130 years of KÖBO
Tradition with a future. Focus on the customer.
At KÖBO, the production of sprockets and pinions began as early as 1894. In 1899, Emil Köhler and Hermann Bovenkamp set a true milestone with the development of the standardisation for roller chains that remains in force to this day. Expansion into a wide variety of industrial sectors has ensured lasting success. This ability to think outside the box and the resulting understanding of customers continue to characterise KÖBO to this day: hardly any other company in the chain industry demonstrates such a deep understanding of the sector.
A look back at our company’s history.
We have always regarded a genuine commitment to our customers as a key factor in our success. This means that we have been working with most of our customers for many years. This is also reflected in our company history.
1894
We have always regarded a genuine commitment to our customers as a key factor in our success. This means that we have been working with most of our customers for many years. This is also reflected in our company’s history.
1899
The production of industrial chains and sprockets is gaining momentum. This coincides with the development of the standardisation for roller chains that is now used worldwide.
1934
Construction of Workshop A, with a production area of 3,000 square metres.
1949
Construction of Workshop A, with a production area of 3,000 square metres.
1954
Construction of Workshop B, with a production area of 2,000 square metres, was completed by 1958.
1961
Construction of Workshop C, with a production area of 8,000 square metres.
1964
Up to 1968 – Opening of further overseas branches in France, Austria and England.
1969
International cooperation with Rolcon in India.
1971
Acquisition of Koenig-Ketten GmbH in Eslohe.
1973
Construction of Administration Building E, thereby expanding the office space to 4,000 square metres.
1974
Acquisition of Wilhelm Fissenewert, Gütersloh.
1988
Acquisition of Heinrich Schomäcker, Bielefeld.
1989
Merger of Fissenewert and Schomäcker to form KTB-Kettentechnologie Bielefeld GmbH + Co.
1990
Acquisition of the confectionery machinery production division of RMT-REGO-Maschinentechnologie, Haan.
1995
Acquisition of ZEFAM, Znin, Poland.
1998
Acquisition of Herlitzius-Brotschneidemaschinen.
2004
Merger of KÖBO and KTB to form KÖBO-KTB GmbH + Co. KG. Expansion of the production facility in Poland; investment of EUR 3.3 million in reorganisation and modernisation.
2006
Merger of RMT Rego and Herlitzius-Brotmaschinen.
2010
Sale of shares in the KÖBO Group to Hangzhou Donghua Chain Group Co., Ltd., China.
2013
Design and construction of a new computer-controlled production and storage facility in Wuppertal.
2014
Opening of KOBO USA, LLC in Glendale Heights, Illinois, USA.
Opening of a sales office on a joint venture basis in South-East Asia.
2017
Opening of a sales office in South Africa
2023
Expansion of the production area at the plant in Poland by 2,500 m²
Innovations
2018
Development of Europe’s longest escalator, measuring over 80 metres, for the Elbphilharmonie. The curved escalator is a joint project with KONE
2021
Development of an optimised roller unit for the bakery industry, offering a significantly longer service life and reduced roller changeover times thanks to simple disassembly and assembly
2023
Development of a completely maintenance-free conveyor chain for the bulk materials industry, featuring a quick-change roller – Easy Fit + Maintenance Free
2024
Retrofit KÖBO offers to overhaul and modernise existing conveyor chains – a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
2026
A sluice chain, known as a Gall chain – manufactured in a single piece with a length of 42 metres. Each strand of the chain is riveted and has a strand weight of 10 tonnes. This guarantees the highest quality and load-bearing capacity for demanding applications.
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