Company history

KASTO, the success story of an idea. Thinking and taking it one step further is an idea that pays off because the better solution always beats the existing one. Basis for a number of developments with which KASTO sets standards in efficiency, reliability and long lifetime for decades is the benefit for the user and not the innovation itself.

Water wheels, looms, paper and milling machines ... the first years of the family business were marked by pioneering spirit and new ideas for many industries. With the development of the KASTO metal hacksaw method, the first step towards a modern machine tool builder was made. Bandsaws, circular saws and sawing centers followed. Today, the company stands with more than 140 patents for innovation in organization and engineering.

1844 Founded by Karl Stolzer
With a carpentry business in Achern, Baden, Karl Stolzer creates the basis for a successful company.

1947 The first power hacksaw
The invention of the KASTO metal power hacksaw with the worldwide patented arch-shaped cutting movement
was the first step towards a modern machine tool builder. Production location was Achern.

1964 Factory location Gamshurst
The original production location runs out of space. Move to Gamshurst, today's headquarters.

1965 Begin production of circular saws
It was already quite clear in the early 60s that hacksaws alone could not fulfill all tasks. The first KASTO circular saw is developed.

1972 First fully automatic KASTO bar storage and retrieval system
A portal operating crane, self-supporting cassettes as well as fully integrated production circular saws - KASTO breaks new ground with storage technology and stets new standards at the same time.

1975 Production of the first KASTO Bandsaw
Bi-metal saw blades revolutionize the development of the bandsaws, KASTO is here one of the pioneers.

1980 KASTO brings more flexibility to cutting
CNC sawing centers allow flexible cutting of small quantities from the storage system in "lights out" operation.

1991 Construction of branch in Schalkau
The branch factory in Thuringia expands the production capacity
and increases KASTO's overall capacity .

1997 Acquisition of mass production circular saws from company Wagner
Strengthening of the business field circular saws.

1999 - Winner of the Best Factory Award
Best Factory Award for KASTO as best company in machine/automobile manufacturing.

2001 New production building in Schalkau
Expansion of production capacity in Thuringia.

2002 Acquisition of company Rivers Ltd., Great Britain
Expansion of market activities in England and Ireland.

2004 Winner of the reddot design award
Award for the Circular Saw KASTOspeed with the prestigious design prize.

2005 Grand Opening of the new logistics center in Achern
Strategic reorganization of the intra-logistics as result of a comprehensive internal future project.

2006 Acquisition of Missler Technologies Band and Circular Saw
Expansion of market activities in Western Europe.

2007 New production building in Schalkau
Additional expansion of the production capacity in Thuringia.

2007 + 2008 "Entrepreneur of the Year"
Armin and Hans-Jürgen Stolzer are finalists in the "Entrepreneur of the Year".

2008 MWP Award
Winner of the MWP award for best workholding/workhandling equipment with the storage and retrieval system UNICOMPACT.

2009 Winner of Best Practice Award
The academy of export of Baden-Württemberg conferred the Best Practice Award of Industry to KASTO.

2010 enlargement of headquarters in Achern-Gamshurst
Expansion of site in Achern in a futuristic office building, 4800 m² of new assembly area and demonstration center.