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.
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
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
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\u2019 challenges drive us to create better solutions \u2014 every day.<\/p>\n
Our History at a glance<\/h2>\n
A history of providing our customers with innovative products and services have made Kautex into one of the world\u2019s leading companies in extrusion blow molding technology.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Company<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1935 The Galvanische Werkst\u00e4tten (Galvanic Workshops) are founded in Siegburg<\/li>\n
1936 20 staff are employed at the 2,400 sq m factory<\/li>\n
1944 220 staff are employed in plastics processing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Company<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1945 The company is rebuilt in Hangelar near Bonn; commencement of machine manufacturing<\/li>\n
1947 Kautex employs 47 staff<\/li>\n
Reinold’s brothers, Norbert and Theo Hagen, join the company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Machinery<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1949 Manufacture of the first machines for blow molding PVC tubes, and experiments with thermoplastic materials<\/li>\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Kautex sets the standards in machinery performance with breakthroughs such as the 5,000-liter tank and the introduction of international servicing.<\/p>\n
Company<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1972 The company becomes a limited liability company (GmbH)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Machinery<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1968 Launch of the KEB series with fully-automated production of hollow bodies made from thermoplastic materials<\/li>\n
1972 Optimization of the KEB series: \u201csingle-cell\u201d (KEB 1 and KEB 4) with improved Performance<\/li>\n
1972 Launch of the KB 250 at the plastics trade fair in Paris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Company<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1977 Taken over by Krupp<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Machinery<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Kautex blow molding machines become a key element of VW’s production lines in Wolfsburg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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.<\/p>\n
2000 Sale to SIG Holding AG of Switzerland and change of company name to SIG Blowtec GmbH<\/li>\n
2000 The company achieves a global production capacity of 30 million fuel tanks per year.<\/li>\n
2002 Change of company name to SIG Kautex GmbH & Co. KG<\/li>\n
2003 The company sets up another subsidiary in Italy (Olgiate Olona) and concentrates on technical customer service<\/li>\n
2004 Transfer of shares to ADCURAM Beteiligungs AG and change of name to Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH<\/li>\n
2004 Krupp Chen changes its name to Shunde Kautex Plastics Technology Co. Ltd.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Machinery<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1995 Expansion of the KBS 1 series for blow-molded containers up to a capacity of 35 liters<\/li>\n
1995 Expansion of the KBS 2 series for the full blow-molded range of containers up to a capacity of 1000 liters<\/li>\n
1995 Presentation of the company’s first one-step injection stretch blow molding machine \u201cEcomax\u201d to meet the specific needs of PET technology in the packaging industry<\/li>\n
1996 Production of the KCC 1 in China<\/li>\n
1997 Presentation of the CP 120 at the NPE trade fair in Chicago<\/li>\n
1999 Introduction of the KBS 3 for 3D parts (later known as the K3D HP)<\/li>\n
1999 Production of the KCM 1 in China as a simpler version of the KCC for Chinese customers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The self-discovery phase has paid off: Kautex focuses on its goals and takes the lead in the global blow molding industry.<\/p>\n
Company<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
2005 Dr Olaf Weiland and Andreas Lichtenauer become the managing directors of the company<\/li>\n
2005 Shunde Kautex (China) becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kautex<\/li>\n
2005 Kautex hosts an in-house trade fair after a long interval<\/li>\n
2006 Refurbishment and expansion of the Kautex Technikum<\/li>\n
2007 First management buyout enables 5 Kautex managers to purchase shares in the company Majority shareholder ADCURAM is replaced by Steadfast Capital (Frankfurt\/Main)<\/li>\n
Introduction of process organization system<\/li>\n
2010 Kautex takes over the international sales and marketing of Rikutec machinery (multilayer accumulator heads)<\/li>\n
2011 Sales and service office opens in Moscow, Russia<\/li>\n
2012 Construction and modernization of the new Technikum in Bonn<\/li>\n
2013 Second management buyout results in management having a majority shareholding. Steadfast replaced as principal shareholder by Capiton AG (Berlin)<\/li>\n
2013 Staff are able to buy shares in the company for the first time<\/li>\n
2013 New factory opens in Shunde, China<\/li>\n
2013 Sales and service office opens in Bangalore, India<\/li>\n
2015 Nearly 6,000 Kautex machines in operation around the world<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Machinery<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
2013 Introduction of the all-electric KBB series at the international plastics trade fair in D\u00fcsseldorf<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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