Friedrich Kicherer

What Friedrich Kicherer does

Friedrich Kicherer GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned B2B steel merchant and processor headquartered in Ellwangen, Germany, with continuous operations since 1718 and controlled since 1967 by the Frick family through a GmbH & Co. KG structure. The company runs one of the largest mid-sized steel trading operations in Germany, holding approximately 50,000 products in permanent stock out of a total assortment of ~100,000 articles across twelve categories: rolled/high-grade/cold-drawn steel, stainless steel and non-ferrous metals, reinforced steel, civil engineering and reinforcement technology (including Halfen systems), wire and ironware, roof and facade, gates and doors, plastics, tools and machinery, occupational safety/workwear, and workshop/factory equipment. Customer reach spans industry, crafts, construction, and trade across Germany and selected neighbouring markets.

The operating model is built on vertically integrated wholesale: in-house processing services include a high-efficiency sawing centre (precision cuts and mitre cuts to 60°), automated sheet-metal picking with a vacuum crossbeam system, six-wheel steel-shot blasting with 11 kW turbines, reinforced-steel cutting and bending, hot-dip galvanizing, and powder coating. Logistics are operated through an own fleet of 95 trucks plus forwarding partners, completing more than 50 daily deliveries across Germany. Underlying systems comprise warehouse and inventory management, automated processing machinery, and the recently launched "Kicherer Dynamic" shipment tracking offering dynamic ETA calculation, live tracking, and document download.

Revenue is generated primarily from one-time wholesale sales of steel and steel-related products, with processing and value-added services bundled into transactions or offered standalone. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated by product specialists assigned to each category, with distribution via own-fleet direct delivery and multi-site customer pickup across Ellwangen. The company differentiates on inventory breadth, processing capability, and delivery reliability — supported by a 52-hour weekly availability model — and has added a sustainability positioning through AFV Beltrame (Chalibria CO2-neutral steel, ~20% of range), ZINQ (ecoZINQ low-carbon galvanizing), and on-site photovoltaic generation covering ~70% of electricity needs (2,005 kWp producing ~1,900,000 kWh annually).

Name

Friedrich Kicherer

Legal name

Friedrich Kicherer GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kicherer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1718

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Friedrich Kicherer GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned German B2B steel merchant and processor based in Ellwangen, serving industry, crafts, construction, and trade with ~100,000 articles, in-house sawing, bending, blasting and galvanizing, and own-fleet delivery across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Steel and Metal Wholesale

NAICS

Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (42351), Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (423510), Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423830), Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810)

SIC

Wholesale-Metals & Minerals (No Petroleum) (5050), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Steel Products Trading & Service Centers (Flat, Long, Pipe & Tube, Rebar) (IMAKAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ferrous Metals Trading & Distribution (Iron Ore, Pig Iron, DRI/HBI, Ferroalloys) (IMAKAJAA), Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Aluminum, Copper, Brass/Bronze, Lead, Zinc, Nickel) (IMAKAMAB), Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Steel & Cast Iron) (IMAKAMAA), Metals, Plastics & Fabrication Materials Marketplaces (CRAFAHAN)

Keywords

• Steel wholesale
• Metal products distribution
• Reinforced steel supply
• Steel processing services
• Construction materials supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellwangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Steel and Steel Products Wholesale: Core business of wholesale steel and steel-related products including rolled, high-grade and stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, reinforced steel, and steel-related construction products. Revenue generated from product sales with processing and services bundled.
2. Steel Processing and Value-Added Services: Processing services including sawing, blasting, corrosion inhibition, cutting, bending, and customization of steel products. Hot-dip galvanizing and powder-coating available.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Friedrich Kicherer GmbH & Co. KG is a German B2B wholesale merchant of steel and steel-related products, operating from Ellwangen with approximately 100,000 articles in stock (50,000 permanently held) and roughly 200,000 tonnes of annual throughput. The company offers 11+ product categories spanning rolled/high-grade/cold-drawn steel, stainless steel and non-ferrous metals, reinforced steel, civil engineering reinforcement, wire/ironware, roof and facade, gates and doors, plastics, tools and machinery, occupational safety, and workshop equipment. In-house value-added processing includes precision sawing, blasting, cutting, bending, hot-dip galvanizing, and powder coating, supported by an own fleet of 95 trucks for direct-to-site delivery.

Product overview

Friedrich Kicherer GmbH & Co. KG is a major German steel and metal trading company (Großhandel) based in Ellwangen, operating since 1718. The company offers an exceptionally broad and deep inventory of steel and steel-related products organized into 12 core product categories: (1) Rolled Steel / High-Grade Steel / Cold-Drawn Steel with CO2-neutral variants and precision sawing services; (2) Stainless Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals including aluminium, copper, and brass; (3) Reinforced Steel with cutting and bending processing capabilities; (4) Civil Engineering and Reinforcement Technology featuring Halfen systems; (5) Wire, Ironware, Gratings and Grilles with fencing and lightning protection; (6) Roof and Facade systems including sandwich panels and HPL panels; (7) Gates and Doors with industrial and residential solutions; (8) Plastics for industrial and construction applications; (9) Tools and Machinery; (10) Occupational Safety products and customized workwear; (11) Workshop and Factory Equipment; and (12) a dedicated Workwear Store with customization services. Beyond product sales, Kicherer provides extensive processing services including precision sawing, blasting, galvanizing, and reinforced steel bending. The company operates a modern logistics fleet of approximately 95 trucks delivering across Germany, and offers digital services including shipment tracking. With about 100,000 articles in stock and state-of-the-art warehousing across 70,000+ sqm, Kicherer serves B2B customers in industry, crafts, construction, and trade.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rolled Steel / High-Grade Steel / Cold-Drawn Steel

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000 tonnes annual throughput
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AFV Beltrame GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023AFV Beltrame Group is a leading European steel manufacturer headquartered in Vicenza, Italy. Partnership for CO2-neutral steel supply (Chalibria brand). Kicherer offers approximately 20% of its steel range as CO2-neutral via this partnership.
• ZINQ (ecoZINQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ZINQ specializes in hot-dip galvanizing and coating for over 130 years. Their ecoZINQ product uses CO2-reduced primary zinc from renewable energy sources, reducing product carbon footprint by 43% compared to conventional batch galvanizing.
• HalfencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Halfen reinforcement systems and framing channels including HBT Rebend Connections, HTA and HZA Fixing Systems, HSD Shear Dowel Systems, MBT Reinforcement Couplers, HIT Balcony Connectors.
• RaexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Partner and stockist for RAEX wear-resistant steel plates.
• HörmanncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for industrial gates, garage doors, fire protection doors, and automatic opening systems.
• NovofermcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for industrial doors, fire-rated doors, and door opening systems.
• TeckentrupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for industrial and commercial doors and security doors.
• 1. FC Heidenheim 1846minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Plus sponsor since 2020/21 season. Regional sports sponsorship providing brand visibility and customer engagement opportunities at stadium and events.
• Nordwest Handel AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteel and metal trading group. Kicherer awarded sustainability recognition by Nordwest Handel AG in 2022.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carl Spaeter GmbH: German steel and metal service-center group with multi-site distribution, processing, and stockholding in similar product categories. Closely comparable mid-sized steel merchant with regional fleet and processing services.
• Klöckner & Co SE: Frankfurt-based, one of Germany's largest independent steel and metal distributors with multi-country operations, processing services, and digital platform (KlöcknerX). Directly comparable as a steel service center serving construction, industry, and crafts in Germany.
• Stinnes AG / Kloeckner Metals Europe: European steel and metals distribution network with service centers in Germany providing cutting, blasting, and processing services to industry and construction. Same go-to-market and product mix.

Broad incumbents

• voestalpine AG Steel Division: Austrian integrated steel/group with European steel distribution and processing operations, serving construction, automotive, and industrial markets. Comparable breadth and customer overlap.
• thyssenkrupp Steel Europe: Major German steel producer with direct sales and distribution arm. Competes on flat steel supply and downstream processing in Germany, with broader product portfolio than Kicherer.
• Salzgitter AG: Major German integrated steel producer and processor with a steel trading/processing division. Overlaps with Kicherer in steel product distribution and processing for construction and industrial customers across Germany.
• ArcelorMittal Europe – Distribution Solutions: European arm of the world's largest steelmaker, operating a network of steel service centers and distribution warehouses across Germany/Europe. Directly competes in flat and long steel merchanting with the same customer base.

Emerging players

• Metalshub GmbH: Düsseldorf-based digital B2B marketplace for metals and metalworking inputs. Operates a different (digital) channel but addresses the same sourcing friction Kicherer solves for industrial and construction buyers, making it a structural emerging competitor.

Regional players

• Stahl-Jaeger GmbH: Mid-sized German steel distributor (part of the Jaeger group) with warehousing, processing, and fleet delivery to industry and construction — comparable in scope and target customers.
• August Brendle GmbH & Co. KG: Family-owned mid-sized steel merchant based in southern Germany with similar assortment, processing, and regional fleet delivery model. Comparable channel and customer-fit profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FriedrichKicherer
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/kicherer
• Instagraminstagram.com/kicherer1718

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Friedrich Kicherer