Knorr-Bremse celebrates 120 years
By Luke Willetts - 11th February 2025
Knorr-Bremse anniversary
Germany – This year, Knorr-Bremse AG of Munich, Germany, is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Founded by engineer Georg Knorr in Berlin on January 19, 1905, the company has evolved into a global leader in braking systems and safety-critical sub-systems for rail and commercial vehicles. The company gained notoriety and achieved commercial success after it introduced the first pneumatic braking system for trains.
In 1985, Heinz Hermann Thiele took over Knorr-Bremse through a management buyout, driving further investment that led to market leadership. After merging with Süddeutsche Bremsen AG to form Knorr-Bremse AG, he focused on core divisions (Rail Vehicle Systems and Commercial Vehicle Systems) and expanded internationally. This led Knorr-Bremse to become a global leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Its 2018 IPO provided financial flexibility for future success. By 2023, the company held 12,000 patents and generated approximately EUR 7.9 billion in annual revenue.
