The Power to Stop: The Knott Brake Company Story

In the world of heavy machinery, the ability to generate immense power is entirely meaningless if you cannot safely and reliably control it. Since 1937, Knott has understood that true operational confidence comes from absolute stopping power. Founded in Eggstatt, Germany, the company spent decades mastering the meticulous art of high-quality, customer-engineered braking solutions, establishing itself as a worldwide leader in industrial safety and mechanical control.

    But a truly global footprint requires local roots. In 1987, former CEO Hans Kott recognized that to properly serve the massive, demanding North American market, the company couldn't just ship boxes across the ocean—they had to build a dedicated, boots-on-the-ground presence. Working initially from his home and warehousing German-supplied products in Lodi, Ohio, Hans planted the seeds for the Knott Brake Company in the United States.

    He quickly realized that thriving in the fast-paced U.S. market required extreme flexibility and rapid delivery. In 1989, Hans moved the operation into a 10,000-square-foot space, shifting the business model from merely importing finished goods to performing final assembly directly on American soil. This localized approach sparked immediate growth. By 1991, with a dedicated team of six full-time employees, the company took its next massive leap: manufacturing complete brake assemblies.

    Investing heavily in advanced CNC machines, Knott Brake Company began to actively weave American manufacturing muscle into its German-engineered DNA. The capabilities rapidly expanded—adding advanced friction bonding in 1992 and in-house welding processes in 1995. With every new machine and process, they increased the U.S.-manufactured content of their products, quickly growing their workforce to 30 highly skilled employees.

    That relentless momentum culminated in 2002 with the construction of a brand-new, purpose-built facility in Lodi, Ohio. Never a company to rest on its laurels, Knott simultaneously acquired Thomas Mfg., a highly respected name renowned for its brake bands and molded friction products in the lawn and garden industry. Today, powered by a diverse team of 65 professionals, Knott Brake Company stands as a powerful testament to strategic growth. They successfully bridged the gap between historic German engineering and hands-on American manufacturing, delivering the uncompromising stopping power that keeps industries moving safely forward.

 

Year Founded: 1937

Main Products: Trailer Brake

Brand: Knott

Country of Origin: Germany

Facebook Account: https://knottbrake.com/about-us/

Website: http://www.knottbrake.com/

Address: 144 West Dr, Lodi, OH 44254, United States

Contact No.: +18005668887

Email: sales@knottbrake.com