OSK-Kiefer

What OSK-Kiefer does

OSK-Kiefer GmbH is a German contract manufacturer (Lohnauftrag) specializing in shot peening and vibratory grinding surface treatments for metallic components, operating since 1984 across six legally independent production sites in Germany (Malsch, Petershausen, Oppurg, Oberhausen, Wernau, Celle) with approximately 180 employees. The company generates revenue primarily through job-order processing where customers send components in for surface treatment and receive finished parts back, with quote-based pricing determined by component complexity, dimensions, material, and processing parameters.

Its core technological platform is built around the proprietary 'Gravi' compressed air-shot peening system — developed in-house — which uses vertical conveyor feeding, gravitational acceleration, and sensing-based metering to deliver uniform shot media flow. This is supplemented by specialized variants including ultrasonic shot peening at Oppurg and polish peening at Wernau, plus an in-house X-ray residual stress analysis laboratory at Petershausen, Almen intensity testing, video endoscopic inspection of drilled holes, automated component cleaning (up to 8,000mm length), and a full range of shot peening media. Quality assurance is embedded across the network, with ISO 9001:2015 at all sites and EN 9100:2018 aerospace certification at Petershausen.

OSK-Kiefer serves enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace and aviation, power engineering, industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and chemical processing, treating critical drivetrain and engine components, turbine blades and blisks, landing gear, heat exchangers, prosthetics, and process equipment. GTM is direct B2B field sales at each production site, supported by a multilingual website with extensive technical white papers and active participation in industry associations (FVA, DGM, VDI, AWT). The corporate parent is the independently owned and managed private GmbH, with Thomas Schieß serving as Managing Director.

Name

OSK-Kiefer

Legal name

OSK Kiefer GmbH

Website

https://osk-kiefer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OSK-Kiefer GmbH is a German contract manufacturer operating six production sites that provide shot peening, vibratory grinding, and surface treatment services for metallic components to enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace, power engineering, medical technology, and industrial manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Surface Treatment Services

akta.pro primary industry

Surface Preparation & Abrasive Blasting (Sand/Grit/Shot/Waterjet) (IMAIAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Surface Preparation Equipment (Shot Blasting, Scarifiers, Grinders) (IMAHALAL)

Keywords

• Shot peening services
• Vibratory grinding
• Metal surface treatment
• Residual stress analysis
• Contract blasting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Petershausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing Services (Lohnauftrag): OSK-Kiefer operates as a contract/toll manufacturer providing shot peening, blasting, and vibratory grinding services on a job-order basis. Customers send components for surface treatment processing, with pricing based on specific job requirements, complexity, and volume. The company has been in business since 1984, serving major industrial manufacturers.
2. Vibratory Grinding Services: Vibratory grinding services offered at Petershausen (for aviation and motorsport components) and at Celle (new production starting September 16, 2024). Polishing, smoothing, deburring, and chamfering of metallic parts using specially sized and shaped grinding stones.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

OSK-Kiefer operates as a contract manufacturer (Lohnauftrag) providing shot peening (Verfestigungsstrahlen), specialized variants (ultrasonic and polish peening), vibratory grinding (Gleitschleifen), and broader blasting applications to industrial customers who ship metallic components in for processing. Services are delivered across six German production sites using proprietary 'Gravi' shot peening equipment and supported by in-house X-ray residual stress analysis, Almen testing, endoscopic inspection and cleaning/quality assurance.

Product overview

OSK-Kiefer GmbH is a contract shot peening and surface treatment services company with six legally independent locations across Germany (Malsch, Petershausen, Oppurg, Oberhausen, Wernau, and Celle). The company operates a unified service platform built around two core service lines—Shot Peening (Verfestigungsstrahlen) and Vibratory Grinding (Gleitschleifen)—supplemented by specialized variants (Ultrasonic Shot Peening at Oppurg, Polish Peening at Wernau) and proprietary equipment (Gravi-series shot peening machines). Quality assurance is embedded across all operations through in-house X-ray laboratory residual stress analysis, Almen testing, and measurement services. The company primarily serves the automotive, aerospace, power engineering, and machinery manufacturing sectors with contract work on metallic components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shot Peening (Verfestigungsstrahlen) Generates high compressive residual stress in the surface layer of metallic parts to increase fatigue strength, extend fatigue life, and prevent stress corrosion cracking and crack formation. Delivered as a contract manufacturing service (Lohnauftrag) to industrial customers across automotive, aerospace, power and machinery sectors.
• Ultrasonic Shot Peening (Ultraschallverfestigen) Advanced shot peening technique that accelerates shot media via ultrasonic vibration of a sonotrode rather than air flow or a high-speed turbine. Provides better surface finish than conventional shot peening, guaranteed treatment reproducibility, clean surfaces and suitability for low wall strengths. Available only at the Oppurg location.
• Polish Peening (Polierstrahlen) Surface finishing service using a plastic granule/diamond powder mixture to achieve visually shiny surfaces on components up to 650 x 350 mm. Available only at the Wernau location.
• Vibratory Grinding (Gleitschleifen) Surface treatment process that polishes, smooths, deburrs and chamfers metallic parts using specially sized and adapted grinder stones. Smoothing pre-process surface roughness (e.g., from shot peening or metal spray coatings) and complements shot peening for finishing and cleaning.
• Shot Peening Machines (Strahlanlagen) Proprietary 'Gravi' series compressed-air shot peening machines using a gravitation system with vertical conveyor and overhead metering hopper, contactless metering and a sensing system. Includes pressure, suction and centrifugal force variants. Developed by OSK-Kiefer and deployed across the company's service operations.
• Blasting Applications (Sonstige Strahlverfahren) Specialised blasting techniques including smoothening, roughening, burnishing, clean blasting, deburring, engraving, descaling, and surface structuring for metal spray coatings and forging dies.
• Residual Stress Analysis (Eigenspannungsmessung) Radiographic (X-ray) residual stress analysis performed in the in-house X-ray laboratory at Petershausen to measure compressive residual stress values in metallic parts, enabling high-precision in-process quality control and dynamic production optimisation. Available only at the Petershausen location.
• Control Room / Measurement Services (Messraum) Microscopic surface quality and structure control after shot peening and vibratory grinding, including surface roughness and contour measurement, control and documentation.
• Shot Peening Intensity and Coverage Control Standardised quality control using Almen test strips and an Almen gauge to determine shot peening intensity (arc height at ~98% coverage) and ensure reproducible shot peening results.
• Decontamination and Endoscopic Inspection (Endreinigung/Endoskopie) Washing, rinsing and video-endoscopic inspection service for components up to 8000 mm length and 350 mm diameter, capable of inspecting internal surfaces of small drilled holes (3–6 mm diameter). Available only at the Oppurg location.
• Washing and Rinsing Systems (Waschen und Spülen) Automated component cleaning using heated (~70 °C) alkaline cleaning agents with PU-coated rotating cylinders and oscillating nozzles, supporting parts up to 8000 mm length and 350 mm diameter, with manual operation for axial and cross-drilled holes.
• Shot Peening Media (Strahlmittel) Range of shot peening media including spherical cut wire, steel iron shot, stainless steel shot, cast iron shot, aluminum shot, ceramic beads and glass beads, supplied alongside OSK-Kiefer's services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased fatigue strength and extended fatigue life of treated components
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bureau VeritasminorOthersWorking relationship with Bureau Veritas for certification services and quality assurance verification. Bureau Veritas is a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services.
• DNV GLminorOthersPartnership with DNV GL (now DNV) for certification and quality assurance services. DNV is a global quality assurance and risk management company.
• Lloyd's RegisterminorOthersCollaboration with Lloyd's Register for certification services. Lloyd's Register is a global engineering and technical services organization.
• FVA (Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive cooperation with FVA (Research Association for Drive Technology) as industry institute partner for shot peening research and development.
• DGM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Materialkunde)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DGM (German Society for Materials Science) for materials research and development in shot peening technology.
• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive cooperation with VDI (Association of German Engineers) for technical standards development and knowledge exchange in surface treatment technology.
• AWT (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Wärmebehandlung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AWT (Working Group for Heat Treatment) for technical collaboration and industry standards in surface treatment processes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/131716073659222

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 OSK-Kiefer