K+B Progres

What K+B Progres does

K+B Progres is a privately-held joint-stock company (a.s.) headquartered in Klíčany u Prahy, near Prague, Czech Republic, operating as a universal distributor of consumer electronics with origins tracing to 1960 in Cham, Germany (founded by Josef Kappenberger and Michael Braun). The company runs a dual-channel model: (i) wholesale and drop-shipping supply of consumer electronics to enterprise e-commerce partners — described as "leading global" players — via a B2B online portal covering approximately 1.3 million SKUs across more than 37 countries, and (ii) consumer retail through approximately 50 Expert-branded stores in the Czech Republic and additional Expert stores in Germany, plus the expert.cz and expert.de e-commerce platforms. A third revenue arm — electrical installation, control-unit manufacturing, and IT/security services — is delivered through the German K+B E-Tech subsidiary.

The product offering combines third-party brand distribution with a proprietary own brand. K+B holds exclusive distribution rights in Czech Republic and adjacent markets for Hitachi, Telefunken, Yamaha, Midea and Carrera, layered with its own ECG brand of household and kitchen appliances, which has been launched across 22 markets worldwide. Logistics are anchored by a 15,000-square-meter central warehouse in Klíčany operated on a Warehouse Management System (WMS), supported by a representative office in Guangzhou, China for sourcing, a B2B portal (b2b.kbprogres.cz), an expert training facility for sales staff, and membership in the Expert International retail network (7,400+ stores in 21 countries, combined retail sales exceeding €20 billion, shared Expert Club customer loyalty program).

K+B generates revenue through wholesale hardware and drop-shipping transactions to e-commerce partners, retail hardware sales via Expert-branded physical stores and online storefronts, and professional services from German IT/electrical installation work. Operations run through wholly-owned subsidiaries — K+B Progres (Czech wholesale), K+B Elektro-Technik, expert ČR s.r.o., K+B Expert s.r.o., K+B IT Technik Germany, and K+B E-Tech GmbH & Co. KG — plus a Bratislava organizational branch and a Zagreb office opened in 2017 to extend into Southern Europe. The company is GDPR-compliant, is not listed on any exchange, and continues to operate under the founding Kappenberger and Braun families.

Name

K+B Progres

Legal name

K+B Progres, a.s.

Website

https://kappenberger-braun.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

K+B Progres is a Czech Republic-based wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, supplying approximately 1.3 million items to e-commerce and drop-shipping partners across 37+ countries while operating Expert-branded retail stores and the proprietary ECG brand in 22 markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Electronics Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065), Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Marketplaces & Wholesale Platforms (BPAMAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wholesale/B2B Generalist Marketplaces (CRAFAAAF), Commercial/Prosumer Appliance Retail (Light Commercial, Prosumer Kitchen/Laundry) (CRACACAI), Commercial/Pro AV & Home Theater (Prosumer) Retail (CRACAEAL)

Keywords

• Consumer electronics distribution
• Wholesale B2B supply
• Drop shipping services
• Consumer electronics retail
• Private label appliances

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution to E-commerce: K+B Progres distributes approximately 1.3 million consumer electronics articles to e-commerce business partners through its B2B portal and export operations across 37+ countries.
2. Consumer Electronics Retail (Expert Stores): Retail sale of consumer electronics through Expert branded stores in Czech Republic (50 stores) and Germany. Includes in-store expert consultation, online e-shop at expert.cz, and customer loyalty program (Expert Club).
3. Electrical Installation and Control Systems: K+B Elektro-Technik provides electrical installation, production of control units, and security technologies, including manufacturing of high-voltage distribution cabinets for domestic and foreign markets.
4. IT and Security Technology Services: K+B IT Technik Germany provides IT and electrical installation services, production of control units and security technologies for demanding projects in Germany.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

K+B Progres is a universal distributor of consumer electronics that wholesale supplies approximately 1.3 million product items through its B2B portal to e-commerce and drop-shipping partners across more than 37 countries. It also operates a retail network of roughly 50 Expert-branded consumer electronics stores in the Czech Republic (and additional stores in Germany) and sells its own ECG-branded household appliances, alongside acting as an exclusive distributor for brands including Hitachi, Telefunken, Yamaha, Midea, and Carrera.

Product overview

K+B Progres is a leading distributor of consumer electronics operating throughout Europe and beyond, reaching more than 37 countries. The company operates a multi-channel business model consisting of: (1) the ECG proprietary brand of home appliances distributed globally across 22 markets, (2) the Expert retail store network of over 50 physical stores in the Czech Republic as part of Expert International's 7,400-store global network, (3) a B2B wholesale and drop-shipping platform serving e-commerce businesses with access to approximately 1.3 million product items, and (4) exclusive distribution partnerships with major brands including Hitachi, Telefunken, Yamaha, Midea, and Carrera. The company was founded in 1960 in Cham, Germany, by Josef Kappenberger and Michael Braun, and expanded into the Czech Republic in 1991.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ECG: Own brand for household appliances and kitchen appliances, successfully introduced in 22 markets worldwide.

Products and services

• ECG (Electro Component Group) Proprietary brand of household and kitchen appliances (including kitchen machines, audio systems, and home appliances) distributed by K+B Progres and present in 22 markets worldwide.
• Expert Retail Stores (Czech Republic) Network of approximately 50 Expert-branded consumer electronics retail stores across the Czech Republic, part of the Expert International network of 7,400+ stores in 21 countries; offers expert in-store consultation and access to the Expert Club loyalty program.
• Expert E-shop (expert.cz) Online retail platform for consumer electronics, white goods, kitchen appliances, and home appliances, integrated with the Expert Club loyalty program.
• B2B Wholesale Portal Dedicated B2B web portal enabling wholesale orders and drop-shipping transactions for e-commerce business partners, with access to approximately 1.3 million items in the catalog; access requires contractual relationship.
• Wholesale Consumer Electronics Distribution Wholesale distribution of consumer electronics across more than 37 countries, acting as exclusive agent and distributor for brands including Hitachi, Telefunken, Yamaha, ECG, Midea, and Carrera.
• K+B Expert Germany Retail Stores Expert-branded consumer electronics retail stores in Germany providing retail access alongside expert.de, integrated with the Expert International retail network.
• K+B Elektro-Technik Electrical Installation and Control Systems Production of high-voltage distribution cabinets, electrical installation, and control units for demanding projects in domestic and foreign markets, operated through K+B Elektro-Technik.
• K+B IT Technik Germany IT and Security Services IT services, electrical installation, production of control units, and security technologies for demanding projects in Germany via K+B IT Technik Germany.

Quantifiable outcome

• 37+ countries served with wholesale distribution
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VMD Business Center (Zagreb)minorOthers · 12 January 2017K+B Progres opened a new office in Zagreb, Croatia, located in the VMD Business Center, one of the most prestigious business locations, to strengthen its presence in Southern Europe.
• Expert InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B Expert is a member of Expert International, the largest world network of specialized electronics stores with more than 7,400 stores in 21 countries and total retail sales exceeding 20 billion Euros. K+B operates Expert retail stores in Czech Republic and Germany under this network.
• HitachicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B is an exclusive agent and distributor for Hitachi products in Czech Republic. Hitachi provides unique service combining various application areas with top current information technology.
• TelefunkencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B is an exclusive agent and distributor for Telefunken products. For 112 years Telefunken has represented ingenuity and innovation in consumer electronics and industrial products.
• YamahacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B is an exclusive agent and distributor for Yamaha products. Yamaha produces and delivers products and services satisfying various needs and wishes worldwide, known for excellent quality in acoustics, design, technology, craftsmanship, and customer-oriented services.
• ECG (Own Brand)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerECG is K+B's own proprietary brand of household appliances and consumer electronics. Successfully launched in 22 markets worldwide. Known for wide product range, design, innovation, and affordable products.
• MideaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B distributes Midea products, including robotic vacuum cleaners. Midea is a top-10 global household appliance manufacturer with 50 years of experience, present in 200 countries with over 62,000 patents.
• CarreraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorK+B is an exclusive agent and distributor for Carrera products.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TD SYNNEX: Global IT and consumer electronics distributor with major European operations serving resellers and retailers. Much larger scale, but same B2B distribution business model and same vendor roster overlap (including CE brands).
• RS Components: Global distributor of electronic, electrical, and industrial components with strong European presence serving B2B customers. Comparable in B2B distribution of electronics into industrial/professional channels, though more industrial-leaning.
• Expert International: The parent buying group/network of which K+B Expert is a member. Operates 7,400+ specialty electronics stores in 21 countries with €20B+ retail sales; the broader umbrella of which K+B is a national member rather than standalone competitor.
• Ingram Micro: World's largest IT and CE distributor with extensive European footprint. Comparable in channel-distribution business model and e-commerce supplier role, but at vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• ALSO Group: Switzerland-based European IT and consumer electronics wholesale distributor serving resellers, retailers, and e-commerce partners across 30+ European countries. Direct comparable: similar B2B platform/wholesale model, multi-country reach, and vendor distribution partnerships.
• Conrad Electronic: Germany-based electronics distributor and mail-order/online retailer serving both B2B and prosumer customers across Europe. Direct comparable in Central European CE distribution with own-brand product lines.
• Euronics International: European specialist electronics buying group and retail network, direct counterpart to Expert International. Operates thousands of independent CE member stores across Europe, comparable in retail footprint model and category focus.

Others

• Midea Group: Top-10 global household appliance manufacturer (200+ countries, 62,000+ patents) listed as a K+B distribution partner. Relevant as the upstream supplier counterpart in K+B's value chain and as a comparable in ECG's competitive set.

Regional players

• Darty / FNAC Darty: French-headquartered multichannel consumer electronics retailer serving France, Benelux, Iberia, and Switzerland. Comparable in CE retail model under a unified brand, though not a direct competitor in CZ/DE markets.

Emerging players

• Vestel: Turkish OEM/ODM manufacturer of consumer electronics and home appliances sold across Europe under retailer brands. Comparable as a partner/supplier competitor in the European CE distribution value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/k-b-progres---expert-retail

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about K+B Progres