Carbide cutting tools, tool management and CNC automation – system partner since 1984
BKW Hartmetall GmbH
KaarstNew on Amplifa
About BKW Hartmetall
BKW Hartmetall GmbH was founded in 1984 in Kaarst by Bayer, Kemmerling and Wittkowski and operates as a technical system partner for the metalworking industry. The core of the range is solid carbide tools (VHM) for turning, milling, thread machining and clamping technology from manufacturers such as Tungaloy, Sumitomo and Kemmer. This is complemented by its own services: regrinding of VHM tools to original geometry, repair of tool change units (ATC/Shifter Units), and ISO-compliant calibration and testing of measuring equipment. Under the service brand BKW Systems (2024), the ten-person team structures solutions along a seven-stage value chain – from process analysis via tool management (TSM® Tool-Server-Modular) and CNC automation (RoboJob) to protective and transport systems (Peli). Since 2015 the company has been a member of the purchasing cooperative NORDWEST Handel AG. In 2026, BKW opened a drone center in Kaarst with systems from DJI Enterprise and Autel for inspection, thermography and training. Customers come from machining, mechanical engineering, construction, authorities and emergency services (BOS) organizations; delivery is nationwide with a focus on North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Site
- Kaarst
- Processes
- Machining optimization (turning, milling, threading, clamping technology) - consulting and system, Regrinding of VHM tools (up to 70% savings compared to new purchase), Repair of tool change units (ATC / Shifter Units), delivery time in days, Calibration & testing service for measuring equipment and test devices (ISO-compliant, with, Robot-based CNC automation (RoboJob, CNC loading, machine integration), Drone inspection (buildings, thermography, photogrammetry, situational awareness), Drone training & certifications (EU drone license, emergency services training, DJI certificates), Technical procurement / special procurement & C-parts (NORDWEST network, VOL/A, UVgO)
- Materials
- Carbide (solid carbide, VHM), Solid carbide (VHM), Tool-Server-Modular (TSM®), RoboJob automation, Drone systems (DJI Enterprise, Autel), ATC repair, Calibration & testing service
- Certificates
- ISO-compliant calibration (certificate, traceability)
- Founded
- 1984
- Employees
- 10
- Industries
- Industry & manufacturing (machining, CNC, mechanical engineering), Emergency services (BOS) & security organizations, Construction & technical services, Public sector clients & authorities, Emergency services (BOS) & security organizations (police, fire departments,
- 01
Plan – process analysis
- 02
Manufacture – machining
- 03
Organize – tool management
- 04
Automate – CNC robotics
- 05
Protect & transport
- 06
Connect & integrate
- 07
Document & train
Materials & Technologies
Solid carbide (VHM)
Cutting tools for turning, milling, thread machining and clamping technology; with regrinding service to original geometry.
Tool-Server-Modular (TSM®)
Tool dispensing machine from bedrunka+hirth for inventory control, consumption transparency and C-parts supply.
RoboJob automation
Robot-based loading and unloading systems for lathes to utilize night and weekend capacity.
Drone systems (DJI Enterprise, Autel)
Inspection, thermography and photogrammetry for buildings, solar installations and emergency services (BOS) operations.
ATC repair
Manufacturer-independent overhaul of tool change units with delivery times in days instead of weeks.
Calibration & testing service
ISO-compliant calibration and testing of measuring equipment and test devices with certificate.
Site
Kaarst
DEHeadquarters with showroom, training room (BKW Drone Center) and service
- Materials
- VHM cutting tools; tool management; drone technology
- TSM® Tool-Server-Modular (bedrunka+hirth, showroom)
- DJI Matrice 4T Enterprise drone (showroom)
- Training room BKW Drone Center
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machining optimization (turning, milling, threading, clamping technology) - consulting and systemMachining | – | – | – | – | Carbide (VHM) |
| Regrinding of VHM tools (up to 70% savings compared to new purchase)Machining | – | – | – | – | Solid carbide (VHM) |
| Repair of tool change units (ATC / Shifter Units), delivery time in daysAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Calibration & testing service for measuring equipment and test devices (ISO-compliant, withTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Robot-based CNC automation (RoboJob, CNC loading, machine integration)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Drone inspection (buildings, thermography, photogrammetry, situational awareness)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Drone training & certifications (EU drone license, emergency services training, DJI certificates)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Technical procurement / special procurement & C-parts (NORDWEST network, VOL/A, UVgO)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC automation solution (loading/unloading robots for lathes) | RoboJob Turn-Assist | – | – | – | Customer systems (2,000+ installations) |
| Tool-Server-Modular (tool dispensing machine) | bedrunka+hirth TSM® | – | – | – | Showroom Kaarst |
| Enterprise drone with thermal camera, zoom and searchlight | DJI Matrice 4T | – | – | – | Kaarst / customer deployment |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Service
Calibration-required measuring equipment and test devices are calibrated or tested in accordance with ISO, with calibration certificate and traceability. Repaired tool change units are overhauled, tested and documented.
| Evidence | Kaarst |
|---|---|
| ISO-compliant calibration (certificate, traceability) |
History
- 1984
Founding of BKW Hartmetall GmbH in Kaarst by Bayer, Kemmerling and Wittkowski; focus on carbide tools for the metalworking industry
- 2000er
Growth into a system partner for manufacturing companies in the region
- 2015
Joined the purchasing cooperative NORDWEST Handel AG; expansion into C-parts, operating equipment and occupational safety
- 2024
Introduction of the BKW Systems service brand with a structured framework across seven process steps
- 2026
Opening of the BKW Drone Center in Kaarst (June 3); drone solutions with DJI Enterprise, Autel and ProFlyCenter