Story Time | The History of Klauke
Published 08 Jan 2024
Klauke Crimping & Cutting Tools
Do you know the history of Klauke?
Klauke is a leading manufacturer of cable crimping and cable cutting tools, the company has been in business for over 140 years.
It all began in 1879, when Gustav Klauke and his brother founded the company Gustav Klauke. At that time, the production program included high-quality pliers, primarily in the watchmaker trade.
In 1924, the founder’s sons, Gustav Klauke II and Max Klauke, took over the management of the company.
In 1960, the decision was made to produce cable lugs and corresponding tools. Klauke began to focus on developing tools for the electrical industry. They pioneered the development of manual crimping and cutting tools, which quickly gained popularity due to their high quality and reliability.
The Present Day
Did you also know that the first battery-powered hydraulic tool for connecting material was manufactured in 1994?
In 2014, the Klauke Micro with PowerSense function appeared on the market.
In July 2018, the company was acquired by Emerson and is now part of the “Professional Tools” division. Klauke celebrated its 140th anniversary the following year.
Over the years, Klauke expanded its product range to include hydraulic and battery-powered crimping and cutting tools to meet the growing demand in various industries such as electrical installations, air conditioning and refrigeration, automotive, and telecommunications.
Klauke prides itself on its innovative designs and commitment to manufacturing tools that meet the highest standards of quality and precision. Their tools are designed to be ergonomic, durable, and easy to use, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Let’s take a closer look at their history below:
1924 – 1879
In 1924, the founder’s sons, Gustav Klauke II and Max Klauke, took over the management of the company
1924
The sons of the founder, Gustav Klauke II and Max Klauke, take over the management. The pliers product range is continued.
1912
Hand-forged pilers have been dropped and replaced by forged pliers. Mass production has begun. The company has approx. 60 employees.
1906
The Gustav Klauke company is entered in the Commercial Register as a “General Trading Company”. The factory space covers 1,200 m2.
1879
In 1879, 24-year old Gustav Klauke and his brother found the Gustav Klauke company in Stephanstrasse in the Osterbusch area of Remscheid, Germany with 5 employees. At the time, the product range comprises high-quality pliers, which find a ready market, primarily in the watchmaker trade, due to clean hand forging.
1959 – 1925
1925, the first English language catalogue for the piler range was created
1948
Following the death of Gustav Klauke II, in keeping with old traditions, the company is managed by his son-in-law Gustav Diederichs together with Max Klauke, and is converted into a limited liability company.
1930
The sales market is expanded by translating the catalogues into French and Spanish.
1925
The first English language catalogue for the pliers range appears. From the outset, Klauke goes for high-quality tools for the international markets too.
1979 – 1960
1979 Klauke celebrates 100 years of business
1979
Gustav Klauke GmbH celebrates its centenary in Remscheid.
1978
Karl-Gustav Diederichs becomes sole Managing Director and oversees 85 employees.
1968
The production of traditional pliers is ceased. At the same time, the production of cable lugs and crimping tools is extended.
1965
Gustav Diederichs’ son, Karl-Gustav Diederichs joins the company. There are now 45 employees.
1960
Increasing electrification gives the impetus to the decision to produce cable lugs and corresponding tools.
1990 – 1980
Between 1980-1990 increased their office space and number of employees
1990
To keep up with the steady growth, an adjacent 3,000 m2Â piece of land is purchased. Thanks to an existing hall, a further 2,000 m2Â production area is added. Klauke now has approx. 160 employees.
1988
The entire company moves into the new premises in Remscheid-Ueberfeld. The production and storage facilities now cover some 9,000 m2.
1984
Production in the new halls is started on an area of over 4,000 m2Â .
1980
Covering an area of 6,000 m2Â , the original premises on Stephanstrasse are too small for continued company growth. In the Remscheid-Ãœberfeld industrial area, land measuring about 17,000 m2Â is acquired for the construction of new production, storage and office space.
1995 – 1991
1994 the first battery-powered hydrau;ic tool for connectig material is manufactured.
1995
Klauke attains ISO 9001Â certification for the first time.
1994
The first battery-powered hydraulic tool for connecting material is manufactured. The development and distribution of special products for the sanitary and heating industry starts – accompanied by the first catalogue for this field of application.
1993
Klauke Austria is established in Vienna. In the same year, INDIS, headquartered in Creutzwald, is integrated into the Klauke Group as Klauke France. At the same time, Dr Peters is bought out by Klauke. It produced connecting material and tools.
1991
Following the reunification of Germany, Gustav Klauke GmbH acquires HAW in Saxony, the current Bernsdorf branch covering a total area of 10,000 m².
1999 – 1996
In 1998 Klauke expansion of distribution activities through TEXTRON’s Singapore office
1999
Karl Gustav Diederichs retires. A new product platform for hand-operated and battery-powered hydraulic crimping tools with 6 and 12 tonnes of crimping force is introduced. SAP R/3 is introduced at the Klauke headquarters in Remscheid.
1998
Expansion of distribution activities through TEXTRON’s Singapore office.
1997
Klauke starts marketing Greenlee cable pulling equipment in Europe. Hole-making, punching and cutting tools, as well as cable-pulling products are offered.
1996
Klauke is integrated into Textron , the American multi-industry group of companies. This gives the worldwide presence of Klauke and Greenlee products significant impetus. A new building with a further 5,000 m² of production and office spaces emerges on the neighbouring plot in Remscheid-Ueberfeld acquired in 1990.
2006 – 2000
In 2001, Klauke UK, the sales office for Great Britain and Ireland opened.
2006
Klauke supports the “Electric Brands. Strong Partners” initiative for increasing brand awareness and becomes a member of “E-CHECK”, the test seal for electrical installations and devices. Klauke complements the existing product range with professional tools for commercial and industrial use.
2005
Greenlee products from the testing, measuring and inspection device range are introduced and distributed through Klauke.
2004
The Klauke Group celebrates 125 years in existence in Remscheid with a big party. The Klauke Service Mobile for on-site operations at customer premises is introduced. The vehicle fleet is continuously expanded over the next few years. The activities of Tempo Europe Limited are fully integrated into Klauke.
2003
The newly defined “Klauke Production Principle” is put into practice under LEAN and KAIZEN perspectives. The cooperation with “Voltimum”, the central Internet portal for all information concerning modern electronic installation technology begins.
2002
The Klauke mini, an innovative, light and easy-to-use tool, is produced on a new hydraulic tool platform and introduced onto the market. Together with the geographical expansion, sales of the international plumbing business increases noticeably.
2001
Klauke UK, the sales office for Great Britain and Ireland is opened.
2000
The Klauke multi, the universal tool patented worldwide for crimping, cutting and hole-making is launched onto the market. Expansion of distribution activities through the TEXTRON office in Shanghai.
2012 – 2007
2009 Safety Plus Generation of battery-powered hydrauic crimping, cutting and universal tools are launched on the market
2012
The distribution office in Bangalore (India) is expanded to industrial premises with assembly capacity, Service Centre and warehouse. Development of activities according to the Lean Management Concept for Marketing/Sales and Administration. The innovative “blue connection” system for the standardised crimping of compacted, multi-stranded conductors according to VDE 0295 Class 2 is introduced onto the market.
2010
Klauke receives the FACHMETALL QM Context Award. This is in recognition of the continuously high quality of tested materials.
2009
The battery-powered hydraulic crimping, cutting and universal tools of the Safety Plus Generation are launched on the market. Klauke is certified for the first time according to ISO/TS 16949 (quality management system of the automotive industry) and ISO 14001 (environmental management system).
2008
The Klauke India sales office is opened in Bangalore. Utilux Europe, with sites in Slovakia and Great Britain, is bought out and integrated into the Klauke Group.
2007
The distribution company Klauke Russia is established in Moscow. A new central logistics centre is put into operation in Remscheid.
2016 – 2013
In 2014 Klauke Micro, the world’s first electromechanical crimping tool with PowerSense technology is launched on the market
2016
Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 are trends that Klauke has already taken up with the next generation and is thus setting new standards. The new battery-powered hydraulic tools have a Bluetooth interface for mobile data read-out and tool configuration. Klauke Bernsdorf has been producing high-quality tools for 25 years.
2015
Klauke launches sale of HDE products in EMEA and India. Introduction of the new Klauke mini for the electrical and plumbing trades. The Klauke Ideas Management Scheme celebrates its tenth anniversary and receives an award from the German Institute for Ideas and Innovation Management. Klauke supports the “Ecurie Aix” team from RWTH Aachen University by providing tools and cable lugs.
2014
The Klauke micro, the world’s first electromechanical crimping tool with PowerSense technology is launched on the market. The distribution company Klauke Polska is opened close to Warsaw. Our distribution company Klauke France has been active in the market for 25 years. Gustav Klauke GmbH receives the Bergische Training Award 2014 in the category Of Companies with more than 250 employees.
2013
Klauke Slovakia and Klauke UK introduce SAP. All Klauke companies in Europe are now migrated to SAP. Klauke Iberia, the distribution company for Spain and Portugal is opened in Madrid. Klauke opens a new production facility in China close to the city of Nantong. Greenlee celebrates its 150th anniversary. Klauke Germany and Klauke Slovakia receive an award for occupational safety to commend the low accident rate in recent years.
2019 – 2017
In 2019, Klauke celebrates 140th anniversary
2019
Klauke Remscheid celebrates its 140th anniversary. Unique in the world: In April, the battery-powered hydraulic cutting and crimping tools will be Klauke Orange are presented. These offer protection against electric shock up to 1,000 V.
2018
In May 2018, Klauke India celebrates its 10th anniversary and also moves to new premises. Mid-2018 Klauke Austria also celebrates its 25th anniversary. In July 2018, Gustav Klauke GmbH is acquired by Emerson and is now part of the “Professional Tools” division.
2017
On 4 May 2017, the ceremonial opening of our new production site in Gelnica/Slovakia takes place, so that production is now extended to another location in Slovakia with about 2,000 m². Klauke also opens another hall in the “Auf dem Knapp” industrial estate to expand the logistics area. Klauke Spain moves to its new facilities in Madrid.
2020 – 2023
2023 – Two new Managing Directors of Gustav Klauke GmbH
2023
Marc Vandevelde and Jean-Claude Wetzels become joint Managing Directors of Gustav Klauke GmbH.
2020
Timothy Reeves becomes Managing Director and a one piece flow assembly line is introduced for production at Remscheid. The aim is to achieve faster production, better delivery performance and even higher levels of quality.
Today, Klauke products are used by professionals around the world. Their extensive range includes a wide variety of crimping tools for different applications, such as cable lugs, connectors, and terminals. They also offer cutting tools for cables, pipes, and other materials.
CRIMPING CABLES, LUGS & TOOLS
Thorne & Derrick distribute Cable Lugs & Cable Connectors to terminate, splice and joint LV MV HV cables – this includes copper, aluminium and bi-metallic connectors and a complete range of crimping tools for specific use on all Low, Medium & High Voltage cable types.
➡ Associated Brands & Products | Klauke | Cembre | Pfisterer Sicon | Cable Crimping & Cable Cutting Tools
