Walter Klein Wuppertal

Walter Klein GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as WKW, is a German industrial company founded in 1940 and based in the Cronenberg district of Wuppertal. The company processes aluminium, steel and plastics for the automotive industry and for design-oriented industrial applications. Its product range includes trim and functional components, roof rail systems, extruded aluminium semi-finished products, heat exchangers, profiles for battery frames and housings, battery housings and structural body parts. The WKW Group operates through 18 subsidiaries and affiliated companies across Europe, Africa and North America, with German sites in Wuppertal, Velbert, Sprockhövel and Hemer. Ownership is held 75 percent by the Gert und Susanna Mayer Stiftung and 25 percent by Susanna Mayer. According to company figures, revenue in the 2023 financial year was EUR 560 million with 3,004 employees. In 2024 the group faced a takeover attempt by a US investor that ultimately failed, followed by an insolvency filing in September 2024; by December 2024 restructuring was reported to be on track and wages were again being paid by the company itself. The company received the Wuppertal Business Prize in 2007.

Walter Klein GmbH & Co. KG (WKW) was founded in 1940 and is based in the Cronenberg district of Wuppertal, Germany. The company established itself in the processing of aluminium, steel and plastics, serving the automotive industry and design-oriented industrial applications. Over the decades it expanded its product portfolio to include trim and functional components, roof rail systems, extruded aluminium semi-finished products, heat exchangers, profiles for battery frames and housings, battery housings and structural body parts. The WKW Group grew to include 18 subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Europe, Africa and North America, with German locations in Wuppertal, Velbert, Sprockhövel and Hemer. In 2007 the company was awarded the Wuppertal Business Prize. Ownership is held 75 percent by the Gert und Susanna Mayer Stiftung and 25 percent by Susanna Mayer. According to company figures, revenue in the 2023 financial year was EUR 560 million with 3,004 employees. In mid-2024 it became known that the WKW Group was to be taken over by a US investor; contracts were negotiated ready for signature, but the consent of one shareholder was missing and ultimately not granted. In September 2024 the company filed for insolvency. In December 2024 it was reported that restructuring was on a good course and that wages could again be paid by the company itself.

• 2024

  Failed takeover attempt by a US investor; insolvency filing in September; restructuring on track by December.

• 2023

  Revenue of EUR 560 million with 3,004 employees (company figures).

• 2007

  Awarded the Wuppertal Business Prize.

• 1940

  Company founded in Wuppertal-Cronenberg.

Supplier of aluminium, steel and plastic components for the automotive industry and design-oriented industrial applications.

• Trim

  Decorative and functional components made of aluminium, plastic and stainless steel.

• Roof Rail

  Roof rail systems made of aluminium.

• Extrusion

  Aluminium semi-finished products, design-oriented industrial products, aluminium pattern sheets, heat exchangers (MMP/MPE), profiles for battery frames and housings, battery housings and structural body parts.

1. 1www.wkw-group.com | WKW.automotive - wkw-group.comwkw-group.com
2. 2Walter Klein Wuppertal - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Walter Klein Wuppertal - Wikidatawikidata.org