Vollmer Werke
German manufacturer of grinding and erosion machines for sharpening rotary tools and circular saw blades, founded in 1909.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Vollmer Werke Maschinenfabrik GmbH, commonly known as VOLLMER, is a German machine tool manufacturer headquartered in Biberach an der Riß. Founded in 1909 by engineer Heinrich Vollmer, the company has developed into a technology leader in grinding, erosion and processing machines for rotary tools and circular saws used in the wood and metalworking industries, as well as for metal-cutting band saws. Its product range includes around 60 models of grinding and erosion machines, complemented by tailored service offerings. The company serves customers worldwide, including sharpening services, sawmills, tool manufacturers and production companies. VOLLMER is considered the world market leader in sharpening and erosion machines. Its machines are used primarily for band saw blades and circular saw blades made of carbide (HM) or high-speed steel (HSS). Its erosion machines, based on electrical discharge machining, sharpen diamond tools (polycrystalline diamond) of various types. The company also operates development and production sites in Biberach and Mörlenbach, and maintains subsidiaries in Austria, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United States, Brazil, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Russia and Thailand. Ownership is held 80% by the Sieglinde Vollmer Stiftung, a foundation established in 2013 to secure the company's economic independence, with the remaining 20% held by the family. The company emphasizes sustainable corporate governance and long-term responsibility rather than short-term profit maximization. It is active in industry associations such as VDW and VDMA and participates in the VDW initiative "umati" for standardizing machine tool connectivity to IT systems. VOLLMER's history spans more than a century, from the first saw-setting and filing machines in 1909 to the development of the first automatic sharpening machine in 1923, the introduction of carbide circular saw blade processing in 1952, and the entry into erosion technology for diamond tools in 1988. The company has expanded internationally through subsidiaries and acquisitions, including Loroch GmbH in 2006. Today, VOLLMER remains a family- and foundation-owned business with a global presence and a strong focus on precision and innovation.
History
Vollmer Werke was founded in 1909 by engineer Heinrich Vollmer, who constructed the first saw-setting and filing machines in Ebingen, moving to Biberach an der Riß in 1910. The company's early vision was maximum sharpness for cutting tools and saw blades. In 1916, Vollmer was one of the first companies in the region to sign an apprenticeship contract with a young person, marking the beginning of a long tradition of vocational training. In 1923, the company presented a revolutionary method for processing band, gang and circular saw blades, creating the first automatic sharpening machine of the C series with a rotating grinding wheel. In 1927, Heinrich Vollmer received a patent for the Vollmer-MPi, a precursor to the Erma EMP and later standard submachine guns of the Wehrmacht, the MP38 and MP40. During the 1930s, the company became increasingly involved in Nazi armament efforts, and from 1940 it took on weapons-related production. During World War II, the workforce grew to about 500 people, including prisoners of war and forced laborers. The company manufactured parts for the MP 38, the Sturmgewehr 44, and the "Kurvenhalter" for the MG 42. After the war, the plant was placed on a dismantling list, but total dismantling was prevented through advocacy. Work resumed on 2 May 1945. In 1952, Vollmer developed a special sharpening machine program for the emerging carbide-tipped circular saw blades, which became a major business field. In 1959, the company developed a cone-setting machine for bowling, a field later discontinued. International expansion began in 1976 with the founding of Vollmer of America, followed by Vollmer France in 1979, and Vollmer do Brasil and Vollmer UK in 1980. In 1988, Vollmer developed an innovative machine program for eroding diamond-tipped tools for the woodworking industry. In 1998, the company presented a new wire erosion machine, entering metalworking technology. After the death of the founder, his daughter Sieglinde Vollmer and her brother Udo took over management in 1964. In 2006, Vollmer acquired Loroch GmbH in Mörlenbach, expanding its portfolio to include sharpening machines for HSS-tipped circular saw blades. In 2009, the company inaugurated a technology and service center. In 2013, the Sieglinde Vollmer Stiftung was founded to secure the company's economic independence. According to SWR research, the company continued to deliver large machines to Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, likely through intermediaries, and maintains a Russian-language version of its website.
- 2013
Sieglinde Vollmer Stiftung is founded to secure the company's economic independence.
- 2009
Inaugurates a technology and service center.
- 2006
Acquires Loroch GmbH in Mörlenbach, expanding the product portfolio.
- 1998
Presents a new wire erosion machine, entering metalworking technology.
- 1988
Develops an innovative machine program for eroding diamond-tipped tools for the woodworking industry.
- 1980
Vollmer do Brasil is founded in August and Vollmer UK in November.
- 1979
Vollmer France is founded on 1 July.
- 1976
Vollmer of America is founded.
- 1964
After the founder's death, his daughter Sieglinde Vollmer and her brother Udo take over management.
- 1959
Develops a cone-setting machine for bowling.
Products and positioning
Technology leader and world market leader in sharpening and erosion machines for rotary tools and circular saws; provider of complete solutions for tool production and maintenance.
Grinding machines for rotary tools
Erosion machines for diamond tools
Sharpening machines for circular saw blades
Sharpening machines for band saw blades
Wire erosion machines
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