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|
 AL-KO
Group |
 Gardening
and Hobby |
 Vehicle
Technology |
 Ventilation
Technology |
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A biography of Alois
Kober, the company founder |
 |
1908 |
Alois Kober
is born in Edenhausen near Krumbach in June, 1908. At the age of 13,
he joins his parents' company and learns the locksmith's trade from
his father. |
| 1931 |
In November 1931,
aged 23, he becomes self-employed and buys a locksmith's shop in Koetz.
A year later, he receives his master craftsman's diploma and enlarges
his locksmith's shop into an engineering shop. |
| 1939 |
After he and
his journeymen have been called up at the beginning of World War II,
the company temporarily comes to a standstill. |
1945
 |
Mr Kober starts
again with what has been left. From this time on, he dedicates his
company to vehicle technology and mechanical engineering.
 Thanks
to his great entrepreneurial initiative and unflagging diligence,
the company soon prospers. He is supported by his wife, Hedwig, and
later on, by his three sons, who all learn the locksmith's trade from
him. With the assistance of his three sons, Herbert, Kurt and Wilhelm,
he turns the business into an internationally active group of companies.
With a lot of talent and unremitting dedication he develops the company
into one of worldwide reputation.
In recognition of his merits, Mr Kober is granted the Order of Merit
of the Federal Republic of Germany ("Bundesverdienstkreuz")
and also the major decoration of the Austrian State of Steiermark.
He is made freeman of both Koetz and Obdach/Steiermark.
Up until his death, he takes a lively interest in the company business. |
| 1980 |
Mr Kober is
awarded the honorary master craftsman's diploma in recognition of
his outstanding services to Swabian handicraft. |
| 1996 |
In February
1996, he dies at the age of 87 after an acute illness. |
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Company history decade
by decade |
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1931 |
As
a 23-year old locksmith Alois Kober becomes self-employed and establishes
his company in a street called "Kurze Gasse" in Grosskoetz.
He starts under the most modest of conditions and does the jobs which
typically fall to a locksmith in a farming community and rural surroundings. |
| 1936 |
Soon, the work
of a locksmith's shop becomes too limited for his entrepreneurial
energy, and thus he expands his workshop to include vehicle construction
and mechanical engineering. |
| 1937 |
The small locksmith's
shop has already turned into a medium-sized industrial company. |
|
In early 1940,
Alois Kober's locksmith's shop, a company primarily engaged in locksmith's
work, the repair of agricultural machinery and the handicrafting of
small vehicles, is one of many handicraft companies in Swabia employing
a number of apprentices and journeymen.
The production workshops are those in which the company was established
in 1931.
By the outbreak of war, Kober employs 10 employees.
He and his journeymen are called up and the company comes to a temporary
standstill.
World War II and its consequences prove to be a trial, which, however,
is successfully overcome. |
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1945 |
New
start after the end of the war.
Orders from local blacksmiths are not sufficient for Alois Kober;
he broadens his local clientele by offering special products and services,
such as a farm vehicle with rubber tyres.
The craftsman's business, which initially worked to order, now turns
into a supraregional provider. A sales organisation thus becomes necessary.
The number of incoming orders calls for efficient manufacturing and
finally, extended and then new production facilities. Problem-solving
innovations follow, such as a brake system for trailers, which can
be operated from the tractor. |
| 1947 |
Under
his father's instruction, Mr Kober's son Herbert starts his apprenticeship
to become a locksmith and mechanic; he is the company's sixth employee. |
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1950 |
Under
his father's instruction, Mr Kober's son Kurt Kober starts his apprenticeship
to become a locksmith and mechanic. |
| 1952 |
 In
1952, with the development and manufacture of hand-brake levers mainly
for agricultural trailers, the company Kober experiences the beginning
of a major upswing. |
| 1952 |
Commencement
of hand-brake lever manufacturing, marking the start of series production
of vehicle parts. 
Even if this sounds extremely strange, it is a bad car accident, in
which Alois Kober and his eldest son Herbert are involved, that marks
the beginning of AL-KO brake design and development.
The months of recuperation give Alois and Herbert Kober plenty of
time to think about all sorts of things. Hence the idea arises to
design an automatic overrun brake for farm vehicles which responds
to the slightest pressure and thus prevents the trailer first having
to ram the towing vehicle in the dreaded manner from behind. Only
just recovered, Alois Kober sets out to realise his ideas and soon the first brake tests (using an old jeep) are carried out.
Continuous refinement in design produces an automatic overrun brake
which is superior to comparable products in many ways.
Soon, large companies operating in the relevant sectors start to show
an interest in AL-KO products. Kober becomes their supplier since
he is quick to develop efficient production methods, and is thus able
to keep pace with his competitors as far as prices are concerned. |
| 1952 |
Manufacture of the first tested automatic overrun brake in Germany
(test mark M1). |
| 1952 |
First
series production of hand-brake levers for agricultural trailers. |
| 1953 |
Under
his father's instruction, Mr. Kober's son Willy starts his apprenticeship
to become a mechanic. |
| 1953 |
AL-KO
already employs 30 persons. |
| 1955 |
In 1955 Kober is granted the first patent for a continuously variable
hand-brake lever. |
| 1954 |
The
products catch on quickly, so that in 1954 when an extension of the
old company premises becomes impossible, the construction of new business
premises is started at a new site in "Ichenhauser Strasse"
(seat of company headquarters still today).
The company continues to grow year by year; incoming orders make it
necessary to recruit more and more employees. The factory has to be
extended almost every year.
The manufacturing programme is broadened too, not least because many
clients continually approach the company with new requests, all of
which are fulfilled in some way or other.
|
| 1954 |
| This
results in the development and manufacture of: |
|
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automatic
brakes for farm vehicles and trailers,
automatic overrun brakes for passenger-car trailers,
automatic overrun brakes for travelling machines,
brake cable connections for all types of vehicle,
draw bars for farm vehicles and lorry trailers,
drawbar jack castor wheels,
parking brakes,
coupling devices,
|
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and
more than a hundred different types of hand-brake levers.
Apart from these key products, manufacture of steel wheel chocks
for farm vehicles and lorries and for various types of wheel
barrow. |
 |
Trade-fair
exhibits:
The continuously variable hand-brake lever is awarded a gold
medal. |
|
| 1954 |
The
company's success is the result of unflagging diligence and great
entrepreneurial initiative.
In 1958, senior partner Alois Kober appoints his son Herbert commercial
director.
Kurt Kober is appointed technical director.
Willy Kober is involved in operation and process planning.
The senior partner's wife, Hedwig Kober, helps out in the office and
assists her husband in every possible way. |
| 1954 |
The
company has approximately 40 employees. |
| 1958 |
The
company already has 150 employees. |
| 1958 |
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|
Establishment
of the first subsidiary, SCHWABENGERÄTE GMBH, GROSSKOETZ,
as sales and marketing organization for Germany; this subsidiary
has to sell and market all products except those of the vehicle
sector. |
|
| 1958 |
A newspaper report is published in the "Guenzburger Zeitung"
of October 15, 1958. Among other things, a factory tour is described. |
| 1959 |
Re-organisation
of the sole proprietorship into a KG (= limited commercial partnership). |
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1961 |
The company ALOIS KOBER KG, AUSTRIA is established in Zell/Tyrol,
so as to serve the EFTA market better. |
| 1961 |
30-year
anniversary of AL-KO. |
| 1961 |
The
DIY saw is included in the programme. |
| 1963 |
Production
of the first concrete mixers in Zell. |
| 1963 |
Production
of the 100,000th hand-brake lever. |
| 1963 |
The
company ALOIS KOBER S.A.S. is set up in Verona in order to obtain
a better footing on the Italian market. |
| 1964 |
A
sales office is opened in Vienna. |
| 1965 |
The
AL-KO machine factory is established in Obdach to manufacture concrete
mixers and supply the EFTA market. |
| 1965 |
 |
The plant in Zell soon becomes too small, so that a further
plant has to be set up in Obdach, in the Austrian state of Steiermark,
as a branch of the Zell am Ziller business location. |
 |
Concrete mixers, cellar windows and snow shovels are manufactured
there. |
|
| 1966 |
In 1966, the first lawn mowers are manufactured. The go-ahead for
the manufacturing of gardening products is given in Kleinkoetz. |
| 1966 |
The
Klagenfurt sales office is opened. |
| 1967 |
The
company moves into a new office building in Grosskoetz.
The Kober company now employs more than 600 people. |
| 1967 |
The company starts
the production of 'builders' winches, snow bobs (NORDSTAR
I) and rotary snow ploughs in Obdach. |
| 1967 |
Design
and manufacturing of a hexagon rubber axle. |
| 1968 |
Chassis
for caravans. |
| 1968 |
 |
The Obdach plant manufactures the garden chimney "Serenade"
and the new mixer ZB 100 L.
|
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In June 1970, the company celebrates production of the 75000th
concrete mixer. |
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| 1968 |
First
stage of construction of the Kleinkoetz plant. |
| 1969 |
Takeover
of two marketing and sales companies in England. |
| 1969 |
 |
Photo: Mr Kober honours an employee celebrating a round anniversary.
|
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In the late 60s, development of a ball coupling for single-handed
operation. |
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1968 -- one of the first lawn mowers. |
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1970 |
17th
August, 1970: go-ahead for the trainee workshop in Koetz. |
| 1970 |
More
companies founded in England, France, Switzerland and Italy. |
| 1970 |
 |
| 1974 |
1973/74
AL-KO "Rückmatic" designed and launched on the market. |
| 1974 |
1,200
employees/ turnover DM 125 million. |
| 1975 |
Investment in the "Ventilation Technology" sector.
Takeover of the Fritz Haugg GmbH, founded in 1961, "polar air
heater plant" based in Jettingen Scheppach;
AL-KO Polar GmbH, now called AL-KO THERM GmbH. |
| 1976 |
Warm-water
and air-heating equipment and process-engineering components added
to the programme. |
| 1977 |
Start
of activities in the alternative energy sector, with heat pumps and
solar collectors. |
| 1977 |
10th
February, 1977: takeover of the ORION Werke AG Spreitenbach, Switzerland;
and establishment of ORION AL-KO AG |
| 1977 |
Large
inspection and test facility including a roller dynamometer to simulate
kilometres driven; practice-oriented stress tests can now be conducted
within a very short time. |
| 1977 |
1976/77
= introduction of the delta semi-trailing link axle. |
| 1978 |
Investment in the Ventilation Technology sector; equipment and components
for ventilation and air conditioning in buildings. |
| 1979 |
Foundation
of the Alois Kober GmbH, a machine factory in Koetz, to manufacture
vehicle components. |
| 1979 |
 |
| 1979 |
The company"Schobel-Klimatechnik"
is taken over to round off the ventilation and air-conditioning equipment
programme. |
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In 1979, development of the AL-KO amc chassis a system lightweight
chassis. Development and construction of chassis made from components
of the Peugeot J9 for camping and vending vans.
60s/70s foundation of further subsidiaries in Germany, Austria (1961),
Italy(1963), Switzerland(1970), England (1970), France(1970), Spain(1988),
Belgium(1979), Netherlands(1980), Norway(1983), Sweden(1982) |
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1981 |
1,900
employees |
| 1981 |
 |
| 1983 |
Design
of the AL-KO geometric four-link drawbar. |
| 1983 |
Production
of the first garden shredder. |
| 1983 |
Establishment
of AL-KO CONSULTING-ENGINEERING GMBH for in-house services and management
services within the AL-KO Group. |
| 1984 |
 |
| 1985 |
Market
launch of today's amc chassis based on Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer
and Citroen Jumper. |
| 1987 |
1st
January 1987, re-organisation of ALOIS KOBER KG into a shareholding
company,
the AL-KO KOBER AG, with Herbert, Kurt and Willy Kober as members
of the Board of Management.
Board of Management:
| 15th
May, 1993 |
Order
of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded to Herbert
Kober. |
| 1st
July, 1994 |
Order
of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded to Kurt
Kober. |
| 18th
February, 1995 |
Order
of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded to Willy
Kober. |
| 1997 |
Roland
Kober is appointed member of the Board of Management. |
| 1st
September, 1998 |
Günther
Diermann becomes a member of the Board of Management. |
Further decorations
for Herbert Kober: large silver decoration of the Republic of Austria,
state medal for outstanding services to the Bavarian economy, freeman
of Obdach. In this way, tribute is paid to Herbert Kober's personal
commitment in the economic and cultural sectors, and also his largely
unknown commitment in the social sector.
Further decorations for Kurt Kober: golden eagle decoration of Tyrol,
freeman of Ramsau, a municipality in Zillertal/Austria, freeman
of Obdach.
Further decorations for Willy Kober: freeman of Obdach, carrier
of the golden ring of the chamber of industry and commerce.
In 1994, the entrepreneurial families Kober of the city of Koetz
are awarded the gold medal for their support to the music association
Allgäu-Swabia.
Numerous other awards and honours. |
| 1988 |
Foundation
of AL-KO ENTSORGUNGSGERÄTE- UND SYSTEME GMBH
(today "Suction and Extraction Technology" division). |
| 1989 |
Innovation
prize for compact extraction apparatus. |
| 1988 |
Optimisation
of equipment and components by means of the plant-owned, TÜV-calibrated
test rig. |
| 1988 |
Development
and introduction of AKS 2000. |
| 1989 |
Development
of directional control programme. |
| 1989 |
Establishment
of AL-KO THERM WITTENBERG GMBH for the prefabrication of components
used in ventilation appliances. |
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In
the 80s/90s, establishment of subsidiaries in USA (1983), Australia
(1986), Hungary, Poland and the CIS. |
| |
| 1987 |
AL-KO
MFK MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH, Lilienthal (founded in 1980) becomes a subsidiary
of ALOIS KOBER GMBH. The company manufactures coupling devices and
off-road accessories. |
| 1989 |
Cooperation
with the Japanese Yamaha Group in the production and development of
lawn mowers. |
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1990 |
Optimised
ventilation equipment following development of the free wheel. |
| 1990 |
Establishment
of a voluntary environmental-protection work group for employees in
Koetz. |
| 1991 |
Design
of mobile suction and extraction systems especially for the wood processing
sector. |
| 1991 |
AL-KO
takes over Aero Tech Gesellschaft für Klima- und Kältetechnik
GmbH (company active in air conditioning and refrigeration technology),
Frankfurt, and starts with the production of air-conditioning cabinets
and cold chambers. |
| 1991 |
3,400
employees. |
| 1992 |
Start
of the AQS programme (AL-KO quality and safety), the company-specific
TQM system. |
| 1992 |
In
April 1992, after thorough planning, construction of a new office
building is started in Industriestrasse, Kleinkoetz, and the existing
plant is extended. |
| 1993 |
In
July 1993, the new building is ready. Approximately 1,200 square meters
of office space accommodate the following units: "Operation and
Process Planning", "Computing Centre/IT/Organisation",
"Production Control", "Central scheduling", "Personnel",
"Plant Management" "Quality Assurance", "Production-Facility
Design" and "Maintenance". |
| 1993 |
The
AL-KO Euro-axle system designed for caravans and other trailers is awarded the "Golden C" of the Deutscher Campingclub
e.V.(German Camping Club). |
| 1994 |
AL-KO
Koetz is certified as per DIN ISO. |
| 1994 |
Establishment
of a joint venture in China. |
| 1995 |
AL-KO
takes over the Ginge company. |
| 1995 |
Organisational
merger of the individual companies active in HVAC (heating, ventilation
and air-conditioning technology) now named AL-KO Ventilation Technology
and comprising the "Air-Conditioning Technology", "Heating
Technology" and "Suction/Extraction Technology" units. |
| 1997 |
Introduction
of SAP/R3. |
| 1998 |
Re-organisation
of the "Vehicle Technology" division into "Vehicle
Technology Europe", "Automotive" and "Vehicle
Technology Overseas". |
| 1999 |
68
years of AL-KO – -- well equipped for the coming millennium. |
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| The
company AL-KO Kober has always been inseparably connected with the
family Kober, the family who founded it and still owns it. |
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2003 |
AL-KO
takes over SECAMAI S.A. in France to force the
air-technology
distribution activities
Foundation
of a subsidiary in Riga, Latvia, for the distribution
of AL-KO Vehicle Technology and AL-KO Garden
+ Hobby products
in the baltic states |
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2004
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Takeover
of the SIEMON GmbH in Emmerzhausen, manufacturer
of air technology appliances
Foundation of a distribution company for AL-KO Vehicle Technology and AL-KO
Garden + Hobby in Kiev, Ukraine
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2005
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AL-KO takes over RTN-Goett SAS in France, manufacturer
of axes, brakes, overrun devices and other vehicle
technology accessories
Harald Kober was appointed to the board of management
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