OKM History

From unique idea to trendsetter in the detector industry: Once started as hobby in the home garage, OKM is a worldwide successful company today – developing certified detection technologies.

2023

OKM Americas, based in Charlotte, USA, becomes subsidiary of OKM Germany. Read more

Moreover, OKM has been honored as a Hidden Champion – a Thuringian world market and technology leader –, as well as with the ThEx Award in the category Succession.

2022

In January 2022, OKM Türkiye has been awarded as the "Best Archeology and Geotechnology Engineering Company of the Year 2021". View Award Ceremony

2021

Since October, OKM Germany is managed by CEO Stephan A. Grund and CTO Dipl.-Inf. Christian Becker. Founder Andreas Krauss supports OKM as consultant and inventor.

2021

OKM Germany welcomes first trainee: Since Septemper, OKM Germany is responsible for vocational training in commercial professions. Read more

2020

OKM Türkiye, based in Antalya, Turkey, becomes subsidiary of OKM Germany.

2019

OKM welcomes new managing director: After the retirement of cofounder Ingolf Mueller from the company, Stephan A. Grund takes over the succession at the side of OKM founder Andreas Krauss. Since September he dedicates his strategic expertise, new innovative spirit as well as technical and intercultural skills to OKM.

2018

OKM celebrates 20 years of innovation and development in the field of metal detection and presents a new detector with world’s first adaptable measuring probe that can be used both vertically and horizontally.

2016

OKM intensifies its research and development by cooperating with universities and research institutes. Furthermore OKM introduces its own in-house PCB assembly process.

2012

OKM moves to its new headquarters, a golden pyramid, in Altenburg. Next to the new building OKM sets up test fields where customers can test their new devices.

2010

OKM introduces its first smartphone application to control 3D ground scanners. This will greatly simplify the use of future metal detectors.

2008

OKM establishes its own mechanical and molding department to create and produce individual casings for its ground detectors. This is an essential step to fight the increasing product piracy.

2006

OKM founds the subsidiary OKM Emirates FZE in the United Arab Emirates to support the growing number of customers in the Middle East region. In addition, Kellyco Metal Detectors, the world’s leading supplier of metal detectors, also starts selling OKM detectors after intensive testing and training.

The OKM technology is successfully tested and certified by Dr. Karl-Heinz Walker, independent physicist and technical expert for measurement and sensor technologies as well as publicly appointed and sworn expert of the IHK Karlsruhe (Chamber of Industry and Commerce).

2004

OKM registers first national and international patents and utility models as well as trademarks to protect inventions and innovations such as the world’s first 3D ground scanner with integrated color screen to visualize measuring data directly.

OKM receives a recognition from the Prime Minister of Thuringia Dieter Althaus for the participation in the founder competition “Marktlücke”. (“market niche”).

2002

The partnership OKM GbR transforms to the limited liability company OKM GmbH, which expands worldwide. OKM wins independent dealers and resellers who include the new detectors in their product range.

OKM takes part in the state contest for innovative developments named “Innovationspreis Thüringen” (“Innovation prize of Thuringia”).

2001

Andreas Krauss and Ingolf Mueller found the OKM GbR, a partnership in which OKM stands for “Ortungstechnik Krauss und Mueller”. OKM presents the new developments in TV shows and at conferences. The new detection possibilities and the greater depth range immediately convince enthusiastic treasure hunters and archaeologists.

1998

Andreas Krauss develops his first 3D ground scanner with a visual 3D representation of buried objects. This marks the beginning of the popular OKM Future Series.

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