The founding fathers

In 1871, mechanical engineering graduate Johannes Klein founds the company Klein, Schanzlin & Becker together with Friedrich Schanzlin and Jakob Becker. After the company is converted into a public limited company, Johannes Klein holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Management from 20 December 1887 to 25 November 1905. He later becomes a member of the Supervisory Board and continues in this role until his death in 1917. 

Jacob Klein, who is 24 years younger than his brother Johannes Klein, studies mechanical engineering in Karlsruhe and Berlin before joining the company in Frankenthal in 1894. It soon becomes clear that Jacob would be the successor to Johannes Klein. From 1896 to 1901 he lives in England where he sells machines from Frankenthal and founds Klein Engineering Company Limited. In spring, Jacob Klein returns to Frankenthal and is appointed to the Board of Management on 1 May 1901. He remains in this role until 2 October 1931. He later takes up a position on the Supervisory Board which he holds until his death in 1945.