Kniele GmbH

What Kniele GmbH does

Kniele GmbH is a family-owned German industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1991 and headquartered in Bad Buchau, Baden-Württemberg. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures custom mixing plants and components, with its flagship product being the patented Kniele Konus Mischer (KKM), a cone-shaped forced mixer using two mechanically driven agitators that produces higher shear and shorter mixing cycles than conventional planetary or drum mixers. Its product portfolio spans laboratory mixers (KKM-L, KKM-RT), the KIS Smart-Adaptive Mixer, suspension and screed mixers, and complete batching plants for concrete, dry mortar, UHPC, 3D concrete printing, foam concrete, wetcast, battery manufacturing/recycling, food/feed/pharmaceutical, and specialty chemicals. All major plant components (weighing, dosing, conveying, elevators, bulk material handling, and controls) are developed and manufactured in-house, enabling fully integrated turnkey solutions or modernization projects for existing plants.

Kniele generates revenue primarily through one-time engineered-to-order sales of complete mixing plants and components to enterprise industrial clients, with secondary revenue from spare parts, modernization, and custom engineering services. Pricing is negotiated per-project with no public price lists, reflecting the bespoke nature of each installation. The company serves highly diversified end markets including prefabricated concrete, ready-mix concrete, nuclear research facilities (e.g., CEA Marcoule), pharmaceutical and food processing, chemical processing, recycling, and metallurgy. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales through specialized mixing engineers at headquarters for the DACH region with channel partnerships in France (BSC-Béton Stone Consulting) and Scandinavia (SIMOTEC A/S, partnership concluded August 2025). Lead generation relies heavily on European trade show presence (Bauma, POWTECH, Intermat, Solids, BetonTage) and university research collaborations with Technical University of Rosenheim, RWTH Aachen, and TU Dresden. The company has remained entirely family-owned across three generations, with founder Erwin Kniele retiring in November 2024 and sons Harald and Alexander Kniele assuming leadership of the management board.

Name

Kniele GmbH

Legal name

Kniele GmbH

Website

https://kniele.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kniele GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer of patented conical forced-mixers (KKM) and custom-engineered mixing plants serving concrete, nuclear, pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and recycling industries across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Mixing Equipment

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Concrete Equipment (Mixers, Pumps, Batching) (IMAHAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Chemical Processing Equipment (Reactors, Mixers, Agitators) (IMAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Industrial mixing equipment
• Cone mixers
• Concrete mixing plants
• Bulk material handling
• Custom mixing solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Buchau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Mixing Plant Equipment Sales: Sale of complete mixing plants including cone mixers, batch plants, weighing systems, dosing technology, conveying systems, and elevators as engineered-to-order systems. Revenue is generated through project-based sales of custom industrial equipment and plants, typically sold as turnkey solutions or individual components to industrial clients in the concrete, chemical, and food/pharmaceutical industries.
2. Plant Components and Spare Parts: Sale of individual plant components including mixers, scales, dosing valves, conveyor belts, elevators, and accessories. Aftermarket sales of spare parts, modernization, and upgrade services for existing plants.
3. Custom Engineering and Modernization Services: Custom plant design, modernization, and retrofitting services for existing concrete and industrial mixing plants. Includes 3D scanning for plant integration, engineering, assembly, and commissioning services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kniele GmbH designs, manufactures, and supplies patented conical forced mixers (KKM series) and complete custom-engineered mixing plants for industrial clients. The company's offering spans individual mixer systems (KKM cone mixers, laboratory mixers, intensive mixers, adaptive KIS mixers), complete batching plants (row/tower plants, dry mortar plants, UHPC/SVB plants, 3D concrete printing plants, foam concrete, wetcast, battery manufacturing/recycling plants, food/pharma plants), and plant components (weighing, dosing, conveying, elevators, bulk material handling stations).

Product overview

Kniele GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of mixing technology solutions organized into three main categories: mixer systems (Mischersysteme), complete batching plants (Gesamtmischanlagen), and plant components (Anlagenkomponenten). The core product is the patented Kniele Konus Mischer KKM (KKM) conical forced mixer with its unique cone-shaped design and two mechanically driven turbulence arms. This is complemented by specialized laboratory mixers (KKM-L, KKM-5|1, KKM-RT), the intelligent KIS adaptive mixer, suspension mixer (SUS), and flowing screed mixer (AFE). Plant components include complete weighing systems (Waagen), dosing technology (Dosiertechnik), conveying technology for concrete and aggregates (Fördertechnik), elevators (Aufzüge), and bulk material handling equipment including Big-Bag stations. Complete plants cover applications from standard concrete production to specialized UHPC/SVB plants, 3D concrete printing, foam concrete, wetcast, battery manufacturing/recycling, food/pharmaceutical industries, and custom solutions. The company also provides modernization and renovation services for existing plants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kniele Konus Mischer KKM Patented flagship conical forced mixer with two mechanically driven agitators, ceramic lining for wear resistance, and optional high-pressure cleaning. Available in sizes from laboratory (KKM 100/150) to industrial (KKM 4500/6750). Serves concrete, food, chemical, pharmaceutical, recycling, and nuclear industries.
• Smart-Adaptive Mixer KIS Intelligent mixing system with adaptive control for different vortices, automatic torque/power adjustment via frequency converter, integrated vibration sensors for predictive maintenance, and innovative heating/cooling function for the mixer bowl.
• Ring Pan Intensive Mixer (Ringteller-Intensivmischer)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced mixing time and improved concrete quality with KKM compared to planetary mixers, as demonstrated at Creabeton Brugg, Profilbeton, and Reisch plants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIMOTEC A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Official strategic partnership concluded in August 2025 between KNIELE GmbH and Danish installation manufacturer SIMOTEC A/S, focusing on the Scandinavian market (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland). The partnership combines Kniele's cone mixer technology (KKM) with SIMOTEC's installation engineering expertise. SIMOTEC provides pre-assembly, installation, and commissioning support in Scandinavia, while Kniele supplies the core mixing technology.
• BSC-Béton Stone ConsultingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench channel partner representing Kniele in France. Emmanuel Cordary serves as specialist for mixing technology and plant components. Jointly exhibited at Intermat 2024. Successfully delivered multiple French projects including CEA Marcoule laboratory mixer and Eurenco planetary mixer project.
• Technical University of RosenheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership under Professor Johannes Lindner for the development of the KIS Smart-Adaptive Mixer. The project received ZIM subsidy funding in 2021 and resulted in the KIS mixer with adaptive vortex generation, frequency converter control, vibration sensors for predictive maintenance, and innovative heating/cooling function. The mixer is being prepared for industrial use in paper coating applications.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on textile concrete technology and fiber-reinforced briquetting of fine process by-products. Kniele developed a pilot plant based on a modified cone mixer for fiber-reinforced cement-free briquetting. Also explored geopolymer concrete mixing applications. These projects contribute to resource conservation and CO2 reduction in industry.
• TU DresdenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the field of 3D concrete printing technology. Kniele participated in the 6th Industrial Seminar on 3D Concrete Printing at TU Dresden and presented its development history in this field, including the first delivery of two mobile mixing plants in 2014 to XTreeE.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SANY: SANY is a Chinese-based global construction equipment manufacturer offering a broad portfolio including concrete mixing plants and mixers. Represents the well-capitalized global incumbent category against which Kniele competes for large infrastructure and precast projects.
• Putzmeister: Putzmeister is a large, established concrete machinery manufacturer (pumps, mixers, and complete plants) serving global construction markets. While broader in scope, Putzmeister overlaps in concrete batching and mixing technology with Kniele's plant offerings to large construction clients.
• CIFA: CIFA is an Italian manufacturer of concrete mixers, batching plants, and concrete pumps with significant European and global presence. Broad incumbent competitor in concrete mixing equipment, particularly relevant given Kniele's Italian-speaking market adjacency and precast customer base.
• SCHWING Stetter: SCHWING Stetter is a major global OEM of concrete mixing plants, truck mixers, and concrete pumps with a much larger installed base than Kniele. A broad incumbent competitor in concrete batching and mixing equipment across Europe and emerging markets.

Direct peers

• TEKA Maschinenbau: TEKA is a German manufacturer of high-intensity mixers, planetary mixers, and mixing plants for the concrete, precast, and industrial sectors. Closely comparable mid-sized German OEM competing for similar engineered-to-order concrete and dry-mortar plant business.
• Liebherr Mischtechnik: Liebherr's mixing technology division is a direct competitor in concrete and industrial mixers, producing planetary, pan, twin-shaft, and ring-pan mixers for the same precast, ready-mix, and industrial customer base. Notably, Kniele's founder Erwin Kniele worked at Liebherr Mischtechnik before founding the company, making it a foundational comparable.
• WAMGROUP: WAMGROUP is a global manufacturer of bulk material handling and mixing equipment, including industrial mixers, screw conveyors, and Big-Bag stations. Directly overlaps with Kniele's conveying, elevator, and big-bag handling product categories across the same European industrial customer base.
• BHS Sonthofen: BHS-Sonthofen is a leading German manufacturer of industrial mixing, drying, and reaction technology, including the well-known DKX twin-shaft mixer. Competes head-to-head with Kniele in engineered concrete and specialty mixing plants for industrial clients across Europe.
• Eirich: Eirich (Gustav Eirich Maschinenfabrik) is a German specialist in intensive mixers, including the iconic Eirich Intensive Mixer with rotating pan and movable tools. Direct overlap with Kniele's Ringteller-Intensivmischer and KKM product lines, particularly in concrete, refractory, and chemical applications.

Others

• HAVER & BOECKER: HAVER & BOECKER is a German equipment manufacturer already partnered with Kniele on an integrated lightweight plaster plant (KKM mixer + Haver & Boecker bagging system). Comparable as an adjacent packaging/bulk material handling OEM and existing integration partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kniele-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Kniele GmbH