Mahle and Kneht
The story of emergence and promotion of KNECHT filters on the world market finds its roots in the century before last. In 1899 in Germany in the city of Bad-Kannstadt entrepreneur Adolf Knecht set up small metallurgical factory Wurttembergische Metallmanufactur ADOLF KNECHT (WUMAK). Afterwards KNECHT Company was founded on the basis of this enterprise. From 1929 the company was engaged in development and production of air, oil and fuel filters. In 1955 the company was the first in Europe to use filter paper in filters for engines.
In 1977 concern MAHLE GmbH obtained control packet of KNECHT shares and in 1999 the company was given its new modern name -- MAHLE Filtersysteme GmbH .
MAHLE Filtersysteme Group finds itself among leading European manufacturers of filters and filter systems, used in motorbiulding, automaking and other branches of industry. Its range of products includes air and oil filters and modules, filters for cabs and aerosol filters, fuel filters as well as filtration systems for industrial application.
Today MAHLE Group, which headquarter is situated in Germany, Stuttgart -- Bad-Kannstadt, numbers 15 manufacturing enterprises that are engaged in filter production, 9 of them are located in the territory of Europe: in Germany, Austria, France, Spain and Great Britain. Factories in Mexico, India, Brazil, South Korea and the USA are focused on supply of regional enterprises that belong to large autoconcerns and of local aftermarkets.
Absolutely all productions of the company are certified according to ISO 9001, QS 9000 č VD.A 6.1. Filters are manufactured on equipment that was made on the basis of the company’s own engineering developments, conducted by MAHLE Filtersysteme research center. All products are subject to multistage quality control with application of SPC and FMEA systems.
In promotion of KNECHT products on the world market an important part is assigned to efficient work organization of MAHLE Filtersysteme Group. For management of financing activities, control of all stages of goods movement, planning of purchasing and product deliveries and provision of failure-free work of all subdivisions advanced information technologies were introduced in the company. Single network of electronic data processing, embracing all enterprises and agencies of the Group, makes possible prompt reaction on any changes of the market situation. Both suppliers and customers have an access to this network and thanks to constant dialogue with them the Group managed to pass from deliveries of separate components to deliveries of system units and modules.
Logistic center of the company, which is located in Shorndorf together with Central warehouse of KNECHT filters, is busy with product deliveries to OE manufacturers and to the aftermarket, including the Russian one. Auto filters KNECHT are supplied to practically all large OE manufacturers, including BMW, MERCEDES, AUDI, VOLKSWAGEN, FORD, OPEL, PORSCHE, GENERAL MOTORS, SEAT, RENAULT, VOLVO, SAAB, ROVER, ROLLS ROYCE, MAZDA, MITSUBISHI, SUZUKI, SKODA and so on. In terms of volumes of OE supplies this brand can be compared to MANN. About 65-70% fall to their share.
