Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Winkelmann Group cuts auto-industry reliance and expands into defense
Winkelmann Group has sharply reduced its reliance on the car industry, which now accounts for 15% of its sales, down from about half five years ago.
The German family-owned manufacturer began in Ahlen more than 125 years ago and now has production sites in seven countries.
CEO Christian Knechtel says defense components are an important part of the shift into new markets.
He has led the company since 2024 and is its first chief executive from outside the family.
The company employs more than 3,700 people and recorded sales of €640 million in 2025.
Knechtel gave Germany’s business environment a grade of three, tending toward four, and called for better education, less bureaucracy and more flexibility for businesses.
The company plans to keep adapting while tracking trade and political changes, including uncertainty over US tariffs, rather than changing strategy with each election cycle.
Winkelmann Group has reduced the share of its revenue from automotive-supplier business from about half five years ago to 15% today.
Components for the defense industry play an important role in the company’s shift away from automotive.
The company had revenue of €640 million in 2025 and employs more than 3,700 people.
Christian Knechtel, the group’s first chief executive from outside the founding family, has held the role since 2024.
Winkelmann was founded in Ahlen 128 years ago as a supplier to the enamel industry.
- Who
- Winkelmann Group, led by chief executive Christian Knechtel.
- What
- The company has reduced its reliance on automotive business and is expanding into defense.
- When
- The shift has taken place over several years; automotive business accounted for about half of revenue five years ago and 15% today.
- Where
- The group is based in Ahlen, Germany, and has production sites in Germany, Poland, Italy, Slovakia, Turkey, China and the United States.
- Why
- The sources describe a structural shift in the company’s business but do not state a specific reason for expanding into defense.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Winkelmann was founded in Ahlen as a supplier to the enamel industry.
About half of the company’s revenue came from automotive-supplier business.
Christian Knechtel became the company’s first chief executive from outside the founding family.
Automotive-supplier business accounts for 15% of revenue, with the share continuing to fall.
The company recorded revenue of €640 million.
- Automotive share five years ago
- About 50% of revenue
- Automotive share today
- 15% of revenue
- 2025 revenue
- €640 million
- Employees
- More than 3,700
- Chief executive
- Christian Knechtel, in the role since 2024
- Headquarters
- Ahlen, Germany
What people are saying
Democracy costs something; we take it for granted
Grade three, tending toward four