Kessler+Co

What Kessler+Co does

Kessler+Co (legal entity KESSLER & CO GmbH & Co. KG) is a privately held, family-owned German manufacturer of drivetrain components for heavy mobile vehicles. Founded in 1950 in Wasseralfingen and relocated to Abtsgmünd in 1967 under the ownership of the Grimminger family, the company develops, manufactures, and distributes planetary axles, gearboxes (including distribution gearboxes, the Upbox, and CVT/power-shift transmissions), wheel drives, and electric drive systems. Its products are specified into construction machinery, mobile cranes, material handling and port equipment, mining and underground vehicles, heavy-duty forklifts, airport ground support equipment, agricultural machinery, commercial vehicles, and security vehicles, sold under a direct enterprise sales motion to international OEMs.

The technical base rests on more than 70 years of specialization in high-load drivetrains, an in-house spiral-bevel gear cutting capability established in 1964, and a four-factory production footprint totaling approximately 170,000 m² (Werk 1 plus Werk 2, 3, and 4 added in 2002, 2017, and 2021 respectively). Kessler+Co commercialized the planetary axle in 1970, the powershift transmission in 1982, and a complete lamella-brake axle series for heavy forklifts in 1990; in 2012 it deployed its first electric drive solutions and has since built out a dedicated E-Mobility portfolio covering wheel drives and application-optimized system solutions. The company holds DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 certifications and operates a structured apprenticeship and dual-study talent pipeline that has trained more than 100 apprentices and maintained a training rate above 10% for 50+ years.

Commercially, Kessler+Co generates revenue through direct B2B hardware sales of customized drivetrain systems and aftermarket parts, priced via bespoke engineering and service contracts rather than public price lists. The company operates a global footprint through direct sales representatives, service partners, and dedicated inquiry channels for E-Mobility, supported by a multilingual (DE/EN/CN/RU) corporate website. It has no subsidiaries, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A history, and remains entirely under Grimminger family ownership with four named managing directors (Gerhard, Manfred, Maximilian, and Simon Grimminger). At approximately 1,200 employees, the business is a specialized, capital-intensive Mittelstand supplier positioned at the intersection of legacy heavy-vehicle drivetrains and the ongoing electrification of mobile machinery.

Name

Kessler+Co

Legal name

KESSLER & CO GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kessler-axles.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Kessler+Co is a German family-owned manufacturer of planetary axles, gearboxes, wheel drives, and electric drive systems for heavy mobile vehicles, serving OEMs in construction machinery, mobile cranes, material handling, mining, and related heavy-equipment verticals globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy-duty drivetrain components

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Axle, Differential & Final Drive Manufacturing (Front/Rear/E-axle housings) (IMACAHAG)

Keywords

• Heavy-duty drive components
• Planetary axles manufacturing
• Heavy mobile vehicle drivetrains
• Electric drive systems
• Construction machinery components

Headquarters

HQ city

Abtsgmünd

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Heavy-duty drive components manufacturing and sales: Development, manufacturing, and distribution of planetary axles, gearboxes, wheel drives, and electric drive systems for heavy mobile vehicles

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kessler+Co develops, manufactures and sells heavy-duty drive components for heavy mobile vehicles. Its product portfolio comprises planetary axles (including steering drive, drive, pivot, tandem/tridem and individual wheel suspension variants), transmissions (distribution gearboxes, Upbox, CVT/power-split and powershift units), electric wheel drives, and application-optimized electric drive systems. The company supplies international OEMs in construction machinery, mobile cranes, material handling, mining, airport technology, agriculture, commercial vehicles and security technology sectors.

Product overview

Kessler+Co is a leading manufacturer of drive components and control software for heavy mobile vehicles. The product portfolio centers on three core categories: planetary axles (Planetenachsen) including steering drive axles, drive axles, pivot axles, tandem/tridem axles, and individual wheel suspension; transmission systems (Getriebe) comprising distribution gearboxes, the Upbox, and CVT/power-split/shift transmissions; and E-Mobility solutions including wheel drives and application-optimized electric drive systems. These products serve construction machinery, mobile cranes, handling equipment, mining vehicles, and other heavy-load applications. The company operates from a 130,000 m² production facility in Abtsgmünd, Germany, and employs approximately 1,200 people.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Planetenachsen (Planetary Axles) Heavy-duty planetary axles designed for demanding applications in construction machinery, mobile cranes, material handling equipment and underground vehicles. Includes steering drive axles, drive axles, pivot axles, tandem and tridem axles, and individual wheel suspension systems, engineered for high-load heavy mobile vehicles.
• Getriebe (Transmissions) Transmission systems including distribution gearboxes (Verteilergetriebe), the Upbox power distribution unit, and CVT, power-split and lastshift (powershift) transmissions for heavy mobile vehicles.
• Radantriebe (Wheel Drives) Electric wheel drive systems for vehicles with high load requirements, part of the E-Mobility product portfolio.
• E-Mobility-Systeme (Electric Drive Systems) Application-optimized system solutions for electric drive systems in the high-load range, developed for various vehicle layouts according to customer requirements, leveraging the company's system understanding of heavy-vehicle electrification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced powershift gearbox in large quantities since 1982 - demonstrates long-term reliability and market acceptance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Dr. Albert Grimminger-StiftungcoreOthersFoundation established for the promotion of extracurricular learning and experimentation for children and youth in the fields of natural sciences and technology. Focus of funding is on EXPLORHINO student laboratory and EXPLORHINO Science Center at Hochschule Aalen.
• Dr. Albert Grimminger-SchulstiftungsupportingOthersSchool foundation serving the promotion of excellent MINT (STEM) education at St. Jakobus-Gymnasium and Friedrich-von-Keller-Schule in Abtsgmünd municipality. The foundation was an essential building block enabling the establishment of a gymnasium in Abtsgmünd.
• Stiftung KESSLER + CO für Bildung und KulturcoreOthersFoundation focused on promoting education in MINT subjects in the Ostalb region and supporting the cultural landscape of the Schwäbische Alb. Supports EXPLORHINO student laboratory and Science Center, two foundation chairs at Hochschule Aalen, and the EXPLOR project for entry-level researchers. Also supports cultural events and institutions in the Schwäbische Alb region.
• EXPLORHINO Science CentercoreOthersScience center with over 120 experiments on 1,200 square meters of exhibition space, inviting visitors from Tuesday to Sunday to explore exciting phenomena in natural sciences, mathematics, and technology. Founded by the Grimminger family initiative and located at Hochschule Aalen.
• 19 Kindergartens (Regional Partnership Network)supportingOthersKessler+Co has been a partner of 19 kindergartens in the surrounding area. Through a practice project, children's interest in technology is awakened, and children receive insights into the working world through excursions to the company.
• St. Jakobus Gymnasium AbtsgmündsupportingOthersPartnership with local gymnasium for vocational orientation programs including AbiPlus program where interested youth between grades 8-11 can earn a Facharbeiterbrief (skilled worker certificate) alongside their Abitur. This is a nationwide unique pilot project for gymnasium students.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ZF Friedrichshafen: German Tier-1 supplier of transmissions, axles, and electric drivetrains for commercial vehicles, construction machinery, and agricultural equipment – the closest large-scale competitor to Kessler+Co across axles, gearboxes, and E-mobility.
• Dana Incorporated: US-based supplier specializing in axles, driveshafts, and electrified drivetrain solutions for off-highway and commercial vehicle markets – directly comparable to Kessler+Co's planetary axle and E-mobility portfolio.
• Carraro Group: Italian manufacturer of axles, transmissions, and electric drives for agricultural tractors, construction equipment, and material handling – an almost line-for-line overlap with Kessler+Co's product and end-market mix.
• Allison Transmission: Leading global maker of heavy-duty automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles, defense, and off-highway applications – directly comparable to Kessler's powershift and CVT gearbox business for heavy mobile machinery.
• Meritor: Manufacturer of axles, brakes, and drivetrain components for commercial trucks, trailers, and off-highway equipment – matches Kessler's planetary and steering drive axle business for heavy mobile vehicles.
• Bonfiglioli: Italian specialist in planetary gearboxes, gearmotors, and electric drive solutions for industrial, mobile, and renewable applications – closely mirrors Kessler's gearbox and E-mobility wheel drive products.
• Voith: German engineering group whose DIWA and heavy-duty transmission lines compete directly with Kessler's powershift and CVT transmissions for buses, trucks, and off-highway vehicles.
• SEW-Eurodrive: Global manufacturer of drive technology including planetary gearboxes, gear units, and electric drives – overlaps with Kessler's gearbox and E-mobility portfolio for heavy-duty industrial and mobile applications.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Rexroth: Broad-line supplier of drive and control technology for mobile machinery, construction equipment, and factory automation – competes with Kessler in heavy-vehicle electric drives but as part of a much wider portfolio.

Emerging players

• Poclain Hydraulics: French specialist in hydraulic and electric motors for heavy mobile machinery – an emerging competitor in the heavy-equipment electric drive space where Kessler is also expanding its E-mobility footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Kessler-Co-117223877933069
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kessler-co-gmbh-co-kg
• Instagraminstagram.com/kessler_co_

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 Kessler+Co