KLAES

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.

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

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

• Fenestration ERP software
• Window manufacturing software
• Door production software
• CNC machine control
• Industry 4.0 software

Headquarters

HQ city

Slany

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• AluroncoreTechnology or Integration · 2 December 2025Aluron announced that the ASH 80 Hybrid System is now available in KLAES software, integrating Aluron's window system into Klaes' product configurator capabilities.
• GealancoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner 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.
• VEKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network. VEKA integrates with Klaes systems for automated order and invoice exchange.
• MeesenburgcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network. Meesenburg exchanges digital order and invoice data with Klaes ERP systems.
• FichtnercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network for electronic supplier communication.
• VombergcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• ROMAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• AmmoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• VBHcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• Growe GruppecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• Beck+HeuncoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• ALUKONcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• SchlotterercoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• WAREMAcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• NÜSSINGcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in the openTRANS electronic supplier communication network.
• ForterroflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerForterro 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

Broad 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@forterroklaesgmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/forterroklaesgmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forterro-klaes-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/klaes_software

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 KLAES