1897

Rudolf Kronenberg and Carl Prinz found the company “KRONPRINZ AG für Fahrradteile”. The company produces parts for bicycles and motorbikes e.g. wooden and steel rims and spokes. Kronprinz is the first manufacturer of steel wheels for automobiles.

1903

KRONPRINZ registers a patent for passenger car steel wheels with demountable rim.

1907

Carl Prinz dies on a journey.

1930

Beginning of the steel disc wheel production for passenger cars. Up to now, the market has known only spoke wheels.

1934

Rudolf Kronenberg dies. Up to this moment he has been CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of KRONPRINZ AG. There are no heirs, able to run the company.

Mannesmann takes over the management of the firm.

1938

The Mannesmann group becomes the majority shareholder. The production programme of Kronprinz contains welded tubes and seamless pipes, profiles, components, aircraft parts and car wheels.

1955

Beginning of passenger car disc steel wheel production for tyres without inner-tubes.

1961

First use of a press multistep press for the production of passenger car wheel discs.

1969

Production of one-piece truck steel wheels.

1970

Transfer of the tube production from the former Kronprinz AG to Mannesmannröhren-Werke AG and of the wheel production to the new Kronprinz AG (100% owned by Mannesmann AG).

1977

The company Mannesmann-Werke AG becomes the leading company of Mannesmann KRONPRINZ AG.

1980

Start of the production of cast alloy wheels.

1988

After the incorporation of Fichtel & Sachs AG into the Mannesmann group it is this company which takes the lead in the group.

1995

Construction of a complete production line for fabricated light alloy wheels.

1996

Production of truck wheels with external valve (ALV wheel).

Acquisition of 20% of the Turkish wheel producer Tekersan, a subsidiary of the biggest industrial group in Turkey, the KOC group.

1997

Michelin takes over 51% of the Kronprinz shares from Mannesmann.

1999

Kronprinz is now fully owned by Michelin.

2001

The cast alloy production is sold to the Borbet Group. These activities continue today under the name Kronprinz Aluguß GmbH in Solingen.

Foundation of the RäderPort in Essen in co-operation with the Fritz Berger GmbH. This external logistic platform is in charge of the distribution of wheels for the Aftermarket to the European wholesaler network.

2003

Take over of the Fritz Berger GmbH by KRONPRINZ.

2004

Final take over of the Turkish wheel producer Tekersan.

2005

The mefro wheels group takes over the complete Michelin wheel business.