Knipex

The Knipex -Werk C. Gustav Putsch KG, short Knipex, is a manufacturer of pliers for users in trade and industry. The company is located in Cronenberg, a district of Wuppertal. Knipex is an independent and family-owned for four generations. It is one of the world's leading producer of its kind

History

The company was founded in 1882 by Carl Gustav Putsch as tongs forge. In the early days especially pinch and Hufbeschlagzangen were prepared first by hand, then increasingly with the help of drop forging and machine. 1942 leaves Carl coup, the representative of the second generation, register the same mark " Knipex ". Since the 1950s, the program will gradually be supplemented by other types of pliers. Karl coup took over the management in 1954. The manufacturing is increasingly automated and product innovations get a bigger role. From the 90's various subsidiaries are part of the Knipex group. The fourth generation takes over the company's management. The first foreign sales offices are established and reinforced by internationalization. Today, over 60 percent of production is exported to about 100 countries in the world.

Product

The program currently includes about 100 types of pliers in a total of over 900 different length, shape and finish options. These include commonly used types of pliers such as combination pliers, side cutters and water pump pliers, as well as specialized pliers for applications in the electrical and plumbing as well as in electronics. Also special tools for cutting, stripping and crimping in the aerospace, solar technology and fiber optic installation belonging to the range.

Employees and Training

At the Wuppertal more than 800 people are employed, including 45 apprentices in industrial and commercial fields as well as dual training ( teaching and learning ). For the commercial train has its own training workshop. All trainees additional operating instruction is offered. Knipex trainees are regularly among the year's best in the region.

The Company's Daycare " notch box" allows employees a better balance between work and family.

Production

The strategy of the company is one next to the specialization in high-quality pliers and the complete value added in -house and at a single location. Which is thought to have a direct influence on all of the quality characteristics of the products and guarantee flexibility and reliability. For production scale while continuing to swaging with its own tool also includes machining ( spaces, drilling, milling and grinding ) and laser machining. After connecting the two tongs legs - usually by riveting - there is a multiple heat treatment (hardening, tempering, induction hardening of cutting or gripping teeth ) and various surface treatments ( polishing, painting, chrome plating ).

Sustainability and commitment to the city

As part of its sustainability strategy, the company relies on resource-efficient economies, for example by use of photovoltaic and advanced energy recovery systems. Knipex is a founding member of the " Bergisch Society for Resource Efficiency".

The gun manufacturer is engaged in its regional environment in many ways, especially in the field of education, culture and social affairs. There are partnerships with the European School Carl- Fuhlrott -Gymnasium and the Realschule Leimbacher road as well as a collaboration with the University of Wuppertal and the junior University of Wuppertal. Knipex regularly hosts concerts and co-organizer of the annual Cronenberger benefit concert.

Knipex Museum

The company houses a museum where over two floors on the basis of machinery, tools, jobs and everyday objects the working and living conditions in the bergischen tool industry in the past are shown. The museum is open to the public once a year during the event Wuppertal- 24- live, in addition to visitor groups after registration.

Group of companies

Knipex is the parent company of Knipex group with a total of 1,400 employees in four German production companies and several sales companies abroad, including the U.S., Russia, China, Dubai and Japan.

To Knipex group includes more than manufacturing companies:

• Rennsteig Tools in Viernau ( Thuringia), a manufacturer of pliers for electrical and plumbing as well as impact tools,
• Orbis Will in Ahaus ( Münster ), a manufacturer of pliers and bolt cutters and plastic parts,
• Will tools in Neustadt (Hessen), a manufacturer of pliers

Awards

Knipex has received several awards for product quality, innovation, commitment to the city and the quality of education, including 2005 with the Wuppertal business award "Company of the Year" several times as " Partner of the Year " and " Brand of the Year " in the tool specialized trade and for " Vibrant corporate Culture " under the " Regionale 2006 ". There are also a number of awards for good product design. Knipex 2013 was awarded the Bergische training price. Knipex received the 2014 CSR Award of Koelnmesse for sustainable corporate management.