Makita Werkzeug GmbH

Makita Werkzeug GmbH is the German subsidiary of Makita Corporation, the Japanese power-tool manufacturer founded in 1915 by Mosaburo Makita in Anjō, Aichi Prefecture. The German operation has been present since 1977, when Makita established its own sales subsidiary in the country, and it is headquartered in Ratingen-Lintorf near Düsseldorf. It serves as the group's sales, marketing, logistics and service arm for Germany and, in practice, the wider German-speaking region. The German subsidiary distributes a broad slice of Makita's global catalogue. According to the company, roughly 700 of Makita's approximately 1,000 models are sold in Germany, spanning cordless and corded power tools, pneumatic tools, stationary woodworking machines, garden equipment and accessories. The product range visible on makita.de includes cordless drills and impact drivers, circular saws, reciprocating saws, planers, nailers, chainsaws, lawnmowers, brush cutters, blowers, LED work lights, battery adapters and Power Source kits, as well as consumables such as saw blades and wood connectors. Makita's cordless platforms are organised around 12V max, 18V and 40V max (technically 36V) battery systems, with brushless (BL) motors and automatic speed-change technology featured across many tools. Makita Werkzeug GmbH is a sales and service organisation rather than a manufacturing site; Makita's European production has historically been centred elsewhere, while the German subsidiary operates a logistics centre and service department in Ratingen. In the 2020/21 financial year the German company reported revenue of EUR 557 million with 417 employees. It also managed the maktec by Makita and later Makita mt value sub-brands in Germany, although Makita mt was withdrawn from the German market as of October 2022 and continued in Austria. The German business is closely associated with Makita's professional positioning. Makita markets its tools to tradespeople and industrial users, emphasising performance, durability, low vibration and comfort on the jobsite. The German-language website highlights application advice, new products and the 40V max XGT platform alongside the long-running 18V LXT system. The subsidiary also inherited the legacy of Dolmar, the Hamburg chainsaw maker Makita acquired in 1991; the Dolmar brand was phased out in Germany between December 2022 and March 2023. Makita ceased production of combustion-engine tools at the end of March 2022, reinforcing its focus on battery-powered equipment.

Makita Werkzeug GmbH is the German sales subsidiary of Makita Corporation, a Japanese power-tool group founded in 1915 by Mosaburo Makita in Anjō, Aichi Prefecture, originally as an armature-winding and motor-repair workshop. The parent company began marketing portable electric planers in Japan in 1958 and became a manufacturer of power tools the following year. In 1969 Makita introduced the 6500D, described as the first cordless drill driver, and in 1970 it began worldwide marketing with its first overseas subsidiary in the United States. Makita's direct presence in Germany dates to 1977, when it established its own sales subsidiary, Makita Werkzeug GmbH. The German operation initially built its business around Makita's growing range of professional power tools, and it later became the distribution channel for products from Dolmar, the Hamburg chainsaw manufacturer that Makita acquired in 1991 from Mannesmann as part of the break-up of Fichtel & Sachs. That acquisition brought Makita into the market for petrol-driven heavy forestry and construction machinery. In markets where Dolmar was established, tools continued for a time under the old brand; in Germany the Dolmar name was used longest and was finally discontinued between 6 December 2022 and 4 March 2023. Makita was an early developer of battery-powered tools with substantial output. In 2005 it launched its first tool using higher-capacity lithium-ion batteries, the TD130D cordless impact driver, which it describes as the world's first lithium-ion cordless tool for professional use. From then on the company concentrated heavily on the development and market segment of cordless tools. In January 2011 Makita moved its German subsidiary from Duisburg to Ratingen, where it operates a logistics centre and a service department. The German company reported revenue of EUR 557 million in the 2020/21 financial year with 417 employees. Makita also addressed the DIY segment through value sub-brands. maktec by Makita was produced from 2002 and distributed in Germany from 2011; the brand was renamed Makita mt in 2016. As of October 2022 Makita mt was no longer sold in Germany but was still available in Austria. At the end of March 2022 Makita ceased production of tools powered by combustion engines, completing a strategic shift toward battery and corded electric equipment. The German subsidiary continues to distribute a large share of Makita's roughly 1,000 models, including cordless, corded and pneumatic tools, stationary woodworking machines, garden equipment and accessories, and it supports professional users through application advice, service and a broad dealer network.

• 2022

  Makita ceases production of combustion-engine tools on 31 March; Makita mt is withdrawn from the German market as of October; the Dolmar brand is discontinued in Germany between 6 December 2022 and 4 March 2023.

• 2016

  The maktec by Makita brand is renamed Makita mt.

• 2015

  Makita celebrates its 100th anniversary.

• 2011

  Makita moves its German subsidiary from Duisburg to Ratingen, where it operates a logistics centre and service department; maktec by Makita begins distribution in Germany.

• 2005

  Makita launches the TD130D cordless impact driver, its first tool with lithium-ion batteries and described as the world's first lithium-ion cordless tool for professional use.

• 2002

  Production begins for the value sub-brand maktec by Makita.

• 1991

  Makita acquires Hamburg chainsaw maker Dolmar from Mannesmann as part of the break-up of Fichtel & Sachs, entering petrol-driven forestry and construction machinery.

• 1981

  Makita begins production of its own pneumatic tools.

• 1977

  Makita establishes its own sales subsidiary, Makita Werkzeug GmbH, in Germany.

• 1970

  Makita begins worldwide marketing with its first overseas subsidiary in the United States.

• 1969

  Makita launches the 6500D, described as the first cordless drill driver.

• 1959

  Makita becomes a manufacturer of power tools.

• 1958

  Makita begins marketing portable electric planers in Japan, the first Japanese company to do so.

• 1915

  Mosaburo Makita founds an armature-winding and motor-repair workshop in Anjō, Japan, under the name Makita Denski Seisakusho.

Professional-grade power tools for tradespeople and industrial users, with a strong emphasis on cordless battery platforms, durability and jobsite performance.

• 40V max XGT cordless platform

  Makita's high-output cordless battery system for professional applications, with Power Source kits and a growing range of tools.

• 18V LXT cordless platform

  Makita's long-established 18V cordless system covering drills, saws, grinders and many other tools.

• 12V max CXT cordless platform

  Compact 12V max (technically 10.8V) cordless system for lighter professional and DIY tasks.

• DDF491 cordless drill driver

  Cordless drill driver with interchangeable head system, listed among new products on makita.de.

• DTW210 cordless impact wrench

  Cordless impact wrench listed among new products on makita.de.

• DUC258 cordless chainsaw

  Cordless chainsaw listed among new products on makita.de.

• DLM540 cordless lawnmower

  Cordless lawnmower listed among new products on makita.de.

• GA5100 angle grinder

  Angle grinder listed among new products on makita.de.

• 1911B planer

  840 W planer with 110 mm planing width and stepless 0–2 mm cutting depth, described as robust for the toughest demands.

• 1806B carpenter's planer

  1,200 W planer with 170 mm planing width and a long 529 mm sole for precise work.

1. 1Makita Deutschland | Innovative Akku-Werkzeuge für jeden Einsatzmakita.de
2. 2Geschichtemakita.de
3. 3Hobelmakita.de
4. 4Naglermakita.de
5. 5Makita Werkzeugwikidata.org
6. 6Makitade.wikipedia.org