• Industry: Energy
• 2023 revenue: €218.95 billion
• Business Segments
  • Upstream: Exploration and production of oil and gas in several countries like Nigeria, Angola, Qatar, and the United States
  • Downstream: Refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products. TotalEnergies owns and operates refineries and has a network of service stations worldwide.
  • Integrated Gas, Renewables & Power: This includes producing and trading liquefied natural gas (LNG) & power, developing renewable energies (like wind and solar), and power generation.
  • Trading & Shipping: This business area deals with the international trading of oil, gas, LNG, and other products.
• Key Competitors: BP, Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni, Saudi Aramco.

TotalEnergies SE is a French multinational energy company, one of the largest European oil and gas companies. In 2021, it altered its name from Total SE to TotalEnergies SE to underscore its commitment to a diversified energy portfolio like solar, wind, and biomass. Consequently, the company has acquired and partnered with various companies to develop green hydrogen, solar energy, and other projects. However, TotalEnergies had to halt its massive operations in Russia in 2022 due to sanctions imposed by the West for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

BP (British Petroleum)

• Founded: 1909 (as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company)
• Head Office: London, United Kingdom
• Industry: Oil & Gas, Energy
• 2023 Revenue: $208.4 billion
• Key Operations
  • Upstream: Exploration and production of oil & gas in regions such as the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Angola, and Azerbaijan.
  • Downstream: Refining, distributing, and marketing oil products, including fuels and lubricants.
  • Renewable Energy: Investments in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power
  • Trading: Engaging in oil and gas trading and supply operations worldwide.
• Key Competitors: Royal Dutch Shell, TotalEnergies, Respol, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni, Saudi Aramco.

British Petroleum (BP) is one of the world’s leading integrated oil and gas companies. As a major player in the global energy market, it has a significant presence in oil & gas production, with operations spanning across continents, including North America (USA), Europe (UK), Asia (Azerbaijan), and Africa (Angola). Also, the company is increasing its investments in renewable energy to transition from fossil fuels. Furthermore, BP faces several challenges, such as volatile oil prices due to geopolitical tensions and changing global demand. Sanctions on Russian oil & gas exports created uncertainty and challenged BP’s operations in various regions.

Stellantis NV

• Founding Date: 2021
• Head Office: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Industry: Automotive
• 2023 Revenue: €189.5 billion
• Brands: Chrysler, Vauxhall, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, and Maserati.
• Business Segments
  • Passenger Vehicles: Sars and SUVs across multiple brands.
  • Commercial Vehicles: Vans and light commercial vehicles.
  • Mobility Services: Electric mobility and connected services.
• Key Competitors: Volkswagen Group, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Telsa, and Toyota Motor Corporation

Stellantis N.V., a global automotive manufacturer formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and PSA Group, is making significant strides in the electric vehicle sector. The company is strategically partnering with Leapmotor, a leading Chinese EV manufacturer, to produce EVs tailored for the Asian markets. Furthermore, Stellantis operates in over 100 countries with robust manufacturing plants across Asia, North America, and Europe.

BMW Group

• Founding Date: 1916
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• Industry: Automotive
• 2023 Revenue: €155.5 billion
• Brands: BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, BMW Motorrad & Alpina
• Key Competitors: Toyota Motor Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Tesla, General Motors, Stellantis

As a global automotive leader, BMW Group is known for making premium vehicles and motorcycles. With a presence in over 140 countries, it operates vital production plants in Germany, the United States, China, and South Africa. However, it faces rising commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, particularly semiconductor shortages.

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

• Founding Date: 1926 
• Head Office: Stuttgart, Germany
• Industry: Automotive
• 2023 Revenue: €153.2 billion
• Brands:
  • Benz: C-Class, E-Class, S-Class etc
  • AMG: AMG GT & AMG C63
  • Maybach: Maybach S-Class
  • EQ: EQC, EQA and EQB
  • Vans: Vito & Sprinter
• Key Operations and Products
  • Passenger Cars: For luxury vehicles under the Mercedes-Benz brand, including Sedans, SUVs
  • Commercial Vehicles: These are for trucks, vans, and buses under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands.
  • Electric Vehicles (EVs): Expanding its electric vehicle line-up with models like the EQ series

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is one of the largest European manufacturing companies. Formerly known as Daimler AG, it is a global automotive company that makes luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. The company also runs manufacturing plants in several countries, including Germany, China, and the United States. However, the company faces numerous challenges. They include surging production costs and intense competition in the EV market from China.

E.ON SE

• Founding Date: 2000 (through the merger of VEBA and VIAG)
• Head Office: Essen, Germany
• Industry: Energy Utility
• 2023 Revenue: €95.02 billion
• Products
• Business Segments
  • Energy Networks: E.ON operates and maintains energy distribution networks across Europe, serving millions of customers with electricity and natural gas.
  • Customer Solutions: The company offers energy solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
  • Renewables: It focuses on renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydrogen.
• Key Competitors: Enel Group (Italy), EDF (France), Iberdrola (Spain), Engie (France), RWE AG (Germany)

E.ON SE operates and maintains energy distribution networks across Europe, including Germany, the UK, and Sweden. The company serves more than 50 million customers with energy solutions and is investing in smart grids and renewable infrastructure. E.ON SE faces critical challenges like volatility in gas prices due to fluctuating demand and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Europe.

Nestlé SA

• Founding Date: 1866
• Head Office: Vevey, Switzerland
• Industry: Food & Beverage
• 2023 Revenue: CHF 93 billion (around €95.2 billion)
• Business Segments
  • Dairy Products: Milk, yoghurt, cheese, and infant nutrition like NAN, NIDO, Carnation, and Milo.
  • Beverages: Coffee (Nescafé, Nespresso), tea, and bottled water (Perrier & S. Pellegrino).
  • Culinary Products: Sauces, frozen food, and prepared dishes.
  • Confectionery: Chocolate (KitKat, Smarties) and sugar products.
  • Nutrition and Health Science: Nutritional products for infants, medical nutrition, and supplements like Nestlé Health Science.
  • Pet Care: Products for dogs and cats like Purina One Pro Plan & Friskies.
• Key Competitors: Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Unilever, Danone, Mars Incorporated, Mondelez International, and Kraft Heinz Company.

As a global leader in food and beverages, Nestlé is a leading European manufacturing company. It is the world’s largest food and beverage company, producing many products, from baby food to bottled water. In addition, the company operates in 189 countries. It has a diverse portfolio of over 2,000 brands produced in over 400 factories worldwide. In 2023, Nestlé faced numerous challenges, such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties in Europe and the Middle East.

Robert Bosch GmbH

• Founding Date: 1886
• Head Office: Stuttgart, Germany
• Industry: Engineering and Technology
• 2023 Revenue: €91.6 billion
• Business Segments
  • Mobility Solutions: Automotive technology, including automated driving, vehicle safety systems, and powertrain solutions.
  • Industrial Technology: Factory automation, drive & control, and packaging.
  • Consumer Goods: Gardening tools, power tools, and household appliances
  • Energy and Building Technology: Heating, cooling, security systems, and building automation.
• Key Competitors: Continental AG, Siemens AG, DENSO Corporation, Valeo, Honeywell.

Bosch is a leading supplier of industrial technologies, automotive components, and household appliances. The company has invested heavily in Artificial Intelligence, Smart Home Technologies, and Sustainable Mobility Solutions. Furthermore, Bosch operates in over 60 countries, and its brand products are sold in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Siemens

• Founded: 1847
• Head Office: Munich, Germany
• Industry: Conglomerate
• 2023 revenue: €77.8 billion
• Business Segments
  • Digital Industries: Provides automation and digitalization solutions for manufacturing and process industries.
  • Smart Infrastructure: Offers products and solutions for energy generation, transmission, distribution, and building technologies such as fire safety & security
  • Mobility: Focuses on transport solutions in rail and road systems. It also includes manufacturing trains, trams, and other transportation vehicles.
  • Siemens Healthineers: A leading provider of medical technology and healthcare solutions. Essential products include medical imaging such as MRI and CT scanners and laboratory Diagnostics: Solutions for clinical laboratory automation and diagnostics.
• Key Competitors: Schneider Electric, ABB Group, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell, General Electric, and Alstom

Siemens AG is another one of the largest European manufacturing companies. It specializes in automation, digitalization, healthcare, and electrification technologies, serving industries from energy to healthcare. Siemens operates in over 200 countries and has production facilities across Asia, North America, and Europe.

BASF SE

• Founding Date: 1865
• Head Office: Ludwigshafen, Germany
• Industry: Chemicals
• 2023 Revenue: €68.9 billion
• Business Segments
  • Chemicals: Basic chemicals, intermediates, and other products.
  • Materials: Performance materials and polymer solutions.
  • Industrial Solutions: Coatings, catalysts, adhesives, and performance chemicals.
  • Surface Technologies: Catalysts and battery materials for the automotive and aerospace industries.
  • Nutrition & Care: Supplies food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care ingredients.
  • Agricultural Solutions: Crop protection products and seeds.
• Key Competitors: Dow Inc (USA), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (USA), INEOS Group (UK), etc.

BASF is the world’s largest chemical producer and a significant player in the manufacturing of chemicals and materials. Thus, it produces various products in multiple industries, from agriculture to automotive, consumer goods, and construction. This leading European manufacturing company operates in over 80 countries, with a network of production facilities and research facilities in Asia, North America, and South America.

ArcelorMittal SA

• Founding Date: 2006 (through the merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel)
• Head Office: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
• Industry: Steel and Mining
• 2023 Revenue: $68.3 billion (€66.3 billion)
• Business Segments
  • Flat Steel Products: Hot & cold rolled sheets, coated steel products, and electrical steel.
  • Long Steel Products: Bars, rods, and sections used in manufacturing & construction.
  • Mining: Iron ore & metallurgical coal production for steelmaking.
  • Steel Solutions and Services: Value-added services to customers, including processing and logistics.
• Key Competitors: Nippon Steel Corporation (Japan), Baowu Steel (China), POSCO (South Korea), Thyssenkrupp AG (Germany), Tata Steel (India), etc.

This company is the largest steel manufacturer worldwide. They provide essential materials for the construction, automotive, and appliance industries. ArcelorMittal operates in over 60 countries with an extensive web of production facilities located in

• Europe: France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.
• North America: Canada & the United States.
• South America: Brazil and Argentina.
• Asia and Africa: India, South Africa, and Kazakhstan.

However, in 2023, ArcelorMittal faced several issues, such as a fall in steel prices, inflation, and US-China & Europe-China trade tensions.

Airbus SE

• Founding Date: 1970
• Head Office: Leiden, Netherlands
• Industry: Aerospace, defence
• 2023 revenue: €65.4 billion,
• Products/brands
  • Commercial Aircraft: A220, A320 Family, A330, A350, and A380. Airbus delivered 735 aircraft in 2023.
  • Defence and Space: A400M: Military transport aircraft, drones, and space systems.
  • Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Jet: Produced and developed with BAE Systems and Leonardo.
  • Helicopters: Civil and military helicopters, including the H125, H145, and H225.
• Key Competitors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Embraer, Bombardier, Northrop Grumman, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China

Airbus is one of the world’s largest European aerospace manufacturing companies. It designs, manufactures, and sells commercial aircraft, helicopters, military aircraft, and space equipment. Thus, it is a vital company for Europe’s aviation and defence sectors. Its production plants span critical countries like France, the UK, Germany, Spain, China, and the United States.

Unilever PLC

• Founding Date: 1929
• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Industry: Consumer Goods
• 2023 Revenue: €59.6 billion
• Key Operations and Brands
  • Food and Refreshment: Food and beverage products, including Knorr (Soups), Hellmann (Mayonnaise), Lipton (Teas), and Magnum (Ice cream).
  • Beauty and Wellbeing: Personal care products and cosmetics, including Dove (soap & deodorants) and Lux (soap & body).
  • Home Care: Cleaning and laundry products such as Persil (Laundry detergents), Cif (cleaning products), and Domestos (toilet cleaners).
• Key Competitors: Nestle, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, Kraft Heinz, and Reckitt Benckiser.

Unilever is one of the world’s largest producers of food, beverages, cleaning agents, beauty, and personal care products. Its products are sold in over 190 countries worldwide. However, as one of the largest manufacturing companies in Europe, Unilever faces several challenges. They include geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown in China and Europe, and rising raw materials, energy, and logistics costs.

Renault Group

• Founding Date: 1899
• Head Office: Boulogne-Billancourt, France
• Industry: Automotive
• 2023 Revenue: €52.4 billion
• Brands: Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilize
• Business Segments
  • Passenger Vehicles: Range of cars, including compact cars, sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles under the Renault brand.
  • Commercial Vehicles: Vans and light commercial vehicles.
  • Electric Vehicles: A strong emphasis on electric mobility, making models like the Renault Zoe and the Twingo Electric.
• Key competitors: Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai.

Renault Group is another one of the largest European manufacturing companies. This French multinational automobile manufacturer is known for producing many vehicles, including cars, trucks, and electric vehicles. In addition, the company is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which permits shared technologies, platforms, and resources. Also, The Group has a significant global presence, with operations in over 130 countries. Key markets include Europe, Asia and South America. In 2023, Renault Group faced several challenges, including semiconductor shortages, intense EV competition from China, inflation, surging cost of raw materials, and geopolitical uncertainty in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Iberdrola SA

• Founding Date: 1992 (as Iberdrola, through the merger of several regional companies)
• Head Office: Bilbao, Spain
• Industry: Utilities (Electricity and Renewable Energy)
• 2023 Revenue: €49.3 billion
• Business Segments
  • Renewables: Focus on generating renewable energy from wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources.
  • Distribution: The company operates a vast electricity distribution network in Spain and other countries, including the UK and the United States. The network ensures the transport and delivery of electricity.
  • Generation: Iberdrola has a diversified generation portfolio that includes nuclear, natural gas, and renewable energy sources.
  • Retail: Sale of electricity and gas to residential and business customers.
• Key Competitors: Endesa, Naturgy, & Repsol

Iberdrola SA is a Spanish multinational electric utility company and one of Europe’s largest renewable energy producers. It operates in multiple countries, including Spain, the United States, the UK, Brazil, and Mexico. Iberdrola has been engaged in growing its renewable energy capacity through new projects and acquisitions and investing in innovative grid technology.

Volvo Group

• Founding Date: 1927
• Head Office: Gothenburg, Sweden
• Industry: Automotive and Engineering
• 2023 Revenue: SEK 553 billion (about €48 billion)
• Business Segments
  • Trucks: Manufacturing of medium & heavy trucks for long-haul, construction, and distribution.
  • Buses: City buses, intercity buses, and coaches.
  • Construction Equipment: Manufacturing excavators, wheel loaders, and other heavy machinery for construction and mining.
  • Industrial and Marine Engines: Developing engines for industrial applications, marine vessels, and power generation.
• Key Competitors: Daimler AG, Caterpillar Inc, Cummins, JCB, Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG):

Volvo Group is a Swedish multinational manufacturing company known for making buses, trucks, construction equipment, and other products. It operates in over 190 markets and has production plants in Europe, North America, and Asia.

• Europe: For heavy-duty truck and construction equipment sectors.
• North America: Trucks and construction equipment.
• Asia: Expanding its market in China and India.

However, the company faces numerous challenges. They include semiconductor shortages, recession fears, and intense competition in the EV market from China. Others include labour shortages and geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East.

Bayer AG

• Founding Date: 1863
• Head Office: Leverkusen, Germany
• Industry: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Agriculture
• 2023 Revenue: €47.64 billion
• Brands: Aspirin, Xarelto, Eylea, Claritin, Bepanthen etc
• Key Divisions:
  • Pharmaceuticals: Deals with prescription drugs in cardiovascular, gynaecology, ophthalmology, oncology, and women’s health.
  • Consumer Health: Offers over-the-counter products, including skin care, pain relievers, allergy medications, etc.
  • Crop Science: Deals with developing and marketing seeds for agricultural products, such as crop protection products and pest control solutions. This division includes Herbicides, Fungicides, Insecticides, and Bioscience.
• Key competitors: Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, Merck & Co, Syngenta, BASF, etc.

Bayer AG is a global life sciences company based in Germany. It is primarily known for its pharmaceuticals and agricultural products and operates in over 80 countries. In 2018, it bought Monsanto, expanding its presence in the agriculture sector. However, Bayer AG faces several momentous challenges, such as legal issues related to its purchase of Monsanto and stiff competition from rivals.

Sanofi SA

• Founding Date: 1973
• Head Office: Paris, France
• Industry: Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
• 2023 Revenue: €46.03 billion
• Business Segments
  • Pharmaceuticals: The development & production of prescription medicines in areas such as cardiovascular, oncology, immunology, and neurology.
  • Vaccines: development of vaccines for diseases such as influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, and others
  • Consumer Healthcare: Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like pain relievers, allergy medications, and digestive treatments.
• Key Competitors: Pfizer, GSK, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, etc.

Sanofi is a global healthcare company that operates in several areas, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and consumer healthcare. The company is also investing heavily in research and development to discover new medicines and vaccines. However, it faces many challenges, such as the soaring cost of raw materials, intense competition from rivals, and generic competition for key drugs.

L’Oréal SA

• Founding Date: 1909
• Head Office: Clichy, France
• Industry: Cosmetics and Beauty (Consumer Goods)
• 2023 Revenue: €41.18 billion
• Business Segments
  • Consumer Products: Includes brands such as L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, and Maybelline.
  • Dermatological Beauty: Includes La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, and Vichy brands.
  • Luxury Products: High-end skincare, makeup, and fragrances such as Lancôme, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and Prada.
  • Professional Products: Target salons and professional beauticians with brands like Kérastase and Redken.
• Key Competitors: Estée Lauder Companies, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and Revlon Inc

L’Oréal is a leading global cosmetics and beauty company. Recently, it has invested heavily in new product development and is expanding its presence in India and China. As one of the largest European manufacturing companies, it operates in over 150 countries and has a diverse portfolio of over 30 brands.

ThyssenKrupp AG

• Founded: 1999 (formed from the merger of Thyssen AG and Krupp)
• Head Office: Essen, Germany
• Industry: Conglomerate (Steel, Engineering, Automotive, Elevators)
• 2023 Revenue: €37.54 billion
• Business Segments
  • Steel Production: Producing flat and long steel products for various industries, including automotive, machinery and construction.
  • Industrial Solutions: Providing engineering services like plant engineering & construction for cement & chemical industries
  • Automotive Technology: Supplying components and systems for the automotive industry, including chassis, powertrain, and electric mobility solutions.
  • Elevator Technology: Design, manufacture, install, and maintain elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.
• Key Competitors: Nippon Steel, Tata Steel, POSCO, Siemens AG, General Electric, Schindler Group, Bosch Group, and Magna International.

Thyssenkrupp AG is a German multinational conglomerate operating in diverse industries, including steel production, automotive components, industrial solutions, and elevators. It also operates in about 70 countries, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Furthermore, this large European manufacturing company, in 2023, faced several challenges. They include the rising cost of raw materials, intense competition from rivals, and ongoing US & Europe – China trade tensions.

Heineken NV

• Founding Date: 1864
• Head Office: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Industry: Beverage (Brewing)
• 2023 Revenue: €36.4 billion
• Brands: Heineken, Amstel, Grolsch, Birra Moretti
• Business Segments
  • Beer Production: The company produces many beers, including its flagship Heineken lager and other local and international brands.
  • Cider Production: It also produces various cider brands
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages: The company offers non-alcoholic and low-alcohol products
• Key Competitors: AB InBev, Diageo, Carlsberg Group, etc.

Heineken NV is one of the world’s largest European brewing manufacturing companies, known for its iconic beer brands. It has a massive international footprint, operating in over 190 countries. Key markets include Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. However, the company faces challenges, including increasing raw materials and energy costs. In addition, there is a growing trend toward non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages.

GlaxoSmithKline

• Founding Date: 2000 (merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham)
• Head Office: Brentford, London, United Kingdom
• Industry: Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
• 2023 Revenue: £30.3 billion (€36.2 billion)
• Products:
  • Vaccines: Arexvy
  • HIV drugs: Dovato and Juluca
  • Cancer: Jemperli and Zejula​
  • Respiratory drugs: Trelegy, Ellipta, Nucala, and Anoro Ellipta.
• Business Segments
  • Pharmaceuticals: Production of medicines, particularly in areas such as HIV, oncology, immunology, respiratory diseases, and neuroscience.
  • Vaccines: Development and production of vaccines for infectious diseases, including those for flu, hepatitis, and HPV.
• Key Competitors: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, etc.

GlaxoSmithKline is a leading British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing company. In addition, it is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. In 2022, GSK separated its consumer healthcare division into a standalone company, Haleon. GSK’s footprint spans more than 100 countries, with manufacturing & R&D sites in Asia, Europe, and North America. Also, the company is investing heavily in research and development to discover new medicines and vaccines. However, GSK faces many challenges, such as the soaring cost of raw materials, intense competition from rivals, trade tensions between China and the West, and instability in Emerging markets.

Linde PLC

• Founding date: 1879 in Germany.
• Headquarters: Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom.
• Industry: Chemicals
• 2023 Revenue: $32.85 billion (€30.91 billion).
• Business Segments: Linde operates through various segments, including:
  • Industrial Gases: Supplying gases for multiple industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and energy.
  • Engineering: Involved in designing and constructing industrial gas plants and systems.
• Products and Services
  • Gases: Linde produces various industrial gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide.
  • Applications: Their gases are used in numerous applications, such as metal fabrication, food and beverage production, healthcare (medical gases), electronics manufacturing, and environmental services.
• Key competitors:  Air Liquide (France), Messer Group, (Germany), and Praxair (USA)

Linde PLC is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and is one of the world’s leading industrial gases and engineering companies. It operates in over 100 countries and has a diverse customer base across multiple industries. Key issues it faces include shortages of certain materials, logistical bottlenecks, increased transportation costs, rising energy prices, and instability in gas supply.

Notable Mentions

• Enel SpA (Italy)
• AstraZeneca (UK/Sweden)
• ABB Group (Switzerland)
• Michelin (France)