KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH

What KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH does

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH is a German manufacturer of industrial sheet metal leveling technology, headquartered in Lahr in the Black Forest region of southern Germany. Founded in 1963 by Waltraud and Dipl.-Ing. Franz Kohler, the company has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of WINTERSTEIGER Holding AG (Austria) since 2011, where it operates as the group's Metals Division. The firm designs and produces part leveling machines under the Peak Performer brand and complete strip feeding lines for presses and automatic stamping machines, selling capital equipment to industrial manufacturers. The core technology is a hydraulic-free, servo-electronic machine concept featuring direct drives for leveling rollers and patented electromechanical dynamic leveling gap control, with claimed energy savings of up to 75% versus conventional hydraulic machines. Patents also cover reversible leveling rollers (extending roller service life by up to 50%) and a removable cassette arrangement for rapid changeover.

KOHLER employs 115 people directly and supports a global commercial footprint through more than 50 named sales partners and distributors across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, with regional offices in Shanghai (China, 2014), Moscow (Russia, 2018), and North America (via WINTERSTEIGER Inc.). The company reports more than 6,700 reference projects completed worldwide over its history and operates a Leveling Center in Lahr offering contract (toll) leveling services to customers for whom a dedicated machine is uneconomical. Customer segments include automotive and vehicle manufacturers, steel service centers, mechanical engineering and machine tool firms, laser cutting shops, connector and electronic components makers (a vertical entered with the 2021 CPL 120), and construction and agricultural machinery OEMs. Named enterprise customers include Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger, Pilatus Aircraft, DEUMU, Martin Lohse, Suer Stahltechnik, and MODERSOHN Stainless Steel.

Revenue is generated primarily through custom-configured capital equipment sold via direct enterprise field sales from German headquarters under multi-year contract terms, supported by application engineering consultation and full after-sales service (commissioning, repairs, maintenance, spare parts, teleservice, retrofitting, and training). Trade show presence at venues such as EuroBLECH, Blechexpo, Stanztec, CIMT, Metallobrabotka, and Coiltech USA, combined with a YouTube channel, LinkedIn presence, and a quarterly customer magazine (KOHLER News), rounds out the marketing mix. Pricing is quote-based with no published list pricing, indicating a high-touch, engineered-to-order commercial model. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, has been nominated for the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Technology Award 2025, and is managed under the commercial register entry HRB 390321 at the Freiburg i.Br. registry court.

Name

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH

Legal name

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH

Website

https://kohler-germany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH is a German manufacturer of hydraulic-free part leveling machines and strip feeding lines for industrial manufacturers in automotive, steel service center, and mechanical engineering sectors, serving customers globally through direct sales and a 50+ partner distribution network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Sheet Metal Leveling Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (333519)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD), Steel Service Centers & Processing (Slitting, Cut-to-Length, Blanking, Leveling) (IMAKABAL)

Keywords

• Sheet metal leveling
• Strip feeding lines
• Part leveling machines
• Press feeding equipment
• Metal processing machinery

Headquarters

HQ city

Lahr

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Machinery Manufacturing and Sales: KOHLER generates revenue primarily from designing, manufacturing, and selling industrial part leveling machines (Peak Performer series) and strip feeding lines, along with component systems including coil handling, levelers, roller feeders, shears, and coilers. These are sold as capital equipment to industrial manufacturers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells industrial sheet metal leveling machinery for steel service centers, automotive suppliers, and mechanical engineering firms. Its core product lines are the Peak Performer series of hydraulic-free part leveling machines and complete strip feeding lines for presses and stamping machines (including coil handling, levelers, roller feeders, shears, and coilers). The company also runs a contract (toll) leveling service at its Lahr Leveling Center and provides commissioning, maintenance, spare parts, retrofits, and training.

Product overview

KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial sheet metal processing machinery centered on leveling technology. The core product lines include the Peak Performer series of hydraulic-free part leveling machines (featuring the new 90P model and the compact CPL 120 for connector manufacturing), and strip feeding lines for presses and stamping machines. Supporting products include precision levelers with up to 21 leveling rollers, feed leveling machines, camber leveling units, and shear systems (cropping, cut-to-length, swiveling). The company also provides contract leveling services through its KOHLER Leveling Center in Lahr, Germany, and comprehensive after-sales services including commissioning, maintenance, spare parts, diagnostics, and training. All part leveling machines operate without hydraulic systems using servo-electronic drive concepts with patented electromechanical dynamic leveling gap control and optional reversible leveling rollers for extended service life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Peak Performer: Part leveling machine product line featuring hydraulics-free servo-electronic technology
• KOHLER Leveling Center

Products and services

• Peak Performer Part Leveling Machines High-performance hydraulic-free part leveling machines for sheet metal and workpieces, featuring servo-electronic drive concept, patented electromechanical dynamic leveling gap control, and reversible leveling rollers. Sold to industrial manufacturers in automotive, steel service center, and mechanical engineering sectors.
• Peak Performer 90P Part Leveling Machine Energy-efficient part leveling machine with servo-electronic drive, patented electromechanical dynamic leveling gap control, and reversible leveling rollers, achieving up to 75% energy savings versus conventional hydraulic machines. Handles sheet thicknesses 1–28 mm and widths up to 2,500 mm.
• CPL 120 Compact Precision Leveling Machine Compact precision leveling machine specifically designed for manufacturing plugs, connectors, and electronic components, featuring 19 leveling rollers with optimized small roller diameter for thin strip material. Targets the connector and electronics components industry.
• Strip Feeding Lines Complete strip feeding lines for presses and automatic stamping machines, including coil handling, levelers, roller feeders, shears, and coilers. Newest generation uses direct drives and requires 20% less floor space. Sold to steel service centers, mechanical engineering firms, and the automotive industry.
• Precision Leveling Machines (Levelers) Precision leveling machines for strip leveling lines with 9 to 21 leveling rollers, available with hard chrome options, intermediate rollers, and roller bending for correcting edge and center waves. Integrated component of KOHLER strip feeding lines.
• Feed Leveling Machines Compact feed leveling machines that precisely feed strips into presses or stamping machines with timing precision, processing strip thicknesses 0.5 to 8 mm and widths 100 mm to 1,300 mm at up to 80 strokes per minute.
• Camber Leveling Units Custom camber leveling units that reliably and precisely remove camber errors in slit strips caused by rolling errors.
• Shears (Cropping, Cut-to-Length, Swiveling) High-quality shear systems including cropping shears for strip beginnings/ends, cut-to-length shears for dimensional blanks at up to 60 strokes per minute, and swiveling shears for trapezoidal or rhombus-shaped blanks. Components for KOHLER strip feeding lines.
• KOHLER Leveling Center / Contract Leveling Service Contract (toll) leveling service at KOHLER's facility in Lahr, Germany, using state-of-the-art Peak Performer machines for material widths up to 2,500 mm and thicknesses up to 40 mm. Serves customers with small batches or fluctuating volumes who cannot economically justify owning a machine.
• KOHLER After-Sales Services Comprehensive after-sales services including commissioning, repairs, maintenance, spare parts supply, teleservice/diagnostics, retrofitting/overhaul, and training for KOHLER leveling machines and strip feeding lines installed worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 75% less energy consumption compared to conventional hydraulic leveling machines
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• WINTERSTEIGER AGflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH became part of the WINTERSTEIGER AG group (based in Ried im Innkreis, Austria) in 2011. WINTERSTEIGER is an international machinery and plant engineering group with divisions in Sports, Seedmech, Solutions, Dry & Protect, and Metals. KOHLER forms the 'Metals Division' of the group, contributing leveling and straightening technology expertise to the broader industrial group.
• Wintersteiger China Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWintersteiger China Co., Ltd. serves as the sales and service representative for KOHLER products in China, handling inquiries and support for the Chinese market from their Beijing office.
• Wintersteiger SEA Pte. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWintersteiger SEA Pte. Ltd. serves as the sales representative for KOHLER products in Southeast Asia, covering Singapore and surrounding markets from their Singapore office.
• BS Blechtechnik GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGermany-based sales partner covering the German market with sales and service support for KOHLER leveling machines and strip feeding lines.
• Dieter Haller GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg-based industrial representation company serving as KOHLER's sales partner in the Hamburg region of Germany.
• Müller Maschinen und Anlagen GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaxony-based sales partner (Plauen) representing KOHLER products in the Saxony region of Germany.
• Mende Industrieprodukte e.K.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner based in Wolkenstein/Schönbrunn, Germany, representing KOHLER products.
• StoeMa Industrievertretung GmbH & Co. KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMelle-based sales partner representing KOHLER products in the Melle region of Germany.
• Tritschler Maschinen und WerkzeugeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner based in Küssaberg-Kadelburg, Germany, representing KOHLER products.
• HEVAMI Oppervlaktetechniek B.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetherlands-based sales partner covering the Dutch market for KOHLER products.
• RECOS machinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrance-based sales partner located in Schweighouse sur Moder, representing KOHLER products in France.
• TGN MaschinenvertriebminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustria-based sales partner in Bad Hall representing KOHLER products.
• CALVI tecnologie s.r.l.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItaly-based sales partner in Osnago (Lecco) representing KOHLER products in Italy.
• Josep Muntal S.L.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpain-based sales partner in Caldes de Montbui (Barcelona) representing KOHLER products in Spain.
• FINAIDS (Finishing Aids & Tools Ltd.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based sales partner in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, representing KOHLER products in Great Britain.
• AVN Pladeteknik A/SminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDenmark-based sales partner in Brøndby representing KOHLER products in Denmark.
• Plåtsupport I Alingsås ABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSweden-based sales partner representing KOHLER products in Sweden.
• Vossi Group OyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinland-based sales partner in Tampere representing KOHLER products in Finland.
• DIG Świtała Sp. z O.O.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPoland-based sales partner in Łaziska representing KOHLER products in Poland.
• HGM Maszyny Sp. z o. o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPoland-based sales partner in Siemianowice Śląskie representing KOHLER products in Poland.
• Baltic Machinery UABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLithuania-based sales partner covering the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) for KOHLER products.
• Karmet Bulgaria Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulgaria-based sales partner covering the Bulgarian market for KOHLER products.
• Canmet s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovakia-based sales partner in Bratislava representing KOHLER products in Slovakia.
• Koplas d.o.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovenia-based sales partner covering Slovenia for KOHLER products.
• ROM Steel SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRomania-based sales partner in Bucharest representing KOHLER products in Romania.
• ERFABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTurkey-based sales partner in Bursa representing KOHLER products in Turkey.
• Tiseng GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaudi Arabia-based sales partner in Riyadh representing KOHLER products in Saudi Arabia.
• Yes MachineryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUAE-based sales partner in Sharjah representing KOHLER products in the United Arab Emirates.
• HANSUNG Engineering Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouth Korea-based sales partner in Seoul representing KOHLER products in South Korea.
• GVK Metalforms Private LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia-based sales partner in Jalandhar, Punjab representing KOHLER products in India.
• GWB Machine ToolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia-based sales partner in Queensland representing KOHLER products in Australia.
• Landmark Solutions Corp.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSA-based sales partner in Anaheim, California representing KOHLER products in the western United States.
• Gladwin Machinery Solutions Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSA-based sales and service partner in Schaumburg, Illinois representing KOHLER products in the US Midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, and surrounding states).
• REMAX GLOBAL BUSINESS LTDAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazil-based sales partner in Campinas, São Paulo representing KOHLER products in Brazil.
• DEITA MAQUINARIA INDUSTRIALminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMexico-based sales partner in Mexico City representing KOHLER products in Mexico.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ARKU Maschinenbau GmbH: German manufacturer of leveling machines, parts feeders, and decoilers for sheet metal processing. ARKU competes most directly with KOHLER in the part leveling machine segment, serving automotive, appliance, and sheet metal fabrication customers across Europe.
• Heinrich Georg GmbH (GEORG): German manufacturer of cut-to-length lines, slitting lines, and strip processing equipment. GEORG competes in the same coil processing / strip feeding market as KOHLER, serving steel service centers and industrial manufacturers.
• Herr-Voss Stamco: US-based manufacturer of coil processing equipment including levelers, cut-to-length lines, and strip feeding systems for steel service centers and automotive stamping. Direct overlap with KOHLER's strip feeding line business in North America.
• Bradbury Group (The Bradbury Co.): US-based manufacturer of roll forming, cut-to-length, and coil processing equipment. Bradbury's leveling and strip processing product lines overlap with KOHLER's strip feeding line portfolio for steel service centers and roll formers.
• FIMI (Fabbrica Impianti Macchine Industriali S.p.A.): Italian manufacturer of strip processing lines including levelers, cut-to-length, and slitting equipment. FIMI serves similar end markets as KOHLER (steel service centers, automotive, appliance manufacturing) across Europe.
• Achenbach Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG: German specialist in thin strip rolling mills and coil processing equipment, including precision leveling. Achenbach serves similar customer segments as KOHLER's strip feeding lines, particularly in non-ferrous metals and electrical steel applications.

Broad incumbents

• Schuler AG: Global market leader in press technology and automation serving automotive, forging, and stamping industries. While primarily a press manufacturer, Schuler's downstream automation and coil feeding solutions compete in adjacent equipment categories for stamping line installations.
• SMS group GmbH: Major German conglomerate in metal processing and steelmaking equipment. SMS group provides coil processing, leveling, and strip processing systems for steel producers and service centers, overlapping with KOHLER's strip feeding business as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A. Italian-based global supplier of equipment and plants for the metals industry with diverse product lines including coil processing and leveling systems. Danieli competes in strip processing for steel service centers and producers as part of its broad metallurgical plant portfolio.

Emerging players

• Timesavers International B.V. Dutch manufacturer of wide-belt grinding and deburring machines integrated downstream of leveling in sheet metal finishing lines. KOHLER integrates Timesavers deburring units in combined production lines (e.g., Suer Stahltechnik deployment), making them a complementary technology partner with partial overlap in production line integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KOHLERMaschinenbau
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kohler-maschinenbau-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 KOHLER Maschinenbau GmbH