Knief & Co. Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung

What Knief & Co. Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung does

Knief & Co. GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German manufacturer founded in 1979 and headquartered in Bremen, operating from a 3,500+ sqm facility that integrates offices, warehousing, final production, and a representative showroom. The company designs and produces two parallel luxury bathroom product platforms: a freestanding acrylic bathtub collection of more than 60 models marketed under the AquaPlus, AquaSpa, and AquaTecc sub-brands, and the K|Stone solid surface architectural line comprising 14 coordinated design series covering bathtubs, washbasins, showers, furniture, and accessories. Both product families are manufactured 100% in Europe, with the acrylic line based on cross-linked cast Lucite sanitary acrylic and the solid surface line based on a proprietary mineral compound of aluminum trihydrate and modified polyester resin with acrylic constituent; production is certified to ISO 9001 and the products carry CE, LGA, DIN EN ISO 19712, and EN 14516/EN 198 conformity. Creative direction is led by designer Peter Jamieson (Monte Carlo), whose signature K|Stone collections such as Feel, MOON, and Coast anchor the premium positioning, and MOON won the European Product Design Award 2021.

Knief makes money through three revenue channels: (1) one-time sales of luxury bathtubs and solid surface products through an authorized specialist dealer and showroom network that explicitly discourages e-commerce purchase; (2) a dedicated B2B Pro_area portal that supplies architects, designers, showrooms, and agents with BIM models, technical drawings, 3D assets, and catalogues; and (3) OEM manufacturing of components or finished products for well-known bathroom brands in the project business. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with personal consultation through authorized dealers positioned as the recommended buying path. The customer base spans luxury residential and commercial architecture projects, the European specialist trade, and industrial OEM partners.

The business is led by Managing Directors Karlheinz Knief and Holger Knief, MBA, with active hiring underway across sales, marketing, quality assurance, and technical departments. Distribution is concentrated in Europe with stated worldwide reach (including the USA, UK, and France), supported by a Matterport-powered virtual showroom, a quarterly newsletter distributed via Brevo, and participation in major industry exhibitions such as ISH Frankfurt and Cersaie.

Name

Knief & Co. Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung

Legal name

Knief & Co. GmbH

Website

https://kniefco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Knief & Co. GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer (founded 1979, Bremen) producing luxury freestanding acrylic bathtubs and K|Stone solid surface bathroom products, sold through authorized specialist dealers, a B2B Pro_area portal, and OEM partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bathroom Fixtures & Sanitary Ware

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermoformed Consumer Products & Housewares (IMANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Custom Thermoforming & Contract Manufacturing (IMANAHAI)

Keywords

• Luxury bathroom fixtures
• Acrylic bathtubs
• Solid surface products
• Bathroom design
• OEM manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Freestanding Acrylic Bathtubs: Luxury freestanding acrylic bathtubs sold through specialist retailers and showrooms. Products include more than 60 models under AquaPlus, AquaSpa, and AquaTcc brands with wellness systems. Available in freestanding, wall-mounted, corner, and XS (space-saving) configurations.
2. K|Stone Solid Surface Products: Mineral compound solid surface architectural products including bathtubs, washbasins, showers, furniture (vanities, shelves), and accessories. Eight coordinated series available with customization options for individual projects.
3. OEM Manufacturing: Strong presence in the industrial sector as OEM manufacturer for many well-known brands in the project business. Manufacturing components or complete products for other bathroom brands.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Knief & Co. GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer of luxury bathroom products, producing 100+ freestanding acrylic bathtubs (under AquaPlus, AquaSpa, and AquaTecc brands) and K|Stone solid surface architectural products (bathtubs, washbasins, showers, furniture, and accessories) from cross-linked cast Lucite sanitary acrylic and a proprietary mineral compound of ATH powder and modified polyester resin. All products are manufactured in Europe at the company's Bremen facility, with the K|Stone collection designed by internationally acclaimed designer Peter Jamieson.

Product overview

Knief & Co. GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer (founded 1979) offering two core product lines: luxury freestanding acrylic bathtubs and K|Stone solid surface architectural products. The acrylic collection includes over 60 bathtub models under AquaPlus, AquaSpa, and AquaTecc brands, made from cross-linked cast Lucite sanitary acrylic. The K|Stone solid surface line features 14 design series (Glow, Pearl, Pride, Prime, Shine, Moon, Feel, Glam, Coast, Shape, Lotus, Grace, plus furniture, showers, and accessories). All products are 100% manufactured in Europe with headquarters in Bremen, Germany. The company serves both retail customers through specialist dealers and industrial clients as OEM manufacturer. Designer Peter Jamieson serves as creative director.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K|Stone®: Luxury solid surface collection designed by Peter Jamieson, consisting of architectural products including bathtubs, washbasins, showers, furniture, and accessories.
• AquaPlus®
• AquaSpa®
• AquaTecc®

Products and services

• Freestanding Acrylic Bathtubs Luxury freestanding acrylic bathtubs made from cross-linked cast Lucite sanitary acrylic with double-walled construction. More than 60 models available in freestanding, wall-mounted, corner, and XS space-saving configurations for architects, designers, and high-end residential projects.
• K|Stone Solid Surface Collection Luxury solid surface architectural products in 14+ coordinated series (Glow, Pearl, Pride, Prime, Shine, Moon, Feel, Glam, Coast, Shape, Lotus, Grace, plus furniture, showers, and accessories). Composed of aluminum trihydrate (ATH) powder and modified polyester resin with acrylic constituent. Used for bathtubs, washbasins, furniture, showers, and accessories in premium bathroom projects.
• Dream Acrylic Bathtub Acrylic bathtub designed by Peter Jamieson with supra-reinforced shell and jointless construction, featuring an elegant thin edge and gentle rimless neckrest. Available in freestanding and wall-mounted versions.
• SIT Acrylic Bathtub Acrylic bathtub designed by Peter Jamieson, drawing inspiration from past centuries with an exclusive and comfortable design for relaxing bathing.
• Fresh Bathtub Series Acrylic bathtub series with softened rims for high comfort, featuring wall-flush concepts suitable for commercial renovation. Full body designs make tiling dispensable. Available in freestanding, wall, corner right, and corner left configurations.
• Virtual Showroom 3D virtual tour of the Bremen showroom powered by Matterport technology, allowing architects, designers, and customers to explore products remotely.
• BIM Models Service Building Information Modeling (BIM) models in Autodesk REVIT RFA format and industry standard formats, enabling architects, designers, and quantity surveyors to incorporate Knief products into their building projects.
• K|Stone Furniture Series Bathroom furniture collection in solid surface material including Strip, Slab, Boxes, and Shelves series. Washbasins available in 90cm, 120cm, or 160cm sizes with options for single or double washbasin, countertop or undermount basins.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 60 bathtub models and 8 coordinated K|Stone series available
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peter JamiesoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally acclaimed designer based in Monte Carlo who designs Knief's K|Stone collection. Created the Feel series and other premium designs. Previously worked with Antonio Citterio in Milan and counts Boffi, Ideal Standard, Tubes Radiatori, Deltacalor, and Ritmonio among his clients.
• BoffiminorOthersItalian luxury bathroom and kitchen furniture manufacturer. Part of Peter Jamieson's client portfolio - the connection suggests potential design collaboration or mutual professional recognition.
• Ideal StandardminorOthersLeading European bathroom fixtures manufacturer. Part of Peter Jamieson's client portfolio indicating professional design relationship.
• Tubes RadiatoriminorOthersItalian designer radiator manufacturer. Peter Jamieson's Monte Carlo radiators for Tubes Radiatori were selected among Top 100 Italian designs for i-dot.
• DeltacalorminorOthersItalian heating and bathroom equipment manufacturer. Part of Peter Jamieson's growing list of notable clients.
• RitmoniominorOthersItalian bathroom fittings manufacturer. Peter Jamieson's Waterblade taps for Ritmonio received the Good Design Award 2005 from Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Corian Design (DuPont): Global solid-surface material brand (DuPont) widely used by fabricators for premium bathroom and architectural products. Comparable to Knief at the material-platform level as a competing solid-surface solution and source of design specification in luxury bathroom projects.

Direct peers

• Antoniolupi: Italian luxury bathroom brand widely recognized for solid-surface washbasins, bathtubs, and architectural bathroom furniture. Closely comparable to Knief in product category (solid surface luxury baths), designer-driven aesthetics, and European premium dealer model.
• Boffi: Italian high-end manufacturer of bathrooms, kitchens, and architectural systems with a strong designer-collab identity. Directly comparable to Knief as a premium bathroom specialist with global showrooms and a focus on designer-led solid surface and freestanding pieces.
• Alape: German premium manufacturer of glazed steel washstands, basins, and bathroom furniture often specified in luxury projects. Comparable to Knief as a German specialty bathroom producer targeting architects, designers, and high-end residential and hospitality specifications.
• Agape: Italian luxury bathroom furniture and bathtub brand with strong designer collaborations and high-end architectural specification focus. Comparable to Knief on luxury positioning, designer partnerships, and project/specifier-driven GTM in European and international markets.
• Inbani: French premium bathroom furniture and washbasin brand targeting architects and luxury projects. Comparable to Knief as a niche European manufacturer of premium solid-surface and washbasin products for high-end residential and hospitality specifications.
• Kaldewei: German manufacturer of premium bathtubs and shower trays made of steel enamel, with deep European manufacturing footprint. Directly comparable to Knief as a specialist German bathtub maker with global distribution via showrooms and architectural specification channels.

Broad incumbents

• Duravit: Large German sanitary ware group offering a broad portfolio of bathroom ceramics, bathtubs, shower trays, and wellness systems. Comparable to Knief as a German premium bath manufacturer but with significantly broader catalog, larger global dealer network, and deeper marketing reach.
• Ideal Standard: Large European bathroom fittings and ceramics company with significant designer collaborations (including with Peter Jamieson). Comparable to Knief through direct designer partner overlap and premium bathroom positioning, though operating at much larger scale across multiple product segments.
• Villeroy & Boch: Major European bathroom and wellness manufacturer offering ceramics, bathtubs, faucets, and furniture across mass-premium and luxury tiers. Comparable to Knief in the German/European premium bathroom category but at much greater scale across multiple product lines and geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

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 Knief & Co. Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung