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COMPANY HISTORY
High pressure cleaners, industrial vacuum cleaners and manual sweepers - this is the world of Kränzle. Founded in 1974, the Kränzle company has developed into the global quality leader for high pressure cleaners, and there is a good reason for this. From the very beginning, Kränzle has focused on the highest quality - whether in the selection of the forged special brass for the high pressure pumps or the ceramic coating for the pump plungers. Top quality is the uncompromisingly, clearly formulated brand claim.
"Better perfect than cheap"
In 1976, Kränzle Germany introduced its slogan: "Lieber Perfekt als Billig," which translates to "Better Perfect Than Cheap." It's an approach that has helped establish Kränzle as a trusted brand in high pressure cleaning around the world.
Josef Kränzle
Founder of Josef Kränzle GmbH & Co. KG
1974
Foundation of Josef Kränzle Armaturenbau e.K.
Josef Kränzle founded Kränzle Armaturenbau e.K. in his own garage, with the aim of manufacturing high-quality high pressure cleaners. The idea developed during his time at Wieland, where he saw the first steam-jet cleaner in action and was involved in the development of spray guns, among other things.
1976
"Better perfect than cheap"
Kränzle presents its new logo and the slogan that still guides the company today - "Better perfect than cheap" (Lieber perfekt als billig) - the brand claim that puts quality ahead of price.
1978
New production facility in Illertissen
The company outgrew the garage quickly, thanks to high-quality accessory products such as spray guns and lances. In 1978, it moved to Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse in Illertissen. At this time Kränzle was not yet producing under its own name, but was manufacturing for established companies in the industry.
1981
Production of the first own high pressure pump
Now known in the industry as a specialist for everything to do with cold and hot water high pressure cleaners, Kränzle manufactures its first own high pressure pump - an important step towards the company's own high pressure cleaner.
1984
Foundation of I. Kränzle GmbH
Kränzle produces its first mobile high pressure cleaner and founds the sales company Ingrid Kränzle GmbH in Bielefeld the same year. Two years later, the high pressure cleaner is ready for series production and the first Kränzle high pressure cleaner is launched on the market.
1989
Kränzle arrives in South Africa
A Hermann Agencies (Pty) Ltd begins trading in South Africa, importing German-made Kränzle high pressure cleaners - the start of the Kränzle presence in the country.
1990
The Spaceshuttle machines
The legendary two-wheeled Kränzle Spaceshuttle machines, built around the AP pump, are developed and launched on the market.
1991
Kränzle Hire Version
Manufacturing of the Kränzle Hire Version mounted on a stainless steel frame and made specifically for the equipment hire industry.
1994
First hot water high pressure cleaner
Kränzle's first hot water high pressure cleaner goes into series production.
1997
Kränzle Electra
Manufacturing of the market-leading hot water high pressure cleaner: Kränzle Electra in the production facility in Cape Town using the quality Kränzle motor and pump, together with quality components sourced from the most reputable suppliers locally and internationally. The Kränzle Electra remains a South African market leader in the field of electrically heated high pressure cleaners.
1998
Wine Barrel Cleaner
Development of the Wine Barrel Cleaner with the assistance of experienced South African winemakers - to this day our locally manufactured wine barrel cleaner is found in South African wine cellars that use wine barrels in their process.
2001
Expansion of production and logistics site
After many successful years, numerous patents and new products such as the Kränzle therm hot water high pressure cleaner, Kränzle expands and increases its capacities with the new production and logistics site in Siemensstrasse, Illertissen.
2007
Kränzle South Africa (Pty) Ltd is established
Kränzle South Africa (Pty) Ltd is formally established under new ownership, taking over the Kränzle business that A Hermann Agencies had built in South Africa since 1989.
2010
Renaming and expansion of the management board
Kränzle Armaturenbau e.K. is renamed Josef Kränzle GmbH & Co. KG, as it is still known today. Ludwig Kränzle joins the management team and runs the company together with his father, Josef Kränzle.
2013
First steamer manufactured by Kränzle South Africa
Kränzle South Africa manufactures its first steamer, which proves extremely popular in the wine industry for the steam treatment of wine barrels, boiling lines, pipelines and filtration systems.
2017
Consolidation at the Illertissen headquarters
To improve internal processes, efficiency and customer focus, the headquarters of Ingrid Kränzle GmbH are relocated from Bielefeld to Illertissen. From now on, production and sales are located at the same site.
2017
Mosmatic joins the range in South Africa
Kränzle South Africa begins working with Mosmatic, the Swiss manufacturer of precision high pressure rotary components - swivels, rotor arms and rotating spray heads. The rotating spray heads are built into our locally fabricated drive-through truck-wash arches, where a bank of heads rinses a vehicle as it passes through.
2019
Tecnovap steam cleaning arrives in South Africa
Kränzle South Africa takes on Tecnovap, the Italian steam-cleaning specialist founded in 1985 in Verona. Tecnovap machines raise dry saturated steam from a single-body, gasket-free stainless-steel boiler and clean and sanitise with water alone - extending the range into steam cleaning for food, healthcare, transport and vehicle work.
2020
M22 threaded connection replaced by the D12 plug-in system
The Professional machines are converted from the M22 threaded hose connection to the D12 plug-in system, giving a quicker, tool-free connection for the gun, lance and accessories.
2021
Iteco truck and bus wash systems added
Kränzle South Africa introduces Iteco, the Italian manufacturer of single-brush washing systems for trucks and buses. The range runs from a mains-connected brush unit to a self-contained, self-propelled machine that washes a full truck in under ten minutes.
2023
The Quickly is introduced
Kränzle launches the Quickly, an entry-level high pressure cleaner that brings Kränzle build quality within reach of everyday users.
2023
Cleantecs solar-panel cleaning added
Kränzle South Africa becomes the South African distributor for Cleantecs, the German specialist in photovoltaic cleaning. Its SOLA-TECS rotating brush is driven by the high pressure water itself and carried on carbon-fibre poles, so operators can clean large arrays from the ground - some clients clean up to 1,000 panels a day.
2024
50th anniversary
The success story of Josef Kränzle GmbH & Co. KG now stretches back over 50 years - from first steps in a garage to an internationally operating industry leader. Innovative ideas, smart investments and sound decisions have set the course for further successful years.
2025
Tecnovap celebrates 40 years
Tecnovap, the Italian steam-cleaning manufacturer Kränzle South Africa represents locally, marks 40 years since its founding in Verona in 1985.
2026
The Kränzle CORE CW Open Wall Mount range
Kränzle South Africa introduces the Kränzle CORE CW Open Wall Mount range - trusted Kränzle performance in a simpler, more accessible wall-mounted format, without compromising on reliability or build quality. Part of our ongoing focus on production efficiency, the range is offered in three configurations: 10 L/min at 150 bar (230V), 13 L/min at 180 bar (400V) and 16 L/min at 220 bar (400V).
2026
Gadlee floor scrubbers join the range
Kränzle South Africa adds Gadlee automatic scrubber-dryers to its range. The battery-powered GT50+ washes, scrubs and vacuums a hard floor dry in a single pass, taking the range into indoor floor care for warehouses, retail stores, dealerships and workshops.
Read the full 50-year story of Kränzle in Germany:
Giving back
In the current economic climate, many institutions no longer receive the subsidy or support they once enjoyed. Over the years we have tried to assist where possible. Many are registered NPOs with Article 18(A) tax status, and where we receive a tax certificate we are able to deduct the donations on our tax return.
The Big Issue
We supported The Big Issue with a monetary contribution as well as clothing, personal protective clothing and footwear during 2022.
The Big Issue vendors we see on street corners have an opportunity to earn an immediate, legitimate income by selling the magazine - a first step towards a self-sustainable future. We invite you to support The Big Issue.
Helderberg Hospice
Over the last few years we have been proud to support Helderberg Hospice in Somerset West with contributions to various of their fundraising ventures.
A palliative care specialist focused on the holistic care of people diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, Helderberg Hospice has provided comprehensive care since 1986. We invite you to support Helderberg Hospice.
National Sea Rescue Institute
It is a great feeling to walk along the Strand beachfront and see one of the ten rescue buoys we sponsored to the NSRI - with others installed at Shelley Point, Gordon's Bay and Pearl Bay in Yzerfontein. We are proud to be part of installing the Pink Rescue Buoys at our waters, and we invite you to support the NSRI.
The Grain Care Trust
We support The Grain Care Trust with contributions towards their fundraising Golf Day. Grain Care is a registered NPO in the grain sector, very involved in helping feeding schemes with food and food parcels - during the Covid period it distributed maize meal in almost all provinces, helping thousands of families and projects in need.
- Assisting the disabled: wheelchairs, hearing, mobility and sensory aids, and prostheses for children in need.
- Elderly people in need: a yearly social event hosts more than 450 elderly people from old-age homes and communities.
We invite you to support the Grain Care Trust.