How everything started

The origins of Knorr-Bremse Global Care as a global organization lie in the founding of Knorr-Bremse Global Care e. V. in Germany. The association was set up by employees of the Knorr-Bremse Group in Munich just a few days after the tsunami of December 26, 2004 in South-East Asia.

The aim was to provide rapid, carefully targeted help to the victims of the disaster. Having successfully implemented its first selected aid projects, Knorr-Bremse Global Care continued its work around the world, constantly expanding and professionalizing its activities.

Today, Knorr-Bremse Global Care is the umbrella organization for the association and the two regional independent offshoots, Knorr-Bremse Global Care North America Ltd. in the US and Knorr-Bremse Global Care Asia Pacific in Hong Kong. Most of its funding comes from the Knorr-Bremse Group and donations from individual employees. The commitment of its members and group employees is the lifeblood of the organization.

Our History



Everything started after the tsunami 2004 in South-East Asia. Knorr-Bremse Global Care provided rapid and unbureaucratic aid for emergency relief and reconstruction projects.

The work quickly became more professional and long-term projects were implemented around the world.

In 2012, we began to increase our involvement in countries with Knorr-Bremse sites. Furthermore, we also focused on our funding areas.

In 2016, we focused on ten countries without Knorr-Bremse sites in addition to the Knorr-Bremse location countries. In order to be even more effective, only projects in education ...

... and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) have been funded.

With these two funding areas, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 6 of the United Nations.

In 2018 two new Knorr-Bremse Global Care organizations were established. In future, more Knorr-Bremse employees will take be involved in Global Care activities.



Our regional structure

In 2018, Knorr-Bremse Global Care took the next step for more impact. This regional approach reflects the structure of the Knorr-Bremse Group. Two independent organizations were found in North America and Asia. They both will remain part of the Knorr-Bremse Global Care umbrella organization with a joint strategy, common rules, consolidated reporting and accounting and, in future, a jointly agreed mission and vision statement.

Knorr-Bremse Global Care e. V. is responsible for projects in Brazil, South Africa and European countries where there are Knorr-Bremse locations, as well as for relief projects in ten additional, developing countries without a Knorr-Bremse presence and the global emergency relief.

Knorr-Bremse Global Care North America Inc. is responsible for Canada, Mexico and USA.

Knorr-Bremse Global Care Asia Pacific Ltd. is managing the projects in Australia, China India and the Pacific Region.

Our aim is to strengthen local responsibility at every Knorr-Bremse site to be able to address local social challenges more effectively at their own discretion and with a closer cultural connection.

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