Knab GmbH

What Knab GmbH does

Knab GmbH is a privately held German limited liability company (GmbH) operating a single-site automotive bodywork and paint workshop in Müllheim, Baden-Württemberg, serving the Markgräflerland region. Founded in 1985 by Karlheinz Knab and now solely owned and managed by Alexander Knoll (Karosseriebaumeister) since January 2010, the firm employs approximately 14 people and runs a tightly defined service portfolio covering accident repair (Karosseriearbeiten), vehicle painting (Lackierungen), automotive glass replacement, tire service, axle/chassis measurement, paint care and detailing, classic car and value preservation (Werterhaltung), insurance claim handling (Schadenabwicklung), and replacement vehicle provision (Ersatzfahrzeuge).

Its underlying technology stack is conventional for the trade: a computer-controlled 8-sensor axle measurement system, modern paint mixing infrastructure with access to all automobile manufacturer color recipes, paintless dent repair (PDR) and hail damage repair capabilities, and DEKRA / TÜV Süd certified workshop processes. There is no software, app, or platform product disclosed; the workshop differentiates on certified craftsmanship and a 6-year warranty on performed work. Customer segments split between regional private vehicle owners (B2C/SMB walk-ins) and an insurance-mediated B2B channel in which Knab operates as a trusted workshop (Vertrauenswerkstatt) and EUROGARANT specialist, with referrals routed primarily through the Innovation-Group (Motorcare) network covering over 50 insurers, supplemented by direct partnerships with DEVK, BgV, and a fleet relationship with Leaseplan.

Revenue is generated on a per-incident, quote-based fee model across each service line, with no subscription, licensing, or recurring revenue component. Go-to-market is direct (workshop walk-ins, phone, pickup/delivery) plus partner-driven referrals from insurance and fleet channels; there are no public pricing schedules. The business has not raised external funding and operates as a self-funded family-owned entity.

Name

Knab GmbH

Legal name

Knab GmbH

Website

https://knab-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Knab GmbH is a family-owned German bodywork and paint workshop in Müllheim serving private vehicle owners, insurance partners, and fleet customers in the Markgräflerland region with certified accident repair, painting, glass, and tire services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Müllheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle repair and bodywork services: One-time service fees for automotive body repair, accident damage restoration, and related mechanical services. Revenue generated per job/repair incident.
2. Vehicle painting services: Paint application services including full paint jobs, partial repairs, effect and design painting for vehicles of all types from harmonica to aircraft.
3. Tire service: Tire mounting, balancing, and tire change services for steel and aluminum wheels.
4. Paint and color sales: Sale of automotive paints and colors to customers, knowing the recipes of all automobile manufacturers.
5. Oldtimer restoration and value preservation: Classic car restoration services including leather interior work, convertible top replacement, and general value preservation services for vintage vehicles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Knab GmbH is an automotive bodywork and paint specialist workshop providing accident repair, vehicle painting, glass replacement, tire service, axle measurement, and classic car restoration services. The company operates a single physical workshop in Müllheim, Germany, and additionally handles the full insurance claims process for customers through its Innovation-Group partnership, including towing, pickup/delivery, and replacement vehicle provision.

Product overview

Knab GmbH is a bodywork and paint specialist workshop offering comprehensive automotive services. The company operates as a unified service offering with multiple interrelated automotive services including accident repair (Karosseriearbeiten), vehicle painting (Lackierungen), glass services (Verglasung), tire services (Reifenservice), and value preservation including oldtimer restoration (Werterhaltung). The services are coordinated through accident service (Unfallservice) and insurance claims management (Schadenabwicklung) with replacement vehicle provision. Additional services include axle measurement (Achsvermessung) and paint care detailing (Lackpflege & Aufbereitung). Since 1985, the company has served private customers and international automotive manufacturer workshops in the Markgräflerland region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Karosseriearbeiten (Bodywork Services)

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 20% reduction in repair costs through Innovation Group partnerships
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Innovation-Group (Motorcare)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary strategic partnership enabling Knab GmbH to process insurance claims for over 50 insurance companies including Allianz, AXA, and others. The Innovation-Group manages the coordination, invoice verification, and quality assurance for accident repairs, providing Knab with consistent referral volume and streamlined administrative processes.
• EUROGARANTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst EUROGARANT specialist workshop in Markgräflerland, qualifying as partner workshop for insurance companies through this network association.
• Autoglas-Expert I.G.F.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for automotive glass replacement services. As partner of Autoglas-Expert I.G.F., Knab professionally installs and replaces all types of glass including front, side, and rear windows for all vehicle types.
• DEVK VersicherungcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect partnership as trusted workshop (Vertrauenswerkstatt) for DEVK insurance company, enabling direct referral of insured customers for accident repairs.
• BgV (Betriebliche Versorgungswerk)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for vehicle damage services for BgV policyholders.
• LeaseplancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFleet management partnership with Leaseplan for vehicle repair and maintenance services on their fleet vehicles.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Vergölst: German tire and automotive service specialist (Continental subsidiary) operating a national workshop network for tire fitting, balancing, and related services. Directly comparable to Knab's Reifenservice offering.
• Pneuhage: German tire and wheel service network with retail and workshop locations across southern Germany. Comparable to Knab for tire mounting, balancing, and wheel services.
• Carglass: Germany's largest automotive glass repair and replacement specialist, directly comparable to Knab's glass services offered via the Autoglas-Expert I.G.F. partnership. Both serve insurers and end customers with mobile or workshop-based glass replacement.
• JUNiTED Autoglas: Cooperative network of independent autoglass workshops across Germany. Comparable to Knab for the glass replacement and insurance-mediated repair segments, with a similar workshop-based service model.

Broad incumbents

• ATU Auto Teile Unger: Germany's largest chain of automotive service workshops offering bodywork, paint, tires, and general repair. A broad incumbent whose service portfolio overlaps Knab's across body, paint, tire, and glass services at national scale.
• Bosch Car Service: Global franchised network of certified automotive repair workshops, including bodywork and accident repair in Germany. Comparable as a certified, multi-service workshop brand serving insurance and consumer customers.

Others

• EUROGARANT Partner Workshops: Network of certified body and paint specialist workshops partnering with major insurance companies. Knab is itself a EUROGARANT member; the broader network represents both peer workshops and the ecosystem that channels insurance referrals.
• Innovation Group: Claims management and workshop network operator connecting insurers (Allianz, AXA, etc.) with certified partner workshops. Functions as Knab's primary referral channel rather than a direct competitor, but shapes competitive dynamics for certified body shops.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knab-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Knab GmbH