Founding and Rise 1905-1945
- Knorr-Bremse GmbH founded in 1905 in Berlin by Georg Knorr
- Development of air brakes for freight trains turns Knorr-Bremse into the largest brake manufacturer for rail vehicles in Europe
- First Knorr air brakes for trucks are patented
Post-war period and reconstruction, 1945-1985
- Berlin plant confiscated after WWII
- New headquarters established in Munich
- KE control valve becomes UIC standard
- Knorr-Bremse enters the US market with the AAR DB-60 valve for rail vehicle
Expansion through concentration, 1985-2010
- 1985: Takeover by Heinz Hermann Thiele
- Fundamental restructuring and expansion strategy
- Knorr-Bremse consolidates the market
- Knorr-Bremse develops into one of the world’s leading braking technology companies
