History
From a Vision to a Globally Successful Building Materials Company
The Knauf Group began from a passion of construction materials and over the company’s long and eventful history, it has grown from an exclusively family-owned company to a globally operating corporate enterprise – all without losing sight of the core values of Menschlichkeit, Partnership, Commitment, and Entrepreneurship. With a remarkable mix of tradition and innovation, Knauf has transformed into a successful global player, characterized by sustainable products of the highest quality and empowered by its diversity of creative and enthusiastic people.
1932
1932
It all began in 1932, when the brothers and mining engineers Alfons and Karl Knauf secured the mining rights for the gypsum deposits in the municipality of Schengen (Upper Moselle). Their project was quickly rewarded with success: Already in the following year, the Knauf brothers built their own first gypsum plant at the same location, laying the foundations for today’s Knauf Group.
1949
1949
With the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, the Knauf company also ventured a new beginning and moved its headquarters from the Moselle to Iphofen in northern Bavaria, representing a milestone in the company’s history. In Iphofen, Knauf built a modern gypsum plaster plant and set up the new headquarters of the Knauf Group.
1958
1958
The rise of the family-owned company as an innovative partner in the building materials market began in the German town of Iphofen. With the production of new types of gypsum boards, Knauf established completely new ways of building as early as 1958. In the mid-1960s, Knauf produced the world’s first machine plaster “MP75” and developed the corresponding mixing and conveying machines as well as modern flowing screeds based on anhydrite at the same time.
1970
1970
In 1970, Knauf initially invested in a construction material that is not based on gypsum: Perlite. The corresponding investment in Deutsche Perlite GmbH (Dortmund) illustrated the company’s systemic ambitions. In the following years, the product portfolio was regularly expanded, including construction chemicals, lime- and cement-bound plasters, insulating materials, and mineral ceiling systems, as well as the cement board Aquapanel. In addition to this, Knauf developed molded parts made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) for packaging and injection-molded parts for the automotive and consumer electronics industries, which were produced primarily in France. Today, this part of the company operates under the name Knauf Industries.
1978
1978
Knauf entered the North American market by taking over a production facility for glass wool insulation in Shelbyville (U.S.) and thus laid the foundations for the insulation division, Knauf Insulation, which is an integral part of our Group.
1980
1980
At the beginning of the 1980s, Nikolaus and Baldwin Knauf, the sons of the company’s founding fathers, took over the management of the Knauf Group. With the consistent conversion and continuation of the corporate philosophy, they played a significant role in Knauf’s worldwide rise.
1989
1989
Knauf entered the Turkish market through a joint venture and started its production of gypsum plasterboards in Ankara, Turkey.
1991
1991
The Knauf Group started its first operations in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Knauf took over numerous building materials manufacturing plants and invested continuously in modernization and new plants.
1997
1997
In 1997 Knauf established its market presence in China and South America, started the production of gypsum products, and acquired large gypsum deposits to secure raw materials for future generations.
2004
2004
Knauf started its first operations in North Africa by purchasing a plaster plant in Tunisia.
2006
2006
In early 2006, Knauf Insulation acquired Heraklith, a major player in Central and Eastern Europe and a significant manufacturer with six rock mineral wool plants and three wood wool plants.
2008
2008
In 2008, Nikolaus and Baldwin Knauf joined the company’s shareholders’ committee, switching between the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.
2011
2011
Knauf formally entered the Australian market with the acquisition of a gypsum business, which included two plasterboard plants in Sydney and Melbourne. A third plasterboard plant was subsequently built in Bundaberg. Knauf established a greenfield factory in UAE, Ras al Khaimah, and started production of plasterboards, profiles, and jointing compounds.
2013
2013
Knauf began to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia by investing in a new plant in Thailand. New plants in Vietnam and Philippines were to follow.
2014
2014
Knauf Insulation completed its acquisition of Guardian Insulation (U.S.), including Guardian Fiberglass and Guardian Laminated Building Products (which became Silvercote, LLC). By more than doubling the production capacity of glass mineral wool in North America, this integration targeted positioning Knauf Insulation as a leading manufacturer throughout North America.
2019
2019
Knauf acquired the USG Corporation, Chicago (U.S.), the number one in North America in the drywall market and number two in the ceiling system market. This acquisition was one of the milestone transactions in our company’s history, making it possible to substantially expand our business in the North American market.
2019
In 2019, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions, WAVE, and Knauf AMF became one, forming a new division of the Knauf Group: Knauf Ceiling Solutions (KCS). Knauf Ceiling Solutions is now a major player in the ceiling market, offering a wide range of multi-material ceiling solutions covering mineral, metal, wood and wood wool, as well as system ceiling solutions.
2021
2021
The acquisition of USG Boral secured Knauf’s position as the market leader for drywall systems in Asia-Pacific (APAC). The acquisition added around 2,800 employees and 19 plasterboard plants to Knauf’s network, allowing the APAC region to optimize the extended distribution network to enhance its position in each market and provide a platform for further growth.
2022
2022
In 2022, Knauf acquired an additional 25% of the Japanese drywall manufacturer Chiyoda Ute, resulting in 75% ownership of the company. On August 1st, Chiyoda Ute achieved a significant milestone by producing the world’s first 100% climate-neutral drywall at its plant in Yokkaichi. This innovative product contains 100% recycled gypsum, making it an environmentally-friendly choice for customers.