Altendorf GmbH
Altendorf GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenbau, based in Minden, Germany, is a specialist manufacturer of sliding table saws and panel saws tailored for cabinetry and carpentry applications. Established in 1906, the company has earned a reputation as a premier international supplier within the saw production sector.[1][2] Employing roughly 400 personnel, Altendorf predominantly serves the forestry machinery and landscape maintenance markets.
In line with its expansion objectives, the Altendorf Group broadened its product range and market reach by acquiring Hebrock, a producer of edge banding machines, in April 2018.[1]
History
Evolution of the Altendorf panel saw system
The enterprise was founded in 1906 in Berlin by Wilhelm Altendorf, a furniture designer and draftsman. Motivated by dissatisfaction with existing woodworking equipment, he developed the first sizing and trimming circular saw equipped with a sliding carriage mechanism, which significantly enhanced woodworking efficiency. By 1914, this breakthrough facilitated growth to approximately 50 employees.[3]
Impact of World Wars and the Great Depression
Following World War I, in 1919 Wilhelm Altendorf moved the company headquarters from Berlin to Minden, Westphalia, adapting to the postwar environment. In 1929, his son Willy Altendorf joined the firm after completing his engineering qualifications. Wilhelm’s inventive approach helped the company navigate economic downturns by diversifying into products such as a wooden-bodied automobile, a cigarillo manufacturing machine, and one of the earliest prefabricated houses. The company introduced the world’s first child high chair in 1939. After Wilhelm passed away in 1948, leadership transitioned to his sons Willy and Kurt.
From 1956 to today
Starting in 1956, brothers Willy and Kurt Altendorf concentrated on advancing their panel and edging circular saw technology, which fueled export growth throughout the 1950s and expanded international operations. By the mid-1980s, Altendorf had established its inaugural overseas subsidiary in the United States and developed a global network of sales agencies under its brand. Production facilities were extended to Qinhuangdao, China in 1995.
Marking its centenary in 2006, Altendorf was acknowledged as a German world market leader by 2010. On October 6, 2017, Avedon Capital Partners acquired shares from Wilfried and Tom Altendorf, concluding four generations of family management.
Currently, Altendorf maintains two manufacturing plants in Germany alongside operations in Brazil and China. Its subsidiaries located in Australia, Brazil, China, and Southeast Asia facilitate worldwide sales efforts. The company has delivered over 150,000 sliding table saws globally across woodworking and metalworking sectors, producing upwards of 2,400 units annually.
Generations
- Wilhelm Altendorf (1874–1948): Founder and innovator behind the panel saw
- Kurt Altendorf (1910–2005): Managing partner until 2002
- Willy Altendorf (1904–1995): Managing partner until 1995
- Siegfried Thiele (born 1934): Managing partner until 2003
- Wilfried Altendorf (born 1941): Managing partner until 2013
- Tom Altendorf (born 1976): Managing partner until 2017
Locations
Altendorf’s primary manufacturing plant is situated in Minden, Westphalia, supported by an additional production facility located in China. The company also maintains sales and service offices in Bangalore (India), Gaspar (Brazil), and Sydney (Australia).
The service center at the Minden headquarters, inaugurated in 2006, houses administrative offices, a showroom dedicated to the history of its products, and training facilities. In 2015, Altendorf broadened its sales infrastructure by launching new centers in Sydney (Sales Centre East) and Minden (Sales Centre West).
Acquisitions
In 2018, Altendorf strengthened its market position through the acquisition of Hebrock, a family-operated manufacturer specializing in edge banding machines.
Products
Altendorf’s sliding table saws preserve the fundamental design principles of their original model, as demonstrated by a 1907 example exhibited at the Tischlerei-Museum in Bremen. Presently, the company offers five adaptable models—F 45, WA 80, WA 8, START 45, and WA 6—engineered for processing wood and plastic materials, catering to diverse budgets and operational needs.
Awards and Recognitions for Altendorf
Altendorf has received numerous distinguished awards celebrating its innovation and design excellence in sliding table saw technology. Notably, the F45 Elmo model earned the esteemed iF gold award in 2007.
Notable Awards:
- 2024: 'Best of German Industry' accolade from ZEIT Verlagsgruppe
- 2022: Deutsche Wirtschaft’s Innovator of the Year
- 2021: German Occupational Safety and Health Award recognizing circular saw safety features
- 2020: OWL Innovation Award for the Hand Guard system
- 2016, 2013, 2008, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1997: Multiple iF Product Design Awards
- 2013: iF Communication Design Award
- 1998: Challengers Award presented in Atlanta, USA
- 1995: Eumacop Ergonomics Award
These honors reflect Altendorf’s commitment to leadership in product innovation, safety advancements, and superior design within the woodworking machinery sector.