Gedore

Gedore or Gedore Tool Group, is a global conglomerate of production and sale companies specialising in hand tools and other tool-making items. The company was founded in 1919 as Gedore Werkzeugfabrik Otto Dowidat KG by the three Dowidat brothers, Otto, Karl and Willi, who started the manufacturing of hand tools for industry from their hometown of Remscheid in Germany.

The company name Gedore is an acronym of GEbrüder DOwidat REmscheid.

In the 1960s the company began a policy of investing abroad and has since grown into a global organisation. The Group operates seven production facilities with manufacturing operations in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Brazil and South Africa.

The Group also has ten sales companies in various countries responsible for the marketing and distribution of its products. The Group employs around 2,000 people worldwide, including approximately 900 staff in Germany. The tool manufacturer has two product lines under the Gedore umbrella brand, GEDORE and GEDORE red, for hand tools and tool-based solutions, as well as the Ochsenkopf brand, which specialises in forestry and carpentry tools. Their product range spans 16,000 items.

Main German competitors are Wiha Tools, Wera Tools, Knipex and Hazet.

History

The Gedore tool factory was founded in 1919 by three brothers, Otto, Karl, and Willi Dowidat. Starting with minimal capital, they began producing adjustable wrenches, iron hole punches, and other hand tools. In 1926, due to space constraints, the company relocated to Remscheid-Lüttringhausen, where the main factory and headquarters of the Gedore Group remain to this day.

After World War II, Gedore resumed production on a small scale, as the company was largely spared from war damage. However, family disputes led to a split in the business, with Otto Dowidat continuing under the name Gedore, while Willi Dowidat left the firm in 1949 and established the Dowidat-Werke. The third brother, Karl, had died in 1933, thus leaving Otto Dowidat as the sole owner.

During the post-war period, Gedore expanded significantly, employing 720 people at its main plant in Remscheid-Lüttringhausen. Following the death of founder Otto Dowidat in 1975, his son Karl took over the company's management. Today, the family business is managed by Karen Dowidat and her son Dr. Christian Dowidat, representing the 3rd and 4th generations of the family.

Over time, Gedore expanded its business by acquiring and starting up new companies, eventually forming a group of companies. In 2012, this group was reorganised into a holding company, laying the foundation for the current corporate framework. As part of this evolution, various brands were integrated into the Gedore Group. In 2018, these brands were unified under an umbrella brand structure to better align with market demands. Today, the Gedore umbrella brand comprises two lines: Gedore and Gedore red, both focusing on high-quality, safe hand tools and tool-based solutions. The traditional Ochsenkopf brand continues to be used for Gedore's forestry tools.

Product range

Gedore develops and manufactures hand tools, including wrenches, ratchets, socket wrenches,[2] pliers, impact tools, and torque tools, all produced in its factories. The company also offers workshop trolleys, workbenches, and toolboxes for various industries. In addition to standard tools, Gedore specialises in creating customised tools and special tools tailored for the automotive and high-torque sectors.

External links

• Gedore Homepage