We evolve so you
Stay ahead

Founded on courage, curiosity, and passion for technology, Kautex has grown into a global leader in extrusion blow molding.
As a family-owned company, we combine innovation and agility with strong customer focus.
Our customers’ challenges drive us to create better solutions — every day.

Our History at a glance

A history of providing our customers with innovative products and services have made Kautex into one of the world’s leading companies in extrusion blow molding technology.

FIRST DECADE

1935 – 1944

The first 10 years of the company’s existence was a time of courage. The company’s founder, Reinold Hagen, became a businessman at the relatively young age of 22 following the premature death of his father.

Company

1935 The Galvanische Werkstätten (Galvanic Workshops) are founded in Siegburg
1936 20 staff are employed at the 2,400 sq m factory
1944 220 staff are employed in plastics processing

SECOND DECADE

1945 – 1954

Experiments with thermoplastic materials lead to the idea of blow molding plastics in such a way that they retain their shape. The first blow molding machines are developed for series production.

Company

1945 The company is rebuilt in Hangelar near Bonn; commencement of machine manufacturing
1947 Kautex employs 47 staff
Reinold’s brothers, Norbert and Theo Hagen, join the company

Machinery

1949 Manufacture of the first machines for blow molding PVC tubes, and experiments with thermoplastic materials
1954 Production of the Standard V8 blow molding machine for containers up to a capacity of 5 liters. The shuttle system on these machines continues to be used until the 1980s

THIRD DECADE

1955 – 1964

Kautex enters the international market. Its global expansion begins with the export of machinery to the USA.

Company

1955 First exports of blow molding machinery to the USA

Machinery

1963 Launch of the B series of machines at the plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf
1963 Introduction of a high-performance machine with multiple parisons and blow molds
1964 Launch of the “K inside a circle” logo

FOURTH DECADE

1965 – 1974

Kautex sets the standards in machinery performance with breakthroughs such as the 5,000-liter tank and the introduction of international servicing.

Company

1972 The company becomes a limited liability company (GmbH)

Machinery

1968 Launch of the KEB series with fully-automated production of hollow bodies made from thermoplastic materials
1972 Optimization of the KEB series: “single-cell” (KEB 1 and KEB 4) with improved Performance
1972 Launch of the KB 250 at the plastics trade fair in Paris

FIFTH DECADE

1975 – 1984

The machinery division goes its own way: Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH is established as a spin-off of the main Kautex company and is taken over by Fried. Krupp GmbH.

Company

1977 Taken over by Krupp

Machinery

Kautex blow molding machines become a key element of VW’s production lines in Wolfsburg

SIXTH DECADE

1985 – 1994

Mechanical engineering becomes digitized and paves the way to optimizing control and monitoring processes.

Company

1986-1988 Construction of new manufacturing and administration buildings
1989 The company employs 500 staff
Expansion of the after-sales service

Machinery

1992 Launch of the KBS series

SEVENTH DECADE

1995 – 2004

This decade sees a boom in demand for machinery for producing plastic fuel tanks. Kautex continues to thrive despite a series of takeovers and a merger.

Company

1995 Founding of Shunde Krupp Chen Plastics Technology Co. Ltd. (China)
2000 Sale to SIG Holding AG of Switzerland and change of company name to SIG Blowtec GmbH
2000 The company achieves a global production capacity of 30 million fuel tanks per year.
2002 Change of company name to SIG Kautex GmbH & Co. KG
2003 The company sets up another subsidiary in Italy (Olgiate Olona) and concentrates on technical customer service
2004 Transfer of shares to ADCURAM Beteiligungs AG and change of name to Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
2004 Krupp Chen changes its name to Shunde Kautex Plastics Technology Co. Ltd.

Machinery

1995 Expansion of the KBS 1 series for blow-molded containers up to a capacity of 35 liters
1995 Expansion of the KBS 2 series for the full blow-molded range of containers up to a capacity of 1000 liters
1995 Presentation of the company’s first one-step injection stretch blow molding machine “Ecomax” to meet the specific needs of PET technology in the packaging industry
1996 Production of the KCC 1 in China
1997 Presentation of the CP 120 at the NPE trade fair in Chicago
1999 Introduction of the KBS 3 for 3D parts (later known as the K3D HP)
1999 Production of the KCM 1 in China as a simpler version of the KCC for Chinese customers

EIGHTH DECADE

2005- 2014

The self-discovery phase has paid off: Kautex focuses on its goals and takes the lead in the global blow molding industry.

Company

2005 Dr Olaf Weiland and Andreas Lichtenauer become the managing directors of the company
2005 Shunde Kautex (China) becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kautex
2005 Kautex hosts an in-house trade fair after a long interval
2006 Refurbishment and expansion of the Kautex Technikum
2007 First management buyout enables 5 Kautex managers to purchase shares in the company Majority shareholder ADCURAM is replaced by Steadfast Capital (Frankfurt/Main)
Introduction of process organization system
2010 Kautex takes over the international sales and marketing of Rikutec machinery (multilayer accumulator heads)
2011 Sales and service office opens in Moscow, Russia
2012 Construction and modernization of the new Technikum in Bonn
2013 Second management buyout results in management having a majority shareholding. Steadfast replaced as principal shareholder by Capiton AG (Berlin)
2013 Staff are able to buy shares in the company for the first time
2013 New factory opens in Shunde, China
2013 Sales and service office opens in Bangalore, India
2015 Nearly 6,000 Kautex machines in operation around the world

Machinery

2013 Introduction of the all-electric KBB series at the international plastics trade fair in Düsseldorf

NINTH DECADE

2015 – 2024

Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) takes over ~93% of the company shares.

Company

2015 The company celebrates 80th anniversary of the brand Kautex
2015 Nearly 6,000 Kautex machines in operation around the world
2018 Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) becomes the new majority shareholder with a 74.9 percent stake
2020 The company celebrates 85th anniversary of the brand Kautex
2020 Generation change in the company management with new vision, philosophy and mission referring to the roots of Reinold Hagen
2021 Plastech Beteiligungs GmbH (family holding Neumann / Knünz) take over ~93% of company shares

Machinery

2015 Introduction of the KSH series
2016 Presentation of the third generation KCC series during the Chinaplas exhibition in Shanghai
2016 Introduction of the KSB series for suction blow molded 3D parts
2016 Extension of the KBB series with jerry can versions and Intelligate-Modules
2019 Introduction of die-heads
2020 Introduction of KSH 200
2021 Introduction of the Skyreef series

FROM PIONEER
TO SHAPE SHIFTER

How 90 years of experience became the fuel for transformation.

Kautex is in motion. What began as pioneering engineering now unfolds with renewed energy – like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. This metamorphosis is not a break with our past – it’s a bold continuation.

We’ve learned: transformation takes courage. And clarity. Today, we proudly call ourselves a „Shape Shifter“ in the industry – adaptive, technology-driven, and customer-centric. What this means:

We don’t just build machines –
we deliver full-cycle solutions.

We don’t only rely on experience –
we turn it into innovation.

We believe in technology –
but above all, we believe in ideas.

Brandbook

Our new brand identity marks this shift: With clear design, bold visuals, and a statement of purpose: “Future Needs Origins” – because real transformation is rooted in legacy.

Download our Brandbook, to learn more about our story

MORE THAN A CLAIM – FUTURE NEEDS ORIGINS

Our slogan is a statement. It connects our technical know-how with our heritage — and provides direction in a changing world. “Future Needs Origins” means:

Courage to transform –
grounded in 90 years of expertise

Sustainability
with substance

Partnership
built on trust

Download

The Kautex Chronicles

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We evolve so you Stay ahead

Our History at a glance

FROM PIONEER TO SHAPE SHIFTER

MORE THAN A CLAIM – FUTURE NEEDS ORIGINS

Download

We evolve so you
Stay ahead

FROM PIONEER
TO SHAPE SHIFTER