Key facts
Company history: from 1893 to the present
The history of Klingspor begins at the end of the 19th century in the small town of Heiger in central Germany, a region with a long industrial tradition. In 1893, Johannes Friedrich Klingspor founded a small adhesive manufacturing company, which later became the basis of one of the largest abrasives companies in the world.
The turning point was the decision to start producing abrasives in 1899. The company grew rapidly, and in 1926 Klingspor launched Europe's first waterproof abrasive cloth - an innovation that significantly expanded the possibilities of grinding in wet conditions and solidified the company's reputation as a technological leader.
The real revolution was the invention of the Kronenflex high-speed cutting wheel in 1950. This product fundamentally changed the approach to metal cutting in industry and became Klingspor's calling card for decades to come. The Kronenflex brand remains the company's flagship series today.
Key development milestones
A special feature of Klingspor is the preservation of the family-run nature of management throughout its 130-year history. The transformation into a joint-stock company (AG) in 2005 did not change the family-oriented nature of the company, which ensures long-term strategic planning and stable product quality.
The company today
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Legal name | Klingspor AG |
| Headquarters | Hüttenstraße 36, 35708 Haiger, Germany |
| Based on | 1893, Johannes Friedrich Klingspohr |
| Company type | Family, AG (joint stock company since 2005) |
| Employees | ~3,000 worldwide (600 in Haiger) |
| Turnover | ~$750 million (2024) |
| Production areas (Haiger) | 82,000 m² |
| Locations | 36 production and sales points worldwide |
| Sales geography | 80+ countries on all continents |
| Assortment | 50,000+ product names |
| Flagship brand | Kronenflex (cutting and grinding wheels) |
| Quality levels | Extra, Supra, Special |
| Certifications | ISO 9001, MPA, oSa, FEPA, EN 12413 |
Production sites
Klingspor operates 36 production and sales locations worldwide. The main production complex in Haiger covers an area of 82,000 m² and is the heart of the company, where key products are developed and manufactured. In addition to Germany, significant production facilities are located in Poland and Ukraine.
| № | City | Country | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haiger | Germany | Headquarters, R&D, main production (82,000 m²), 600 employees |
| 2 | Goats (Bielsko-Biala) | Poland | Production of abrasive materials (since 1997) |
| 3 | Big Bridges | Ukraine | Diamond tool production (since 2008) |
In addition to its main production sites, Klingspor has an extensive network of sales and distribution offices on all continents, ensuring prompt delivery of products to customers in over 80 countries around the world.
Product line
Klingspor's product range includes over 50,000 abrasive products, making it one of the most comprehensive manufacturers in the industry. The products are divided into two main groups: coated abrasives and bonded abrasives.
- Sanding sheets - for hand and machine sanding, various formats and grits
- Sanding belts - for belt sanders, wide and narrow format
- Grinding discs (fiber) - for angle grinders
- Kronenflex cutting discs - flagship product, various diameters and types
- Kronenflex grinding wheels - for material removal and cleaning
- Flap discs - for finishing and rust removal
- Diamond cutting discs - for concrete, stone, ceramics (manufactured in Velikie Mosty)
- Diamond cups - for grinding concrete and stone surfaces
- Sanding rolls - for industrial applications
- Sanding sponges - for manual finishing
Key brands and series
| Brand / Series | Product type | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Flex | Cutting and grinding discs | Flagship series since 1950. High-speed wheels for metal, stainless steel, stone |
| Extra | Quality level | Basic level - the optimal price-performance ratio for standard tasks |
| Supra | Quality level | Enhanced level — increased life and cutting speed for regular use |
| Special | Quality level | Premium level - maximum performance for professional and industrial applications |
| CMT | Flap discs | A series of flap discs with ceramic, zirconia and aluminum oxide grains |
| DT / DT 900 | Diamond blades | Diamond cutting disc series for concrete, stone, ceramics and asphalt |
| PS / CS / LS | Sanding sheets and belts | Various series of flexible abrasives for wood, metal, varnishes and paints |
Technology and innovation
Klingspor stands out from its competitors with its historical contribution to the development of the abrasive industry and the constant introduction of new technologies. Its own research center in Haiger works on the optimization of abrasive grains, bonds and product designs.
Kronenflex - a revolution in metal cutting
In 1950, Klingspor invented the Kronenflex high-speed cutting wheel - an innovation that fundamentally changed the way metal was cut in industry. Before that, cutting was mainly done with hacksaws and gas cutters. The Kronenflex made it possible to cut metal quickly, precisely and with minimal material loss. Today, the Kronenflex series includes hundreds of versions of cutting and grinding wheels in various diameters, thicknesses and bond types.
Advanced ceramic grain
Klingspor actively uses the latest generation of ceramic abrasive grains in its premium lines (Special level). The ceramic grain has a microcrystalline structure that ensures constant self-sharpening - the grain does not dull, but forms new sharp edges during operation. The result: significantly higher resource and stable performance over the entire service life of the wheel.
Product Finder — digital product selection
Klingspor has developed an online Product Finder tool that allows users to quickly find the optimal abrasive product based on the following parameters: material type, operation type, equipment type and desired result. The tool is available on the company's website and greatly simplifies the selection process from 50,000+ catalog items.
"The Lowdown on Grinding" - knowledge base
Klingspor has created an extensive technical knowledge base, “The Lowdown on Grinding,” which includes detailed explanations of abrasive processes, product selection recommendations, safe working techniques, and optimal processing parameters for various materials. This base is a valuable resource for engineers, technologists, and operators.
Certifications and standards
- ISO 9001— quality management system (all production sites)
- MPA— certification by Materialprüfungsanstalt (Materials Testing Institute, Germany)
- oSa— Organization for the Safety of Abrasives safety mark — testing for burst speed and lateral load
- FEPA— member of the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives — compliance with European grit and marking standards
- Compliance with EN 12413 for bonded abrasive wheels
Markets and distribution
Klingspor is present in over 80 countries on all continents through an extensive network of 36 production and sales locations. The international expansion that began in 1974 has transformed the regional German company into a global player in the abrasives industry.
Klingspor's distribution strategy combines its own sales companies in key markets with a network of authorized distributors in regions without a direct presence. This ensures broad geographical coverage while maintaining quality control of service.
Target industries
- Metalworking and metal structures - the main target audience: from workshops to large factories
- Construction - cutting and grinding concrete, stone, ceramics with diamond tools
- Automotive industry - grinding of body parts, processing of welds
- Shipbuilding - removal of coatings, surface preparation, cleaning of welded joints
- Pipeline industry - cutting and processing of large diameter pipes
- Woodworking - sanding wood and composite materials
- Paint industry - surface preparation, intercoat sanding
Latest news (2024–2026)
- 2024–2025— continued global expansion into new markets, expansion of the distribution network
- 2024— development of digital tools: updating the Product Finder and online catalog
- 2024— expansion of the line of diamond tools produced in Ukraine (Velyki Mosty)
- 2025— investments in the development of ceramic abrasive technologies for premium Special lines
- 2025–2026— expansion of the technical knowledge base of “The Lowdown on Grinding” and training programs