Consistency and transformation: three generations, one passion.
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.
Milestones in our history.
Take a journey through time. Discover the most important points in ARKU’s company history with our interactive timeline.
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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%. -
2022
Launch of the coil laser lines in
cooperation with TRUMPF. -
2021
ARKU introduces the EdgeBreaker® 6000 deburring machine for punched and laser cut parts.
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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.
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2018
ARKU celebrates its 90th anniversary.
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2016
The launch of FlatJack® - User-independent parts flatness testing.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
2012
Founding of ARKU Leveling Systems in Kunshan, China.
ARKU has more than 130 employees worldwide. The corporate design and logo were completely revised. -
2008
Development of the HiCap® PLUS high-performance leveler with cassette changing system.
ARKU also turns 80 this year. -
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. -
2004
Founding of the subsidiary in the USA.
ARKU Coil Systems Inc. is established in Cincinnati. -
2000
The patented EcoPlan® drive concept is presented at the EuroBLECH expo.
Levelers now achieve up to 30% more performance. -
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. -
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. -
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). -
1956
Artur Reiss transforms the craftsman’s establishment into a metalworking factory.
After relocating to Kuppenheim, the company is renamed ARKU (Artur Reiss KUppenheim). -
1928
The founding of ARKU:
Albert Reiss completes his journeyman years, becoming a master craftsman and returns to Haueneberstein. He founds a sheet metal workshop which later becomes ARKU.
Additional information.
Contact.
ARKU Maschinenbau GmbH
Siemensstraße 11
76532 Baden-Baden / Germany
T: +49 7221 5009-0
F: +49 7221 5009-11
Locations.
ARKU is there for you worldwide. Find the addresses of our service centers and sales partners.
More about ARKU
Who we are – and what we do: our history, our values and our team.
Our mission statement.
Our shared values define us. Because our quality is the product of demanding standards.