CLE
CLE Finland Oy is a privately held Finnish distributor founded in 1977 that sells tools, accessories, consumables, and machinery for sheet metal manufacturing, acting as the exclusive Finnish representative for approximately 30 international brands via direct sales from offices in Kauhava and Hanko.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersKauhava, Finland
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CLE does
CLE Finland Oy ("CLE") is a privately held Finnish industrial distributor founded in 1977 and headquartered in Kauhava, with a secondary office in Hanko. The company supplies tools, accessories, consumables, and machinery to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers for punching, bending, tapping, laser cutting, joining, and fastening operations. CLE does not develop proprietary technology; instead, it acts as the exclusive Finnish representative for approximately 30 international principal brands, including Mate (CNC punching), WILA and UKB (press brake tooling), BTM (Tog-L-Loc joining), TR Fastenings and FAR (fasteners), Centricut and Ophir (laser optics), BalTec (riveting), and Millutensil (conveyors/machinery). Its product catalogue spans CNC punching tools, eccentric press tooling, bending tools, tapping units, laser optics and consumables, fasteners, machinery, conveyors, and injection-moulding components, supported by a small in-house maintenance capability at the Kauhava warehouse.
The business model is direct sales: a sales-led, quote-based operation in which the owner Kari Kangas (third owner since 2019), Timo Kangas, Kimmo Känsäkoski, and Minna Björkqvist engage Finnish sheet metal shops via phone, email, website contact forms, and a newsletter subscription, supplemented by a bilingual cle.fi website and Facebook/Instagram presence. Revenue is generated through one-time transactional product resale and recurring replacement/consumable purchases (e.g., laser optics, slat-cleaning chemicals), with pricing not publicly disclosed and customers directed to request quotes. The company has no public listing, no disclosed funding, no app, no API, no AI/ML capability, and no parent organization; it operates entirely within Finland through its two physical locations.
Strategically, CLE's positioning rests on being a single trusted Finnish-language gateway to a globally diversified tooling and consumables catalogue for a fragmented SMB customer base. Recent activity indicates incremental portfolio expansion through new principal partnerships (3YO, Centricut, ERSM, UKB, Slat Easy Cleaner, evidenced by 2026-dated logos) and ongoing brand-building, but no acquisitions, M&A, funding events, or technology pivots are recorded.
CLE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CLE
- Legal name
- CLE Finland Oy
- Website
- https://cle.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- CLE Finland Oy is a privately held Finnish distributor founded in 1977 that sells tools, accessories, consumables, and machinery for sheet metal manufacturing, acting as the exclusive Finnish representative for approximately 30 international brands via direct sales from offices in Kauhava and Hanko.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CLE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Tooling Distribution
- NAICS
- Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing (333515)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
Keywords
Where CLE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kauhava
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
CLE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Distribution and Resale: CLE generates revenue by distributing and reselling industrial tools and accessories sourced from international principal brands to sheet metal manufacturers. Revenue is derived from product sales, likely with both one-time transactional sales and ongoing replacement/accessory purchases.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
CLE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CLE Finland Oy supplies industrial tools, accessories, machinery, and consumables to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers as the local distributor for approximately 30 international principal brands. Its portfolio covers CNC punching tooling, eccentric machinery tooling, press brake bending tools, tapping tools, laser optics and consumables, fasteners, machinery, conveyors, and injection moulding products, sold directly to fabricators through its Kauhava and Hanko offices.
Product overview
CLE is a Finnish company specializing in tools and accessories for the sheet metal trade. The company operates as a distributor and supplier of branded industrial products rather than a single unified product platform. The portfolio spans multiple product categories including CNC Punching Tools (Mate, API, JOKA), Eccentric Machinery Tooling (Fibro, Dayton, Kaller), Bending Tools (Wila, UKB, Tecnostamp, Euram, Polyurethane Products), Tapping Tools (Gamor, MD Technology, Meclostampi), Laser Optics and Parts (Ophir, BioCircle, Plasma-Point, Centricut, Slat Easy Cleaner, 3YO), Fasteners (TR Fastenings, FAR, HBS), Machinery (BalTec, BTM, FAR, HBS, ERSM, Rolleri Up-Grind), Conveyors (Millutensil), and Injection Moulding (Cumsa). These product lines serve the fabrication, metalworking, and manufacturing industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CNC Punching Tools (CNC-lävistys) Distributor of CNC turret press tools, special-application punching tools, and station tools from brands such as Mate Precision Technologies, Alternative Parts Inc. (API), and JOKA. Sold to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers for CNC punching operations.
- Eccentric Machinery Tooling (Työkalut epäkeskokoneille) Distributor of cam-driven units, eccentric stations, ball-lock punches, mould components, and metal-stamping tool components from brands including Fibro, Dayton Lamina, and Kaller. Sold to Finnish metal stamping and sheet metal manufacturers.
- Bending Tools (Taivutus) Distributor of press brake tools, upper and lower tools, specialised bending solutions, and polyurethane tooling from brands such as WILA, UKB, Tecnostamp, Euram, and Polyurethane Products. Sold to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers for bending operations.
- Tapping Tools (Kierteitys) Distributor of hydraulic and air-driven tapping machines, turret tapping tool parts and accessories, and mechanical threading units from brands such as Gamor (Talleres Gamor), MD Technology, and Meclostampi. Sold to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers for tapping and thread-forming operations.
- Laser Optics and Parts (Laserlinssit ja -osat) Distributor of IR and CO2/fiber laser optics, plasma and laser cutting consumables, nozzles, slat cleaning equipment, and surface protection chemicals from brands such as Ophir Optronics, BioCircle, Plasma-Point, Centricut, Slat Easy Cleaner, and 3YO. Sold to Finnish manufacturers operating laser cutting machines.
- Fasteners (Kiinnikkeet) Distributor of specialised industrial fasteners for sheet metal applications, including blind rivets, blind rivet nuts, rivet tools, and nut/stud welding systems from brands such as TR Fastenings, FAR, and HBS. Sold to Finnish manufacturers for joining and fastening operations.
- Machinery (Koneet) Distributor of industrial machinery including radial riveting machines, specialty presses, clinch/Tog-L-Loc joining systems, insert press machines, feeders, and material handling equipment from brands such as BalTec, BTM, FAR, HBS, ERSM, and Rolleri Up-Grind. Sold to Finnish manufacturers.
- Conveyors (Kuljettimet ja voiteluaineet) Distributor of material handling conveyor systems from Millutensil's Green Line and Yellow Line product families. Sold to Finnish sheet metal processors for production-line material movement.
- Injection Moulding (Ruiskupuristus) Distributor of injection moulding standard components and solutions from CUMSA for the Finnish mouldmaking and plastics processing industry.
Companies that use CLE
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CLE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CLE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mate (Mate Precision Technologies)coreMate Precision Technologies is a world-class manufacturer of superior solutions for metal cutting and metal forming industries, manufacturing tooling for every major CNC punch press. Founded in 1962, Mate products are available worldwide, supported by more than 80 dealers in every industrialized country. CLE represents Mate for CNC punching tooling in Finland.
- Alternative Parts Inc. (API)coreAPI provides high-quality Amada manufacturing equipment replacement parts at significant discounts to OEM specifications. CLE represents API as a supplier of Amada replacement parts in Finland.
- JOKA WerkzeugbaucoreJOKA produces cutting tools, punching tools, bending tools, and hydraulic tools in series and special designs for sheet metal processing. CLE represents JOKA in Finland.
- BalTeccoreBalTec is the global leader in riveting technology, with headquarters in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, specializing in manufacturing joining technology machinery with a focus on radial riveting technology. The group comprises six companies with over 60 direct employees and 40 sales partners globally. CLE represents BalTec machinery in Finland.
- BTMcoreBTM is a global leader in design and engineering of specialty presses, production systems, precision tooling, and work holding equipment for the sheet metal industry. BTM originated the sealed clinch joint and holds the patent for Tog-L-Loc sheet metal joining system. CLE represents BTM in Finland.
- FARcoreFAR produces high-technology fasteners (blind rivets, blind rivet nuts, and tools) with guaranteed maximum efficiency and performance in service and quality. CLE represents FAR in Finland.
- HBScoreHBS is a worldwide leading company in nut and stud welding technology, based in Dachau/Bavaria with over 40 years of experience and over 50% export share across more than 50 countries. CLE represents HBS in Finland.
- FibrocoreFibro is a leading manufacturer of mould components and metal stamping tools, known globally for its elastomer springs, spring shape elements, ejectors, and scrapers. Based in Hassmersheim, Germany. CLE represents Fibro in Finland.
- Dayton LaminacoreDayton Lamina is the worldwide industry leader in production of catalog and special punches, die components, die details, punch blanks, and metal stamping tools. CLE represents Dayton Lamina in Finland.
- Kaller (Strömsholmen / Barnes Group)coreKaller is the world-leading brand for gas springs and gas hydraulic systems for stamping dies and counterbalance, as well as gas hydraulic suspension systems for heavy-duty off-road vehicles. Based in Tranås, Sweden, part of Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B). CLE represents Kaller in Finland.
- WILAcoreWILA is a leading manufacturer of bending tooling and tool holders, known for unmatched accuracy and durability. WILA's tooling inventory is designed to streamline bending operations. CLE represents WILA in Finland.
- UKBcoreUKB produces high-quality special tools for press brakes on 5,000 m², with a wide range of press brake tools delivered from stock. CLE represents UKB in Finland.
- TecnostampcoreFounded in 1978 in Piacenza, Italy, Tecnostamp has become one of the biggest and most important Italian companies in production, design, and sale of bending tools, with a worldwide dealer network. CLE represents Tecnostamp in Finland.
- EuramcoreWith 35 years of experience in the worldwide market, Euram is one of the leading companies in the sheet metal bending sector, capable of supplying interchangeable tools to a critical tolerance of +/- 0.005mm. CLE represents Euram in Finland.
- Polyurethane ProductscorePolyurethane Products manufactures cast polyurethane products and custom polyurethane tooling under the Die-Thane and Poly-Thane brands, for press brake applications and sheet metal processing. CLE represents Polyurethane Products in Finland.
- Gamor (Talleres Gamor)coreTalleres GAMOR is a Spanish manufacturer of hydraulic tapping machines (world market leader in speed, power, precision, and capacity), air-driven tapping machines, portable drill grinding machines, and belt deeding machines. CLE represents Gamor in Finland.
- MD TechnologycoreMD Technology designs and engineers original NCT3.0 and NCT3.5 turret tapping tool parts and accessories for Amada, Finn-Power, and Murata punch press machines. CLE represents MD Technology in Finland.
- MeclostampicoreMeclostampi designs and manufactures mechanical threading units for over 20 years, patented and sold worldwide, exported to more than 25 countries and approved by all major car manufacturers. Based in Italy. CLE represents Meclostampi in Finland.
- MillutensilcoreFounded in 1955, Millutensil is a worldwide leader in production of die & mould spotting presses and machinery for sheet metal working, with Blue Line (spotting presses), Green Line (sheet metal machinery), and Yellow Line (conveyor belts). CLE represents Millutensil in Finland.
- Ophir OptronicscoreOphir Optronics, an MKS Company (NASDAQ: MKSI), is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance IR thermal lenses and optical elements, and high-quality optics for CO2 lasers and 1-micron fiber lasers. Facilities in Jerusalem, Israel and Bucharest, Romania. CLE represents Ophir in Finland.
- BioCirclecoreBioCircle manufactures cleaning and welding chemicals, surface protection products (E-WELD Shield) for plasma and laser cutting machines, and cleaning technology solutions. CLE represents BioCircle in Finland.
- Plasma-PointcoreFounded in 1988 in Italy, Plasma-Point produces torches and spare parts for plasma cutting, MIG/TIG torches, welding machines, and generators. 70% of products exported to over 60 countries. Patented GLOBAL TORCH product. CLE represents Plasma-Point in Finland.
- CentricutcoreCentricut offers consumables for CO2 and fiber optic laser cutting systems with over 3,000 part numbers, providing OEM-quality laser optics, nozzles, nozzle holders, and accessories at lower cost than OEM parts. CLE represents Centricut in Finland.
- Slat Easy CleanercoreSlat Easy Cleaner provides cleaning machines for laser machine tables using special cutters, powerful motors with electronic rotation control, and integrated pneumatic traction. Features international patents and certification. CLE represents Slat Easy Cleaner in Finland.
- 3YO Technologycore3YO Technology provides 3YO TS products that extend laser cutting time, reduce slat cleaning/replacement, increase productivity, and lower maintenance costs. 3YO is biodegradable and non-hazardous. CLE represents 3YO in Finland.
- CUMSAcoreCUMSA is a family-owned company dedicated to design, manufacturing, and distribution of innovative standard solutions for the moldmaking and molding industries, with branches in Portugal, Italy, China, and the United States, and distribution in over 40 countries. CLE represents CUMSA in Finland for injection moulding products.
- TR FasteningscoreTR Fastenings Ltd, part of Trifast plc, is an international specialist in design, engineering, manufacture, and distribution of high-quality industrial fasteners to over 5,000 companies globally. Has 32 business locations across UK, Asia, Europe, and USA, including seven manufacturing sites. CLE represents TR Fastenings in Finland.
- ERSM (RSM SheetmetalMachinery)coreResource SheetmetalMachinery (RSM) specializes in manufacture of machine tools including insert press machines, feeders, and other machine tools and accessories. Products supplied to Germany, Spain, France, England, Greece, Finland, Norway, Austria, etc. CLE represents ERSM in Finland.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
CLE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- TRUMPF: German-headquartered global manufacturer of sheet metal processing machinery (laser cutting, punching, bending) and laser technology. While CLE does not distribute TRUMPF, TRUMPF shares the same Finnish sheet metal customer base, and CLE distributes consumables (laser optics from Ophir, Centricut) that feed into TRUMPF-installed equipment.
- Bystronic: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of sheet metal processing machinery (laser cutting, bending, automation). Bystronic's products are installed at the same Finnish metal manufacturer customer base that CLE serves; while CLE does not distribute Bystronic, both companies target the same end customers in the Finnish sheet metal market.
- Walter Tools: Global manufacturer of precision metal cutting tools (turning, milling, drilling, threading) headquartered in Germany and part of the Sandvik group. Walter competes with several CLE principals (Sandvik, Kennametal, etc.) for the same metalworking tooling wallet and serves the same Finnish end-customers, though it operates as a manufacturer rather than a distributor.
- Amada: Japanese-headquartered global manufacturer of sheet metal machinery (laser cutting, punching, bending) with strong presence in Europe. CLE distributes aftermarket replacement parts (API) and consumables for Amada-installed equipment, making them complementary ecosystem participants serving the same Finnish customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Würth: Global industrial distribution giant headquartered in Germany, supplying fasteners, tools, and consumables to industrial customers across dozens of countries. Comparable to CLE as a multi-category industrial distributor with direct-sales reach, but vastly larger, more diversified across industries, and not specialized in sheet metal tooling.
- Kennametal: U.S.-headquartered manufacturer of metalworking tools and tooling solutions used in turning, milling, drilling, and metal cutting applications. Comparable to CLE's product categories (cutting tools, tooling) and serves the same end customers (sheet metal and metalworking manufacturers), but is a global manufacturer rather than a regional distributor.
- Sandvik: Swedish-headquartered global leader in metal cutting tools and mining/rock processing equipment. Comparable to CLE as a key player in the Nordic metalworking tooling market that supplies many of the same customers via direct sales and distributors; however, Sandvik is a manufacturer with multi-billion-EUR scale rather than a distributor.
- MSC Industrial: Large North American industrial MRO and metalworking distributor supplying cutting tools, machinery accessories, and consumables to manufacturers. Comparable to CLE in product/market overlap (metalworking tooling distribution), but operates at vastly larger scale and primarily serves U.S. customers.
- Grainger: U.S.-headquartered broad-line industrial distributor serving facilities maintenance, manufacturing, and metalworking customers with tools, supplies, and consumables. Comparable in distribution-led B2B model serving industrial customers, though substantially broader in scope and North American in geography.
Direct peers
- Hoffmann Group: German-headquartered industrial tools and accessories distributor with a multi-brand catalogue serving metalworking and manufacturing customers across Europe. Closely comparable to CLE in business model (value-add distribution of metalworking tooling and accessories through direct sales), though operating at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CLE social profiles
Digital presenceCLE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CLE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CLE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CLE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CLE
What does CLE do?
CLE Finland Oy supplies industrial tools, accessories, machinery, and consumables to Finnish sheet metal manufacturers as the local distributor for approximately 30 international principal brands. Its portfolio covers CNC punching tooling, eccentric machinery tooling, press brake bending tools, tapping tools, laser optics and consumables, fasteners, machinery, conveyors, and injection moulding products, sold directly to fabricators through its Kauhava and Hanko offices.
Is CLE a public or private company?
CLE is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was CLE founded?
CLE was founded in 1977.
Where is CLE based?
CLE is headquartered in Kauhava, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does CLE make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Distribution and Resale.
Who are CLE's main competitors?
Others on record are TRUMPF, Bystronic, Walter Tools and Amada. Broad incumbents are Würth, Kennametal, Sandvik, MSC Industrial and Grainger. Hoffmann Group is listed as a direct peer.
Does CLE have an API?
No public API is recorded for CLE.
What industry is CLE in?
CLE's product category is Industrial Tooling Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures). Its NAICS code is 333515 and its SIC code is 3560.