What KALTENBACH does

KALTENBACH (Kaltenbach GmbH + Co KG) is a privately held German industrial machinery manufacturer founded in 1889 and headquartered in Lörrach, Germany, with an engineering and production facility in Hengelo (Netherlands) operating under the GIETART brand. The company designs and manufactures capital equipment for processing steel and other non-ferrous metals, including saw-drill combination lines, band and circular saws, robotic coping/notching systems, drilling and milling machines, shot-blasting systems, and painting lines. Technology differentiation rests on integrated saw-drill combinations (S-Line, M-Line, KKS, KBS, KBP product families), the GIETART high-performance turbines achieving speeds above 300 km/h for shot blasting, automatic 5-tool-per-axis tool changers, 3D profile measurement scanners, automatic robot program generation, and Industry 4.0 process monitoring on platforms such as PROFICUT.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time capital equipment sales — ranging from entry-level compact systems to fully customized steel-fabrication-factory set-ups — supplemented by recurring revenue streams from spare and wear parts, after-sales service (helpdesk, repair, preventive maintenance), training, and used/refurbished equipment sales. Pricing is customized per configuration, with multi-year contract cadences on new equipment, seasonal spare-parts discounts, and trade-in programs for legacy circular saws. The company operates a sales-led go-to-market through regional sales partners (KCS, SSP), competence centers, and direct engagement for complex projects, serving customers across Steel Fabrication, Steel Service Centers, Crane Building, Bridge Building, Transmission Towers, Automotive, Machine Construction, Structural Engineering, Ship Building, Metal Construction, and Locksmith shops, with documented enterprise customers including Tata Steel and Schwarzwald Eisen, mid-market customers including Stürmsfs AG and Reesink Staal, and SMB customers across German-speaking Europe.

Name

KALTENBACH

Legal name

Kaltenbach GmbH + Co KG

Website

https://kaltenbach.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

KALTENBACH is a German industrial machinery manufacturer of steel and non-ferrous metal processing equipment, including saw-drill lines, robotic coping systems, shot-blasting and painting systems, serving steel fabricators, service centers, and machinery constructors globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Steel Processing Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (333519), Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Sheet Metal Work (3444)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Saws & Cutting Systems (Band/Circular Saws, Abrasive Cutting) (IMAHADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC), Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)

Keywords

• Steel processing equipment
• Saw-drill combinations
• Shot blasting systems
• Industrial metalworking machinery
• Surface treatment equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Lörrach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Capital Equipment Sales: Sale of industrial steel processing machinery including saw-drill lines, band saws, circular saws, drilling machines, coping robots, shot blasting systems, and painting equipment. Equipment ranges from entry-level compact systems to fully automated production lines.
2. Customized Production Lines: Completely customized set-up of steel fabrication factories with integrated high-quality solutions combining blasting, sawing, drilling, milling, coping and welding technologies.
3. Spare and Wear Parts: Sale of spare parts and wear parts for existing equipment. Company offers seasonal discounts (e.g., 10% summer discount) and has a trade-in program for older circular saws.
4. Service and Maintenance: After-sales services including helpdesk, repair & servicing, training, and preventive maintenance programs.
5. Used Machines: Sale of refurbished/used industrial steel processing equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KALTENBACH designs and manufactures industrial machinery for processing steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals. The product portfolio spans saw-drill combinations, band and circular saws, coping robots, drilling and milling machines, shot blasting systems, and painting equipment, complemented by completely customized steel fabrication factory setups and after-sales services.

Product overview

KALTENBACH is a leading provider of high-quality steel processing and surface treatment equipment with over 135 years of experience. The product portfolio consists of multiple core product categories: Saw Drill Lines (combinations of sawing and drilling), Band Sawing (KBP, KBS series), Circular Sawing (KKS series from KKS 400 to KKS 463 NA), Coping/Robotic Notching (KC series including KC 1201 and KC 1221), Plate Processing, Drilling/Milling (KDM series), Shot Blasting (GIETART ECO Blaster and SPRINT series), and Painting systems. The portfolio is organized into sub-brands including the M-Line (next-generation saw-drill combinations), S-Line (entry-level saw-drill combinations), and GIETART (shot blasting and painting systems). Supporting products include Measuring Carriages (M 151, M 251, M 252, M 351), Automatic Infeed Systems (AIG 751), Grippers (SPG 601), and Push-off Devices (POD). The company also offers complete customized factory set-ups and industry-specific processing solutions serving automotive, bridge building, crane building, machine construction, ship building, steel fabrication, steel service centers, structural engineering, and transmission tower markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GIETART: Shot blast and painting systems brand, operated under KALTENBACH Group. Referenced via LinkedIn: 'LinkedIn Gietart' (linkedin.com/company/kaltenbach-shotblast-and-painting-systems-b-v).

Products and services

• Saw Drill Lines Integrated saw-drill combinations that combine circular or band sawing with drilling capabilities for steel processing applications, serving fabrication, structural engineering, and steel service centers.
• Band Sawing Machines Band saw machines with miter units for performance-driven operations with high throughput, including KBP 761 for professional users and KBS 751 for entry-level applications.
• Circular Sawing Machines Circular saw machines including KKS series (KKS 400 U, KKS 450 U, KKS 450 H, KKS 461 NA, KKS 463 NA, KKS 400 DH) for semi-automatic and fully-automatic miter cutting of profiles and solid materials.
• Coping/Robotic Notching Systems Robotic coping/notching systems including KC 1201 and KC 1221 for 4-sided marking and cutting of structural steel, H-beams, U-profiles, L-profiles, and square tubes with up to 8 axes.
• Plate Processing Equipment Equipment for processing steel plates including cutting, drilling, and surface preparation operations for fabrication and steel service center applications.
• Drilling and Milling Machines High-performance drilling and milling machines for structural steel profiles including KDM series with automatic linear tool changing systems and multiple drill axes.
• Shot Blasting Systems Shot blasting systems under the GIETART brand including ECO Blaster series (1504, 1506, 2506, 3008) and SPRINT series for cleaning profiles, tubes, and plates with throughputs up to 20,000 tons per year.
• Painting Systems Painting and coating systems for surface treatment of steel profiles, tubes, and plates including automated and manual configurations.
• M-Line Saw-Drill Combination Next generation saw-drill combination line for growing steel construction and steel trading companies - powerful, versatile, and scalable.
• S-Line Saw-Drill Combination Entry-level saw-drill combination (KBS 751 | KDS 615) for efficiency-focused users with compact design, automatic tool changer, and precision drilling up to Ø 32 mm.
• GIETART ECO Blaster 1504 Cost-effective shot blasting system for cleaning plates, profiles, and tubes with workspace 1,500 x 600 mm, 4 turbines, suitable for throughput up to 20,000 tons/year.
• KKS 463 NA Circular Saw Fully-automatic universal circular saw for profiles, solid material, and tubes with miter range, inkjet marking system, and automatic angle positioning via servomotor.
• KC 1221 Coping System Versatile coping system for 4-sided marking and cutting with 1,220 x 475 mm working range, modern plasma technology, 3D profile scanning, and Stäubli 6-axis robot.
• KBP 761 Band Saw Band saw with miter unit for performance-driven operations with high throughput for professional users in the M-Line series.
• Customized Steel Fabrication Factory Set-ups Completely customized set-up of steel fabrication factories with advanced blasting, sawing, drilling, milling, coping, and welding technologies integrated into complete production lines.
• Used Machines Pre-owned and refurbished steel processing equipment available for purchase.
• After-Sales Service and Spare Parts After-sales services including helpdesk, repair and servicing, training, preventive maintenance programs, and supply of spare and wear parts for installed equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Time savings of up to 70% with drill machines using carbide tools
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StäublicoreTechnology or IntegrationStäubli provides precision 6-axis robots used in KC 1201/1221 notching robots for automated cutting operations in steel processing applications.
• KjellbergcoreTechnology or IntegrationKjellberg plasma sources available as options for KC 1221 notching robots for high-definition plasma cutting.
• HyperthermcoreTechnology or IntegrationHypertherm plasma sources available as options for KC 1221 notching robots for high-definition plasma cutting.
• SSP (Steel Service Partner)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSP and KCS (Kaltenbach Cutting Systems) colleagues mentioned in company events, suggesting partnership network for sales and service.
• KCS (Kaltenbach Cutting Systems)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKCS brand/colleagues mentioned alongside SSP, suggesting subsidiary or sister company for cutting systems distribution.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peddinghaus Corporation: Peddinghaus designs and manufactures structural steel processing equipment including saw-drill lines, plate processing, and coping systems — a directly comparable product portfolio targeting the same steel fabrication and structural steel end markets as KALTENBACH. Both compete head-to-head in North American and international structural steel fabrication.
• Ficep S.p.A. Ficep is a global manufacturer of CNC machines for the steel construction industry, including drilling, sawing, coping, and shot blasting systems — closely overlapping KALTENBACH's product portfolio and serving identical structural steel and steel service center customers.
• Voortman Steel Machinery: Voortman produces integrated steel processing systems including saw-drill lines, plate processing, coping robots, and shot blasting/painting systems for structural steel fabricators — directly comparable to KALTENBACH's GIETART and saw-drill offerings.
• HGG Profiling Equipment: HGG specializes in 3D profiling and robotic cutting/coping machines for steel beams and profiles, directly competing with KALTENBACH's KC 1201/1221 coping robots and overlapping in bridge, structural, and offshore steel fabrication.
• Messer Cutting Systems: Messer Cutting Systems manufactures oxy-fuel, plasma, and laser cutting systems for steel plate and structural profiles, with a focus on industrial cutting automation — directly comparable to KALTENBACH's plate processing and KC series coping equipment.
• Agtos GmbH: Agtos is a European manufacturer of shot blasting and wheel blast systems for steel plates, profiles, and structural components — a direct competitor to KALTENBACH's GIETART ECO and SPRINT shot blasting product families serving the same surface preparation use cases.

Broad incumbents

• ESAB Corporation: ESAB is a global welding and cutting major offering plasma/oxy-fuel cutting equipment, automation, and surface treatment solutions. It competes broadly in steel processing but on a much wider scale and with different go-to-market dynamics than KALTENBACH's specialized mid-market equipment focus.
• TRUMPF SE + Co. KG: TRUMPF is a global leader in sheet metal processing machinery including laser cutting, punching, and bending — overlapping with KALTENBACH's plate processing and cutting categories but operating at significantly larger scale and broader scope across industrial laser markets.
• Bystronic Group: Bystronic manufactures sheet metal processing systems including laser cutters, press brakes, and automation — a broader incumbent in metal processing machinery whose laser/plasma cutting portfolio competes with KALTENBACH's plate processing line.

Emerging players

• Rösler Oberflächentechnik: Rösler manufactures shot blasting, mass finishing, and surface treatment equipment, with steel structural applications as a subset of its broader industrial portfolio — overlapping KALTENBACH's GIETART surface treatment business but with a wider end-market reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kaltenbach
• Facebookfacebook.com/gietart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KALTENBACH