Since its founding in 1930, the family business has developed continuously over three generations, advancing from manual craftsmanship to today’s computer-based model building. Today, however, the craftsman’s knowledge and skills are still required to accomplish model building in a goal-oriented way.
1930 – The company is founded by Heinrich Knebel in Sossenheim, Frankfurt am Main – it manufactures wooden models for special machines
1938 – The firm moves into a new building, still the company’s site today
Expansion of production with metal model building during WWII
1945 – Manufacture of joinery machinery and pumps of various kinds
1954 – Lorenz Knebel, the owner’s son, gains his master craftsman certificate.
1955 – Foundry models are needed once again. The products manufactured now range from bearing shields to marine engines, moulds and Croning (shell-moulding) installations for renowned companies
1965 – More special machines are used for model building – and these “Knebel models” prove themselves thanks to their high standards of quality and durability.
Mr. Knebel Senior insists on the company’s own special paint tint, enabling the models to be recognized instantly as products of Modellbau Knebel & Sohn oHG.
1973 – Lorenz Knebel takes over the company and restructures it – the name is now Modellbau Knebel & Sohn KG. The production side focuses more on the automotive industry and especially on the manufacture of brakes for cars, trucks and military technology. The first disc brakes for trucks, developed by ATE, are implemented with the help of Knebel models.
1985 – The company specialises in car brakes and ABS – Knebel models are now used in foundries all over Europe
1988 – “Modellbau Knebel & Sohn GmbH” is established
1992 – Heinz-Jürgen Knebel gains his master craftsman certificate in model building
1997 – He becomes the new Managing Director. CAD is introduced, increasingly replacing the conventional models
1998 – Expansion of production for the aviation industry
2000 – CAD models are shipped to Europe and the USA. New technology and reliable business connections implement what model building still uses today : 2D, 3D, CAM and CAQ.
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