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Introduction

Introduction

A modern company – for 150

KSB is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2021 under the motto

“People. Passion. Performance.” What began with an idea has

developed into a leading global player for pumps, valves and service.

Steam-driven piston

pump circa 1890 with

two “Klein hearts”

It all began with an idea

In 1871, mechanical engineer Johannes Klein received the

patent for his boiler feed apparatus. In that same year, together

with Friedrich Schanzlin and Jakob August Becker, he founded

Frankenthaler Maschinen- & Armatur - Fabrik Klein, Schanzlin

& Becker, employing twelve staff.

The company grew steadily, becoming an Aktiengesellschaft

(public limited company) in 1887 and acquiring many companies

in Germany.

The path to becoming a global group

In 1925, KSB founded its first company abroad. New companies

in Argentina (1941), Pakistan (1953) and South Africa (1959)

marked the beginning of the operations outside of Europe.

During the 1980s KSB took over further companies and

expanded its range of products. In 1986, KSB acquired the

leading French pump manufacturer Pompes Guinard, followed

three years later by Amri, the second largest valve manufacturer

in the world. The acquisition of the US company GIW Industries

in 1988 signalled KSB’s entry to the slurry pump market. In

1991, KSB integrated Hallesche Pumpenwerke GmbH into its