Key facts
Company history: from 1799 to the present
The history of PFERD begins at the end of the 18th century in the Bergisches Land region, the industrial heart of Westphalia, known for its blacksmith shops. In 1799, Johan Caspar Rüggeberg founded a small workshop in the village of the same name in Rüggeberg near Ennepetal to produce files and rasps.
The name of the PFERD brand – “horse” in German – is no coincidence. The company’s first products were intended for blacksmiths and horse hoof care professionals. According to legend, the founder saw a horse jumping through a burning hoop – this image of courage became the basis for the company’s logo, which is still used today.
Key development milestones
A special feature of PFERD is the continuous family management of the Rüggeberg family for 8 generations. The parent company, Rüggeberg Holding GmbH, controls all of the group's subsidiaries worldwide.
The company today
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Legal name | August Rüggeberg GmbH & Co. KG |
| Brand | PFERD TOOLS (from April 2025) |
| Slogan | "Innovative by Tradition" (formerly "TRUST BLUE") |
| Headquarters | Hauptstrasse 13, 51709 Marienheide, Germany |
| CEO | Jörn Bielenberg |
| Company type | Private, family-owned (8 generations of the Rüggeberg family) |
| Employees | ~2,100 worldwide |
| Turnover | €328 million (2022) |
| Production sites | 9 factories in 7 countries |
| Subsidiaries | 24 worldwide |
| Sales geography | 100+ countries |
| Assortment | 9,500+ instrument names |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001, part |
Production sites
PFERD operates 9 production competence centers in 7 countries. Each plant specializes in specific product groups, which allows for maximum expertise and consistent quality.
| № | City | Country | Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marienheide | Germany | Headquarters, files, burrs, grinding points, circles |
| 2 | Hermeskeil | Germany | Abrasive tools |
| 3 | Vitoria-Gasteiz | Spain | POLICAP products, abrasive tools |
| 4 | Araya (Alava) | Spain | Production of abrasive tools |
| 5 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | USA | Industrial brushes, distribution hub (9,300 m²) |
| 6 | Kempton Park | PAIR | Grinding and cutting wheels (90–500 mm), VSM conversion |
| 7 | Changli | China | Production site |
| 8 | Lanzo Torinese | Italy | Milling and drilling tools (Silmax, since 2024) |
| 9 | Medzovico-Vira | Switzerland | Milling and drilling tools (Silmax, since 2024) |
Product line
The PFERD product range includes over 9,500 tool items in 12 main categories:
- Files and rasps - locksmith's, overfiles, chain sharpeners (CHAIN SHARP CS-X)
- Carbide burrs - universal and material-specific (for INOX, aluminum, cast iron)
- Grinding points and pins - ceramic and bakelite bond
- Cutting and grinding wheels - bakelite for grinders and stationary machines
- POLIFAN flap discs - a premium alternative to grinding wheels
- CC-GRIND wheels - composite grinding wheels with an innovative design
- Diamond and CBN tools - diamond files, grinding points
- Industrial brushes - disc, cup, end, tube
- Polishing and finishing tools - non-woven material, felt, pastes
- Flexible abrasives - sanding belts and sheets (partnership with VSM)
- Milling and drilling tools - carbide and HSS (via Silmax)
- Driven machines - pneumatic, electric grinders, RCK system
Key brands and series
| Brand / Series | Product type | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| POLIFAN | Flap discs | Vibration-free and noise-free grinding. Flagship product since 1987 |
| POLIFAN CURVE | Flap discs | Patent: petals on all surfaces (working, back, radius) - the only such product in the world for corner joints |
| CC-GRIND | Composite grinding discs | SOLID, ROBUST, VIEW options. 50% less noise and vibrations, 80% less dust |
| VICTOGRAIN | Abrasive grain | Precision triangular ceramic grain - 200% more performance than conventional wheels |
| COMBICLICK | Fastening system | Patent: cooling + quick clamping. 30% lower workpiece temperature, 30% longer service life |
| POLICLEAN | Cleaning discs | 3 options: Standard (SiC), Pro (Al₂O₃), PLUS (aggressive Al₂O₃) |
| CHAIN SHARP CS-X | Sharpening chains | 2-in-1: sharpening teeth + adjusting depth stop simultaneously |
Technology and innovation
PFERD stands out from its competitors with a number of patented technologies that are unparalleled on the market. The company's own R&D center in Marienheide develops solutions that focus on three areas: productivity, ergonomics and safety.
VICTOGRAIN — new generation ceramic grain
Each VICTOGRAIN grain has an identical triangular shape and is applied at an optimal angle. The fine-grained structure ensures that the cutting edges are constantly renewed. The result: 200% higher metal removal rate than conventional grinding wheels, with significantly less operator effort.
COMBICLICK — cooling system
Patented quick-mounting system for fiber discs with built-in cooling. Advantages: 30% lower workpiece temperature, 25% more material removal, 30% longer disc life compared to standard mounting.
PFERD TOOLS VALUE program
Two-column concept combining ergonomics and cost-effectiveness:
- PFERDERGONOMICS— four “filters”: VibrationFilter (vibration reduction), NoiseFilter (noise reduction), EmissionFilter (dust reduction), HapticFilter (effort minimization)
- PFERDEFFICIENCY— maximize material removal rate, minimize tool changes, reduce energy costs and waste
Certifications and standards
- ISO 9001:2015— quality management system (all production sites)
- ISO 14001— environmental management system
- oSa is the founder of the Abrasives Safety Organization (since 2000). Testing for lateral load, burst speed, abrasive-backing bond strength
- Compliance with standards EN 12413, EN 13236, EN 13743
Markets and distribution
PFERD is present in over 100 countries through a network of 24 subsidiaries and 100+ international sales partners. The subsidiaries operate in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Turkey, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and China.
PFERD South Africa separately exports products to 27 African countries, 7 countries in the Middle and Far East, as well as Australia.
Target industries
- Metalworking and metal structures
- Shipbuilding and maritime industry
- Aerospace industry (separate Aerospace team in Germany)
- Foundry production
- Construction of steel structures and pipelines
- Chemical and processing industry
- Automotive industry
- Gas turbines and energy
- Tool and die manufacturing
- Forestry (chain saw sharpening)
Latest news (2024–2026)
- May 2024— acquisition of a controlling stake in Silmax SpA (Italy, founded in 1819) — expansion into milling and drilling tools. ~200 employees, 5 plants
- 2024— celebration of the company's 225th anniversary (1799–2024)
- March 2024— launch of new carbide milling cutters
- May 2024 - publication of the new edition of the PFERD Tool Manual
- August 2025 - PFERD do Brasil celebrates 25 years on the Brazilian market
- 2024–2026— continued expansion of the CC-GRIND line with VICTOGRAIN technology