What Dresselhaus does

Joseph Dresselhaus GmbH & Co. KG is a German C-parts (fasteners and fastening technology) distributor founded in 1950 by Joseph Dresselhaus in Bielefeld and now headquartered in Herford. The company supplies fasteners, connection elements, special and custom drawing parts, and production/maintenance articles to industrial manufacturers (machine and plant engineering, commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, automotive suppliers, furniture) and to trade customers (hardware retail, home-improvement centers, building-materials trade, automotive parts trade, electrical installation trade). It self-describes as one of Europe’s leading C-parts trading companies and operates under the “Die Mehrwertmacher” brand promise with roughly 380 employees.

The product portfolio combines a broad fastener assortment with a DIREKT family of RFID-based Kanban smart-supply solutions — DIREKT Grundmodule, Steuerungs-, Belieferungs-, Bestell- and Ausgabesysteme — plus an IoT-connected DIREKT Wiegesystem weighing platform and the DIREKTbox hybrid virtual trade-fair portal. Supporting value-added services include a CAD drawing service, PLM system integration, custom packaging, product-presentation systems for retail, and an in-house Qualitätssicherung test laboratory. Branded sub-lines include BLACKedition (black-finished fasteners), DIREKTblack shelving, NORD-LOCK locking systems, and premium distribution rights for fischer, SIMPSON Strong-Tie, SPAX and Gesipa ranges. Ordering is enabled through two eCommerce storefronts (SAP-based eShop and UNIX-based WebShop), and the company maintains a six-language web presence (DE/EN/FR/RU/TR/IT).

Dresselhaus runs a sales-led B2B model: direct enterprise sales via 5 large German warehouses (Herford, Lemgo, Maisach plus two additional sites), regional branch offices, and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Austria (Leobersdorf), Turkey (Kocaeli/Dilovası) and Russia (St. Petersburg). Revenue is generated through one-time product sales of distributed and custom-manufactured C-parts, plus value-added services; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held as a GmbH & Co. KG under family/management control, with Markus Weigt as Managing Director and no disclosed external PE/VC investors. Marketing runs through SchraubTec trade fairs, the DIREKTbox hybrid virtual platform, printed catalogues (Werkzeug & Technik, BLACKedition, DIREKTblack) and the eCommerce storefronts.

Name

Dresselhaus

Legal name

Joseph Dresselhaus GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://dresselhaus.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Dresselhaus GmbH & Co. KG is a German C-parts distributor, founded 1950 and headquartered in Herford. It supplies fasteners, fastening technology, and custom parts to industrial and trade customers across Europe via direct sales, eCommerce storefronts, and RFID/Kanban smart-supply systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fasteners and C-Parts Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

Keywords

• Fasteners distribution
• C-parts supply
• Fastening technology
• Connection elements
• Industrial hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Herford

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. C-Parts Distribution: B2B distribution of fasteners (C-parts) including fastening technology, connection elements, special and custom parts, and production & maintenance articles. Revenue generated through product sales via eCommerce platforms (SAP eShop and UNIX WebShop) and direct sales.
2. Value-Added Services: Additional services including CAD drawing service, PLM system integration, packaging solutions, product presentation systems, and quality assurance contributing to overall revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dresselhaus is a European full-range B2B distributor of C-parts, supplying fasteners, connection elements, special and drawing parts, and production and maintenance articles to industrial companies and trade customers. The company operates five large warehouses in Germany plus foreign subsidiaries in Austria, Turkey, and Russia, and supplements its product distribution with RFID/Kanban-based DIREKT smart supply systems, IoT weighing, CAD drawing, PLM, packaging, and quality assurance services.

Product overview

Dresselhaus is a full-range distributor of C-parts (fasteners and fastening technology) serving industrial and trade customers across Europe. The core offering spans fasteners (screws, nuts, anchors, rivets), special and drawing parts, and production/maintenance supplies. The product portfolio is organized around a main eCommerce infrastructure comprising the SAP-based eShop and UNIX WebShop for ordering, supplemented by the DIREKT family of RFID/Kanban smart supply solutions (including DIREKTbox hybrid virtual fair, DIREKT Grundmodule, Steuerungssysteme, Belieferungssysteme, Bestellsysteme, Ausgabesysteme, and the IoT-connected DIREKT Wiegesystem). Supporting services include CAD drawing, PLM, packaging solutions, quality assurance, and a Mehrwertplattform digital catalog. Branded sub-lines include BLACKedition (black-finished fasteners), DIREKTblack shelving, and NORD-LOCK locking systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DIREKT: DIREKT services including DIREKT Bestellsysteme, DIREKT Steuerungssysteme, DIREKT Belieferungssysteme, DIREKT Ausgabesysteme, DIREKT Wiegesystem IoT
• BLACKedition
• DIREKTblack
• DIREKTbox hybrid
• Werkzeug & Technik

Products and services

• Dresselhaus eShop (SAP) SAP-based e-commerce platform providing fast and easy article search with smart functions and clear categories, supporting seamless order processing and short delivery times for industrial C-parts procurement.
• Dresselhaus WebShop (UNIX) UNIX-based web shop for fasteners, tools, technical products and furniture fittings, with search functionality across material numbers, product groups, EAN and standards, available in German, English, French, Russian, Turkish and Italian.
• Special and Drawing Parts (Sonder- und Zeichnungsteile) Custom-manufactured special parts and customer-specific drawing parts complementing the standard fastener and fastening technology assortment for industrial buyers.
• Dresselhaus DIREKTbox hybrid Virtual trade fair platform accessible without registration, showcasing the complete range of Dresselhaus RFID solutions and Kanban systems for C-parts supply chain management.
• DIREKTportal Customer portal for accessing Dresselhaus DIREKT supply systems and managing C-parts orders and inventory for industrial and trade customers.
• BLACKedition Black-finished fasteners product line including nuts, metric screws, wood screws, cover caps and washers, designed for applications where aesthetics and corrosion resistance matter.
• DIREKTblack Regal Shelving/rack system within the BLACKedition product line used for organized storage and dispensing of fasteners in industrial and trade settings.
• NORD-LOCK Locking Systems Specialized locking screw and bolt securing systems including NORD-LOCK washers for vibration-resistant fastening in industrial applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small parts should no longer create large costs - minimizing process costs in C-parts supply chain

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• NORD-LOCKcoreTechnology or IntegrationNORD-LOCK bolt securing system offered as part of locking screws and accessories product range. Products include NORD-LOCK lockwashers NL, NL SP, NL SS A4, and NL SC retaining washers.
• fischercoreTechnology or Integrationfischer fixing products including drills, insulation supports, fixings, hammerset anchors, setting tools, window frame fixings, cavity metal fixings, toggles, frame fixings, heavy duty fixings, safety screws, allround fixings, and universal frame fixings.
• SIMPSON Strong-TiecoreTechnology or IntegrationComplete Simpson Strong-Tie wood connector program including ATF, joist hangers, bearers, connecting brackets, anchor straps, concrete angle brackets, cantilever brackets, column anchors, and various specialized connectors.
• SPAXcoreTechnology or IntegrationSPAX chipboard screws and woodworking fasteners distributed through Dresselhaus eCommerce platforms, including countersunk head, pan head, raised countersunk, timber construction screws, and special application screws.
• GesipacoreTechnology or IntegrationGesipa blind rivet and blind rivet nut program including standard, countersunk, large flange, CAP, spread variants, and hand riveting tools.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FIXI Schweiz AG: Swiss B2B fastener and tools distributor with catalog, e-shop, and Kanban-style supply services comparable to Dresselhaus's industrial customer focus in the DACH region.
• Würth Group: Global market leader in B2B fastener and tools distribution with the Adolf Würth / Würth Industrie core ranges. Directly comparable to Dresselhaus as a multi-channel C-parts distributor serving industrial and trade customers across Europe.
• F. Reyher Nchfg. GmbH & Co. KG: Hamburg-based fastener and fixing technology wholesaler serving industry and trade in Germany and Europe. Closely comparable business model, product portfolio, and family-owned GmbH & Co. KG structure.
• Bossard Group: Swiss-listed specialist in fastening and assembly technology with Smart Factory Logistics (RFID/Kanban) services analogous to Dresselhaus DIREKT. Closely comparable on product, customer, and digital C-parts supply model.
• Berner Group: German-headquartered B2B distributor of fasteners, tools, chemicals, and workshop supplies to mobility, construction, and industrial trades. Comparable customer overlap with Dresselhaus's industrial and trade segments and similar European footprint.
• Tobler GmbH & Co. KG: German B2B tools and fasteners distributor with field sales, e-commerce, and Kanban-style supply for industrial customers. Comparable mid-sized German player in the same product/customer category as Dresselhaus.

Broad incumbents

• Fastenal Company: North American leader in industrial fasteners and supplies with vending, RFID-enabled bins (FAST Solutions), and onsite inventory management analogous to Dresselhaus DIREKT. Different geography but highly comparable supply model.
• NORMA Group SE: German-listed specialist in engineered joining technology (clamps, connectors, fluid systems) supplying OEMs worldwide. Comparable as a premium industrial fastening brand in overlapping industrial customer bases, though more OEM-tilted.
• SFS Group AG: Swiss mechanical fastening solutions provider combining manufacturing and distribution with engine-to-building end-market reach. Broader than Dresselhaus in scope (includes engineered components) but overlapping in industrial fastening distribution.
• W.W. Grainger, Inc. Large industrial MRO distributor with extensive fastener and fastening-equipment assortment and digital supply chain tools. Broad incumbent competing for the same industrial indirect-spend wallet, though with a much wider product range.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

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 Dresselhaus