About Us
In 1981, Karl and Jeanne Roese had a bold vision - to elevate the floor sanding industry and make it accessible to tradesmen in the Southampton area. So, they founded KHR Company LTD and formed a partnership with German manufacturer Lagler GmbH to distribute top-notch sanding machines throughout the UK. Little did they know, their humble beginnings would turn into a nationwide revolution.
Fast forward to today, and KHR has cemented its position as a major player in the floor sanding sector. With a reputation for providing unparalleled technical information and customer service, KHR has grown to work with flooring professionals, contractors and hire shops throughout the UK, including Central London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are partnered with the biggest names in floor sanding machinery, abrasives and consumables.
KHR is also proud to be one of the international providers of Lagler's Premium Sanding Technology (PST) Training for professional floor sanders.
Under the leadership of the brother-sister team of Peter Roese and Katie Roese-Mclean, KHR remains true to its roots as a small family business, even as it has grown to have nationwide connections. And in 2022, KHR took it to the next level by moving to their new warehouse in Chandlers Ford.
At KHR, we're dedicated to helping our clients make their flooring dreams a reality, with a customer service that goes above and beyond.
The KHR Timeline
1981 - KHR COMPANY LTD. ESTABLISHED
Set up by Karl and Jeanne Roese, KHR came into being after seeing the potential for partnerships with foreign manufacturers in the flooring supplies industry. Shortly after inception KHR solidified a lasting partnership with German company Lagler and become their sole UK agents for Lagler products. The partnership brings the world’s leading belt sander – the Hummel – to the UK.
1993 - TRIO MARKET LAUNCH
Lagler releases it’s innovative new floor sanding machine – the Trio. With new resources and technology available, this new design is the first to feature an inbuilt sensor to monitor dust extraction and becomes the first floor sanding machine to be awarded the “GS Wood Dust Test”- once again setting new standards of design and safety in the industry.
1997 - PETER ROESE JOINS KHR
After leaving school Peter joins the family business part-time, learning the ropes of all things Lagler from his father Karl and many visits to the factory in Germany. The workplace provides a great environment for his technical mind and he quickly learns more about the Lagler products – taking them apart and rebuilding them many times over. After finishing college, Peter starts working for KHR on a full-time basis.
2001 - FLIP MARKET LAUNCH & NEW KHR OFFICES
Development and market launch of the edge and corner sanding machine FLIP. Made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic, it stands for a new generation of sanding machines.
As the UK business grows, more stock and staff are required and the small office that once housed KHR is no longer viable. KHR moves into it’s new premises in Portswood, Southampton in Hampshire.
2002 - KATIE ROESE-MCLEAN JOINS KHR
Joining her brother and parents at KHR, Katie begins working in the family business. Coming on board as an account manager – and with a history in sales and financial management – Katie builds out KHR’s customer base and creates new strategies to market Lagler products across the UK with great success.
2003 - LAGLER LAUNCHES THE SINGLE
Lagler develops and releases the single-disc sanding machine – the Single – for finishing or intermediate sanding and sub-floor preparation.
2006 - KARL & JEANNE ROESE RETIRE
KHR Founders Karl and Jeanne retire after a successful 25 year career to spend more time abroad and with their family. Their children Katie and Peter take up directorship of the company.
2011 - KHR OFFERS PST® TRAINING TO THE UK
Following Lagler’s success in Germany, KHR introduces the PST® Training course in the UK. This certification gives customers and machine users advanced technical knowledge of machine maintenance and operation for optimum results.
2016 - LAGLER CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF BUSINESS!
To mark the occasion, Lagler HQ produce a limited edition carbon fiber Trio to be won by a lucky customer. Here in the UK, KHR creates this official Lagler UK website as a portal for UK-based businesses to get the very best in machine servicing and PST® training information for the Lagler product range.
2017 - FIRST FLY & SAND
KHR participate in the first Fly & Sand competition, taking ten floor sanding professionals from across the UK to visit the Lagler factory in Germany. In addition to meeting the team and seeing how the world's best floor sanding machines are created, the attendees also get the chance to experience PST at Lagler's purpose-built training area at their HQ.
2022 - NEW HQ AND 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS
After 21 years in Portswood and 40 years in business, KHR moves to a brand new HQ in Omega Enterprise Park, Chandlers Ford. The new space will provide a home for KHR's growing product ranges, expand their Training Areas and offer suppliers a place to demo their products.