Kern Group

Since 1947, the Kern Group has established a unique place in the document management sector. Driven by innovation and a continual commitment to customers, the company continues to thrive and prosper. In 1983, Kern Limited was set up to meet the needs of customers across the United Kingdom and this business continues to go from strength-to-strength.

2002: The integration of a complete range of Finishing on Demand products further boosted the company’s total competency across all market areas.

2000: The management of Kern AG was significantly restructured, and Uli Kern became President of Kern Holdings AG, the sole shareholder for Kern, sealing the continued future of Kern as a family owned firm and protecting its unique independence. A new showroom facility was established with comprehensive training facilities.

1997: Kern’s fiftieth anniversary year. Kern International Inc was launched in the USA. The year also saw the launch of the K4000 C4 flat inserter and the development of ADF compatible software.

1994: The K3000 mailing machine launched cycling at 26,000 mailpieces per hour.

1984: Kern introduced the world’s first modular inserting system, the K2000, and opened a new factory in Konolfingen.

1982: Kern GmbH was established and this was followed by Kern Ltd in 1983; both saw rapid market growth.

1975: The first computer-controlled document inserting system was developed for Swiss Bank Corporation.

1968: Kern introduced the first ‘online’ system with cutting, folding and inserting as a single process. Three years after that, Kern launched its K950 continuous forms cutter.

1964: The first worldwide Kern inserters to incorporate Optical Reading (the Kern Automatic Electronic) were delivered to customers.

1957: Kern AG incorporated and in the early 1960s Kern’s distribution network expanded into 10 countries, and celebrated sales of what was known as the Kern Automatic Universal reaching 100 units.

1951: Kern moved to larger premises and by 1954 had sold ten of the original Kern machines into Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

1947: Kern was founded when Marc Kern set up a small workshop in Huningenstrasse, Konolfingen, Switzerland. He began to design a folding and inserting machine.

The company continues to grow, investing a significant percentage of turnover into research and development each year and furthering its aim of truly customer driven development and a commitment to providing total solutions in all mailroom markets.