Thiele

What Thiele does

Thiele GmbH & Co. KG is a German, family-owned manufacturer of round steel chains and forged parts, founded in 1935 in Iserlohn where it still operates a single, vertically-integrated production facility. The company organizes its offering into three horizontal segments — Mining Technology, Industry (lifting technology and load securing), and Bulk Material Conveying — and produces more than 5,000 stock-keeping units, including proprietary chain grades (THD, TSC, TSD, TRQ, TIP), brand families (DUALINK®, BIG-T®, BROADBAND, X-TREME, THI-LOK®, PLOWMASTER®-S), connectors, flight bars, lifting points, lashing products, and chain sprockets. Its metallurgical IP includes the 23 MnNiMoCr 54 stainless steel formulation developed internally in the 1950s, and the company holds the records for the world's longest (915 m) and heaviest (100 t) anchor chains.

The business model is direct B2B manufacturing with quote-based pricing: customers reach THIELE through dedicated phone lines per segment (Mining, Industry, Bulk Material), segment-specific web inquiry forms, and a customer portal, while a global network of 30+ country-level channel partners handles international sales across Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania, with a wholly-owned subsidiary (THIELE Asia) anchoring the Singapore hub. Manufacturing is performed under one roof — combining forging, heat treatment, CNC machining, surface finishing, and FEM/material-flow simulation — with in-house laboratory testing, ISO 9001/14001/45001/50001 certifications, and AEO status since 2010 supporting bid-eligibility in regulated mining and offshore tenders.

Ownership rests with the Ulrich Thiele Foundation, a non-profit entity that anchors long-term independence and continuity, and the company employs 501–1,000 people with a strong apprenticeship program. Recent strategic activity has centered on line-extension product launches within lifting and mining (extended X-TREME sizes, new weld-on hooks, a digital DQA catalog), participation in the Fraunhofer-led BIZ4GREEN sustainability consortium, and a continued role in the WIRtuelles Kraftwerk Iserlohn virtual power plant partnership — collectively pointing at incremental, sustainability-aware expansion rather than transformational change.

Name

Thiele

Legal name

THIELE GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://thiele.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Thiele is a German, family-owned (Ulrich Thiele Foundation) manufacturer founded in 1935 in Iserlohn that produces round steel chains and forged parts across Mining, Industrial Lifting/Load Securing, and Bulk Material Conveying, serving global B2B customers through direct sales and 30+ country distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial chain and forged components manufacturing

NAICS

Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131), Construction and Mining (except Oil Well) Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (423810), Machine Shops (33271), Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing (332722), Precision Turned Product Manufacturing (332721)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532), Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452)

akta.pro primary industry

Conveying, Hoisting & Materials Handling Systems (Conveyors, Stackers/Reclaimers, Winches) (IMAKANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surface Mining Equipment (Excavators, Shovels, Draglines, Dozers) (IMAKANAA), Wear Parts & Consumables (Liners, Mantles, Hammers) (IMAHAMAK), Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ), Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Round steel chains
• Forged parts
• Mining chains
• Lifting technology
• Bulk material conveying

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalthof

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Round Steel Chains and Forged Parts: THIELE manufactures and sells round steel chains, forged parts, and complete chain systems across three divisions: Mining, Industry, and Bulk Material Conveying. Products include chains, connectors, flight bars, lifting equipment, load securing, and chain wheels. Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales to industrial customers, mining operations, and OEMs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Thiele manufactures and sells round steel chains and forged parts under three divisions: Mining Technology (round steel chains, flat/DUALINK, BIG-T and BROADBAND chains, five proprietary chain grades THD, TSC, TSD, TRQ, TIP, plus chain connectors and flight bars), Industry (lifting technology in quality grades 8 and 10, offshore lifting products, X-TREME ball-bearing lifting points, hoist chains, lashing products, fishing chains, special chains, and inspection services), and Bulk Material Conveying (bucket elevator chains, bush conveyor chains, forged link chains, sprocket wheels). All products are produced at the company's Iserlohn, Germany facility using in-house forging, heat treatment, CNC machining, FEM simulation, and surface finishing under one roof, generating revenue through direct B2B sales to industrial, mining, and OEM customers.

Product overview

THIELE is a manufacturer of round steel chains (Rundstahlketten) and forged parts (Schmiedeteile) serving three main market segments: Mining Technology (Bergbautechnik), Industry (Industrie), and Conveying of Bulk Materials (Fördern von Schüttgütern). The company's core products span round steel chains in various configurations (standard, flat/DUALINK, Super Flat, BIG-T, BROADBAND), supported by five proprietary chain grades (THD Heavy Duty, TSC Super Crown, TSD Super Duty, TRQ Rock Quality, and TIP Improved Performance). The Mining Technology segment includes chain connectors (Block, TKF, DMK, Kenter, PLOWMASTER-S), flight bars (S-Type, E-Type, EKF-Type), and accessories (chain gauges, chain saws, pretensiometers). The Industry segment offers lifting technology products in Grades 8 and 10, offshore lifting products, X-TREME ball-bearing lifting points, hoist chains, lashing products, fishing chains, special chains, inspection services, and chain sprockets for light material handling applications. The Bulk Material Conveying segment provides bucket elevator chains, bush conveyor chains, forged link chains, round steel chains, and sprocket wheels. THIELE also offers sales promotional merchandise including sample cases and product displays. All products are manufactured at the company's German facility in Iserlohn, with a focus on forging technology, mechanical processing, testing technology, FEM simulation, and material flow simulation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DUALINK®: Flat/DUALINK® chains for mining applications
• BIG-T®
• BROADBAND
• PLOWMASTER®-S
• THI-LOK®
• THI-EYE®
• X-TREME
• X-TREME Top
• X-TREME Pro
• COMPACT
• Klimaschutz-Ketten®
• THD (THIELE Heavy Duty)
• TSC (THIELE Super Crown)
• TSD (THIELE Super Duty)
• TRQ (THIELE Rock Quality)
• TIP (THIELE Improved Performance)
• THIELEANER

Products and services

• Round Steel Chains (Rundstahlketten) Highly wear-resistant round steel chains made of special steels with high basic strength, heat-treated for maximum wear resistance. Dimensions range from 14x50mm to 42x137mm with breaking force up to 2,450 kN. Sold to mining operators, bulk material handlers, and OEMs needing heavy-duty chain systems.
• DUALINK Flat Type Chains Proprietary flat chain variants designed for specific mining and industrial applications requiring low-profile chain configurations. Targeted at mining and bulk material conveying customers.
• BIG-T Chains Proprietary big link chain design BIG-T for heavy industrial use in demanding mining applications with high load requirements.
• BROADBAND Low Profile Chains Proprietary low-profile broadband chain for specialized conveyor applications where low headroom or smooth material transport is required.
• THD (THIELE Heavy Duty) Chain Grade Proprietary heavy-duty chain grade THD offering superior strength and durability for the most demanding mining applications, available across multiple chain geometries.
• TSC (THIELE Super Crown) Chain Grade Proprietary chain grade TSC with optimized crown geometry for enhanced performance in conveyor systems.
• TSD (THIELE Super Duty) Chain Grade Proprietary super duty chain grade TSD designed for high-stress mining environments with extended service life.
• TRQ (THIELE Rock Quality) Chain Grade Proprietary chain grade TRQ optimized for rock quality applications with enhanced wear resistance in abrasive conditions.
• TIP (THIELE Improved Performance) Chain Grade Proprietary chain grade TIP focused on improved performance metrics including efficiency and longevity.
• Block Connectors Block-type chain connectors for secure and efficient chain assembly in mining applications, including PLOWMASTER-S and others.
• Kenter Chain Connectors Kenter-style connectors for continuous chain systems in mining conveyor applications.
• S-Type Flight Bars S-type flight bars for material handling in mining conveyor systems.
• Lifting Products Grade 10 High-quality lifting equipment rated for Grade 10 (Güteklasse 10) applications, including lifting points, hoist chains, and load handling equipment, sold to industrial customers.
• Lifting Products Grade 8 Lifting equipment rated for Grade 8 (Güteklasse 8) applications including lifting points, chains, and load securing products for industrial customers.
• Offshore Lifting Products Specialized lifting equipment designed for offshore maritime applications with enhanced corrosion protection and maritime certification.
• X-TREME Lifting Points Ball-bearing lifting points with screw sizes from M10 to M100, offering working load limits up to 50 tons with high corrosion protection and 100% capacity in all lifting directions.
• Hoist Chains High-quality chain products for hoist and lifting applications, engineered for safety and durability.
• Lashing Products Load securing products including lashing chains and tensioners for cargo securing applications in transport and logistics.
• Bucket Elevator Chains Conveyor chains specifically designed for bucket elevator applications in cement, power, biomass, and agricultural material handling systems.
• Bush Conveyor Chains Bushed conveyor chains for bulk material handling applications in cement, power station, biomass, and agricultural plants.
• Forged Link Chains Forged link conveyor chains for heavy-duty material handling applications in bulk conveying environments.
• Chain Sprockets Precision-engineered sprocket wheels for various chain types, including smooth and toothed profiles, with interchangeable segments for conveying systems.
• Fishing Chains Specialized chain products designed for fishing industry applications.
• Special Chains Custom and special-purpose chain solutions designed for specific industrial applications.
• Inspection Service (Prüfservice) Professional chain and lifting equipment inspection services ensuring compliance with safety standards for industrial customers.
• Weld-on Hooks with Double Shortening TWN 1381 Weld-on hooks with double shortening capability for quick-coupler lifting attachments, manufactured and tested to DIN 5692, DIN EN 1677-1, GSHM 36.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• A.R.C.E.M.I. Impianti S.r.l.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Mattarello (TN), Italy. THIELE's partner for the Italian market, providing contact information and website for sales and service inquiries.
• AIFOSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Paris, France. THIELE's channel partner for the French market.
• AMMEX Industrial Services, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Eagle Pass, Texas, USA. THIELE's partner for the US market.
• ARDEF Maden Makine Enerji Ticaret A.Ş.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Ankara, Turkey. THIELE's partner for the Turkish market, specializing in mining and energy sector equipment.
• AXXITRON Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Montréal, Québec, Canada. THIELE's partner for the Canadian market.
• Bányászat-Ipar-Technika Kft (BITKFT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Tatabánya, Hungary. THIELE's partner for the Hungarian market.
• ComTerra d.o.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Samobor, Croatia. THIELE's partner for the Croatian market.
• Concy United International Ltd. (Beijing Branch)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Beijing, China. THIELE's partner for the Chinese market with additional branches in Taiyuan and Xi'an. Also listed under the same parent company.
• Concy United International Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHeadquartered in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. THIELE's primary partner for the Chinese market, with multiple branch offices.
• DILTECH - Krzysztof DillingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Zabrze, Poland. THIELE's partner for the Polish market.
• F.H.U. MAXTECH - Mirosław RediszminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Tarnowskie Góry, Poland. THIELE's additional partner for the Polish market.
• Fuhkang International Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Panchiao, Taiwan. THIELE's partner for the Taiwanese market.
• Fundiciones Especiales S.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Callao, Peru. THIELE's partner for the Peruvian market.
• GOOD MAKER SDN. BHD.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. THIELE's partner for the Malaysian market.
• GP Technik s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Horoměřice, Czech Republic. THIELE's partner for the Czech market.
• INDELI Construcción y Montaje Ltda.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Quillota, Chile. THIELE's partner for the Chilean market.
• INDUSTEC S.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Martínez, Argentina. THIELE's partner for the Argentinian market.
• Jozef DedominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Prievidza, Slovakia. THIELE's partner for the Slovakian market.
• Kangnamdrive Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Seoul, Republic of Korea. THIELE's partner for the South Korean market.
• KWS Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Tulsa, OK, USA. THIELE's partner for the US market (additional location).
• ORNATUS Industrial Technologies Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Modiin, Israel. THIELE's partner for the Israeli market.
• Pro-Op Industries Pty LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Potchefstroom, South Africa. THIELE's partner for the South African market.
• PT Mujur Manggana MegahminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Bogor, Indonesia. THIELE's partner for the Indonesian market.
• QE Innovations Pty. Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Port Kembla, NSW, Australia. THIELE's partner for the Australian market.
• R.M. Wilson Co., Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Price, Utah, USA, with additional offices in Wheeling, West Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia. THIELE's partner for the US mining market.
• RimcominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Telangana, India. THIELE's partner for the Indian market.
• Sino-Heavy Environmental Machinery CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Beijing, China. THIELE's partner for the Chinese heavy environmental machinery market.
• Spanset Nederland B.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Moerdijk, Netherlands. THIELE's partner for the Dutch market.
• THIELE Asia (S) Pte. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Singapore. A subsidiary/affiliate of THIELE serving as the company's dedicated presence in the Asian market.
• TIL ROS EOODminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Varna, Bulgaria. THIELE's partner for the Bulgarian market.
• Watchara FookiatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Bangkok, Thailand. THIELE's partner for the Thai market.
• Evangelos BouchourisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBased in Athens, Greece. THIELE's partner for the Greek market.
• Stadtwerke IserlohncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTHIELE cooperates with Stadtwerke Iserlohn on a photovoltaic system (installed since 2023) and electric car provision for business trips. The partnership also includes the WIRtuelles Kraftwerk Iserlohn (virtual power plant) project where THIELE has been a major partner since 2019, contributing to approximately 13,000 tonnes of CO2 savings annually through grid-friendly energy use.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTHIELE participates in the BIZ4GREEN project (Green business models in the production of energy-intensive industrial goods) led by Fraunhofer IPT in Aachen, alongside gemineers GmbH. The project aims to support energy-intensive production companies in their transformation to a climate-neutral economy through new green business models and digitalization solutions.
• gemineers GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Aachen, Germany. Partner in the BIZ4GREEN project consortium alongside THIELE and Fraunhofer IPT, focused on green business models for energy-intensive industrial production.
• Ulrich Thiele StiftungcoreOthersThe Ulrich Thiele Foundation is the shareholder of the THIELE Group. The foundation was established to ensure the long-term continuity and independence of the company. THIELE is committed to meeting high quality, environmental, and safety requirements at various levels.
• SIHK (Südwestfälische Industrie- und Handelskammer)minorOthersTHIELE cooperates with SIHK on the annual 'Energy Scouts' trainee project, which achieves considerable electricity and CO2 savings. Also mentioned in the context of apprenticeship and training programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pewag Group: Austrian-headquartered manufacturer of round steel chains, tire chains, and lifting/rigging products. Directly competes with THIELE in mining chains, industrial chains, and lifting points, with a similar heritage and European manufacturing base.
• KettenWulf: German-based family-owned chain manufacturer specializing in conveyor chains, round steel chains, and leaf chains. Direct competitor in bulk material conveying and industrial chain applications across Europe.
• RUD Group: German manufacturer of chains, lifting points, lashing equipment, and tire protection chains. Closely comparable to THIELE on mining/industrial chain grades, lifting points (e.g., ABA/ICE), and German engineering heritage.
• SpanSet Group: Swiss-origin specialist in lashing, lifting, and load-securing equipment. Comparable to THIELE's industry-side lashing and lifting product families and is listed among THIELE's own channel partners in some markets.
• Dolezych GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of round steel chains, lifting and lashing equipment, and chains for mining. Comparable as a German mid-sized specialist competing in similar mining and industrial chain product categories.

Broad incumbents

• Kito Group: Japanese manufacturer of hoists, cranes, and chain blocks. Comparable on industrial lifting and hoist chains, though more diversified into electric hoists and automation.
• The Crosby Group: Leading global manufacturer of rigging, lifting, and material handling hardware. Comparable in lifting points and load-securing products, with broader portfolio reach into North American oil & gas and heavy lifting markets.
• Columbus McKinnon Corporation: US-listed designer and manufacturer of hoists, rigging, and lifting solutions. Overlaps with THIELE's Industry segment (hoist chains, lifting equipment, load securing) but operates as a broader, multi-brand portfolio.
• Bridon-Bekaert: Global leader in steel wire ropes and synthetic ropes serving mining, offshore, and lifting applications. Comparable on mining/extraction customer base and lifting-adjacent product range, though THIELE focuses on chain where Bridon-Bekaert focuses on rope.
• Gunnebo Industries: Global lifting and rigging hardware manufacturer with a portfolio overlapping THIELE's industrial lifting and load-securing products. Comparable on customer base (heavy industry, construction) though Gunnebo has broader fastening/security exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@THIELEgermany
• Instagraminstagram.com/thiele-i-business-app-ig
• Facebookfacebook.com/THIELEChains
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thiele-chains

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Thiele