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Making History

Follow the impressive history and most important milestones of KLINGER in Gumpoldskirchen.

1886 – 1928

1886 The young engineer Richard Klinger opens a small engineering workshop in Vienna.
A mere four years later he invents the reflex level gauge.
In 1892 Richard Klinger purchases premises for the founding of the “Gumpoldskirchner Maschinen- und Metallwarenfabrik”.
1898 Creation of the “Klingerit”, the revolutionary calendared compressed asbestos fibre gasket material.
1923 Richard Klinger invests in the public lighting infrastructure of Gumpoldskirchen.

In 1928 Karl Klinger takes over the business.
Klingerit 1000, an oil-resistant jointing material with wire mesh, is developed for head gaskets in combustion engines.
In 1931 the company is converted into a joint stock company.
The connection to the automotive industry opens up a new market segment – the production of brake pads.

In 1957 Hubert Klinger-Lohr becomes the new managing director of the Group.
Expansion of manufacturing sites and build-up of a European Distribution network with a 24/7 service.
1980 KLINGERSIL®, the world’s first high-pressure jointing sheet based on synthetic and mineral fibres, is developed.
Production of large industrial-scale ball valves – Ballostar®.

Dr. Thomas Klinger-Lohr becomes managing director of the KLINGER Group.
In 1994 the first asbestos-free gaskets are developed.
1996 The production of KLINGER®top-chem is launched.
2004 Celebration of the 111th anniversary and inauguration of the new office Building.
2009 Introduction of the revolutionary high-temperature sealing material KLINGER® Quantum.
Opening of new subsidiaries in Russia, Thailand and China.

Group management under Heinz Scharl, Christoph Klinger-Lohr and Peter Müller.
Strategic acquisitions in target segments and regions (Oil & Gas, Marine, US, Africa).
Focus on services and organic growth outside of Europe.
Initialization of Group Innovation and Talent Management programs.