Hardinge
Hardinge is a precision CNC machine tool manufacturer offering turning, milling, grinding, honing, and workholding solutions to aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturers globally. Following 2024 restructuring, operating businesses continue under Kellenberger and Forkardt Hardinge brands, owned by Centre Lane Partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersElmira, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hardinge does
Hardinge Inc. is a precision machine tool manufacturer, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Elmira, United States, with a multi-decade history of producing CNC turning, milling, grinding, honing, and workholding solutions for industrial manufacturers. Its product portfolio spans high-precision grinding technology (marketed as SUPER-PRECISION through its Kellenberger subsidiary in Goldach, Switzerland), hard turning capabilities, advanced honing systems (via Ohio Tool Works, acquired 2021), automated turning solutions (via J.G Weisser, acquired 2021), and a globally distributed workholding product line (Forkardt Hardinge). The combined enterprise represents over 230 years of industry heritage across its constituent brands and serves customers in aerospace components manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, and broader industrial sectors requiring tight-tolerance precision components.
The company operates a B2B industrial machinery model with quote-based pricing on capital equipment, distributed through direct enterprise sales, authorized resellers, and regional sales offices (notably Hardinge China in Shanghai). In 2021, Hardinge pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, adding Ohio Tool Works and J.G Weisser to round out its precision machining platform. In 2024, amid bankruptcy proceedings, affiliates of Centre Lane Partners acquired Hardinge's global machine and workholding businesses and reorganized them into two independent entities — Kellenberger (grinding and hard turning, Switzerland-based) and Forkardt Hardinge (workholding) — each positioned with stated capital and operational flexibility to invest in growth. The original Hardinge Inc. entity remains subject to bankruptcy administration via Kroll.
Hardinge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hardinge
- Legal name
- Hardinge Inc.
- Website
- https://hardinge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Hardinge is a precision CNC machine tool manufacturer offering turning, milling, grinding, honing, and workholding solutions to aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturers globally. Following 2024 restructuring, operating businesses continue under Kellenberger and Forkardt Hardinge brands, owned by Centre Lane Partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hardinge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Machine Tools
- NAICS
- Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)
- SIC
- Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grinding, Honing & Superfinishing Equipment (IMAHADAE)
Keywords
Where Hardinge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elmira
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hardinge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Hardinge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hardinge Inc. is a precision machine tool manufacturer that designs, produces, and sells advanced metal-cutting solutions including CNC turning, milling, grinding, honing, and workholding systems. Its portfolio is delivered through sub-brands such as Kellenberger (Swiss-based grinding and hard turning), Forkardt Hardinge (workholding), Hardinge China (CNC machines), and acquired brands Ohio Tool Works (honing) and J.G Weisser (high-precision turning and automation) for industrial manufacturers globally.
Product overview
Hardinge Inc. is a precision machine tool company that historically offered a unified platform of Turning, Milling, Grinding, Honing, and Workholding solutions. Following its 2024 bankruptcy filing, the company transacted the sale of its global machine and workholding businesses to affiliates of Centre Lane Partners. The machine and workholding businesses now operate as two separate companies: Kellenberger (grinding and hard turning solutions) and Forkardt Hardinge (workholding products), both under Centre Lane's ownership. Additionally, Hardinge China continues to provide CNC turning, milling, and grinding machines. Prior to these changes, Hardinge had expanded its portfolio through acquisitions including Ohio Tool Works (honing technology) and J.G Weisser GmbH & Co. KG (high-precision turning machines and automation solutions).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kellenberger: Based in Goldach, Switzerland, Kellenberger is known for innovation, quality, and a customer-centric approach for grinding, SUPER-PRECISION® and hard turning.
- Forkardt Hardinge
Products and services
- Forkardt Hardinge Workholding Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- Enhanced precision machining capabilities across multiple industries and geographic regions
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hardinge
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hardinge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hardinge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- J.G Weisser GmbH & Co. KGcoreHardinge announced acquisition of J.G Weisser, a German manufacturer of high-precision turning machines and automation solutions, under a definitive agreement. The acquisition aimed to enhance Hardinge's Turning and Milling platform by integrating Weisser's innovative products and technologies, supporting growth in established industries and geographies.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hardinge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Haas Automation: US-based CNC machine tool builder offering vertical machining centers, lathes, and rotary products. Competes with Hardinge's CNC turning and milling lines, especially in mid-market industrial customers.
- Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry: Japanese manufacturer of precision CNC turning centers and multi-tasking machines, directly comparable to Hardinge/Weisser high-precision turning offerings for automotive and aerospace components.
- Fritz Studer (United Grinding): Swiss-based manufacturer of high-precision cylindrical grinding machines, a direct competitor to Kellenberger in the SUPER-PRECISION grinding segment with similar customer base and technology positioning.
- INDEX-Werke: German manufacturer of precision turning machines and turn-mill centers, comparable to Hardinge/Weisser in high-precision turning for automotive and aerospace component manufacturing.
- EMAG: German precision machine tool manufacturer specializing in turning, grinding, and gear cutting. Competes directly with Kellenberger and Weisser in precision component manufacturing solutions.
- Makino Milling Machine: Japanese manufacturer of horizontal and vertical machining centers, specializing in precision milling for aerospace and die/mold applications — directly competitive with Hardinge's milling and turning portfolio.
- Kitagawa (workholding): Japanese manufacturer of workholding products including chucks, cylinders, and rotary tables. Directly comparable to Forkardt Hardinge's workholding portfolio for CNC machine tool applications.
Broad incumbents
- DMG MORI: Global leader in CNC machine tools including turning, milling, and grinding centers. Directly competes with Hardinge/Kellenberger across the precision machine tool portfolio and is a much larger incumbent.
- Mazak: Major Japanese CNC machine tool manufacturer offering turning, milling, and multi-tasking machines. Directly competes with Hardinge in metal-cutting machine tools, particularly in automotive and aerospace end-markets.
- Okuma Corporation: Japanese CNC machine tool maker offering turning, milling, and grinding centers. Competes with Hardinge across multiple product categories in automotive and industrial manufacturing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hardinge social profiles
Digital presenceHardinge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hardinge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Hardinge subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Hardinge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hardinge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hardinge
What does Hardinge do?
Hardinge Inc. is a precision machine tool manufacturer that designs, produces, and sells advanced metal-cutting solutions including CNC turning, milling, grinding, honing, and workholding systems. Its portfolio is delivered through sub-brands such as Kellenberger (Swiss-based grinding and hard turning), Forkardt Hardinge (workholding), Hardinge China (CNC machines), and acquired brands Ohio Tool Works (honing) and J.G Weisser (high-precision turning and automation) for industrial manufacturers globally.
Is Hardinge a public or private company?
Hardinge is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently acquired.
When was Hardinge founded?
Hardinge was founded in 1890. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Hardinge based?
Hardinge is headquartered in Elmira, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Hardinge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Haas Automation, Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry, Fritz Studer (United Grinding), INDEX-Werke, EMAG, Makino Milling Machine and Kitagawa (workholding). Broad incumbents are DMG MORI, Mazak and Okuma Corporation.
Does Hardinge have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hardinge.
What industry is Hardinge in?
Hardinge's product category is Industrial Machine Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAE, Grinding, Honing & Superfinishing Equipment. Its NAICS code is 333515 and its SIC code is 3541.