From a small local weaving mill to a globally active group of companies with over 800 employees: For their anniversary, GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG looks back on 100 years of innovation and confidence – and sets the course for a sustainable future.
GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG celebrates their 100th anniversary in 2025. On June 17, 1925, Josef Kufferath founds a technical weaving mill in Düren together with his brother Richard. The starting point is mesh for the mining industry. Today, GKD is one of the world’s leading providers of technical mesh and process solutions – with more than 800 employees, production sites on five continents and a diversified product portfolio.
The company develops metal mesh, synthetic mesh and spiral mesh solutions for numerous industries. In 2023, the hidden champion received the German Innovation Award for the BLUEBACKER process belt for corrugated board industry and was included in the group of the “Top 100 Innovators” of German SMEs.
Technology leadership begins with a pioneering spirit GKD has been a pioneer right from the start. As early as the 1930s, Josef Kufferath developed a mesh with longitudinal instead of the usual square mesh – a groundbreaking idea for new fields of application. He was also one of the first weavers to process stainless steel wires, thereby increasing the efficiency and service life of filter, screen and sealing meshes.
Karl Kufferath-Kassner is the second generation to lead the company into new market segments. His development of process belts becomes an important milestone for GKD. With specially developed looms for ultra-fine wires, the second generation of Kufferaths also creates the basis for applications in the aerospace industry. The weaving of metal and plastic wires also opens up new markets.
In the 1980s, Ingo and Dr. Stephan Kufferath internationalize the GKD Group and conquer international markets. With product solutions for the industrial and filtration market segments as well as process belts, the third Kufferath generation positions the company as a solution provider with a global presence for the first time.
In the 1990s, GKD opens up a completely new field of application: together with the French architect Dominique Perrault, GKD introduces metal mesh into architecture as a material for façades and interior design. The resulting mesh solutions have since shaped international construction projects – from Paris to Doha to Beijing. Thanks to continuous further development in all business areas, GKD has become a hidden champion.
The fourth generation takes responsibility
In 2021, Lara Kufferath, the fourth generation, joined the management of the family business. Lara brings expertise in digitalization, corporate development and international management. She has been CEO since 2024 and, together with CTOO Dr. Daniel Holstein and CFO Ilonka von Bodman, is pursuing the goal of further growth through technological excellence, sustainable solutions and a global market presence.
Lara Kufferath: “GKD continues to develop into a company with global added value that is able to quickly seize market opportunities. In doing so, we are consistently driving forward our vision FOR A HEALTHIER, CLEANER, SAFER WORLD. Sustainability requirements are a strong growth driver for us.”
Values, change and vision
In its second century, GKD will remain a company that actively shapes change – without forgetting its roots. The combination of technical expertise, corporate responsibility and clear values remains the basis for long-term success.
Lara Kufferath: “Tradition, innovation and sustainability are our core values. This is also reflected in our anniversary motto FIRST CENTURY GKD: we look back on the achievements of our first hundred years with pride and sometimes also with amazement. But we also look to the future and look forward to continuing to develop solutions that will benefit the company, the region and many industries.”