1969 to present

In 1969, the Institution merged with the Institution of Locomotive Engineers thereby creating the Railway Division.

In 1975 a new office was opened in Bury St Edmonds, several departments including finance, publications and qualifications relocated. The office closed in 2004.

Further restructuring of groups and divisions took place in 1980 to form new divisions covering power industries, process industries, engineering manufacturing industries and aerospace industries. These were shortly joined by an engineering management division.

From 1984 the Institution has supported recognition of mechanical engineering in our nation’s history and societal development via the Engineering Heritage Hallmark Scheme: awarding important locations, artefacts, collections and landmarks with a plaque. In 2007 the Scheme was reinvigorated under the new title of Engineering Heritage Awards. All awarded sites and collections are listed and illustrated in the Awards book.

2022 sees the Institution celebrate its 175th anniversary, a year in which we celebrate our heritage whilst looking forward at the global challenges we face, continuing our 175-year-old mission to improve the world through engineering.