What Kapp GmbH does

KAPP NILES (KAPP GmbH & Co. KG) is a family-owned German industrial machinery group, founded in 1903 and headquartered in Coburg, Bavaria, specializing in precision gear and profile finishing machines that operate to accuracies measured in thousandths of a millimeter. The company designs and manufactures profile grinding machines (KNG 5P expert, KNG master, ZE, ZP, VX series), gear machining centers (KNG 350 flex/core, KX TWIN, KX 500 FLEX, KX DYNAMIC), rotor grinding machines (RX series), special machines (HGS, GAS, GIS), and coordinate measuring machines (KNM series), paired with proprietary CBN tooling, dressing tools, and the KN grind control system. Its integrated four-pillar offering combines machines, tools, technology, and metrology, supported by a KN connect digital platform for monitoring and process optimization. The firm sells primarily to enterprise customers in aerospace (Bell, Safran), automotive and e-mobility (Daimler Truck, FPT), wind power and energy, and industrial contract manufacturers, with multi-year quote-based sales cycles. Revenue is generated across industrial machinery sales, tooling, metrology equipment, after-sales service and modernization (including a 'Repowered' upgrade line), and a growing digital solutions stream. KAPP NILES operates manufacturing and sales subsidiaries in Germany (Coburg, Berlin, Großostheim), the USA (Boulder, Dayton), Brazil (Diadema), China (JiaShan), Japan (Nagoya), Mexico (Ramos Arizpe), India (Bengaluru), and Italy (Gallarate), employing roughly 1,000 people across the group under Managing Directors Matthias Kapp, Michael Kapp, and Michael Bär.

Name

Kapp GmbH

Legal name

KAPP GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kapp-coburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KAPP NILES is a family-owned German precision gear and profile grinding equipment manufacturer serving aerospace, e-mobility, wind energy, and industrial customers across more than 20 countries via direct enterprise sales and wholly-owned subsidiaries in eight countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Grinding Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351), Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Grinding, Honing & Superfinishing Equipment (IMAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

Keywords

• Precision gear grinding
• Profile grinding machines
• Gear machining centers
• Metrology measurement systems
• Industrial grinding tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Coburg, Bavaria

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Machinery Sales: Sale of precision profile grinding machines, rotor grinding machines, gear machining centers, and special machines. Machines range from compact models (RX 120) to large-scale machines (ZP series up to 8,000 mm workpiece diameter).
2. Tooling: Dressing tools and grinding tools tailored for various machining applications, including dressable and non-dressable CBN tools.
3. Metrology Equipment: Measurement machines (KNM series) for quality assurance optimization, coordinate measurement, laser measurement, and surface measurement services.
4. Service and Support: Comprehensive services covering entire machine lifecycle including after-sales support, tooling, overhaul, modernization, maintenance, training, and spare parts.
5. Digital Solutions: Digitalization solutions including KN connect platform, sensor packages, digital service, closed loop systems, tool management, condition monitoring, and process monitoring.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

KAPP NILES manufactures and sells precision profile grinding machines, gear machining centers, rotor grinding machines, and special machines for fine finishing of gears and profiles to accuracies measured in thousandths of a millimeter. The company provides an integrated system solution combining machines, tooling, process technology, and metrology (coordinate measurement machines) to industrial customers in mobility, aerospace, wind power, and automation sectors, with sizes ranging from compact RX 120 to large ZP series up to 8,000 mm workpiece diameter.

Product overview

KAPP NILES is a global industrial machinery group offering an integrated system solution for precision gear and profile finishing. The portfolio consists of four interconnected pillars: (1) Machines - including profile grinding machines (KNG 5P expert, KNG master, ZE, ZP, VX series), gear machining centers (KNG 350 flex/HS/core, KX TWIN, KX 500 FLEX, KX 300 P, KX DYNAMIC), rotor grinding machines (RX series), and special machines (HGS, GAS thread grinding, GIS ball screw grinding); (2) Tools - dressing tools and grinding wheels for gear machining; (3) Technology - process expertise and individual solutions; (4) Metrology - coordinate measuring machines (KNM series) and contract measurement services. Additionally, the Digitalisierung (digitization) offerings include KN connect platform, sensor packages, Digital Service, Closed Loop integration, Tool Management, Condition Monitoring, Process Monitoring, and Part Traceability. The perfect interaction of machine, tool, technology, and metrology enables extremely precise machining to a thousandth of a millimeter.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KN connect: Digital connectivity platform for KAPP NILES machines
• KN assist
• KN grind

Products and services

• KNG 5P expert Profile Grinding Machine Gear profile grinding machine for high-precision machining of external and internal gears, with module range 0.5-25 mm, max tip diameter 500 (600) mm, max face width 675 mm, featuring direct-driven grinding spindle up to 9,500 rpm. Designed for industrial customers requiring precision gear finishing.
• KNG master Series Profile Grinding Machines Series of gear profile grinding machines with max tip diameter 1,250 mm, module range 0.5-35 mm, designed for highest quality from batch size 1 with optional hydrostatics.
• KNG 3P ready Profile Grinding Machine Gear profile grinding machine with max tip diameter 320 mm, module 0.5-10 mm for prototype to medium series, featuring integrated switch cabinet for quick commissioning and intuitive KN grind control with touch technology.
• ZE Series Profile Grinding Machines Profile grinding machine series with max tip diameter 1,200 mm, module 0.5-20 (25) mm, featuring compact design with low space requirements and optimal accessibility.
• ZP Series Large-Scale Profile Grinding Machines Large-scale profile grinding machines with max tip diameter 8,000 mm, max module 40 mm, for external gears, internal gears and special profiles with highest part precision.
• VX Series Profile Grinding Machines Profile grinding machine series for prototype and small series with max tip diameter 630 mm, module 0.5-16 mm, processing external, internal, straight and helical gears as well as special profiles.
• KNG 350 flex Gear Machining Center Gear machining center for external and internal gear machining with max tip diameter 350 (400) mm, module 0.5-8 mm (worm grinding) / 0.5-10 mm (profile grinding), featuring counter-supported grinding spindle for large grinding worms and digital support for setup optimization.
• KNG 350 flex HS Gear Machining Center Gear machining center with high-speed grinding spindle, max tip diameter 350 mm, significantly reduced non-cutting times through machine-integrated loading device for highest grinding quality and productivity.
• KNG 350 core Gear Machining Center Gear machining center with module 0.5-6 mm, using dressable tools with high cutting speeds, integrated loading device for shortest non-cutting times, compact design with small footprint.
• KX TWIN Series Gear Machining Centers Gear machining centers with max tip diameter 260 mm for medium to large series, featuring twin spindle concept with rotary table for minimal changeover times and flexible automation integration.
• KX 500 FLEX Gear Machining Center Gear machining center with max tip diameter 500 mm, module 0.5-8 mm (worm grinding) / 0.5-12 mm (profile grinding), for gears and special profiles from prototype to series production.
• KX 300 P Gear Machining Center Gear machining center with tool and workpiece spindle with direct drive.
• KX DYNAMIC Series Gear Machining Centers Gear machining centers for worm grinding with automated chuck change, multifunction axis for discharging SPC and NIO parts, fastest changeover times through pick-up concept and integrated automation.
• RX 120 Rotor Grinding Machine Rotor grinding machine with max outer diameter 120 mm, max workpiece length 425 mm for medium series, featuring worm and profile grinding capability with compact automation concept and integrated deburring station.
• RX 55 / RX 59 Rotor Grinding Machines Rotor grinding machines with max outer diameter 320 (400) mm, max workpiece length 1,650 mm for profile grinding applications.
• HGS High-Speed Grinding Special Machine High-speed grinding special machine for prototype manufacturing, grinding slots in pump rotors with package clamping, automatic loading and unloading.
• GAS Thread Grinding Machine Thread grinding machine for processing external threads and similar profiles using dressable and non-dressable CBN tools.
• GIS Ball Screw Grinding Machine Special machine for hard fine finishing of ball screws or similar profiles using non-dressable CBN profile grinding wheels (combination of roughing and finishing tools).
• KNM Coordinate Measuring Machines Coordinate measuring machines (KNM 2X / 4X / 6X / 9X and KNM X series) for gear and profile measurement in quality assurance applications, including coordinate, manual, surface, and laser measurement.
• KN connect Digital Platform Digital platform for connecting machines and processes for efficient production management, process optimization, and machine connectivity. Includes sensor packages, digital service, closed loop, tool management, condition monitoring, process monitoring, and part traceability.
• KAPP NILES Service and Support Comprehensive after-sales services covering entire machine lifecycle including support, overhaul, modernization, maintenance, training, and spare parts. Includes 'Repowered' modernization and upgrade services for existing KAPP NILES machines.
• Contract Measurement Services (Lohnmessung) Contract measurement services including coordinate measuring technology, manual measuring technology, surface measuring technology, and laser measuring technology for industrial customers.
• Dressing Tools (Abrichtwerkzeuge) Dressing tools tailored to diverse machining operations for maintaining grinding wheel geometry in gear machining applications.
• Grinding Tools (Schleifwerkzeuge) Grinding tools designed for specific gear machining applications and materials, including dressable and non-dressable CBN tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision to thousandths of a millimeter (μm)

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Coburg – Die FamilienstadtminorOthersFamily-friendly employer initiative where KAPP NILES partners with the City of Coburg to promote work-life balance and family-friendly working conditions.
• BITEK s.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian sales and service partner representing KAPP NILES in Italy with local support for sales, service, and spare parts.
• Retecon (Pty) LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering South Africa for KAPP NILES machinery and services.
• Engineering Technology GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Great Britain representing KAPP NILES products.
• International Conference on Screw Machines (ICSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical conference partnership. KAPP NILES participates in and supports the annual ICSM event for screw machine technology professionals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd. Japanese global manufacturer of precision machining centers and grinding machines for aerospace, automotive, and die/mold industries. Competes in the broader precision metalworking machinery market and is relevant for high-precision component manufacturers in KAPP NILES' customer base.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Machine Tool): Japanese industrial conglomerate with a machine tool business producing gear cutting machines and precision machining equipment. Operates in the same precision metalworking machinery space with a broader corporate footprint, making it a broad incumbent comparable on end-market exposure.
• Liebherr (Gear Technology / Hofler): Liebherr's Gear Technology division (formerly Hofler) supplies gear cutting and grinding machines, including profile grinders for large workpieces used in wind turbines. A direct competitor in gear grinding within a much larger diversified industrial group, giving it scale advantages but a less specialized focus than KAPP NILES.
• EMAG GmbH & Co. KG: German-based machine tool group producing turning, grinding, and gear machining systems for automotive and industrial customers. Overlaps with KAPP NILES in precision machining and serves similar end markets, though EMAG's portfolio is broader and less gear-grinding-focused.

Direct peers

• Gleason Corporation: US-based global leader in gear manufacturing technology, producing gear design software, machines (including profile grinding and hobbing), and tooling. Closely comparable to KAPP NILES as both are integrated full-line suppliers of precision gear machining solutions serving the same automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers.
• Klingelnberg Group: German-based specialist in gear technology offering bevel and cylindrical gear machinery, including profile grinding machines, plus metrology and services. A near-direct competitor with overlapping technology, customer base (automotive, aerospace, wind), and German Mittelstand heritage.
• Samputensili (Starsharp Group): Italian-based manufacturer of gear manufacturing machines (hobbing, shaping, grinding) and gear cutting tools. Comparable to KAPP NILES as a specialized European supplier serving automotive and industrial gear producers with combined machine + tooling offerings.
• Reishauer AG: Swiss manufacturer of high-precision gear grinding machines, particularly known for continuous generating grinding of cylindrical gears. Directly competes with KAPP NILES' profile and generating grinding portfolio in automotive and industrial gear applications.

Others

• Renishaw plc: British global supplier of precision measurement, motion control, and additive manufacturing equipment, including coordinate measuring systems. Comparable to KAPP NILES' metrology division (KNM series) and adjacent in precision industrial measurement technology.
• Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik: German-based global leader in industrial metrology, including coordinate measuring machines used for precision gear and component inspection. Comparable to KAPP NILES Metrology (KNM series) for industrial quality assurance in gear manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KAPP_NILES
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kappniles
• Facebookfacebook.com/KappNiles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kapp-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/kappniles

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries10 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 Kapp GmbH