Our milestones
The globally active group of companies has been family-owned since 1712 and is now in its 12th generation of shaping the global infrastructure for energy, communication and mobility.
We combine tradition with the future
The Knill Gruppe exemplifies one aspect of entrepreneurship in a globalised world: having the courage to embrace change while staying true to one’s roots, values, and convictions. Reinventing oneself constantly without losing sight of one’s identity is no easy task. It is courageous entrepreneurial personalities that have turned the Weizbach forge into a global player on the world market. In doing so, we demonstrate that tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive. We stand for enduring values and the courage to reinvent ourselves constantly.
First mention as a blade forge
The blacksmith Josef Mosdorfer moved from Bavaria to Weiz and married the widow Anna Lehr. The forge has been known as Mosdorfer ever since. Blades and sabres were made at this time.
The blacksmith Josef Mosdorfer moved from Bavaria to Weiz and married the widow Anna Lehr. The forge has been known as Mosdorfer ever since. Blades and sabres were made at this time.
Sickles and scythes
Mosdorfer receives the concession to produce sickles and scythes.
Mosdorfer receives the concession to produce sickles and scythes.
From Mosdorfer to Knill
After 8 generations of the Mosdorfer family, the Knill era begins with the marriage of Dipl-Ing. Friedrich Knill and Herta Mosdorfer.
After 8 generations of the Mosdorfer family, the Knill era begins with the marriage of Dipl-Ing. Friedrich Knill and Herta Mosdorfer.
Hoes and bush knives
Start of production of hoes and bush knives.
Start of production of hoes and bush knives.
Turnaround in the product range
Mosdorfer receives the first order for overhead line fittings for the 220 kV transmission line Kaprun-Ernsthofen (Austria).
Mosdorfer receives the first order for overhead line fittings for the 220 kV transmission line Kaprun-Ernsthofen (Austria).
Gunther Knill
He led the individual company to become an internationally renowned group of companies.
He led the individual company to become an internationally renowned group of companies.
Substations
Entry into the substation sector with the acquisition of the Lorünser company.
Entry into the substation sector with the acquisition of the Lorünser company.
Cabinet systems
The takeover of Assmann Electric and the subsequent founding of Elsta Mosdorfer is the expansion of the product range to include cabinet systems.
The takeover of Assmann Electric and the subsequent founding of Elsta Mosdorfer is the expansion of the product range to include cabinet systems.
Entry into special machine construction
Start of development and production of systems for cable and wire production with the takeover of Rosendahl.
Start of development and production of systems for cable and wire production with the takeover of Rosendahl.
Distribution systems up to 45 kV
Entry into the low and medium voltage industry with the acquisition of CCL Systems.
Entry into the low and medium voltage industry with the acquisition of CCL Systems.
Change of leadership
Christian Knill and Georg Knill take over the management of the Knill Gruppe.
Christian Knill and Georg Knill take over the management of the Knill Gruppe.
Fiber optic systems
Expansion of the portfolio with the entry into fiber optic system production through the acquisition of Nextrom.
Expansion of the portfolio with the entry into fiber optic system production through the acquisition of Nextrom.
Expansion in India and Thailand
Production sites for overhead line fittings and accessories for energy transmission and distribution.
Production sites for overhead line fittings and accessories for energy transmission and distribution.
Damping systems
Expansion of the energy range to include spacers, spacer dampers and vibration dampers.
Expansion of the energy range to include spacers, spacer dampers and vibration dampers.
Battery machines
Entry into the battery machine sector with the acquisition of Battery Machines.
Entry into the battery machine sector with the acquisition of Battery Machines.
Cabinet systems made of aluminum
Expansion of the enclosure systems division to include aluminum enclosures and heat dissipation technology with the acquisition of Almatec.
Expansion of the enclosure systems division to include aluminum enclosures and heat dissipation technology with the acquisition of Almatec.
Expansion in Australia
Acquisition of Graph Solutions – insulators, fittings and conductor accessories for Australian energy suppliers and the rail industry.
Acquisition of Graph Solutions – insulators, fittings and conductor accessories for Australian energy suppliers and the rail industry.
Railway systems in the portfolio
Expansion of the rail division with the acquisition of the Rail division of the PFISTERER Group under the name Mosdorfer Rail.
Expansion of the rail division with the acquisition of the Rail division of the PFISTERER Group under the name Mosdorfer Rail.
Expansion of the cabinet systems area
Acqusition of EBG electro GmbH and EBG innolab GmbH.
Acqusition of EBG electro GmbH and EBG innolab GmbH.
The roots of the Knill Gruppe go back to the year 1712. Mosdorfer was first mentioned as a bladesmith in Weiz. At that time, a large part of the annual production of sabres and blades was already being exported abroad. The era of the Knill family began with the marriage of Friedrich Knill and the second daughter of Moritz Mosdorfer in 1929. Friedrich Knill led the company to a decisive milestone in its history. He received the first order for overhead line fittings as part of the construction of the 220 kV Kaprun-Ernsthofen line in 1949.
In 1974, his son Gunther Knill takes over the management of Mosdorfer GmbH. He builds the individual company into an internationally significant group of companies. In 2002, Gunther Knill hands over to his sons Christian and Georg. Today, their aim is to secure the company’s long-term future and strategically develop the group of companies by continuously striving for market leadership and growth in promising sectors.
Experience history
In our in-house company museum, we bring over 300 years of company history to life. Here, visitors can experience how it all began. With original exhibits such as historical blades, sabres, sickles and hoes from past centuries, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating development of our family business. Discover how tradition and technology go hand in hand here.