The history of Bauknecht

Making life easy – that is the Bauknecht guiding principle, which has been present throughout the company’s history. Over 90 years ago, Gottlob Bauknecht had the idea of using the electric motor to make everyday tasks much easier. That’s when the company was founded, the tradition of which is innovation.

1920s

Company foundation

In 1919, the 27-year-old Gottlob Bauknecht created the first electrical engineering workshop. This was the beginning of a brand that is unlike any other in the world. The initial investment was only 500 DM. The challenge Gottlob Bauknecht set for himself was to use electric motors to make everyday life easier for people.

The first engine was created by the company founder himself

In the twenties Gottlob Bauknecht developed his first electric motor for weaving looms used in the textile industry.

1930s

New development: Landfreund Motor

In 1932 the standard electric motor was launched, which has stood the test of time. This fact contributed to the company’s reputation as an innovative manufacturer.

The first factories

The first factory Heidenkling was built in the south of Stuttgart in 1933. By that time the company had reached industrial production levels and the number of employees exceeded one hundred. A second factory was opened near the village of Klingenmühle in 1935, a third in Welzheim in 1938.

The 1940s

The Company’s Evolution

In 1947, the number of employees at the company was approaching a thousand. With the successful launch of a new product, the KMW compact meat grinder, a new division was announced.

Allfix Kitchen Combine

In 1948, Bauknecht introduced the first Allfix food processor for home use on the domestic market. The device with built-in electric motor made many of the tasks women faced when cooking easier.

1950s

Who to call for repairs?

In 1951, a nationwide field service was introduced, providing the highest level of customer support…

The product line for the home

In the fifties, Bauknecht launched a range of high-quality home appliances: The first refrigerator 1951. , the first freezer 1954 and the first pantry 1954 . , the first automatic washing machine of the activator type 1955. . In 1958, the first washing machines and dishwashers were built in the new factory in Schorndorf.

“Bauknecht knows..

…what women need!”The legendary advertising slogan is one of the best known in Germany recognition rate of up to 96% and was created by Walter Rübsam in 1954. Today’s brand slogan: “Live Today”.

1960s

Stoves and ovens

In 1965 the company introduced the first electric stoves and ovens with additional functions.

Energy-efficient refrigerators

From 1965, the bodies of the company’s refrigerators were filled with foam, which increased their tightness and thus saved energy. Even back then, it was already making a huge difference.

A new generation of freezers

In 1966, the company introduced an improved freezer model that preserves food longer. It was an innovation at the time.

Extractor hoods

The fiftieth anniversary is marked by the launch of the first cooker hoods, which markedly improved the air in the kitchen.

Deluxe washing machine

Another innovation was the introduction in the company’s 50th anniversary of the Deluxe washing machine, which had the capacity to wash 100-degree loads of laundry in absolute cleanliness.

1970s

Economical

Within ten years, the company’s appliances had become considerably more economical to operate. In 1972, the washing machines consume “only” 150 liters of water and 3.6 kilowatts of electricity. Already by 1978, these figures were down to 49 liters of water and 2.6 kW of electricity. Time was also saved by the new technology: in 1974 the company put into production a line of dryers that helped dry laundry quickly after washing.

Microwave ovens

In the seventies, Bauknecht was one of the pioneering developers of microwave ovens. In 1973, an oven with a built-in microwave was introduced, and in 1977 the first microwave oven.

Patented dishwashing technology

In the early seventies, the company pioneered patented diagonal spray arms in dishwashers. Three spray levels made much more efficient use of the interior space of the appliance.

More flexibility

In the company’s refrigerators, the shelves can be rotated and rearranged, allowing the consumer to use the interior as he or she wishes.

1980s

Cooking

Different cooking methods offer advantages. That is why, in 1981, an oven was introduced on the market with bottom, top or side heating that could be switched individually or in combination with a grill. The large size of the oven allowed for additional microwave functions.

Restructuring

In 1982, the family-owned company was restructured – Bauknecht Hausger&auml te GmbH became part of the Philips Group.

Say No to Defrosting

Today this technology is known as No Frost, but as early as 1984, Bauknecht refrigerators and freezers did not require defrosting due to the air circulation technology used in them.

Dishwashers are vastly superior to handwashing

By 1986, Bauknecht dishwashers had reduced the amount of water and energy used to the level needed for hand washing.

For the environment

Thanks to fully automatic washing machines with an eco-cycle, the amount of detergent used has been reduced by 30%, maintaining excellent wash results. This reduced costs for consumers and the negative impact on the environment.

Bauknecht goes international

In 1989 Whirlpool and Philips set up a joint venture. Since then, 53% of Bauknecht, which by then employed 2,400 people in two plants in Schorndorf and Neukirchen, has been owned by the American company Whirlpool, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of home appliances. And so the brand entered the international arena.

the 1990s

A subsidiary of Whirlpool

Since 1991, Bauknecht is a subsidiary of the American Whirlpool.

No Freon

Bauknecht stopped using Freon in its refrigerators in 1993.

Service at the price of a local call

In 1994, Bauknecht Germany was the first appliance manufacturer to introduce a single customer service number, 0180. This reduced the cost of technical support for customers to the cost of a local telephone call.

The ten-millionth washing machine

In 1997, the ten millionth washing machine rolled off the production line in Neukirchen. In the same year, Bauknecht announced an eight-year warranty on replacement parts.

Optimization of cooking technology

In the nineties Bauknecht introduced the first stoves and ovens with Pure Halogen and Lightronic technologies. They allow the ovens to reach the set temperature much faster and hold it more accurately for optimal frying and baking results.

Washing cycle for woollens

Bauknecht has always strived to achieve optimum washing results. The wool cycle of the company’s washing machines is fully analogous to hand washing.

The Thermodry system

In the 1990s the Thermodry system was implemented in dishwashers, which allowed drying dishes with an air stream. An additional advantage of this technology was the low noise level.

XXI century

Innovative coating

The stainless steel coating looks good, but needs constant care. The award-winning ProTouch coating developed by Bauknecht does not leave any fingerprints, dirt or scratches.

SuperEco

Cost effective washing: The SuperEco cycle, introduced in Bauknecht washing machines in 2006, uses up to 67% less energy than cycles on older models.

PowerClean

Dishwashers with PowerClean technology have 32 nozzles on the back wall. They deliver a high-pressure cleaning solution, so even burnt and dried-out food is removed without increasing water consumption.

Using the power of steam

Bauknecht household appliances use the power of steam: from cooking in steamers, preserving all vitamins and minerals, to “soft” laundry and washing dishes.

Smart Sensor Technology

Dynamic Sense technology has been used in Bauknecht washing machines since 1999. The innovative coating enables appliances to adapt to their surroundings: fridges retain an optimal internal temperature even when they are opened, washing machines and dishwashers detect the degree of soiling, and therefore require less energy and water.