About · Company history
Decades of GRAF Group engineering
Milestone facts published by Otto Graf GmbH and the GRAF Group, from the 1962 founding through Australian manufacturing today.
This timeline summarises GRAF Group history for Australian customers. Primary sources include the graf.info company history and related GRAF Group publications. Australian manufacturing and support details sit alongside group milestones where they are already documented.
Our heritage
Engineering the future, built on decades of history
Milestone facts from the GRAF Group company history. Read the full timeline.
1962
Otto Graf GmbH founded
Otto F. Graf and Elfriede Graf found Otto Graf GmbH in Germany. The early business sold plastic containers and drums for fruit and wine growing, then industrial tanks.
1974
First GRAF rainwater butts
Market launch of the first GRAF water butts under the idea that “rainwater is free” - the foundation of today’s rainwater harvesting range.
1978
Underground rainwater tanks
Plastic underground rainwater tanks open a new product segment. The French subsidiary relocates to Dachstein (Alsace) and starts rotational moulding.
1997-2001
Herkules, infiltration & wastewater
Herkules tank logistics innovation, first-generation percolation blocks for infiltration and retention, then fully biological wastewater treatment systems.
2007-2008
Carat S and Australia
Launch of the Carat S underground tank supports global export growth. Sales branches are founded in Australia and the United Kingdom.
2014
KLARO joins the group
After more than a decade of partnership, Otto Graf GmbH takes over Klaro GmbH - consolidating decentralised sewage expertise within the GRAF Group.
2017-2022
Global growth & 60 years
GRAF Polska, the Herbolzheim Competence Center Raw Materials, the Neuried factory and further international subsidiaries expand recycling and manufacturing. Otto Graf GmbH marks its 60th anniversary in 2022.
Today - Australia
GRAF Australia
Part of the GRAF Group of more than 700 people worldwide, GRAF Australia manufactures rotomoulded products in Western Australia and specifies German-engineered rainwater, stormwater and wastewater systems for Australian sites.
Also see Germany HQ and About GRAF Australia.
Work with GRAF on your next project
From a backyard tank to a civil detention system, our team sizes, specifies and supports installations across Australia.