KAUP - The company
KAUP Australia, has supplied the materials handling industry as an independent, local supplier and interpreter of attachments and fork arms for over 50 years. It is our Vision to become an integral partner by innovation, education and empowering our partners through technology. This is possible through our strong partnership with the KAUP Global network.
Your Vision. Our Attachment.
KAUP - Helping hands for your Forklift truck
Who is KAUP?
KAUP as private and independent attachment manufacturer committed to developing products to bring innovative solutions the material handling industry. KAUP is well known as a developer of new and exciting ideas and has a strong reputation of providing well-designed and robust solutions to improve safety, efficiency and reliability when handling goods.
KAUP work closely with our customers and end users to develop products that meet the changing needs of industry, machine manufacturers and society overall.
Our commitment to engineering excellence ensures that we support our innovative products with:
- Detailed application assessment and attachment recommendation services
- Advanced design process and computer modelling meeting international standards
- Industry-leading manufacturing processes
- Quality processing of all manufacturing and assembly processes
- Product support covering - engineering - parts and technical support
The KAUP network
KAUP Headquarters
Our suppliers are important partners for the company’s long-term success - in the past and the future.
KAUP in Asia Pacific
KAUP in Asia Pacific: the high-performance network of KAUP branches and production sites
Where we come from
Our long history and local roots still shape us today. Discover some milestones on the way to becoming the largest independent manufacturer of attachments for forklift trucks.
1. Origins
1894 - Master blacksmith Peter Kaup founded a smithy in Leider, at that time a rural suburb of Aschaffenburg.
1927 - The son of Peter Kaup, Kilian Kaup specialised the smithy in repairs in the area of ship and harbour equipment.
2. Foundation
1962 - Otmar Kaup founds, together with his father Kilian, the Kilian Kaup KG to produce attachments for forklift trucks - it was the birth of today's Kaup GmbH & Co KG.
3. Expansion
1971 - KAUP prospers and grows. Accordingly the company moves and now manufacturers on 3,000 sqm. A further expansion of the production capacity follows in 1976.
1980 - A modern administration building is built on the existing company premises.
1995 - About 400 employees produce for the first time more than 25,000 attachments per year.
4. Innovations
1998 - KAUP is the first manufacture to put attachment capable of handling up to 8 euro pallets on the market.
2005 - KAUP produces superlatives: the worldwide largest rotator (32 tons) and the worlds biggest tyre handler and fitting tool (for tyres with a diameter of up to 4,6 metres).
2020 - It gets even bigger: KAUP produces two 60-ton rotators - in record time. These are currently the largest attachments for forklift trucks.
5. Investments
1998 - Production capacities in Aschaffenburg are expanded once again as part of a long-standing extensive investment program - among other things 16 new welding robots start up their work in a new factory building.
2008 - In November a new assembly and production hall with 16.500 sqm is put into operation in Aschaffenburg.
2013 - 2019 - Various energy-related refurbishments of existing properties.
2019 - KAUP grows once again at the Aschaffenburg site. From now on, production will take place on 46,000 m², distributed over nine assembly and production halls.
6. Internationalisation
1997 - In the Chinese town of Xiamen KAUP puts a second production plant into operation - exclusively for the Asian Market.
2008 - KAUP continues to expand in China, and manufactures in a new 12.000 sqm sized assembly and production hall on a 20.000 sqm area.
2012 - A further base in Asia: KAUP opens its own branch in India for individual support on the subcontinent.
2017 - Now an even dozen! With KAUP Australia Pty Ltd. joining as 12th foreign branch office, KAUP has consolidated their position on the 5th continent.
2022 - KAUP and its long-standing Brazilian partner SAUR Equipamentos S.A. have founded a joint company: KAUPSAUR SpA. The aim of the joint venture is to distribute attachments for forklift trucks in the target market of Chile.
2025 - KAUP opens a further production site in the Indian megacity of Nashik, not far from Mumbai. It plays a key role in the expansion in one of the world's fastest-growing markets.
7. Future
1993 - Holger Kaup becomes second general manager. He represents the fourth generation in the KAUP-management.
2012 - Kaup GmbH & Co KG celebrates its 50th company anniversary. Over 800 employees produce worldwide more than 40.000 attachments.
2018 - KAUP presents the 1. 'e-attachment' - a fully electronically driven fork positioner with patented control system.
2020 - 'Smart Load Control' is launched - the first autonomous system for load-dependent clamping force control.
2023 - KAUP has electrified the most important implement functions. Sideshifter, Fork Positioner, Rotator and Double Pallet Handler are available in versions with electric drive and without hydraulic components.
8. Change
2025 - Otmar Kaup, the tireless founder of KAUP, dies on 18 May at the age of 96. A turning point in KAUP's company history.
Our info-center
Find out even more about KAUP - here you will find information on new products, catalogue downloads, trade fair dates and much more.
