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Company History

The Alfred H Knight Group was first established by Alfred Henry Knight in 1881 to provide independent weight determination, inspection, supervision and analytical services to the metals, minerals, solid fuels and agricultural industries.

Our first international expansion was in Western Europe, followed by operations in Latin America including Chile, Peru and Mexico. The company continued to grow, opening facilities in North America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Canada.

Our sustained growth is due to our continued re-investment in our personnel and facilities, including the latest advancements in laboratory technology and instrumentation.

We are a totally independent, family-owned business spanning our fifth generation of the Knight family. The business is managed centrally by its UK head office, and still remains a privately owned company with over 3,000 staff worldwide.

1881

Our History: Alfred H Knight was first established in Swansea, UK by Alfred Henry Knight in 1881.

1884

Our History: AHK relocates to the city of Liverpool, UK.

1891

Relocation into purpose-built offices and laboratories in Liverpool.

1909

AHK extends to double the laboratory size at Liverpool premises.

1961

Established operations in Nigeria – first substantial overseas adventure.

1970

Opened operations office in Connecticut, USA.

1973

Laboratory and office opened in South America. Peru base set up first, then sampling services in Chile & Brazil and an agency in Argentina. Established operations in Bilbao, Spain.

1979

Operations opened in Antwerp, Belgium.

1981

Established laboratory in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. AHK starts to expand its expertise and capabilities into other markets, such as coal.

1985

AHK UK moves into premises at Eccleston Grange in St. Helens, UK.

1986

Knight Energy Services established operations at AHK HQ in Eccleston Grange, UK with subsidiary coal operations in Russia and the Baltics. Established operations in Holland. Opened laboratory in Chile.

1987

Established operations in Turkey.

1988

Established operations in Hong Kong to service clients in Chinese ports.

1990

Established operations in Tianjin, China.

1991

Established operations and laboratory in Poland.

1994

Established operations in Port of Ventspils, Latvia.

1996

Established operations in Constanta, Romania.

1997

Established operations in Moscow, Russia.

1999

Purchased state-owned service Laboratories and Testing House from the Government in Zambia. Established a mineral export port in Townsville, Australia.

2003

Established operations in Mongolia.

2007

AHK Joint venture in China

2011

Knight Energy Services moves to new headquarters in Dundonald, Kilmarnock, Scotland.

2012

Established operations at Lea Green, UK.

2015

AHK Headquarters moved to larger, modern premises, in the UK a short distance from Eccleston Grange. Established operations and laboratory in DRC.

2017

Purpose-built principle John Knight Laboratory in the UK. Established operations in Bolivia.

2018

Opened Tianjin laboratory in China. Established operations in South Korea.

2019

AHK acquires Waste Research Limited (WRL) to expand testing services to the RDF and SRF industries.

2020

Established operations in Germany, AHK Deutschland GmbH. Expanded the John Knight Laboratory opening Villiers Copper Laboratory in the UK.

Click here to read more about AHK Villiers Copper Laboratory

2021

Alfred H Knight Celebrates 140 Years!

2022

Alfred H Knight acquires M·E·L Waste Insights, strengthening the business’ position within the waste composition market throughout the United Kingdom.

2022

Alfred H Knight acquires Chilean company ASMIN Industrial Limitada, expanding its metallurgical and mineralogical capabilities and the business’ footprint within South America.

2022

Alfred H Knight opens a state-of-the-art sample preparation facility in Olympic Business Park, Kilmarnock, UK.

2022

Alfred H Knight launches its Agriculture services, providing a wide range of inspection, analysis and consultancy services throughout the full Agricultural supply chain.