The company was founded in 1928
by Otto KNECHT as a construction enterprise at the group headquarters in Metzingen, Germany.
What began as an individual enterprise is today a highly capable medium-sized company with activities throughout Europe that is still family-owned and continues to be led with dedication and creative expertise by Rainer Knecht and Günter Knecht.
Since January, 2007 Mr. Günter Knecht has delivered his manager's activity in the Otto Knecht GmbH & Co. KG to Mr. Jürgen Maute. Mr. Maute is active since 2001 as business leader for Knecht.
The company's divisions range from prefabricated concrete parts to prefabricated cellar construction, modular construction and a special product range: greenhouse units made of CNC-machined metal.
The group of companies operates a number of production and sales branches in Germany and Switzerland with nearly
300 employees. The products are marketed throughout Germany and the rest of Europ.
Company history
1928
Founded by Otto KNECHT as a construction enterprise at the current headquarters in Metzingen. Start of production of chimney blocks, hollow blocks, stairway steps and small prefabricated concrete parts.
1950
Supplying gardening companies with hotbed boxes and plant tables of prefabricated concrete filigree parts.
1967
Production and assembly of the first prefabricated cellar for in-house use. In the following years this division was expanded more and more and a separate production shop was constructed.
1978
Foundation of an independent production plant for the greenhouse unit division. Since then production has been converted almost exclusively to metal. The marketing region has been expanded to all of Europe and Russia.
1980
Further development of the cellar construction division and supplying of prefabricated concrete elements for building construction and civil engineering. In the following years a number of patents and utility models were registered. An additional production facility in Schorndorf was added. With regard to the grade and quality of production and products and optimisation of processes, in 1988 a voluntary commitment was made to internal and external monitoring (RAL quality symbol for prefabricated cellars).
1988
Together with other concrete plants the FEDU GmbH was established for the joint distribution of the prefabricated concrete elements.
1990
Founding of the subsidiary KNECHT Kellerbau AG in Switzerland. In the following years, additional assembly and sales branches were added in Eastern Germany and in Westerwald.
1997
A further increase in quality through the introduction of a quality management system and certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001. In the same year the company Systembau KNECHT was founded to develop the field of turnkey industrial and commercial construction.
1999
Entry into operation of an additional patent, an automated production facility for the manufacture of reinforcing elements, at the main plant in Metzingen.
2001
KNECHT also attracted attention in the Far East. Visit by a group of manufacturing industry engineers from Hong Kong.
2003
KNECHT celebrates: 75 years of the KNECHT company 40 years of KNECHT cellar construction with over 35,000 cellars produced
2004
Expansion of the cellar construction division with the first projects in France and Luxembourg. Registration for a patent for another new development: the ComfortPlus system – for finishing a cellar subsequently. Visit to the Metzingen headquarters – cellar construction division – by a delegation of Japanese architects.
2005
Entry into the English market with the partner company eccobuild; joint appearance at the "Grand Designs Live" trade fair in London. First projects in Ireland and Scotland New development: custom garage solutions – also with basements.
2007
KNECHT celebrates: 40 years Knecht - cellar constructions with more than 35 000 produced cellars.
2008
80. company's anniversary