Knauf | Suppliers of gypsum-based building materials in the UK

Who is Knauf

We are one of the leading manufacturers of gypsum-based building materials in the UK.

We are proud to be a part of the Knauf Group, one of the largest independent building materials manufacturers in the world.

We sell plasterboard, finishes, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates, drywall accessories and more.

The Knauf Group

Knauf is a multinational, family-owned company based in Iphofen, Germany well known for drywall gypsum boards, founded in 1932. The company is a producer of building materials and construction systems for drywall construction, plasterboard, cement boards, mineral fibre acoustic boards and insulation.

We have a long and proud history of manufacturing and producing the highest quality building products. Knauf has two manufacturing plants in the UK - one in Kent and one in Northeast Lincolnshire. We are one of the largest producers of plasterboard in the UK.

Knauf Clerkenwell is the first Knauf showroom in the world. It is a stunning example of how our products and systems can be used to create a visually stimulating yet functional environment. It is a destination for inspiration and collaborative working with the architect and design community.

The Knauf Group is able to look back at a long and exciting history. Over many decades, the Knauf Group has successfully completed the transition from a pure family-run company to a globally operating family of companies – while retaining its fundamental Knauf Values.

1932

It all started in 1932, when two brothers and mining engineers Alfons and Karl Knauf secured the mining rights to gypsum deposits in the Schengen community (Obermosel) in Germany. The project was quickly crowned with success: by 1933 Knauf’s first gypsum factory was established in Perl (Moselle), Germany – and this factory is still the nucleus of production technology for the worldwide Knauf Group.

1949

The founding of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949 was also a time of new beginnings for Knauf – coinciding with a milestone in the company’s history as the company relocated from Perl to Iphofen in northern Bavaria.

1958

Iphofen and leadership in innovation. In Iphofen growth of the family company as an innovative partner in the building materials industry accelerated. For example, Knauf created completely new construction methods with the production of fully new gypsum boards in 1958.

1978

In 1978, Knauf laid the cornerstone for its insulation materials division, an area that is still very important today: Knauf took over a production facility for glass wool insulation material in Shelbyville (USA).

1980

At the beginning of the 1980’s, another significant change was on the way: Nikolaus and Baldwin Knauf, sons of the founders, took over management of the Group – and, with their consequent continuation and implementation of the company’s philosophy, had a significant share in Knauf’s growth.

1988

Constructed in 1988, the Sittingbourne Plasterboard plant was brought on line from a green field site in less than twelve months. It is currently one of the fastest running production lines in Europe and has become a model for a new generation of Plasterboard Plants for the Knauf group.

1990

Following the success of the Sittingbourne Plant, construction on a second UK Plasterboard manufacturing facility commenced in 1990. Based on the banks of the River Humber, the Immingham plasterboard plant services the North of England, Scotland and the Irish market.

2000

Knauf now has 150 production facilities and sales organisations in over 60 countries, 26,000 employees worldwide, and sales of 6.3 billion. Knauf UK extended its product portfolio into Floors, Exterior Renders & Facades. It also introduced innovations into the market such as Designboard products and ready-mixed spray plaster.

2018

Knauf Clerkenwell is opened.

Services & Support

Field-based Area Sales Managers and Project Specification Managers teams, alongside an office-based Customer Services department, are on hand to provide information on ordering the products and day-to-day customer support.

Design & Technical Service
Our Technical Support Officers (TSOs) work hand in hand with our Design Engineers and Project Specification Managers (PSMs).

The TSOs answer technical enquiries from customers, installers, and other contacts. Our Design Engineers have extensive knowledge of exterior systems and work closely with TSOs to answer questions related to exteriors, steel framing systems (SFS) and facades
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Support
Field-based Area Sales Managers and Project Specification Managers teams, alongside an office-based Customer Services department, are on hand to provide information on ordering the products and day-to-day customer support.
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Planner Suite
The Knauf Planner Suite specification tools platform is a highly efficient project design tool. Connected to our state-of-the-art product and system search function, data validation and bill of quantities template creator, it offers you an integrated solution that supports you at all stages of your planning journey.
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