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'Knorr-Bremse' is one of the world leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Knorr- Bremse has been pioneering development, production and marketing of modern braking systems for a variety of applications for over 100 years, making an important contribution to improved safety on the railways and the roads. The company also produces door systems for rail vehicles and torsional dampers.
In 2006 the Group's workforce of over 13,000 achieved world-wide sales of EUR 3.1 billion.

Contents

History

Milestones

Facts and Figures

Group structure

Rail vehicles

Commercial vehicles

Web Sites

History

Knorr-Bremse was founded in 1905 in Berlin by inventor Georg Knorr. The initial basis for the company’s commercial success was provided by an agreement with the Prussian State Railways to supply single-chamber express braking systems offering considerably enhanced safety performance compared with traditional systems. In the early twentieth century, train guards still had to operate the brakes by hand, from so-called "brake vans". The first pneumatic brakes were of a basic design, but before long, indirect automatic systems using a control valve were developed.
The second main area of activity for Knorr-Bremse emerged in 1922, when company moved into pneumatic braking systems for commercial road vehicles. Knorr-Bremse was the first European company to develop a new kind of pneumatic system that applied the brakes simultaneously to all four wheels of a truck as well as its trailer. The resultant reduction in braking distances made a significant contribution to improving road safety.
A less talked about part of the company's history is that they used to manufacture the MG35/36 machine-gun, known as the "Knorr-Bremse", which was supplied to the Waffen SS and the Wehrmacht.

Milestones

1905	Georg Knorr founds Knorr-Bremse GmbH in Berlin.
1910 - 1924	Knorr-Bremse sets new technological standards with its air brakes for freight trains and becomes Europe's leading manufacturer of rail vehicle brakes.
1922	Development of air brakes for commercial vehicles commences.
1931 - 1939	The Hildebrand-Knorr (HiK) braking system sweeps aside the competition and becomes the standard for express trains in 17 countries. 90% of all German trucks in the 7-16 t range are fitted with Knorr braking systems.
1945 - 1953	Development and manufacture of braking systems begins again in the western part of Germany, with the main emphasis on the HiK system. Company headquarters are relocated to Munich.
1954 - 1985	Knorr-Bremse plays a leading role in the development of braking technology for the rail and commercial vehicle sectors. With the KE valve, Knorr-Bremse sets new UIC standards.
1985 - 1993	During a difficult phase in the company's development, Heinz Hermann Thiele acquires a majority share in Knorr-Bremse and launches a radical restructuring program. With his strategy of concentrating on core competences, expanding the company's systems capabilities and pursuing a rigorous policy of internationalisation, he succeeds in developing Knorr-Bremse into a global player. The AAR DB60 control valve gains Knorr-Bremse access to the North American market.
1996	Series production of pneumatic disc brakes for commercial vehicles begins.
1999	Robert Bosch GmbH merges its activities in the electronic brake control sector with Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems. Knorr-Bremse takes a 60% share, giving it overall managerial control of the joint venture; Bosch retains a 20% share.
2002	Knorr-Bremse takes over from Honeywell International Inc., USA its share of joint ventures in Europe, Brazil and the USA. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems becomes a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse AG. The Knorr-Bremse Group achieves sales of EUR 2.1 billion, exceeding the EUR 2 billion threshold for the first time ever.
2005	Knorr-Bremse celebrates its centenary.

Facts and Figures

★ Headquarters: Munich, Germany

★ Chairman of the Executive Board: Dr.-Ing. Raimund Klinker

★ All figures are from 2006

★ Sales : 3,1 EUR billion

★ Employees (as per Dec. 31): Over 13.000

Group structure

The Knorr-Bremse Group is structured on a regional and divisional basis, with overall control of companies in America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in the hands of Knorr-Bremse AG. For maximum international efficiency and flexibility, the Rail Vehicle Systems and Commercial Vehicle Systems divisions operate independently of each other on a supra-regional basis. Global development, manufacture and sales networks enable the company not only to develop and manufacture products for local markets but also to achieve cross-divisional and cross-locational synergies. We are thus able to respond to the specific requirements of rail and commercial vehicle manufacturers world-wide and offer them globally co-ordinated solutions.

Rail vehicles

Knorr-Bremse not only produce complete braking systems for all types of rail vehicles but also door systems, toilets, air-conditioning, couplings and windscreen wipers.

Commercial vehicles

Knorr-Bremse has been developing and manufacturing braking systems for commercial vehicles since 1920. For trucks and semi-trailer tractor units over 6 tonnes, buses, trailers or special vehicles.

Web Sites

★ Knorr-Bremse Website

★ Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC