1969
Union with a future: the Seitz-Werke acquires the majority share in the Enzinger-Union-Werke, marking the start of the cooperation between Seitz, Enzinger and Noll.
1971
Holstein & Kappert opens a subsidiary in the USA. Two years later it starts producing systems there for the American market.
1975
Corpoplast is founded in Hamburg and constructs the first stretch blow molder for PET bottles in series.
1977
The Klöckner-Werke AG procures 25% of the shares in Holstein & Kappert, thus entering the company.
1979
From minority to majority shareholder: the Klöckner-Werke AG now owns the majority of shares in Holstein & Kappert.
1982
Merger: the Seitz-Werke, Enzinger-Union-Werke and their subsidiary Noll, acquired in 1966, merge to form Seitz Enzinger Noll Maschinenbau AG (SEN).
1984
Packaging sector outsourced: a separate specialist company, H&K Verpackungstechnik GmbH, is set up.
1986
Move to Great Britain: the British APV Group procures first four fifths and in 1989 all of the Holstein & Kappert subsidiary Rosista which makes valves at the branch of the company in Unna.
Approval from the German Federal Cartel Office: SEN and Holstein & Kappert merge. The Klöckner-Werke AG is the majority shareholder of SEN.
1987
H&K/ETI-TEC is opened in Erkrath which employs highly-qualified labeling machine specialists.
1989
Foundations laid by Holstein & Kappert: the new administrative building is built in Dortmund.
1992
Settlement: the Klöckner-Werke AG is forced to apply for a settlement due to excessive debts.
1993
Grand merger of two successful companies: Holstein & Kappert and SEN merge to form Klöckner Holstein Seitz (KHS) AG headquartered in Dortmund.
1997
Sights on India: KHS founds the KHS Machinery joint venture with an Indian mechanical engineering company which is based in Ahmedabad.
KHS procures the Karlsruhe Grässle company, an inspection technology specialist, expanding its range of products to include what are known as “sniffers”.
1999
Professional labelers: the traditional Anker company in Hamburg, a specialist for labeling machines, becomes part of KHS.
2000
GEA Till in Kriftel joins KHS. The company can now also offer beer kegging systems, thus serving a fast-growing market.
2001
KHS launches the first can filler with volumetric flow metering to market.
2002
A revolutionary coating system storms the market: Plasmax barrier technology. With its wafer-thin coating of glass it gives PET bottles improved protection.
2003
KHS invests in its packaging expertise and procures Kisters Maschinenbau GmbH in Kleve and pouch expert Bartelt in the USA. Both are subsidiaries of the Klöckner-Werke AG.
Inspection technology comes to KHS: the company acquires Metec in Niederzissen, adding a further important component to its range of expertise.
Alfill, a Hamburg specialist for the filling and washing of PET bottles – especially for sensitive beverages – is procured by KHS.
2007
Salzgitter acquires the majority share in the Klöckner-Werke AG.
2008
PET expertise to the fore: the KHS Group procures SIG Beverage – part of Corpoplast – and thus sets clear priorities.
2010
From corporation to limited liability company: KHS changes its company form. One year later KHS GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salzgitter AG.
2013
Revamped product range: KHS introduces its ClearLine design. All KHS products now have a uniform and ergonomic design which clearly focuses on simple functionality.
2014
The world’s lightest 0.5-liter PET bottle with a screw cap for highly carbonated beverages is launched to market: KHS presents a container weighing just 10.9 grams.
2016
Together with Evian NMP Systems first launches the Nature MultiPack™ in France and Belgium – a film-free pack where the individual bottles are held together by dots of special adhesive.
2017
Plastic containers formed and filled in a single process step are now feasible with KHS FormFill powered by LiquiForm. KHS presents the marketable concept at drinktec.
2018
An anniversary which speaks for itself: 150 years of experience and expertise in service to the beverage industry are a unique selling point worldwide – one which the KHS Group will also remain committed to in the future.
2021
March 1, 2021: Merger of KHS Corpoplast GmbH in Hamburg with and into KHS GmbH in Dortmund with retroactive economic effect from January 1, 2021.