Founded in 1905 by German engineer Georg Knorr in Berlin and headquartered in Munich, Knorr-Bremse AG is the global market leader in braking systems and a premier supplier of mission-critical subsystems for rail and commercial vehicles. Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (MDAX), the group operates in more than 30 countries across over 100 locations, employing more than 33,000 specialists worldwide.

The Rail Vehicle Systems division (Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge) equips passenger transit fleets—including high-speed trains (such as the ICE, Shinkansen, TGV, and Frecciarossa), regional multiple units, metros, and light rail vehicles—as well as heavy freight trains and locomotives. Its core technology scope spans complete electro-pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechatronic braking architectures, compressed air supply systems, friction materials, and wheel-slide protection (WSP) units.

Beyond braking systems, Knorr-Bremse integrates an extensive family of specialized rail technology brands: IFE (automatic transit entrance and plug door systems), Merak (climate control / HVAC engineering), Microelettrica Scientifica (traction components and electronic power control), EVAC (vacuum sanitation systems), Zelisko (instrument transformers and train signaling sensors), and Westinghouse Platform Screen Doors (PSD systems). The company is leading global development in Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) for European freight automation and connected digital train health monitoring.