The history of KBC reflects the major milestones in the history of the textile industry in Europe since 1753.

The proliferation of restrictive measures enacted throughout the first half of the 18th century for the prohibition of trade, use, and manufacture of printed calico fabrics known as Indiennes did not undermine the appeal of these fabrics imported from India. Manufacturing in Europe proved to be a necessity. The Marquis Friedrich Von Baden and the governor of Lorräch, Walbrunn, granted Philipp Jakop Oberkampf, a renowned dyer, a license to trade in cotton and Indiennes. He was succeeded by Johann Friedrich Küpfer, who, together with the Merian brothers from Basel and the Koechlin family from Mulhouse, founded the Großherzogliche Badische Zitz- und Cotton-Fabrik in 1753.

With the next generation, the company was transformed into a cutting-edge manufacturer of textile prints, which was then in full expansion. The region of Baden-Württemberg became one of the nerve centers of this industry.

The beginning of the 19th century marked the streamlining of production, the innovation of the quality of chemical dyes, and the professionalization of creativity, which was not satisfied with copying motifs from elsewhere but initiated new ornamental research specific to European culture.

In the 19th century, if technology is queen, the engineer is king.
In 1843, the chemist Léon Baumgartner joined the company and became Koechlin, Baumgartner & Cie.
The name KBC was established at that time and remains unchanged to this day.

In 1917, during the First World War, the French Koechlin family was expropriated by the German chancellor and the company became German.

In 1928, KBC became part of the DMC Dolfuss-Mieg & Cie group.
Production continued during the Second World War.

From 1949 to 1960, KBC became the leading textile printing company in Europe and developed its commercial export policy.

Since the 1970s, KBC has expanded its market areas to the United States, China, Eastern Europe, etc. Active today on all continents, KBC’s reputation is international. The 1980s marked a considerable advance in terms of technological development. Creativity, responsiveness, and precision of execution make KBC the leading company in the textile printing market.

In 2017 Imprima, an Italian group operating worldwide in textile printing, integrated KBC Fashion GmbH. In 2018, the production is consolidated in Como, Italy, while the sales and design departments are located at the headquarters in Maulburg.

KBC thus draws on the synergies of European know-how in its excellence: the best of the Germanic tradition textile expertise in Lorräch and the Italian know-how of production in Como.

Beyond obtaining all the recommended environmental approvals, in 2021, Imprima Group created a Sustainability department with the objective of zero emissions in 2025.

Quality, creativity, innovation, and environmental responsibility are the pillars that have allowed the company to maintain its activity for 270 years and to face today’s new technological challenges.