1925: The foundation
The story of KettenWulf begins on 1 October 1925 in Eslohe-Kückelheim, a picturesque town in the Sauerland region of Germany, where the company is still based today. At a time when industrialisation in Germany was gathering pace, brothers Josef and Johannes Wulf began to specialise in the manufacture of sprocket chains. This was a decisive step, as conveyor chains were becoming increasingly important in many areas of industry – from mechanical engineering to early automotive production plants.

The first generation
With the establishment of a sprocket chain factory, the brothers Josef and Johannes Wulf laid the foundation for KettenWulf's rise to become a globally recognised manufacturer of conveyor chains, drive chains and sprockets. The potential for a broader industrial application quickly became apparent. In 1937, the company was entered in the commercial register, a formal step that paved the way for a stable future. Two years later, in 1939, the brothers founded the "Gelenkkettenfabrik Josef und Johannes Wulf Kückelheim ü./Meschede" as a commercial partnership. During this time, the company became well known in the region and the course was set for international success.

Renewal and reconstruction
On 2 January 1945, Erich Wulf, the son of Johannes Wulf, joined the company. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the company's history, characterised by shared responsibility and teamwork. The post-war years brought a time of renewal and reconstruction, during which KettenWulf laid the foundation for future expansion with commitment and innovation.

In the 1950s, KettenWulf increasingly focused on the production of bush conveyor chains, which were used in various industries as a reliable means of transporting heavy loads. At that time, the company employed only 20 people. During this era, KettenWulf established its first international contacts and started to deliver its products to neighbouring European countries. At the time, no one could have foreseen that the small factory would grow into a globally active company with more than 1,000 employees.

Sprockets and escalators
In the 1960s, KettenWulf began manufacturing and expanding sales of its own sprockets. At that time, the company grew to 110 employees and, under the continuous leadership of the Wulf family, was well on its way to international success. In order to expand the growing business, a second plant was built in Eslohe-Kückelheim in the early 1960s.

The second generation takes over
On 1 January 1963, Erich Wulf took over sole management of the company and all the shares of his father Johannes Wulf. During this time, KettenWulf made a name for itself in the escalator industry. This led to further expansion, and the number of employees rose to 180 by the end of the 1960s.

The beginning of internationalisation
In the 1980s, KettenWulf experienced a significant expansion of production capacities and an expansion of administrative roles at its headquarters in Eslohe-Kückelheim. This phase of growth paved the way for the company's first international expansion. KettenWulf expanded its presence in the international market by setting up its first office in Belgium. In 1990, "KettenWulf GmbH Division Ferlacher Förderketten" in Austria marked another important step towards global expansion. A short time later, a sales office was opened in Zielona Góra, Poland, which established KettenWulf on the Eastern European market.

Conveyor & drive technology in Germany, Austria & Poland
In 1986, Günter Wulf succeeded his father Erich Wulf and took over the management of the company. Under his leadership, KettenWulf continued to grow, which was reflected in its geographical expansion and the expansion of the product range. Since 1999, the KettenWulf Export Division in northern Germany has been part of the KettenWulf Group. This laid the foundation for the global sales and distribution of KettenWulf products, which are now offered worldwide.

Conveyor & drive technology: From A to B around the world
The consistent expansion of international activities led to rapidly growing market shares. The unwavering commitment to high quality, combined with continuous research and product optimisation, formed the basis for the long-lasting success and worldwide recognition of KettenWulf.

The new millennium
The year 2000 was a special year for KettenWulf – the company proudly celebrated its 75th anniversary at the same time as the turn of the millennium. With around 500 employees, 40,000 square metres of production space, six sites and a turnover of 70 million euros, the KettenWulf Group celebrated considerable growth and looked to the future with confidence.

KettenWulf in France and China
KettenWulf continued its expansion strategy in 2001 with the acquisition of the French company AFAM S.A. in order to expand its motorcycle business and enter the market for motorcycle accessories. Shortly afterwards, in 2002, the company entered into a strategic partnership and founded the joint venture Hangzhou Wulf Chain Co. Ltd. in Hangzhou, China. This decision marked an important step in the company's expansion into the Asian market and laid the foundations for the successful development of its Chinese production capacities.

The fourth generation takes the lead
In 2003, Günter Wulf's daughter Julia Wulf joined the management team and brought a breath of fresh air to the company's strategic focus. In the same year, the KettenWulf Group exceeded the 100 million euro turnover mark for the first time. In the following year, the company continued its international growth and established a subsidiary in the USA, based in Atlanta, to better serve the North American markets.

With around 800 employees and a turnover of 117 million euros, KettenWulf was well represented in Europe and Asia at the time and continued to expand its presence in North America. The company consolidated its international market position by fully integrating Hangzhou Wulf Chain into the KettenWulf Group in 2004. In the years that followed, KettenWulf continuously invested in the expansion of its production facilities, particularly in China, in order to meet increasing demand and to further increase productivity.

In 2006, Tobias Wulf, the first son of Günter Wulf, joined the management team and, after completing his studies, brought new knowledge to the area of production.

New impetus for the future
In 2007, the production space of Hangzhou Wulf Chain Co. Ltd. in China was expanded to 15,000 square metres as part of the third construction phase. At that time, the KettenWulf Group employed more than 1,000 people worldwide and covered a total of 70,000 square metres of production space, spread across several international locations. In 2008, Günter Wulf celebrated his 30th anniversary as managing director, while the company continued to grow and reach new milestones.

Setting the course for continued growth
Ansgar Wulf, Günter Wulf's third child, joined the management team in 2009. KettenWulf stepped up its internationalisation efforts and opened sales offices in India and Turkey in July 2009 to tap into new markets and further expand its global service.

More space for innovation and training
In 2011, the production area at the company's head offices in Eslohe-Kückelheim was expanded by 450 square metres to meet the growing demand. At the same time, KettenWulf invested in its own training centre to ensure the next generation of skilled workers in the long term. In 2012, an internal training record was set with the number of apprentices taken on by the company. Today, KettenWulf focuses on targeted support for its junior staff and continuously invests in their development.

A reason to celebrate!
In 2015, KettenWulf celebrated its 90th anniversary – a story characterised by innovation, growth and entrepreneurial foresight. What began in 1925 as a small factory for chain products in the Sauerland region of Germany has grown into a global leader in conveyor and drive technology – although the basic idea of the original factory, to provide custom solutions, remains to this day.

In its anniversary year, KettenWulf set another example of its international focus by opening its own sales office in Pune, India, thereby strengthening the company's presence in the Asian market. The anniversary was not only an occasion to look back on past successes; it was also a promise: The success story will continue – with new technologies, strong partnerships and a clear vision for the future.

Global expansion and promotion of young talent
In 2016, KettenWulf continued its internationalisation strategy by opening new sales offices. In June, a site was established in Sydney, Australia, followed by another in Toronto, Canada, in November. These strategic expansions strengthened KettenWulf's presence in the Australian and North American markets and ensured optimal support for our customers in those regions.

30 years of training expertise
Since the training workshop was established in 1986, the training concept at KettenWulf has been continuously developed. The small workshop has become a modern training centre that plays a key role in the development of young talent. Many of the former apprentices are now valuable specialists in the company and actively contribute to the success and innovative strength of KettenWulf.

Modernisation in material flow: Efficiency redefined
In the area of material flow, KettenWulf relies on state-of-the-art control systems that significantly increase the efficiency of this essential function. In addition to innovative software solutions, the comprehensive modernisation of the associated "hardware" also exploits the full potential of the overall system. A visible symbol of this progress is the new high-bay warehouse, which impressively underlines the consistent development and investment in pioneering technologies.

Automation
Through the targeted use of automated systems in production, assembly and logistics, KettenWulf has been able to increase efficiency, conserve resources and ensure the highest quality of its products. These advances enable shorter delivery times and minimise error rates. This is how KettenWulf meets the growing demands of customers worldwide.

A challenging year ahead
The year 2020 saw major challenges worldwide, and KettenWulf was also affected by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the company maintained production without interruption. Furthermore, KettenWulf invested in important areas and pushed ahead with modernisation. Despite the difficult circumstances, 2020 was not only a year of challenges, but also one in which KettenWulf set the course for a successful future.

With an optimised structure and exciting projects ahead, KettenWulf started 2021 full of confidence.

Optimisation of material flow, energy supply and training – milestones in KettenWulf's growth
In recent years, KettenWulf has made significant investments to increase the efficiency of production and the sustainability of its operations. One important step was the implementation of the new material flow concept at the Eslohe-Kückelheim site. This involved the installation of a modern honeycomb storage system for the raw materials used in the manufacture of round parts, as well as a new sheet metal storage system and expansions in the laser department to increase production capacity.

Energy supply
The energy supply was restructured to ensure sustainable and efficient production. The new energy concept includes combined heat and power plants that use gas and wood, as well as a building management system that optimises the factory and meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 50001. These measures ensure production capacities even in the event of external disruptions and strengthen KettenWulf's long-term competitiveness.

Training robot
Another highlight is the collaborative training robot in the apprentice workshop, which allows apprentices to learn about modern technologies in a hands-on way. This innovation underlines KettenWulf's commitment to implementing sustainable solutions in production, energy supply and training.

Connected to tradition, moved by innovation

KettenWulf has stood for quality, progress and responsibility since 1925. What began as a small sprocket chain factory in Eslohe-Kückelheim has grown over the course of a century into a leading global supplier of conveyor and drive technology. Our success is based on high-quality products and technological innovation. Above all, we owe our success to the people who make KettenWulf what it is and who have been with us for decades. As a family-run company, we rely on team spirit, trust and a culture of continuous development. This year we are celebrating 100 years of KettenWulf. We are extremely proud of our history and full of anticipation for the future.