The company was founded by Franz Burckhardt as a small mechanical workshop in Basel in 1844, which he expanded to a factory making air and vacuum pumps.

[3] In September 2016, the company acquired IKS Industrie- und Kompressorenservice GmbH based in Bremen and in June 2017 Burckhardt Compression strengthened its presence in Canada through the acquisition of CSM Compressor Supplies & Machine Work Ltd based in Edmonton and Drumheller, Alberta.

[3] In December 2021, the company expanded its service business in the maritime and petrochemical industries by acquiring 100% shares in Mark van Schaick BV, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

In 2023, Burckhardt Compression fully acquired Arkos Field Services and integrated it into its operations, aiming to better serve customers and achieve ambitious growth targets.

In April of the same year, the company acquired Thailand-based SPAN Maintenance and Service Co. Ltd. and established Burckhardt Compression (Thailand) Co. Ltd. through this acquisition.

The acquisition of the Thai-based Burckhardt-authorised service partner increased the company position in Southeast Asia and included taking over two dozen employees.