Business Spotlight – HARTING
HARTING are a family-owned global innovator with deep roots and a bold green vision spanning hydrogen, e-mobility, renewable energy and industrial connectivity
As HARTING celebrates its 80th anniversary in September 2025, the Brackmills-based UK arm of this global business is leading the way when it comes to sustainability, innovation and putting people first.
Founded in Germany in 1945, HARTING remains proudly family-owned and is now run by the third generation of the Harting family. From its earliest days, the company has been defined by its strong values, commitment to innovation and long-term thinking – and today, these qualities continue to shape everything the business does.
With cutting-edge solutions spanning hydrogen, e-mobility, renewable energy and industrial connectivity, HARTING is driving innovation on a global scale. With over 6,000 employees across 42 sales companies, 14 production facilities and seven R&D centres, its products help transmit data and power in sectors ranging from transportation and automation to mechanical engineering and renewable energy.
And closer to home, at its Brackmills site in Northampton, the UK team is working hard to deliver something truly special – becoming carbon neutral by the end of 2025, ahead of the company-wide 2030 target.
80 years of progress, powered by it’s people
HARTING Ltd first opened in the UK in 1980 in Biggin Hill, before relocating to Brackmills in 1990. Staff longevity and loyalty have been hallmarks of the Northampton-based team, with many of the current team having been with the company for decades – a testament to the family-first culture that the business is proud to champion.
HARTING Ltd is a global base and a regional hub of support for many HARTING subsidiaries around the world, sharing their expertise and experience. Now, as the company’s 80th anniversary approaches, the Brackmills-based team is on a mission to go further, faster.
Northampton team leading the way on sustainability
Through a series of thoughtful, incremental changes, their Brackmills site is transforming into a beacon of sustainability. From vastly reducing plastics in packaging, to replacing traditional facilities with greener alternatives – such as a solar-lit, green-roofed smoking shelter – the team is committed to reducing their environmental impact on every level.
One inspiring initiative is the creation of a thriving eco-garden and bee corridor. What began as a small strip of green has evolved into a fully integrated haven for wildlife, with hedges, pathways and car park verges all contributing to the site’s biodiversity. Bug hotels, bird baths and nesting material stations are now a common sight, with 18 different bird species already spotted on site. Plans are underway to expand the space further, with a dedicated rewilding zone rich in wildflowers and native plants.
Collaboration, community and corporate responsibility
HARTING Ltd is not only transforming its own operations, but also actively contributing to the wider community. The company is an active member of the Brackmills Environment & Sustainability Group and has taken part in initiatives such as World Clean Up Day and estate-wide litter picks. The team also regularly gives back through other local activities, reflecting a broader commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
These efforts align with HARTING’s wider ambition to reach net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions globally by 2030. Impressively, between 2011 and 2021, the business reduced its carbon footprint in Germany by 92%, cutting 17,800 tonnes of CO₂. Global efforts have accelerated since, with sustainable innovations like HARTING GreenLine – a connector range made from bio-based polycarbonate, offering up to 70% CO₂ savings – now entering the market.
A proud past, an exciting future
As HARTING prepares to celebrate 80 years of family ownership, technological excellence and sustainability, the Brackmills-based team is both honouring the company’s rich heritage and shaping its future.
With ambitious environmental goals, ground-breaking product development and a workplace culture rooted in respect and care, HARTING Ltd is proving that you can be a global player with a local heart – and that real progress happens when innovation, integrity and sustainability go hand in hand.
