Company history
We can look back on a successful company history since 1863 ...
Founded in 1863, today we are the market leader in the production of aluminium profiles for textile and resilient floor coverings and profile systems for all hard floor coverings such as laminate, prefabricated parquet and solid wood floors. The production of the first metal profiles already began in 1920. In the following ten years, plastic and metal floor profiles were manufactured and sold in parallel. At the end of 1993, the plastic production was stopped and Küberit® focused on the materials aluminium, brass and stainless steel.
With the acquisition of the European industry leaders for laminate, wooden flooring and elastic coverings as customers, Küberit® established itself as a supplier of the flooring industry already in 1990 and thus laid the foundation for today's market position. The high, consistent quality and innovative application solutions have made the Küberit® brand the first address for the flooring industry especially in the last 27 years - worldwide.
1863
Foundation of the company Herm. Friedr. Künne in Altena
Unfortunately, nothing is known about the first years of the company's history. However, by the time the company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1888, Künne already had 5 employees.
Distribution of articles for interior and window decoration.
1896
Albert Wilhelm Bergfeld becomes a partner in the company
In 1896, Mr. Künne took his former apprentice Mr. Albert Wilhelm Bergfeld into the company as a partner at the age of 31.
At the beginning of 1900, the Künne company moved from the Rahmede district to the center of Altena.
1913
50th anniversary
The company moved to the imposing new building "Hinterm Bach 10" in 1913, by which time Künne was already celebrating its 50th anniversary. The anniversary catalogue with products for interior and window decoration as well as furniture fittings comprised over 200 pages.
1920
Production and trade of the first floor profiles
The First World War had left its mark. In 1919, the catalogue had only 25 pages and the product range had shrunk by about 80%. Rebuilding normal business relations proved difficult. Mr. Albert Bergfeld Jr. joined the company in 1923 and was given power of attorney in 1925.
1930
First patents of its own
A. W. Bergfeld acquired the shares of Mrs. L. Künne in 1927 and thus became the sole managing director and owner. In 1936, he transferred shares in the company to his sons Albert Jr. and Herbert. In 1930, the company's first patent was obtained; the Kü-Be roll-ring set replaced the old style and porter sets.
1938
75th anniversary
On the occasion of the company's 75th anniversary in 1938, the company building "Hinterm Bach" was festively decorated. The festivities took place in the Knights' Hall of Altena Castle.
1950
The company relies entirely on the material plastic
The first used plastic extruders produced floor profiles, skirting boards and stair profiles for linoleum, PVC and carpeting. The product range was rounded off by trading in tools and accessories for floor layers.
1970
The first staircase combination profile is presented and later TÜV tested
1988
World's first Parquet Profile System (PPS®)
A milestone in the company's history was the development of the world's first parquet profile system (PPS®). The patented "PPS 384" by Küberit® was distributed for the first time via parquet manufacturers. Küberit® is a compound name and stands for the families Künne and Bergfeld.
1993
Strategic realignment of the Küberit® company
Küberit® distributed its flooring profiles via parquet and laminate manufacturers and thus broke new ground in the industry.
The decision was made to close the ailing plastics department and to concentrate entirely on high-quality metal profiles.
1996
Move into the new business and production premises in Lüdenscheid
The beginning expansion course of the Künne company led to the move to Lüdenscheid and gave the starting signal for a rapid company development. Efficiency was significantly increased and automation was driven forward.
1999
Start of wrapping of aluminum profiles with wood decors, CPL and real wood veneers
2000
Modernisation of the production facilities
2001
Takeover of the SGH company from Bavaria
The competitor SGH, located in Denkendorf, Bavaria, was taken over as a subsidiary in 2001 in order to open up the additional distribution channel of wood trading for the first time and at the same time to be able to better protect Küberit's industrial customers in the market.
2002
Construction of the second plant in Drolshagen
This location was already expanded in 2004 with the construction of a new 2,800 sqm production hall.
2006
Commissioning of 2 new production lines for aluminium profiles
2007
Construction of a fully automated high-bay warehouse at the headquarters in Lüdenscheid
After a building time of only 13 months the high rack storage system with a
capacity of 5,3 mil. rm was put into operation in 2008 and is unique in this industrial sector till this day. In the same year the fully automated facility for self-adhesive profiles was put into operation.
2009
Company management focuses on future-oriented investments
A new polishing machine and an automatic packaging line were purchased. Since 2010, laser engravings can be produced on customer request. Investment in an EDP system/software. Change of name to Küberit Profile Systems GmbH & Co. KG.
2011
Investment in the latest large-scale scanner and digital printing technology
Investments in digital printing and hot varnishing technologies followed 2011 and 2012 and enable today´s production of durable surfaces with a high
abrasion class of AC3 and AC5. Investment in new surface technology for metal profiles.
2013
Küberit® turns 150 years old!
2014
Change in the Executive Management
Udo Ulbrich becomes new active managing director as successor to Frank Sondermann.
2015
Company logo in the new "Original Küberit®" design
2017
PPS 4.0 sets new standards
4th generation of PPS® profile systems: BASIS profile with three adjustment grooves and predetermined bending point for tilting; the 40 mm wide BASIS profile allows laterally offset drilling from the screed joint or a larger adhesive application area
2018
New EDP for the future
2020
Küberit® USA LLC in Alabama, USA is founded
2021
Restructuring measures
Conversion and renovation measures enable the parent company and subsidiary to be united at one location.
2022
New website and new company logo
Completely new search with extensive filter options on the new homepage
Investment in a PIM system (Product Information Management) for the media-neutral administration and maintenance of product information
2022
NeoCon Awards
Küberit was awarded at the architect fair NeoCon (13.06 - 15.06 in Chicago). NeoCon is North America's largest design exhibition for commercial interiors.
We won a NeoCon Silver Award in the flooring category for our mechanical expansion joint profiles.
2022
ECOPROFIT programme
Küberit has successfully completed the ÖKOPROFIT programme sponsored by the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Environment.
2025
Küberit focuses on ecology
With the commissioning of a photovoltaic system in July 2025 with 740 modules and a total output of 330 kWp, Küberit is taking another important step towards sustainable and environmentally friendly production.
2025
Change in management
Dagmar Sanker will hand over management of the company to her daughter Pia Sanker on 1 January 2025.
Hardy Burdach will take over management of the company on 1 September 2025.
Image Gallery
For over 160 years, the Küberit name has stood for innovation, proving some things never change.