Strategic Realignment Overcoming the Limitations of Traditional Sequential Composite Technology

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With the integration of an LM 2000-NC from Bihler, Kleiner GmbH in Pforzheim, Germany, expands its production capacities in tool manufacturing and overcomes the limitations of classical progressive stamping technology. The system also marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with Bihler, opening up new synergies and business opportunities.

As a classical contract manufacturer, the family-run Kleiner GmbH in Germany must deal daily with the uncertainties of a volatile market. "We operate in an environment with extremely fluctuating demand – this affects our precision stamping production as well as our toolmaking area," explains Thomas Kleiner, founder and managing partner. "In addition, there are high material costs, especially for precious metals in e-vehicle production, which account for around ten percent of our revenue." To respond to such requirements as effectively as possible, the company relies on a proactive strategy of innovation and partnership. "Ultimately, it's about finding new solutions and boldly setting the course. This also includes strategic cooperations that strengthen us in the long term," emphasizes the managing partner.

Since June 2025, Kleiner has been concretely implementing this strategy with the integration of a new LM 2000-NC from Bihler. The servo-controlled high-performance machine is designed for the linear production of stamped and bent parts from strip material with absolute precision and flexibility—and thus serves as an ideal complement to existing sequential composite expertise. "From the very beginning, it was a good idea for me to integrate Bihler technology into our tool area," says Thomas Kleiner. "We have parts with complex assemblies that are challenging to produce with traditional sequential techniques. Bihler technology gives us more options—this allows us to conquer new parts and markets."

Three Clear Objectives

With the LM 2000-NC, Kleiner opens up a wide range of new possibilities. This includes the development and production of contract tools specifically for Bihler machines—directly for end customers who also operate Bihler systems. Additionally, the company is expanding its portfolio to include high-quality spare parts for tools, thereby supplying the Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik itself among others. Furthermore, the new technology creates additional potential in the medium term for their own serial component production as a contract manufacturer. Mathias Bihler, Managing Director at Bihler, emphasizes the strategic relevance: “Kleiner GmbH is excellently positioned in the demanding sequential composite market. By integrating our Bihler technology, it significantly expands its portfolio and can now offer its customers an optimal, comprehensive manufacturing spectrum.”

Why was the choice made for the Bihler LM 2000-NC? "The system is similar in its linear arrangement and modular construction to our familiar sequential composite technology. This greatly facilitated the entry," reports Christian Hamann, Technical Director at Kleiner. However, the decisive advantage lies in the extended possibilities offered by the separately controllable process modules: "Especially the lateral middle punches allow us to perform processing steps from the rear of the machine parallel to the strip direction, which we simply do not have in traditional sequential composite technology."

Ready to Go Quickly

Just a few weeks after its commissioning in June 2025, the LM 2000-NC is already proving its value in concrete projects. Kleiner is currently creating a highly complex tool for the production of an electric connector, which was also showcased as a demo tool at Blechexpo 2025. Meanwhile, the implementation of another demanding tool for an established customer is already in progress, as is the production of tool spare parts—clear evidence that the investment is paying off immediately.

Central to rapid success is the intensive cooperation between Kleiner and Bihler. "The strategic collaboration represents an intense and vibrant transfer of knowledge," emphasizes Mathias Bihler. "This partnership exchange is essential to truly support the market in the future with tailored solutions. Together, we can identify and successfully tap into new application areas, particularly in the electrical engineering sector." Christian Hamann confirms: "The collaboration has been and continues to be simply sensational. It worked immediately on both a technical and personal level from the very beginning." This is also reflected in the training process: Through day-long training sessions and the involvement of Bihler technicians in Pforzheim, the team quickly became proficient in Bihler technology. "The system is absolutely user-friendly. It is intuitively operable and easy to learn via the VC1 control system—just call up the program, and the system is set."

Together into the Future

The conclusion drawn by the responsible parties is overwhelmingly positive and future-oriented. Rico Kleiner, who is part of the management team alongside his father Thomas, says: "It is a great partnership, and we are very much looking forward to further growth." Mathias Bihler adds: "This partnership represents new synergies and the development of new shared competencies—it's the perfect foundation for continued success." And Thomas Kleiner laughingly, yet sincerely, adds: "When I see the opportunities that this technology and the partnership open up for us, I sometimes think: Actually, we should have done this ten years ago!"

*Director Marketing & Communications, Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik