From the very beginning, Kärcher has always been characterised by ingenuity and innovative thinking. The company was founded in 1935 by the inventor Alfred Kärcher, who began manufacturing and marketing his pioneering product ideas in the field of heating technology. The cornerstone of developing into the world’s leading cleaning specialist was laid in 1950 with the invention of Europe’s first hot water high-pressure cleaner. When Alfred Kärcher died in 1959, his wife Irene continued her husband’s life’s work until her own death in 1989. Kärcher has remained a family-owned company to this day, headquartered in Winnenden near Stuttgart.
New additions to the group of companies are national companies in Oman and Morocco, which means that the Kärcher Group now comprises more than 150 companies in 80 countries. In addition to investing 170 million euros in infrastructure, product development and organizational projects, Kärcher has expanded its workforce by more than 900 to 15,330 employees worldwide, more than 1,000 of whom work in in-house research and development.
Whereas in the corona pandemic the end-customer segment had compensated for weaker demand in the Professional segment, 2022 saw the opposite development: Falling consumer demand among private customers was offset by higher sales in the commercial/industrial sector – as a result, the contribution of the two business units to sales success is once again evenly distributed, as is the basic orientation of the company.
The brand’s strong position is reflected in current consumer surveys: according to market research institute YouGov, Kärcher is one of the top 10 brands in Germany in 2022, and in terms of credibility of the company’s purpose (Purpose), Kärcher also occupies a top position according to the latest study by management consultants Globeone. As a further step, the cleaning specialist took 2022 to focus on preparing a new employer brand campaign, which will run under the slogan “Wanna WOW with us?”. “We want to grow further this year, for which we are looking for more than 300 new employees in Germany alone,” says Hartmut Jenner. “With our new 2023 campaign, we will show what we stand for, what is important to us – and that we offer an appreciative culture and a modern working environment.”
EVERY DAY IS A DAY FOR BIG TARGETS.
We love and live challenges – your challenges. Whether everyday or extraordinary cleaning projects, a courtyard entrance, factory hall or Mount Rushmore – at Kärcher we want to make your everyday life simpler, better and more pleasant with powerful, efficient cleaning solutions. And to help you achieve big results and move things forward. To create and receive value.
What drives us?
Our clear, simple innovation philosophy: innovation is what benefits people. We are perfectionists, always rethinking systems and designs. We have the courage to break new ground and the conviction to do things instead of just talking about them. This philosophy results in solutions with convincing performance, quality and handling that are one step ahead of the market. Because for us cleanliness is the best challenge in the world. This is what we work towards. Every day.
We offer cleaning systems, cleaning products and services for recreation, household, trade and industry with an optimum price-performance ratio.
Message from, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Management
Mr. Hartmut Jenner
„Staying the course in stormy times is only possible if everyone pulls together. Disruptions in the supply chain, rising material and energy prices, inflation, and the effects of the Ukraine war have made for developments that were almost impossible to predict. The fact that we were once again able to increase sales slightly and gain market share is something Kärcher has achieved as a family-owned company with global operations. Now we must not let up in order to continue to be successful.“