KLAES
KLAES (Forterro Klaes GmbH) is a German software vendor providing tiered ERP and production-management solutions, including direct CNC machine control and supplier integration, for manufacturers and traders of windows, doors, facades, and conservatories, distributed via 20+ regional sales managers and web self-service in 11 languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersSlany, Czechia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What KLAES does
KLAES (legally Forterro Klaes GmbH, headquartered in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany) develops and sells ERP and production-management software purpose-built for manufacturers and traders of windows, doors, facades, and conservatories. The platform is delivered as a tiered core product line (premium, professional, vario, trade, and 3D) extended by roughly 25 modular add-ons covering planning (capacity, inventory MAWI, assembly, reports, CE-Generator), production (e-prod, e-control, CAM 2D/3D, DoorDesigner, supplier configurators), web solutions (webshop, webtrade, web business, web tracking, cloud trade), and communication (Info Manager, CRM, DMS, Time Management, openTRANS). Technical differentiators include direct CNC machine control via CAM 2D/3D and bilateral electronic supplier communication through the openTRANS standard against at least 14 named suppliers (Gealan, VEKA, Meesenburg, WAREMA, ROMA, ALUKON and others).
KLAES earns revenue primarily through subscription software licensing across the five product tiers, supplemented by a recurring Software Renewal Contract (SEV) for ongoing support and updates, and professional services revenue from on-site and online training. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; tiers such as Klaes vario scale with order volume on a pay-as-you-go basis, while premium, professional, trade, and 3D are billed annually. Go-to-market is sales-led, executed through more than 20 regional Area Sales Managers covering Western, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Europe, North America, Middle East/Africa, Asia Pacific, and South America, with web-based self-service channels and product-specific hotlines supporting smaller traders and inside-sales motions.
The company was founded in 1983, employs 51-100 people, and operates in 11 languages. In April 2026 KLAES was acquired by Forterro and rebranded to Forterro Klaes GmbH, becoming part of a three-material portfolio aimed at making Forterro a full-range software provider for the window industry. Its managing directors are Marcus Pannier and Paul Smolinski, and the registered office remains in Leer, Germany.
KLAES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KLAES
- Legal name
- Forterro Klaes GmbH
- Website
- https://klaes.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- KLAES (Forterro Klaes GmbH) is a German software vendor providing tiered ERP and production-management solutions, including direct CNC machine control and supplier integration, for manufacturers and traders of windows, doors, facades, and conservatories, distributed via 20+ regional sales managers and web self-service in 11 languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KLAES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fenestration ERP Software
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Compliance, GRC Workflow & Audit Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAL)
Keywords
Where KLAES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Slany
- HQ country
- Czechia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
KLAES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Klaes generates revenue through selling software licenses across five product tiers (premium, professional, vario, trade, 3D). Pricing varies by tier and scales with company size and order volume (particularly vario which adjusts to order volume). Additional modules and solutions are available for customization.
- Software Support and Maintenance: The company offers a Software Renewal Contract (SEV/Software Erneuerungsvertrag) for ongoing software support, updates, and maintenance. Training services are also provided for implementation and user education.
- Training Services: Individual training programs, seminars, web seminars, and web campus training are offered to help customers maximize software utilization. Both on-site and at Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler training options available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Klaes premium - integrated ERP solution for the fenestration industry |
| Subscription | Annual | Klaes professional - for companies with automated production |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Klaes vario - price adjusts to order volume |
| Subscription | Annual | Klaes trade - ideal solution for traders |
| Subscription | Annual | Klaes 3D - for conservatory and facade construction |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
KLAES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KLAES provides integrated ERP and production management software for manufacturers and traders of windows, doors, facades, and conservatories. Its platform spans the entire business process — sales, order processing, planning, procurement, production, dispatch, and accounting — and includes direct CNC machine control (CAM 2D/3D) and electronic supplier communication via the openTRANS standard. The company sells five core product lines (premium, professional, vario, trade, 3D) and supports them with modular add-ons for planning, production, web, and communication workflows.
Product overview
KLAES offers a platform-plus-modules architecture consisting of five core product lines (Klaes premium, professional, vario, trade, and 3D) designed for the window, door, facade, and conservatory industry. The integrated ERP solutions progress from entry-level (vario) to full enterprise resource planning (premium), with specialized 3D capabilities for conservatory and facade construction. The ecosystem extends through modular add-ons covering Planning (Capacity Planning, Inventory Management, Assembly Planning, Reports, CE-Generator), Production (e-prod, e-control, DoorDesigner, CAM 2D/3D, Configurators), Web Solutions (webshop, webtrade, web business, web tracking, cloud trade), and Communication (Info Manager, CRM, DMS, Time Management, openTRANS). Additional IT services include VPN, Online Backup, Monitoring, and Electronic Locking Systems. The company was acquired by Forterro in April 2026 to become a full-range software provider for the window industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Klaes premium: The integrated ERP solution for the fenestration industry
- Klaes professional
- Klaes vario
- Klaes trade
- Klaes 3D
Products and services
- Klaes premium Integrated ERP solution for the fenestration industry, providing end-to-end business process management from sales through production to accounting for industrial-scale window and door manufacturers.
- Klaes professional Software package designed for companies with automated production, offering comprehensive window and door management capabilities for mid-sized manufacturers.
- Klaes vario Entry-level window design software with pricing that adjusts to order volume, ideal for smaller companies and traders starting in the window industry.
- Klaes trade Software solution for traders in the window and door industry, enabling efficient quote creation and order management without manufacturing functionality.
- Klaes 3D Specialized software for conservatory and facade construction, enabling 3D visualization and design of complex architectural elements with 3D CAM manufacturing support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduction of ordering errors through electronic supplier communication
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use KLAES
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
KLAES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
KLAES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- AluroncoreAluron announced that the ASH 80 Hybrid System is now available in KLAES software, integrating Aluron's window system into Klaes' product configurator capabilities.
- GealancorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network. Gealan exchanges orders, order confirmations, shipping notifications, and invoices electronically with Klaes customer ERP systems via FTP server integration.
- VEKAcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network. VEKA integrates with Klaes systems for automated order and invoice exchange.
- MeesenburgcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network. Meesenburg exchanges digital order and invoice data with Klaes ERP systems.
- FichtnercorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network for electronic supplier communication.
- VombergcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- ROMAcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- AmmoncorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- VBHcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- Growe GruppecorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- Beck+HeuncorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- ALUKONcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- SchlotterercorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- WAREMAcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- NÜSSINGcorePartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
- ForterroflagshipForterro acquired Klaes and became a full-range software provider for the window industry. This acquisition creates a three-material portfolio combining Klaes' window/door software with Forterro's other holdings.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KLAES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Epicor Software: Mid-market ERP vendor with strong manufacturing focus (Kinetic) targeting make-to-order and configured-product manufacturers. Represents a competitive threat for mid-sized fenestration manufacturers evaluating Klaes professional or premium alternatives.
- SAP SE: Global ERP incumbent whose S/4HANA and Business One offerings target manufacturing customers across industries. Represents a competitive threat to Klaes premium at large fenestration manufacturers that may prefer standard ERP with vertical extensions rather than best-of-breed.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365: Cloud ERP/CRM platform from Microsoft with manufacturing-specific extensions. Competes at the high end of the fenestration market where enterprise customers prefer integrated Microsoft stacks over specialized vertical software.
Emerging players
- Hegla: German manufacturer of glass processing machinery that also offers software solutions (Hegla-Hanseatic) for glass processing and cutting optimization. Adjacent competitor with overlap on CAM-style machine integration and glass-focused production workflows.
Direct peers
- Soft Tech Group: Provider of construction-industry software including window, door, and millwork manufacturing solutions (Soft Tech Industry). Overlaps with Klaes premium in North American fenestration manufacturers with similar ERP/configurator offerings.
- A+W Software: Specialized ERP for flat glass, window, and façade industry under the A+W Cantor suite. Most direct competitor in the glass and façade segment, particularly relevant to Klaes 3D for conservatory/facade builders.
- Orgadata Software: LogiKal is a leading ERP/configurator software platform for the window, door, and curtain wall industry, headquartered in Germany. Directly competes with Klaes premium/professional across the same fenestration manufacturers and offers comparable configurator and production planning functionality.
- Windowmaker Software: UK-based software vendor specializing in window, door, and conservatory design, quoting, and manufacturing software. Directly competes with Klaes vario, Klaes trade, and Klaes 3D for SMB and conservatory/facade builders.
- WinCap Software: Belgian-Dutch vendor of window and door ERP software (WinPro and related products). Direct competitor in Benelux with similar target market of window/door manufacturers and traders.
Others
- Forterro (parent): Parent company of Klaes and owner of multiple industrial software products (Jeeves ERP and others). Sister-products that share a strategic owner and may cross-sell to Klaes's fenestration customer base, but they are not direct competitors and represent a parent relationship rather than market overlap.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
KLAES social profiles
Digital presenceKLAES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KLAES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KLAES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KLAES 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 KLAES
What does KLAES do?
KLAES provides integrated ERP and production management software for manufacturers and traders of windows, doors, facades, and conservatories. Its platform spans the entire business process — sales, order processing, planning, procurement, production, dispatch, and accounting — and includes direct CNC machine control (CAM 2D/3D) and electronic supplier communication via the openTRANS standard. The company sells five core product lines (premium, professional, vario, trade, 3D) and supports them with modular add-ons for planning, production, web, and communication workflows.
Is KLAES a public or private company?
KLAES is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was KLAES founded?
KLAES was founded in 1983. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is KLAES based?
KLAES is headquartered in Slany, Czechia, in the Europe region.
How does KLAES make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are software Support and Maintenance and training Services.
Who are KLAES's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Epicor Software, SAP SE and Microsoft Dynamics 365. Hegla is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Soft Tech Group, A+W Software, Orgadata Software, Windowmaker Software and WinCap Software. Forterro (parent) is listed as an others.
Does KLAES have an API?
No public API is recorded for KLAES.
What industry is KLAES in?
KLAES's product category is Fenestration ERP Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAHAL, Compliance, GRC Workflow & Audit Automation Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7370.