FSB
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1881
- HeadquartersBerlin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
FSB firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FSB
- Legal name
- Franz Schneider Brakel GmbH + Co. KG
- Website
- https://fsbna.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1881
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FSB industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Door and Window Hardware
- NAICS
- Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321)
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420), Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles) (CRAIADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Doors, Windows & Millwork Retail (Interior/Exterior Doors, Windows, Moulding) (CRAIAEAI)
Keywords
Where FSB is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
FSB business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Door and Window Hardware Products: FSB generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of architectural door and window hardware including lever handles, locksets, door pulls, sliding door hardware, plug-in handles, security hardware, knob handles, and entrance door fittings. Products are sold as one-time purchases with materials including aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze in various finishes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard product catalog with customizable materials and finishes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
FSB product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FSB manufactures and sells premium architectural door and window hardware — including lever handles, locksets, sliding and lift-and-slide door hardware, plug-in handles, security hardware, knob handles, narrow-stile door hardware, and entrance door fittings — in aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze, with collections designed in collaboration with internationally renowned architects and designers such as David Chipperfield, Jasper Morrison, John Pawson, Foster + Partners, Dieter Rams, and heritage designs by Ludwig Wittgenstein and Robert Mallet-Stevens. Products are sold primarily to architects, specifiers, and construction/renovation projects worldwide, with supplementary direct-to-consumer sales for private homeowners and facility operators through regional offices in Europe and North America.
Product overview
FSB (Franz Schneider Brakel GmbH + Co KG) is a German manufacturer of door and window hardware with over 140 years of history, producing handcrafted precision hardware exclusively in Brakel, East Westphalia. The product portfolio centers on lever handles and door hardware as the core offering, supported by complementary categories including locksets (mortise, tubular, sliding, and glass door solutions), glass door hardware, sliding door handles, plug-in handles, security hardware with certified burglary resistance, knob handles and doorknobs, narrow-stile door hardware, entrance door fittings, and lift-and-slide door handles. Materials include aluminum (with Aluminum Pure sustainable finish), stainless steel (Cradle to Cradle Certified), and bronze. Signature product collections include designs by internationally renowned architects and designers: FSB 1138 by Dieter Rams, FSB 1292 by Foster + Partners, FSB 1289 by Michalski & Schmidt, FSB 1242 by John Pawson, FSB 1147 based on Ludwig Wittgenstein's design, FSB 1076 (Frankfurt Model) by Robert Mallet-Stevens, FSB 1144 by Jasper Morrison, FSB 1004 by David Chipperfield, and FSB 1016 return model. The Concept of Continuity enables seamless specification across door and window types within projects, while collaborations like FSB + Les Couleurs Le Corbusier offer architectural color options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aluminum Hardware Collection Lightweight, durable door and window hardware made from infinitely recyclable aluminum; available with the Aluminum Pure untreated natural finish that develops a unique patina over time. Targeted at architects, designers, and end customers specifying premium architectural hardware.
- Stainless Steel Hardware Collection Corrosion-resistant, elegant, and hygienic door and window hardware for architectural applications; FSB 1076 and FSB 1016 variants are Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze for material health, circularity, climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness.
- Bronze Hardware Collection Door and window hardware crafted from naturally patinating bronze; offers antimicrobial properties and develops a unique patina over time. For architects, designers, and high-end residential and hospitality projects.
- Locksets Precision-engineered locksets ranging from mortise to glass door locks, designed for demanding architectural applications. For architects, designers, and specifiers on commercial, cultural, and high-end residential projects.
- Glass Door Hardware Subtle hardware solutions for glass doors providing minimalist design options for modern architectural glass entries. For architects specifying contemporary commercial and cultural buildings.
- Sliding Door Handles Minimalist design handles for seamless spatial transitions, engineered for contemporary sliding door systems. For architects and designers specifying modern residential and commercial interiors.
- Lift-and-Slide Door Handles Handles for lift-and-slide doors connecting indoors and outdoors, featuring refined ergonomics, enduring performance, and architectural clarity. Over 25 design variants available in aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze.
- Plug-In Handles Slimline handle solutions with architectural appeal designed for interior doors and windows. For architects, designers, and end customers specifying interior architectural hardware.
- Security Hardware Aesthetic security fittings for doors and windows combining burglary protection with refined design. Includes certified security sets listed in the KEINBRUCH manufacturer directory of the German police and certified to EN 1906 (Classes 2 and 4) with ES-1 / ES-3 classifications.
- Knob Handles and Knob Backplates Refined hardware for architectural accents including FSB ASL and AGL sets with coordinated knob models featuring concealed fixing for clean aesthetics.
- Narrow-Stile Door Hardware Engineered hardware for narrow profile doors with optimized fixing systems using concealed M5 countersunk screws and integrated hold-up mechanisms.
- Entrance Door Fittings Smart security fittings for front doors combining safety and aesthetic excellence; includes door pulls, protective hardware, and specialized entry solutions.
- FSB 1138 by Dieter Rams Lever handle designed by Dieter Rams featuring a round neck in Aluminum Pure and an index-finger groove in black anodized aluminum. Recently relaunched.
- FSB 1004 by David Chipperfield Door handle collection designed by David Chipperfield, reversing the logic of the Gropius handle by starting with a round neck that transitions into a square grip via a soft angled bend; architectural, tactile, and especially favored in bronze.
- FSB 1016 Return Model Emergency-exit return model sharing design language with FSB 1076; stainless steel variants are Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze in Version 4.1.
- FSB 1076 Frankfurt Model by Robert Mallet-Stevens Modern interpretation of Robert Mallet-Stevens' 1920s mitered door handle design with crisp angles and uncompromising form; widely used in Frankfurt's banking district including Foster's Commerzbank Tower.
- FSB 1144 by Jasper Morrison Super normal design commissioned in 1989 balancing quiet design with everyday elegance; features flowing grip echoing 1950s forms, embodying Jasper Morrison's super normal ethos.
- FSB 1147 Wittgenstein Handle Based on Ludwig Wittgenstein's 1920s door handle design, featuring a round rod with conical transition and spherical tip; the design's visual clarity formed the basis for the FSB logo.
- FSB 1242 by John Pawson Modern reinterpretation of Hans Poelzig's 1930s Reichsform handle by John Pawson; slimmer and more refined than the original, available in bronze and stainless steel with timeless elegance.
- FSB 1289 by Michalski & Schmidt Contemporary classic door handle with subtle curves and precise lines; features a flat front recalling smartphone aesthetics with a slightly convex tactile grip. Designed by Michalski & Schmidt.
- FSB 1292 by Foster + Partners Door handle collection designed by Foster + Partners Industrial Design featuring clean architectural lines suitable for modern structures.
Quantifiable outcome
- 37% energy savings in Aluminum Pure production compared to anodized finishes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FSB
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FSB technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
FSB partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FSB competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dormakaba: Dormakaba is a Swiss-German publicly listed manufacturer of premium door hardware, access solutions, and architectural fittings. It directly competes with FSB in the specification-driven architectural hardware segment, serving similar architect/specifier channels with comparable lever handle and lockset portfolios at the high end of the market.
- GEZE: GEZE is a German family-owned manufacturer specializing in door, window, and safety technology with a strong premium specification presence. It overlaps directly with FSB on premium architectural door hardware, particularly in German cultural and commercial projects where both brands compete for the same architect specifications.
- Olivari: Olivari is an Italian premium manufacturer of architectural door handles with a strong design heritage, including collaborations with notable architects and designers. It competes head-to-head with FSB in the same specification-driven premium lever handle category, particularly for high-end residential and cultural projects in Europe and globally.
- Valli&Valli: Valli&Valli is an Italian premium architectural hardware brand owned by ASSA ABLOY, known for designer collaborations (e.g., Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster). It is one of FSB's closest direct competitors in the premium specification segment, with comparable designer partnerships and a similar focus on cultural and luxury projects.
- Sugatsune: Sugatsune is a Japanese manufacturer of premium architectural and furniture hardware, including designer lever handles and sliding door systems. It competes with FSB in premium specification markets, particularly for modernist and minimalist architectural projects in Asia and globally.
- Baldwin Hardware: Baldwin Hardware is a US premium solid brass and bronze hardware brand serving the luxury residential and architectural specification markets. It directly competes with FSB in the North American premium specification channel, particularly for high-end residential projects where FSB North America is also active.
- PBA: PBA is an Italian manufacturer of architectural hardware for commercial, healthcare, and public buildings with a strong specification presence. It overlaps with FSB in commercial and institutional specification markets, including door pulls, lever handles, and accessibility hardware.
Broad incumbents
- ASSA ABLOY: ASSA ABLOY is the global leader in door opening solutions and architectural hardware, owning brands like Rockwood, Valli&Valli, and many others. It serves as the broad incumbent in the same product category as FSB, with a vastly larger portfolio and global distribution, though most of its brands do not match FSB's design-led premium positioning.
- Häfele: Häfele is a German family-owned global supplier of furniture fittings, architectural hardware, and electronic access solutions. It overlaps with FSB in architectural door hardware but addresses a much broader market across furniture, cabinetry, and commercial fittings, positioning it as a broad incumbent rather than a direct premium-design competitor.
- Hettich: Hettich is a German family-owned manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware with a global distribution network. While primarily focused on furniture hardware, it operates as a broad incumbent adjacent to FSB's market, sharing the German manufacturing heritage and architectural specification channel.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FSB social profiles
Digital presenceFSB compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
FSB financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FSB leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
FSB funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FSB M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FSB
What does FSB do?
FSB manufactures and sells premium architectural door and window hardware — including lever handles, locksets, sliding and lift-and-slide door hardware, plug-in handles, security hardware, knob handles, narrow-stile door hardware, and entrance door fittings — in aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze, with collections designed in collaboration with internationally renowned architects and designers such as David Chipperfield, Jasper Morrison, John Pawson, Foster + Partners, Dieter Rams, and heritage designs by Ludwig Wittgenstein and Robert Mallet-Stevens. Products are sold primarily to architects, specifiers, and construction/renovation projects worldwide, with supplementary direct-to-consumer sales for private homeowners and facility operators through regional offices in Europe and North America.
Is FSB a public or private company?
FSB is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FSB founded?
FSB was founded in 1881. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FSB based?
FSB is headquartered in Berlin, United States, in the North America region.
How does FSB make money?
One revenue line is on record: door and Window Hardware Products.
Who are FSB's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dormakaba, GEZE, Olivari, Valli&Valli, Sugatsune, Baldwin Hardware and PBA. Broad incumbents are ASSA ABLOY, Häfele and Hettich.
Does FSB have an API?
No public API is recorded for FSB.
What industry is FSB in?
FSB's product category is Architectural Door and Window Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIADAJ, Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles), with a secondary code of CRAIAEAI, Doors, Windows & Millwork Retail (Interior/Exterior Doors, Windows, Moulding). Its NAICS code is 332321 and its SIC code is 3420.