ARKU – Technology made with passion

We offer machines and services with high value retention. In doing so, we ensure process reliability and efficiency for customers all over the world. Our machines and systems form this foundation. To successfully handle tomorrow’s challenges, we are positioned to meet the demands of the future. Yet we also remain true to our origins: precision is our promise.

For decades, we have been the market and technology leader for precision levelers. Innovative deburring technology expands our industrial expertise. ARKU – Your partner for leveling and deburring. Discover what distinguishes us!

From sheet metal shop to hidden champion: three generations, one passion

geschichte-header

ARKU’s history is a family story spanning three generations: it is the story of how a craft tradition meets innovation. How a constant passion for precision and a craft became a state-of-the-art world market leader.

In 1928, the master craftsman Albert Reiss founded a sheet-metal working company in Haueneberstein in Baden. His son Artur developed this inheritance into an industrially-oriented machine-tool factory. In the initial years after Artur Reiss took over the metalworking company, it was based in Kuppenheim, where his parents-in-law lived. The company name ARKU originated from this period: Artur Reiss KUppenheim.

Albert Reiss has been the managing director since 1986. In recent decades of ARKU’s changing history, the company has developed into the market and innovation leader for leveling systems.

Take a journey through time. Discover the most important points in ARKU’s company history with our interactive timeline.

  1. 1928
  2. 1956
  3. 1967
  4. 1970
  5. 1986
  6. 2000
  7. 2004
  8. 2005
  9. 2008
  10. 2012
  11. 2013
  12. 2014
  13. 2015
  14. 2016
  15. 2018
  16. 2020
  17. 2021
  18. 2022
  19. 2022
  20. 1912
  1. history-1928

    1928

    ARKU build the first precision leveler.
    The beginning of machine construction. The first customers with a clock industry in Switzerland (Jura) and the typewriter industry (largest customer: Olympia).

  2. history-1956

    1956

    Artur Reiss transforms the craftsman’s establishment into a metalworking factory.
    After relocating to Kuppenheim, the company is renamed ARKU (Artur Reiss KUppenheim).
  3. history-1967

    1967

    ARKU build the first precision leveler.
    The beginning of machine construction. The first customers with a clock industry in Switzerland (Jura) and the typewriter industry (largest customer: Olympia).
  4. history-1970

    1970

    Metalworking companies begin to use coils.
    ARKU expands its product range to include winders and feeders. Small-series production of precision levelers transforms into customer-specific systems manufacturing.

  5. history-1986

    1986

    Albert Reiss, the son of Artur Reiss, becomes the Managing Director of ARKU after completing his degree.
    The company has expanded and focuses exclusively on mechanical engineering.

  6. history-2000

    2000

    The patented EcoPlan® drive concept is presented at the EuroBLECH expo.
    Levelers now achieve up to 30% more performance.
  7. history-2004

    2004

    Founding of the subsidiary in the USA.
    ARKU Coil Systems Inc. is established in Cincinnati.
  8. history-2005

    2005

    Development of the FlatMaster® hydraulic leveler:
    The leveling gap control and the integrated overload protection make the machine unique. The FlatMaster® is the result of more than 40 years of experience in mechanical engineering.

  9. history-2008

    2008

    Development of the HiCap® PLUS high-performance leveler with cassette changing system.
    ARKU also turns 80 this year.
  10. history-2012

    2012

    Founding of ARKU Leveling Systems in Kunshan, China.
    ARKU has more than 130 employees worldwide. The corporate design and logo were completely revised.

  11. history-2013

    2013

    Inauguration of the new assembly hall in Baden-Baden.
    At 4 4 million euros, this is the largest single investment in ARKU's history. The premises are expanded by 1,600 m². Relocation of the apprentice workshop and expansion to 400 m². 85th anniversary celebrations.
  12. history-2014

    2014

    11th place for ARKU in the ranking of Germany’s 50 most innovative mid-sized companies:
    ARKU was voted one of Germany’s 50 most innovative mid-sized companies. The survey is carried out annually and analyzed by Wirtschaftswoche. ARKU ranked 11th.
  13. history-2015

    2015

    The ARKU EdgeBreaker® 4000 - One of the new deburring machines from ARKU.
    In 2015, ARKU introduced its new deburring machines product line. The various models deeper and round a diverse range of parts and materials and reflect ARKU’s reaction to its customers’ needs.

  14. history 2016

    2016

    The launch of FlatJack® - User-independent parts flatness testing.
  15. history-2018

    2018

    ARKU celebrates its 90th anniversary.
  16. history-2020

    2020

    ARKU Inc. moves into a new, larger facility on East Kemper road inCincinnati, OH (USA). Outfitted with the latest in leveling and deburring technology. 

  17. history-2021

    2021

    ARKU introduces the EdgeBreaker® 6000 deburring machine for punched and laser cut parts. 
  18. history-2022

    2022

    Launch of the coil laser lines in
    cooperation with TRUMPF. 
  19. history-2023

    2022

    Opening of a new production site in Bühl.
    The increase in area of assembly and storage hall amounts to 3,000 m2. With this plant ARKU increases the production area by 50%.
  20. history-1912

    1912

    Artur Reiss transformed a traditional craft workshop into a cutting-edge metalware factory. Following the relocation to Kuppenheim, the company was rebranded as ARKU, an acronym derived from Artur Reiss KUppenheim.

Learn more about our Company

Sustainabillity
Sustainability

Sustainability at ARKU: Efficient processes, valuable machines and ecological responsibility. Find ...

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Mission & Vision

Lively responsibility and clear goals: discover our mission statement that drives us at ARKU. Find ...

FlatMaster® 55 and the WW-Magazaine
ARKU: Consistently at the top of the world market leaders

ARKU remains at the top of the world market leaders in the field of leveling machines for sheets ...

Our production

Double production power for leveling and deburring machines.

Growth needs space. That is why ARKU has started up a second plant in Bühl, 15 kilometers from the main site in Haueneberstein. All deburring machines and the smaller models of the straightening machines are now produced there. The 3,000 square meters of new space give us additional possibilities: For sophisticated series production, for improved warehousing and for faster delivery of machines, spare and wear parts. An optimized material flow and consistent lean processes make it possible.

Discover the advantages of our new production plant in Bühl:

  • More storage space for the ARKU Online Shop
  • Faster delivery times
  • Higher order capacity
  • Less waiting time in case of problems in the supply chain due to larger material stock

Active product development – Innovations made by ARKU

ARKU actively develops products with a specially selected team of technology and sales experts. We listen to feedback from our customers and implement it into successful solutions. That is why ARKU ranked among Germany’s most innovative mid-sized companies.

We optimize our deburring technology together with our customers. At the ARKU Leveling and Deburring Centers in Baden-Baden (Germany), Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) and in Kunshan (China). Practical solutions drawn from practical experience. Based on real applications and tests that we carry out every day. That is why we always understand our customers’ needs and how we create perfectly tailored, state-of-the-art solutions: market-oriented with innovative ideas combined with our years of metalworking experience.

  • roboter-entgraten-poster

    Triple chained system

    Everything in one process: when machines, sensors and people communicate perfectly. We implement the ideal processes for your production.

  • Fast cleaning of the straightening rollers

    Fast cleaning of the straightening rollers

    High durability: fast cleaning of the straightening rollers thanks to quick change or cassette system for straightening rollers.

  • Parts handling

    Parts handling

    It can see what it is handling: The Vision robot from ARKU takes leveling and deburring automation to a new level.

  • Coil-fed laser blanking lines

    Coil-fed laser blanking lines

    ARKU manufactures coil-fed laser blanking lines which were developed together with TRUMPF.

  • TwinShuttle-final

    Twin Shuttle

    Successfully used by leading roll formers: the TwinShuttle® automated threading unit from ARKU – for rapid coil changes.

  • hicap

    HiCap

    ARKU HiCap® high performance metal leveler provides the highest performance when processing sheet metal strips. Precise and reliable leveling of thick and thin strips. 

  • Flat Master

    FlatMaster®

    Unique in the metalworking market: The FlatMaster® leveler series with servo-hydraulic leveling gap control and integrated quick-change system for leveling rollers.

  • FlatJack Ebenheitskontrolle

    Flatness testing: FlatJack®

    The user-independent and integrated flatness control system FlatJack® automatically checks the flatness of punched, laser-cut and flame-cut parts. Highly precise flatness without manual work – down to tenths of a millimeter.

  • EB6000-wizard

    ARKU Wizard

    The ARKU Wizard is intelligent software that adjusts our deburring machines to achieve the best results.   

Network panel optimization for Industry 4.0

Network panel optimization for Industry 4.0

Everything in one process: when machines, sensors and people communicate perfectly. We implement the ideal processes for your production.

As an example of this goal, ARKU recently presented a production line consisting of the EdgeBreaker® 2000 for double-sided deburring and rounding, linked with the FlatMaster® 55 80 precision leveler and the FlatJack® for exact parts flatness testing. Using robots instead of operators, all of the panel optimization steps are carried out fully automatically. This guarantees rapid and efficient production.

Our partners: creating the future together

Decades of collaboration with our network partners has proven its value. At ARKU, we constantly work together to develop optimum metalworking solutions. Intensive collaboration and active exchange expands our expertise.

logo-feintool

Feintool: fineblanking in constant motion

ARKU has been working successfully with the Swiss company Feintool AG since the 1960s. Feintool is the world market leader for fineblanking presses, tools and peripheral systems. Feintool's leading position is the result of a unique range of complete technical solutions. ARKU delivers precisely calibrated feeding lines to ensure that the material is optimally prepared before stamping, providing customers with the ideal complete package.

logo-dreistern

Dreistern: Perfekte Profile

Dreistern GmbH & Co. KG from Schopfheim, Germany, is the market leader in roll forming systems. For decades, ARKU has been developing solutions for everything that happens prior to the roll former: decoiling, leveling and pre-punching. This results in roll forming lines with perfectly coordinated interfaces. Providing customers with perfect processes. Working together with Dreistern, we have installed numerous successful systems.

trumpf-solution-partner-logo

TRUMPF

ARKU manufactures coil-fed laser blanking lines which were developed together with TRUMPF. A coil-fed laser blanking line is available for trials at the TRUMPF customer center in Neukirch (Saxony - Germany).