Bernard Krone Holding
**Company History and Growth:**
– Founded in 1906 by Bernhard and Anna Krone.
– Initially a blacksmith shop for horseshoeing.
– Secured distribution rights for Heinrich Lanz AG.
– Developed patented animal-operated pasture trough.
– Expanded into producing tractor wagons and trailers.
– Moved production to Werlte in 1963.
– Diversified into truck trailers due to decreased demand.
– Established separate divisions for vehicle and machine factories.
– Collaborated with German and Slovakian suppliers.
– Acquired axle manufacturer Gigant in 2013.
– Merged with Brüggen Group in 2016.
**Recent Developments and Acquisitions:**
– Bernard Krone IV joined management in 2007.
– Built assembly plant in Istanbul in 2007.
– Renovated Spelle factory from 2011 to 2014.
– Opened Krone Business Center in 2019.
– Acquired Dutch Knapen Group in 2019.
– Built Future Lab test center from 2019 to 2021.
– Launched eTrailer in 2022 for reduced CO2 emissions.
– Bernard Krone III passed away in 2022.
**Corporate Structure and Financial Performance:**
– Bernard Krone Holding SE & Co. KG is the parent company.
– Family-owned business solely owned by Krone family.
– Had 5,768 employees in 2020/21.
– Generated €2.5 billion revenue in 2020/21.
– Consists of Krone Commercial Vehicle SE and Krone Agriculture SE.
**Expansion and Innovation in Agricultural Machinery:**
– Krone Agriculture machines sold worldwide through subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and China.
– Investing in robot-assisted processing technology and digitalization at the Spelle location.
– Expanded Big X series with the Big X 1180 forage harvester in 2018.
– Focus on forage harvesting technology.
– Emphasis on high-tech solutions for modern agriculture.
**Global Expansion and Industry Recognition:**
– Established a branch in China to tap into its growing agricultural technology market.
– Received prestigious awards for innovations like the Krone LiftCab.
– Recognition in the industry highlights commitment to innovation.
– Positioned for challenges in the agricultural sector.
– Impact of innovations on increasing efficiency and setting new standards.