For 75 years, the König & Meyer brand has stood for premium quality accessories with distinctive designs and high functionality in the world of music. With just 10 employees, company founders Karl König and Erich Meyer — originally from Thuringia, Germany — started production at the Wertheim site in Baden-Württemberg in 1949.
König & Meyer initially began making music stands, and shortly afterwards expanded the product line with the production of instrument stands. The popularity of Elvis Presley, the Beatles and rock ‘n’ roll music created a surge in demand for stage equipment, which marked a decisive development step in the company’s history.
A Legacy of Innovation
In 1966, Martin König and his father Karl König designed a microphone stand using a folding base instead of the previous screw-in legs, allowing for more flexible use on stage, and the legendary 210/2 was born. In the 1970s, the stand was supplemented by a telescopic boom arm, and thus another classic, the 210/9, is introduced to the market. Over the years, K&M has sold millions of these, and decades later, they remain in production, accepted as a worldwide industry standard.
Apart from the company’s legendary classics like the 210/2 microphone stand, König & Meyer has demonstrated a long history of systematically extending and developing its product range. Among these include music, microphone and musical instrument stands, speaker tripods, seats, lighting, sound and studio technology — all with an emphasis on high functionality for the rigorous demands of professional users.
Today, a team of more than 300 employees develop, manufacture and market 1,800 products that are supplied to more than 80 countries and five continents under the K&M brand.
The company manufactures a wide range of music and instrument stands, keyboard stands, drummer’s thrones, keyboard and piano benches as well as pro audio products. The company has also opened up business areas in the fields of multimedia, shop fitting and orchestral equipment.
For example, as technologies such as smartphones, laptops and tablets became an integral component in live shows — whether for backing track playbacks, recording or displaying lyrics, software and music notation — there was a need for mounts and stands for these peripherals. König & Meyer responded to the call, supplying a variety of high-quality solutions for the studio, live sound and professional musician market.
And it continues, as more innovative products are added every year. The development of innovative new products is a major strategic asset at K&M.
Keys to Success
One key to the company’s success is its high level of vertical integration. K&M has constantly invested in state-of-the-art production processes and new technologies, such as laser cutting systems and CNC machines. A new distribution center was put into operation in 2017, a new assembly hall was built in 2019 and a completely new powder coating system was installed in 2023. All of these investments create the flexibility to react quickly to customer needs and market requirements.
K&M also takes environmental protection far beyond the scope of legal requirements. In order to achieve sustainable production that is as environmentally friendly as possible, the company works continuously to avoid waste, reduce emissions and preserve resources. For example, water consumption has been reduced by 94% since 1979. König & Meyer is certified in accordance with ISO 14001 and the EMAS II standard and has received an award from the state of Baden-Württemberg for its commitment to environmental protection.
Various products, such as tablet and drink holders, are now made from a plant-based plastic. This contributes to the conservation of limited fossil resources and the associated reduction of climate-damaging CO2 emissions. Additionally, in 2010, K&M installed a photovoltaic solar system on the roof of the company, which feeds 100 megawatt-hours into the power grid, thus preventing some 65 tons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere, which — like the move toward plant-based plastics — also conserves global resources.
Since day one, cooperation with professional users and support for musicians been a priority for König & Meyer, and of particular interest is K&M’s supporting of young performers. The young talent competitions Deutscher Rock und Pop Preis and the Emergenza Festival have been sponsored since 2001 and 2002 respectively. Endorsements of many well-known artists such as Silbermond, Hurts, Nightwish, Milky Chance, Rea Garvey and Accept are integral to K&M’s current marketing strategy.
The Next Gen
Managing partner, father and entrepreneur Martin König — who had helmed the company since the death of his father in 1967 — passed away on Jan. 4, 2023. With great personal commitment, foresight and a drive for innovation, he paved the way for the company’s rise to its current status as a global market leader over decades. Martin König’s philosophy and beliefs were firmly anchored in the company and he passed his lifetime of experience to the next generation.
Like Martin König, managing directors Gabriela König and Heiko Wolz continue to see the future of the company at the Wertheim site, with an emphasis on building long-term business relationships, having control over every step of production and always remaining innovative. These are the principles for the future. “Our products are characterized by a love of quality and functionality. With this spirit, we look to the future — and to many ideas that are yet to come,” stated the managing directors.
One facet that has remained unchanged during the company’s 75-year history is an absolute passion for precision. This is reflected at every stage of manufacturing, from the selection of first-class raw materials to a high quality of finishing that can be felt in the tiniest details of all K&M products. In fact, one of the goals of founders Karl König and Erich Meyer was knowing that in the end, only one thing counts: helping the users who lay trust in K&M products to find lively expression in their art.
For more info, visit U.S. distributor Connolly Music (www.connollymusic.com) or www.k-m.de
