The history of THEKO®

The one-man business Theo Keller emerged in 1966 from the Franz Keller OHG, which was founded in 1946 and had been successfully selling various goods like stationary, fireworks and Oriental interior decor items. The brothers Theo Keller and Franz Keller decided to split the business in order to focus on different classes of goods.

Along with 40 employees, Theo Keller generated sales worth of 4,000,000 Deutsche Mark. The main business was selling stationary, leather goods and souvenirs. At the same time Theo Keller promoted the import of home textiles like carpets and cushions from Balkan States, North Africa and the Orient. In the course of time the company had become one of the most important market actors in the import of carpets.

In the middle of the seventies: The interaction with Indian business partners was possible only via telegram. Theo Keller’s telegram address read „theko-wattenscheid“. In 1980, the carpet brand THEKO®-collection was born. Only three years later, THEKO® had become one of the most famous carpet brands in germany besides VORWERK. In december 1985, the Theo Keller GmbH was founded.

By the end of the 20th century, the Theo Keller GmbH had established its position as one of the market leading companies in the import of goods from Nepal, China, India, Morocco, Egypt, Persia and Greece. The business generates about 50,000,000 euros and employs 120 associates. Theo Keller has become an important partner for leading mail order sellers and furniture shops as well as specialist retailers.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the company was hit by poor market conditions. After reorganising and streamlining the business in 2004, the Theo Keller GmbH has managed to keep up its market leading position in the field of carpet design and manufacturing.