KNF France: The First Subsidiary Abroad
On a map, Freiburg and Saint-Louis are just a stone’s throw apart. Yet establishing the company’s first affiliate abroad in 1968 is a huge step and a daring decision for KNF.
After all, 1968 is a year of much change and great uncertainty. European integration is progressing gradually and the European Communities (EC) have just intensified their collaboration. At this time, KNF is still producing its first pumps on Habsburgerstrasse in Freiburg, but the young company is soon to relocate to Freiburg-Munzingen. Although KNF is still very much in its infancy, Erich Becker already has a determined plan to sell his pumps internationally even at this early stage. Thus begins KNF’s first adventure abroad – in a backyard shack in Saint-Louis in the Alsace region with just two employees.
The early days in France are anything but easy. The offices and production facility are poorly equipped, computers do not yet exist and the staff frequently has to phone Germany for advice or, as is even more often the case, just improvise as they go along. Yet the pleasing figures tell a different story and – like in Germany – diaphragm pumps are met with increasing interest. KNF also wins several contracts from universities and quickly makes a name for itself in France.
Besides becoming an important sales market, the country also turns into a key manufacturing location. In 1974, KNF constructs a production facility just a few kilometers from Saint-Louis in Village-Neuf, where it starts manufacturing stators for coils and complete electric motors. Producing its own pump motors gives KNF more flexibility in terms of meeting its customers’ special requirements and providing the requested quantity of goods. In turn, this gives the company better control over costs. In the beginning, the stators are still wound by hand. It isn’t until 2004 that KNF finally invests 750,000 euros in a modern winding center with specially designed machines.
Today, more than 60 employees work at the French affiliate. KNF Neuberger S.A.S. is characterized by its modern buildings, ISO-certified production facility and many long-standing, experienced staff members. The Village-Neuf location produces motors that are fitted in pumps for use in a wide range of countries and applications as well as gas pumps for the low flow rate range. What started with a bold step into the unknown in 1968 developed into a true success story in KNF’s history.
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