KASTO Celebrates Milestone
They are celebrating 175 years in the sawing and storage technology business.
Posted: April 27, 2019
Sawing and storage technology specialist KASTO Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG (Achern, Baden, Germany) celebrates their 175th birthday this year. They have evolved from a one-man-business into a globally successful company and, just like back then, remain in the hands of their founding family. In celebration, they provide an in-depth look into their history books and are hosting a contest to find the oldest KASTO saw still in use.
In 1844, carpenter Karl Stolzer founded a “machine shop” in Achern, Baden-Württemberg. As a carpentry business, the company manufactured water wheels, paper and mill machines. With the building of sawmills and later timber mills, Stolzer laid the foundation for future worldwide success. The invention of the hacksaw in 1947 marked a significant step towards becoming a modern tool machine manufacturer. Circular saws complemented their portfolio in the 1960s. At the beginning of the 1970s, KASTO presented the first fully automatic bar storage and retrieval system, which featured two integrated circular saws being automatically supplied by an operating gantry crane – the precursor to the first combined storage and sawing centers that KASTO manufactured beginning in 1980 and are still the sole provider of today.
Today, the company is established as a global leader, with over 140,000 saws sold and 2,200 installed storage systems for bars and sheet metal, along with numerous subsidiaries around the globe. Armin Stolzer has headed the operations of this family business for over 30 years as the managing director in the fifth generation. Other key positions of senior management are held by his wife Ruth Stolzer and four family members of the sixth generation. The company develops their own software systems, provides systems for networking, automation and robot connection, and focuses on future technologies such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence (AI) – which is why they view themselves as being well prepared for future challenges.
KASTO is using this anniversary year – which officially begins on May 7 – as an opportunity to offer an in-depth look into their history books: They will publish texts and photo galleries in regular intervals that document the development of the sawing and storage technology business sectors and demonstrate the internationalization and change in the everyday life of the business and vocational training. Readers will be given exciting insights into one of the oldest family companies in Europe. The landmark birthday will be celebrated at the end of the anniversary year, together with customers, business partners, journalists, employees and friends.
Wanted: The oldest KASTO saw in operation.
To mark this occasion, the company is launching a contest for customers: They are looking for the oldest KASTO saw still in use. Any machines built in or before 1980 may be submitted. Companies are invited to submit these including a photo of the saw and the nameplate via email by clicking here. Each entry shall be rewarded; the winner will be announced and presented with an award.
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