FB Ketten

Name

FB Ketten

Legal name

FB Ketten GmbH

Website

https://fb-ketten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chain Manufacturing

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Material Handling Systems (Belt Conveyors, Feeders, Stackers, Reclaimers) (IMAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD), Lifting Attachments & Material Handling Accessories (Fork Attachments, Slings, Rigging) (IMAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial chain manufacturing
• Conveyor chains
• Roller chains
• Leaf chains
• Sprockets and chain guides

Headquarters

HQ city

Eslohe

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Chain Products: FB Ketten generates revenue through the sale of industrial chains including conveyor chains, roller chains, leaf chains, drop forged link chains, sprockets, and associated components. Products are sold as standard items from stock or as customized solutions.
2. Technical Services: Revenue generated from technical consulting, on-site optimization services, assembly, installation, and maintenance services. The company offers free technical field service consultations and charges for assembly and installation work.
3. Spare Parts and Wear Parts: Sale of spare parts including chain guides, lamellas, rollers, technical plastics, and other mechanical wear components. Products include steel and plastic guides, band plates, and customized spare parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FB Ketten manufactures and sells industrial chains including conveyor chains (DIN 8165/8167/SMS1689), roller chains (DIN 8187/DIN 8188), special roller chains, leaf chains (Flyerketten) for forklifts and lifting devices, and drop forged link chains. The product range is complemented by customized sprockets, lamella/plate band chains, chain guides, and complementary accessories such as the FB-INNO scraper, the FB Chain Wear Gauge (KML), and the RotaLube automatic lubrication system. The company also provides free on-site technical consulting, chain optimization services, and assembly/installation services by application engineers.

Product overview

FB Ketten is a German chain manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial chains and related products. The core product lineup includes conveyor chains (Förderketten) according to DIN 8165/8167/SMS1689 standards, roller chains (Rollenketten) per DIN 8187/DIN 8188, special roller chains with toothed plates and attachments, leaf chains (Flyerketten) for forklifts, and drop forged link chains (Gabellaschenketten). Supporting products include customized sprockets and lamella/plate band chains for material handling applications. The company also offers complementary tools including the FB-INNO wood scraper, chain wear gauge (KML), and RotaLube automatic lubrication system. Spare parts and mechanical wear parts include chain guides, lamellas, carrying idlers, guiding rollers, and technical plastics. Services encompass technical consulting, on-site optimization, and assembly/installation. All products are backed by the company's over 100 years of experience and are part of the Scandinavian Addtech group's manufacturing and distribution network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ECOSAVING: Sustainability program focused on CO2 savings, reduced water and energy consumption, and better economy through optimized chain solutions using higher quality steel with better durability.
• FB-INNO
• RotaLube

Products and services

• Conveyor Chains (Förderketten) Bush conveyor chains / plate link chains manufactured according to DIN 8165, DIN 8167, and SMS1689 standards, featuring welded pins and bushes (HT/HTH types) for high breaking force and operational safety. Produced on six automated production lines from high-quality Scandinavian steel.
• Roller Chains (Rollenketten) DIN 8187/DIN 8188 Roller chains manufactured to DIN 8187 and DIN 8188 standards, delivering high tear strength, 30% less lengthening, and 40% higher operating time compared to standard roller chains. Available as simplex, duplex, or triplex chains.
• Special Roller Chains (Sonderrollenketten) Roller chains with toothed link plates and attachments, including chains with plastic plates, inverted tooth chains, and roller chains with elastomer profiles for specialized wood processing and other industrial applications.
• Leaf Chains (Flyerketten) High-quality leaf chains for industrial trucks, forklifts, and lift trucks, produced with fully automated production, batch traceability, and ideal heat treatment to achieve more than 30% higher breaking load than DIN requirements. Includes anchor bolts, connection pins, and pulleys.
• Drop Forged Link Chains (Gabellaschenketten) Drop forged chains engineered for wood industry, particle board production, paper and pulp production, energy generation, biomass power plants, waste-to-energy plants, and recycling applications.
• Sprockets (Kettenräder) Customized sprockets, platewheels, and gears for conveyor chains, drive chains, and special chains, available in various designs including split design, hardened teeth, with or without hubs.
• Lamella Chains (Plattenbandketten) Plate/lamella conveyors and lamella chain systems for ash removal, waste feeding, coal feeding, scrap transport, and chalk or plaster bunkers, supplied with complete installation and maintenance services.
• FB Chain Wear Gauge (KML) Professional chain wear measuring tool for leaf chains, lift chains, and roller chains with inch division from 3/8 to 3 inches, measuring wear grade in 1/4 steps from 0% to 4% with red warning at 2%. Used for LOLER and PUWER safety inspections.
• FB-INNO Scraper Innovative wood-based scraper/flight bar for double-strand chain conveyor systems, offering wear resistance, a predetermined breaking point to protect chains under overload, and 60%+ weight savings compared to steel flights.
• RotaLube Automatic Lubrication System Patented automatic chain lubrication system delivering the right amount of lubricant at the right time to exact lubrication points, significantly reducing lubricant consumption versus conventional systems.
• Chain Guides (Kettenführungen) Chain guide rails in plastic, steel, manganese steel, or Hardox for precise and smooth running of roller chains and conveyor chains.
• Lamellas (Bandplatten) Spare lamellas for lamella chain applications, available untreated, painted, galvanised, or coated, produced according to customer specifications.
• Carrying Idlers and Guiding Rollers (Trag- und Führungsrollen) Carrying idlers and guiding rollers with bearing and axle, available with hardened or tempered special steel and sealed bearings.
• Technical Plastics (Technische Kunststoffe) Technical plastic components including guide rails, wear protection, and chain carriers made of PE, POM, PA, and other high-quality materials.
• Technical Consulting & On-Site Optimization On-site technical consulting and optimization services by experienced application engineers to improve system durability, work safety, and performance. Provided free of charge for field consulting by FB's application engineers.
• Assembly, Installation & Service Complete assembly and installation services for chains, scrapers, axles, drive shafts, driving wheels, and chain guides performed by FB specialists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% higher breaking load compared to DIN requirements for leaf chains
• +7 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fuchs SchmierstoffecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuchs is a strategic partner for lubricants. FB Ketten recommends and uses Fuchs lubricants for chain applications, including food-grade lubricants, temperature-specific lubricants, and wear-reducing lubricants depending on application requirements.
• ANIF e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIF e.V. is an equipment network created by specialists for industrial installations, equipment and furnaces. FB Ketten participates as a member of this network that includes companies like Eichner IndustrieService, Howden Group, Hoffmeier Industrieanlagen, and others. The network focuses on improving customer satisfaction through combined expertise.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Regina Chain: Italian manufacturer of roller chains, conveyor chains, leaf chains, and timing chains for industrial and material handling applications. Comparable to FB Ketten in product breadth and European market coverage, particularly in southern Europe.
• KettenWulf: German family-owned manufacturer of conveyor chains, round link chains, and leaf chains. Comparable to FB Ketten in product mix, German/European manufacturing base, and focus on heavy-duty industrial material handling applications.
• Renold: UK-listed manufacturer of industrial chains, gearboxes, and couplings with strong European and global presence. Directly competes with FB Ketten in conveyor chains and roller chains for material handling, mining, and industrial conveyor applications.
• Sedis: French manufacturer of industrial roller chains, conveyor chains, and leaf chains serving material handling and conveying markets across Europe. Directly overlaps with FB Ketten's product portfolio and European customer base.
• IWIS Antriebssysteme: German precision chain manufacturer with a comparable European footprint and strong presence in industrial and automotive chain applications. Competes head-to-head with FB Ketten in conveyor chains, roller chains, and engineered chain solutions for material handling.
• Tsubaki Chain: Japanese-headquartered global leader in industrial chain manufacturing, offering roller chains, conveyor chains, leaf chains, and timing chains. Directly comparable to FB Ketten across core product categories and end markets including material handling, automotive, and industrial machinery.

Regional players

• Diamond Chain Company: US-based manufacturer of roller chains and leaf chains serving North American material handling and industrial markets. Comparable in product portfolio to FB Ketten but primarily serves a different geographic region, making it a regional rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Ewart Chain: UK-based manufacturer of leaf chains, roller chains, and conveyor chains serving industrial lifting and material handling markets. Comparable niche focus to FB Chain Ltd. (FB Group UK subsidiary) and competing in similar European end markets.
• Senqcia (formerly Hitachi Metals Chain): Japanese manufacturer of leaf chains, roller chains, and conveyor chains with strong presence in forklift and material handling lift truck applications — a direct overlap with FB Ketten's leaf chain business for forklifts and lifting devices.
• Hangzhou Donghua Chain: Chinese manufacturer of industrial roller chains, conveyor chains, and leaf chains competing on price in global markets. Represents the low-cost competitive threat to FB Ketten's premium positioning, particularly in commodity chain categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fb_ketten_gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/fb_ketten_de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 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 FB Ketten