IFE history – 75 years of experience
Founded in 1947 as an institute for technical research and development in Vienna, IFE managed to rise from a medium-sized company to become a world market leader.
Initially founded as an engineering office for development and construction orders in the field of vehicle technology, the manufacture of own products, which were sold under the brand name IFE, quickly followed. Due to the expansion of the product range to include vehicle superstructures and doors for rail and road vehicles as well as vibration conveyors for bulk goods transport, IFE moved to Waidhofen/Ybbs in December 1965 for reasons of space.
In 1986 IFE went public and in 1997 Knorr- Bremse SfS GmbH, Munich, began to acquire shares. In 2002, it was fully incorporated into the global Knorr-Bremse Group, the world market leader for rail vehicle systems.
Since 2001, the subsidiary IFE-CR in Modrice near Brno in the Czech Republic, which today is the world's largest production facility for rail vehicle doors, has made a decisive contribution to maintaining competitiveness. Plants in China, North America, South Africa and India and an extensive service network ensure IFE's global success.
In 2009, the company moved to Kematen/Ybbs, from where the Knorr-Bremse GmbH Division IFE controls Knorr-Bremse's global business with regard to entrance systems for rail vehicles. Innova-tions for entrance systems (IFE) are developed and validated here, tailored to customer needs and sold worldwide. Under the brand name "RailServices", customers are supported with initial installa-tions and modernization projects and supplied with spare parts from Kematen. The great success with innovative products on the world market has allowed the workforce at the Kematen site to in-crease by 40 % to 420 employees in recent years.
IFE based in Kematen/Ybbs celebrates its 75th anniversary.
moreFor 75 years, safety and reliability as well as quality and economy have been the top priorities for IFE.
2022
75th Anniversary. For 75 years, safety and reliability as well as quality and economy have been the top priorities for IFE.
2017
70th Anniversary. Great day of the open door with about 2,500 visitors at the location in Kematen/ Ybbs.
2014
Relocation of German IFE division from Wülfrath to Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH in Berlin
Introduction of Entrance System Generation 4
2009
Relocation of Austrian headquarters to new building in Kematen/Ybbs
Take over of Hübner‘s business sector automatic door systems for rail vehicles
2008
Acquisition of the Czech competitor IGE
2007
60th anniversary of IFE!
2006
Foundation of IFE China as a joint venture with Victall
Relocation of the operator assembling to Czech Republic plant.
2003
The Material Handling field is sold through a management buy-out and transformed into IFE Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH with effect from September 1, 2003.
Through this strategic step, Knorr-Bremse GmbH, Division IFE, intends as a single-source supplier of automatic door systems to meet the future requirements of its customers even more efficiently on a global basis.
2002
Exit of the bus door market
Knorr-Bremse GesmbH, Mödling/Austria, acquires more than 90% in IFE from Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge, Munich.
In August 2002, IFE-AG is transformed into Knorr-Bremse GmbH, Mödling/Austria, meaning the deregistration from the Vienna stock exchange.
2001
Establishment of IFE-CR as the doorleaf factory for Europe
Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge, Munich, increases the shares in IFE to more than 90%. www.knorr-bremse.com
2000
Set-up stage of IFE-Iberica (Spain)
Takeover of 100% of the shares in the Transferia Holding B.V., owner of the Dutch door manufacturer Tebel
1999
Acquisition of Tebel Group Netherlands and Australia
Sale of the product division automotive engineering (IFE-Kipperbau) to the company F.X. Meiller GmbH
Foundation of IFE North America for access to the American market
1997
Knorr-Bremse Systems for Rail Vehicles, Munich, takes over 49% of the IFE-AG shares
Foundation of IFE Iberica, Spain
1996
Takeover of the Czech component manufacturer Hady Metall from the Austrian Berndorf AG
1990
Takeover of Kiekert Automatiktüren GmbH in Germany
1986
Registration of 40% of the IFE shares at the Vienna stock exchange
1985
Introduction of first all electric doors to the market
1965
Formation of the former headquarters and production site in Waidhofen/Ybbs
1947
Vienna, Foundation of IFE as Institute for technical Research and Development (Institut für technische Forschung und Entwicklung)
2017
Implementation of the one-piece shop
2016
With the "Metrolink Manchester" project, the first series painting started in the new 2,000 m² paint shop
2011
The company went through an important restructuring
The number of employees exceeded 600
The launch of the Built in Quality project
The extension of the GRALL production information system to all production sectors
2010
The acquisition of a subsidy for education from the European social fund, amounting to 5.8 million CZK.
A turnover of 2.2 billion CZK reached in 2010
2009
Company certification for the adhesive bonding of rail vehicles and their parts under DIN 6701, class A1
Company certification under the OHSAS 18001:2007 standard
2008
Company certification under the IRIS standard
KPS on Toyota Way in-house conference for the employees and suppliers of IFE-CR, a.s.
2007
The launch of the Supply Chain Excellence project aimed for increasing the supplier reliability and logistics savings
60th anniversary of IFE
2006
Relocation of the operator assembling to Czech Republic plant
2005
Sales growth and increased market requirements demand the further expansion of the up-to-date door leaf production at IFE-C.R.
Winning of the Knorr Best Practice Award for the implementation of non-paper assembly of door leaf on the line
2004
Company certification under the DIN EN ISO 14001:2009 standard
2002
Relocation of the plant to a modern establishment in the CTP Modřice Industrial Zone
Implementation of the lean production methods
2001
Establishment of IFE-CR as the door leaf factory for Europe
More than 115 years of experience in braking technologies.
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