we are celebrating 75 years of mobility fasination

From here into the future – ever since Alber Grünenfelder Sr. joined his fathers blacksmith shop in 1948, the fascination of mobility has determined the thinking and actions of GK Grünenfelder. In 2023, we want to celebrate our 75 years of tradition and innovation together with you.

As leading Swiss vehichle manufacturers, we develop and produce innovative transport solutions for the goods transportation of tomorrow in Kriessren and Pratteln. We are proud of our 75-year heritage and our continous ability to adapt and change. This is the the basis for our business success – and that of our customers.

Our success story: From blacksmith to leading Swiss vehicle manufacturer

Alber Grünenfelder Senior’s entry into his father’s blacksmith shop in 1948 marked the beginning of the modernn GK group of companies. Today, GK Grünenfelder AG is the leading vehicle manufacturer in Switzerland and desings innovative transport solutions for a sustainable future.

1948 - 1962

How it all began

In 1948, Albert Grünenfelder Sr. joing his fathers blacksmith shop. Together they start producing trailers for agriculture and construction industry in Balgach. Shortly afterwards, Albert Grünenfelder & Shon, mechanische Schmiede und Fahrzeugbau, is founded. This is the beginning of the sucess story of the GK Grünenfelder brand. After producing trailers for single-axle tractors in batches of five to ten as early as 1949, the young company was able to deliver 110 units by 1953. The price at the time was between CHF 900 and CHF 1,500 per trailer. In 1954, Albert Grünenfelder Sr. takes over his father's company and delivers the first truck trailer.

1948 - 1962

1963 - 1972

Vehicle construction at the motorway junction

The workshop in Balgach quickly becomes too small for production. This led to a move to neigbouring Kriessern, where the construction of a modern production hall including offices followed. The company continues to grow thanks to the continued commitment of Alber Grünenfelder Sr. and his wife Hedwig, who actively supported him in building up the company. In 1965, the first double-decker aluminium body is constructed for the transportation of live animals and in 196 Europe's first 16-tonne trailer in all'alluminium body construction, are developed and produced. Showmen are also increasingly ordering their vehicles from GK Grünenfelder. The most important orders include the production of 180- and 360-degree cinemas, which were very popular at the time.

1963 - 1972

1973 - 1979

Modular Construction

In 1973, Albert Grünenfelder senior's eldest son, Marcel, starts his apprenticeship as a vehicle mechanic at GK. Additionally, the neighbouring plastics processing plant is taken over. GK then starts the independent production of sandwich elements for the bodywork of refrigerated vehicles.

1973 - 1979

1980 - 1999

Awakening and modernisation

The years between 1980 and 1990 are marked by initial modernisation and increased orders for the Swiss army. Furthermore, Albert Grünenfelder Sr.'s youngest son, Albert Jr., starts his apprenticeship as a vehicle mechanicat the company. A warehouse and goods receiving hall are added to the factory building in Kriessern in 1988. At the same time, the office space is modernised and expanded. In 1993, GK delivers 50 1-axle specialised trailers to the Swiss Army. In 1995, another series of truck bodies follows. In addition, the company is opening up further mobility fields. For example, it has won the National Circus Knie as a customer. The latter regularly orders special vehicles from the 1990s onwards, including director's trailers, kitchen trailers, crew wagons, a mobile saddlery and monkey enclosure trailers. In 1996, GK Grünenfelder acquires modern 3-D CAD equipment. ISO 9001 certification follows in 1997.

1980 - 1999

2000 - 2004

The next generation takes over

The "00s" are marked by large-scale orders from the German army and NATO. In 2001, the company ND Satcom ordered low-loader tandem trailers for the mobile use of parabolic reflector antennas for satellite communication on behalf of the German Bundeswehr (Armed Forces). An order that helps GK Grünenfelder achieve a technological breakthrough - the company transforms from a craftsman's business to an internationally operating industrial enterprise. On 24 December 2004, the second generation, Marcel and Albert Grünenfelder, took over the management of the company.

2000 - 2004

2005 - 2009

New major clients shape the portfolio

In the coming years, further deliveries for the German Armed Forces follow: 2005 sees the start of development work on a mobile transmission module "TÜM". 90 of these units will be delivered. In 2009, GK produced the first semi-trailer for Migros Ostschweiz. This order lays the foundation for the expansion of the Refrigerated Vehicles business unit. Today, GK supplies all ten Migros co-operatives in Switzerland with refrigerated vehicles for food transportation. Other well-known Swiss retailers such as Coop, Spar and Denner also become regular customers in the following years. Today, the refrigerated vehicle sector is one of the most important pillars of GK Grünenfelder.

2005 - 2009

2010 - 2017

A new team member - Frech Hoch AG

The Defence sector also continues to develop through the 2010s. In 2011, GK enters into a cooperation agreement with the company Fischer Frech-Hoch Estech and in 2012 is awarded the contract for the production of 400 4x4 and 6x6 Iveco bodies for the Swiss Army. Further orders for the Swiss forces follow. Frech-Hoch Nutzfahrzeuge AG has been part of the GK Grünenfelder Group since 2017. The history of the Basel-based company goes back to FHS E. Frech-Hoch AG in Sissach, which was one of the most important vehicle manufacturers in Switzerland.

2010 - 2017

2017

A fresh wind of leadership

A handover steeped in history: After more than 45 years in the service of the family business, Marcel Grünenfelder hands over the operational management of GK to Philippe Köppel.

2017

2019

H2O superstructures - a milestone

In 2019, GK is causing a stir in the transport and logistics industry by developing the world's first certified truck body for Hyundai's hydrogen-powered Xient Fuell Cell Truck. Although the new drive technology may still be in its early stages, it nevertheless gives GK an enormous boost to its image - including on the international stage. The Swiss vehicle manufacturer thus becomes an essential component in the production of the first commercial hydrogen commercial vehicle project in Europe.

2019

2020 - 2022

Innovation never stops

The new decade starts off with a focus on the energy and mobility revolution: in 2020, the first series production of ten Hyundai Xient Fuell Cell hydrogen trucks is handed over to various Swiss logistics companies. In 2021, GK and Frech Hoch join forces: the two companies now operate jointly on the market under the name GK Grünenfelder. In 2022, GK commissioned a new photovoltaic system on the roof of its production hall in Kriessern. Since then, the vehicle manufacturer has been generating more than half of its annual electricity consumption itself.

2020 - 2022

2023

From here into the future

For its 75th birthday, GK Grünenfelder 2023 presents a new vision and also renews its brand identity. At its heart, the branding is being modernised and the company's future positioning sharpened. GK Grünenfelder becomes a provider of innovative transport solutions for a sustainable future.