insights
Anniversary at KraussMaffei Corporation
| Katharina Knaut
60 Years of Customer Focus and Teamwork
For six decades, KMC has been firmly established in the North American market. Today, KMC combines three areas of technology with automation, comprehensive service, and direct on-site support. At its anniversary open house in Florence, KMC celebrated this evolution – while also looking ahead to the future.
KMC’s history begins with a technical milestone: In 1957, KraussMaffei completed its first large-scale injection molding machine with a clamping force of 550 metric tons.
This innovative technology generated great interest in the U.S.: Just eight years later, the 100th KraussMaffei large-scale injection molding machine was delivered to FESCO Inc. in Pittsburgh, a manufacturer of household goods – and the company that had become KraussMaffei’s first customer in the U.S. in 1959.
Thanks to the machines’ excellent reputation and growing demand in the U.S. market, KraussMaffei took the next step and established its own subsidiary in New York in 1966: the KraussMaffei Corporation was born.
From that point on, customers in the U.S. could be served directly on-site. KraussMaffei Corporation provided a solid foundation for business in North America and laid the groundwork for deeper market knowledge as well as optimized service and technical consulting.
In the years that followed, KMC continued to expand its presence. In 1977, a plant for extrusion systems was opened in Wichita, Kansas, and sales of these systems in the U.S. ramped up.
These included, among other things, single- and twin-screw extruders for machines and systems used in pipe and profile extrusion. In the years that followed, additional technologies and products were added to the KMC portfolio, including reaction process machinery.
60 Years of KMC: that’s six decades of customer focus, technological strength, and the courage to embrace change. This was made possible above all by our employees, with their knowledge, passion, and tireless dedication. We can be proud of this history and look to the future with confidence.John Fini
President KraussMaffei Corporation
To promote further growth, KMC ultimately brought all three technologies together at a single location: In 1986, the KraussMaffei Corporation opened a new facility with offices and a production plant in Florence, Kentucky.
There, the company’s entire operations in injection molding, reaction process machinery and extrusion, as well as its service operations, were consolidated into a single corporate headquarters.
This enabled KMC to respond even more quickly to market demands, streamline service, and offer customers even more comprehensive, tailor-made solutions.
Twelve years ago, a second location also opened in Brighton, Michigan, which focuses primarily on selling and manufacturing of reaction process tooling.
KraussMaffei location in the U.S.
An Anniversary Focused on the Future
Customer focus, innovation, team spirit, and commitment continue to define the KraussMaffei Corporation to this day. The employees demonstrated this at their Open House, which KMC hosted to mark its 60th anniversary.
500+ guests, including customers, suppliers, and partners, visited the Florence site to celebrate the anniversary and gain insights into KraussMaffei technology.
KMC presented live demonstrations of the new all-electric PX series, the LRXplus linear robot, and the new MC7 control system while visitors also gained insight into the latest developments in pipe extrusion and polyurethane in-mold coating.
It was a great success that not only allowed guests to delve deeper into KMC’s impressive history but also demonstrated the company’s continued high level of technical expertise.
