History
AL-KO AUSTRALIA
AL-KO manufacturers, markets and distributes a comprehensive range of products for the trailer, caravan and motor home markets in Australia and New Zealand. The company is best known for its high quality running gear range, including axles, brakes and suspension products. In addition AL-KO offers its customers a wide range of accessories, as well as chassis and under carriage components.
The company has a long and proud history in Australia spanning back to 1946, when Hornby Engineering was founded and started to produce axles in South Melbourne. In 1974 this company was acquired by Girlock and with the acquisition of two other companies in Sydney and Brisbane it became Australia’s largest company in its field. In 1988 the German AL-KO Kober Group acquired the company, which signalled the start of a new era of international involvement in New Zealand and South East Asia. The company’s strong growth over the last decade has been driven by product range expansion and innovation that has further enhanced AL-KO’s position as market leader in its field.
AL-KO is proud of its reputation for high quality products and services to the trailer, caravan and motor home market. Today the company utilises CAD, CNC and robotics to design and manufacture excellent products and with the aid of a modern computer system delivers high quality of service to its customers.
AL-KO’s Australian head office and main manufacturing facility is located in Melbourne, with further factories and offices in Sydney and Brisbane.
AL-KO WORLDWIDE
The AL-KO Kober Group was founded in 1931 by Mr Alois Kober in the small Bavarian town of Kötz, in Germany. The company started as a small engineering company servicing the local farming community.
In the past seven decades it has become a truly international company with around 3,800 employees worldwide. Today The Group has more than 40 companies in Europe, USA, Australia, Africa and China.
AL-KO Kober has three major divisions, Vehicle Technology, Garden + Hobby and Air Technology. The company is still owned by the Kober family. The Board of Directors, Mr Stefan Kober (Chairman), Mr Harald Kober (Director), Mr Raymond Kober (Director) and Roland Kober (Director) are third generation family members.
In Vehicle Technology, AL-KO Kober is recognized as the market leader in the manufacture of components for the caravan and motor home markets. In addition the company manufactures engineering components for the major car manufacturers.
AL-KO WORLDWIDE – CELEBRATING 80 YEARS IN 2011
AL-KO Kober Group celebrates in 2011, our 80th anniversary – an anniversary that fills us with pride.
Still a family owned business, AL-KO has grown to 50 locations and 3,600 employees world wide, operating on all continents. A global technology company, that is leading the way in automotive engineering, as well as premium garden + hobby products.
This 80th anniversary, of which our motto is “for future generations” is our opportunity to thank our customers for their support over many years.
However, it is more an occassion to look to the future. Together we will continue to focus on cutting edge ideas and innovative development and design. With a willingness and ability to make changes as the market demands, we will remain true to our traditional principles whilst forging new ground. And so the name AL-KO will always be known for technological innovation, performance, safety, reliability and above all else, ‘Quality for Life’.
