We are specialists for the individualisation of products. Our solutions cover machines, software and integrated concepts which guarantee secure workflows. Here you may receive a vivid insight about the most important events in the history of our company.
With a particular love for handicraft, Otto Kuennecke senior founded a locksmith’s shop in Holzminden in the year 1934. The foundation stone was laid for the successful company history in the family house of his wife who was at the same time his first employee!
After Otto Kuennecke senior qualified as a Master Electrical Installation Technician, he went into business, and engaged his first apprentice on the 1st of April 1935. This man continued to work in the company as a journeyman until 1950.
After the war, the reconstruction of damaged buildings was begun without delay. So the roofing ceremony could already be celebrated on 2nd August 1945. As a result of much hard work and diligence, passion and innovation, a move of the company headquarters became necessary.
In this year the new building was completed at the Kapellenbrink 13 and subsequently the move was made into a new headquarters.
The permit for the welding of steel-framed buildings was given to the company in 1961. In this way, whole steel halls could be constructed in addition to the aluminum building elements already being produced. In the following year the company premises were expanded by a second hall.
On 1st January 1966 the legal status of the company was changed into a registered partnership. The Otto Kuennecke o.H.G. Metal Construction and Electric Installation company gained (in addition to the son of the founder) a new joint owner. Otto Kuennecke junior had completed his training in the paternal company and also qualified himself with the Master examinations in the professions of metal-worker and electrician.
The transformation of the company into a KG (a form of private limited partnership) occurred in the year 1972. From now on the company is known as Otto Kuennecke KG.
The foundation stone for a new and necessary factory was laid in 1976. Already in May of that year. The production began in Holzminden of steel construction materials and aluminum elements in two separate halls.
The first enveloping installations in the department of mechanical engineering were developed in 1994 and in 1996 the first automatic enveloping systems could be delivered to the ADAC (German automobile club).
The portfolio was extended significantly with smart card machines following the takeover of the company Meinen und Ziegel. During the year the first trader contract was signed for this purpose in the USA.
Since 2003 driver’s licenses are processed in 28 states of the USA using Otto Kuennecke machines. At that time 110 employees worked for the company.
Otto Künnecke GmbH acquires Tape Layer, Strip Cutter, Collation systems, and card punching machines from Bürkle, thereby expanding its portfolio to offer comprehensive solutions from card production to processing.
After a close cooperation over many years, the Otto Kuennecke GmbH integrated the IT system company BitNet GmbH into a new business field, Digital Solutions. This sets the way for innovative and comprehensive synergy effects.
In July of 2019 the company celebrated 85 years of successful existence. For this occasion, customers and partners were invited to Holzminden to celebrate and learn more about the latest developments in the company.
With the acquisition of Driven Cards S.r.l., the corporate group expands its portfolio to include innovative and robust desktop systems for decentralized personalization of cards and passports in small batches.
Starting in 2021, Niklas and Lisa Künnecke represent the fourth generation actively involved in the corporate group.
Through the partial acquisition of MIMOT GmbH and the founding of Otto Künnecke Customer Service GmbH, the group enters the electronic manufacturing market. It now supplies placement machines and intelligent storage solutions for SMD reels and electronic components. The fourth generation, Niklas Künnecke, becomes Chief Operating Officer of the new company.
In 2021, create.now GmbH is founded. The second member of the fourth generation, Lisa Künnecke, also takes on a new role within the corporate group as Co-Founder and Head of create:. She takes the lead in managing create:agency, a creative agency for digital brand experiences.
In 2024, the corporate group celebrates its 90th anniversary and reflects on an eventful past full of innovation and growth, now with around 220 employees.
