Manufacturer of construction paints, plasters, façade insulation systems, industrial and powder coatings from Gossau SG – Swiss quality since 1908.
KARL BUBENHOFER AG (KABE Farben)
Gossau SG · Arnegg SGNew on Amplifa
About KABE Farben
KARL BUBENHOFER AG (KABE Farben) is an independent Swiss family company based in Gossau SG, which has existed since 1908. The company develops and produces coating systems in four core areas: construction paints and plasters, façade insulation systems (ETICS), industrial paints and powder coatings. The powder coatings are used for aluminium and steel and are certified, among other things, according to Qualicoat, GSB and qualisteelcoat; associated approvals exist for the polyester systems POLYFLEX PES-135, PES-140-SD, PES-165-NT, the special polyester PAC-140 and the polyurethane system PUR-142. For mechanical and plant engineering, KABE offers the 2K coating KABEDUR Supercryl Struktur as well as powder coatings with high chemical and abrasion resistance. Mineral interior products based on putty lime (Sumpfkalk) and potassium water glass complete the range. The company employs over 400 staff in Switzerland and over 1'000 internationally, operates a production facility in Gossau and an ISO 9001 certified production site in Arnegg, and supplies exclusively the trade.
- Site
- Gossau SG
- Processes
- Powder coating (powder coating systems, e.g. POLYFLEX® PES-135, PES-140-SD, PAC-140, PUR-142), Low-temperature powder coating systems (POLYFLEX® PES-165-NT, PES-140-SD-NT), Industrial paints (primers & corrosion protection, topcoats, metallic & effect paints, window, Construction paints + plasters (façade paint, plaster, interior paint, decorative plaster, building, Façade insulation / ETICS (insulation materials, fire barriers, mortars and adhesives,, Powder + industrial paint services (consulting, service), Disposal service (take-back, reuse, recycling of containers and residual quantities), Equipment rental service
- Materials
- Aluminium, Steel, Plastic, Wood, Putty lime (Sumpfkalk), Potassium water glass, Polyester powder coating PES, Polyurethane powder coating PUR
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, Qualicoat, GSB, qualisteelcoat, DIN EN 45545-2 (fire test), DB product qualification DBS 918 340
- Founded
- 1908
- Employees
- over 400 in
- Industries
- Construction, Architecture and façades, Steel and metal construction, Sheet metal processing, Mechanical and plant engineering, Medical technology and hygiene
- 01
Raw material selection and development in the company's own laboratory
- 02
Production of construction paints, plasters, industrial paints and powder
- 03
Quality testing and certification (Qualicoat, GSB, qualisteelcoat)
- 04
Distribution via sales outlets and dealers with KABEmix/EUROmix mixing systems
- 05
Consulting, training and technical recommendations
- 06
Disposal and recycling of containers and residual quantities
Materials and Processes
Polyester powder coating (POLYFLEX PES-135, PES-140-SD, PES-165-NT)
Qualicoat- and GSB-certified powder coating systems for aluminium and steel, also available as a low-temperature variant for architectural applications.
Polyurethane powder coating (POLYFLEX PUR-142-SD)
Class 2 system with high weather resistance, certified for RAL 9005 silk gloss.
Special polyester (POLYFLEX PAC-140-SD)
Class 2 powder coating with matt surface for applications with increased requirements.
KABEDUR Supercryl Struktur
2K coating for mechanical and plant engineering with high resistance to punching, cutting and machine oils.
Mineral interior products based on putty lime (Sumpfkalk)
Ecological interior products for a pleasant indoor climate, classified with the Swiss environmental label.
Mineral interior products based on potassium water glass
Silicate coating materials for mineral, ecological interior coatings.
Locations
Gossau SG
CHHeadquarters, paint and coating factory (production, development, sales)
- Materials
- Construction paints, plasters, industrial paints, powder coatings
- KABEmix colour mixing system
- EUROmix colour mixing system
Arnegg SG
CHProduction site (ISO 9001 certified)
- Materials
- Construction paints, industrial paints, powder coatings
Coated Components and Applications
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder coating (powder coating systems, e.g. POLYFLEX® PES-135, PES-140-SD, PAC-140, PUR-142)Surface | – | – | – | – | Aluminium, Steel |
| Low-temperature powder coating systems (POLYFLEX® PES-165-NT, PES-140-SD-NT)Surface | – | – | – | – | Aluminium, Steel |
| Industrial paints (primers & corrosion protection, topcoats, metallic & effect paints, windowSurface | – | – | – | – | Steel, Aluminium, Wood, Plastic |
| Construction paints + plasters (façade paint, plaster, interior paint, decorative plaster, buildingSurface | – | – | – | – | Mineral (putty lime, potassium water glass) |
| Façade insulation / ETICS (insulation materials, fire barriers, mortars and adhesives,Surface | – | – | – | – | Mineral |
| Powder + industrial paint services (consulting, service)Surface | – | – | – | – | Steel, Aluminium |
| Disposal service (take-back, reuse, recycling of containers and residual quantities)Surface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Equipment rental serviceSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Training (powder coating pilot plant, ETICS basic and advanced course) and factory toursSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Coating systems for medical technology & hygiene (germicidal film protection)Surface | – | – | – | – | Steel, Aluminium, Plastic |
| 2K coating KABEDUR Supercryl Struktur for mechanical and plant engineering (resistant to punching,Surface | – | – | – | – | Steel |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KABEmix colour mixing system | KABE KABEmix | – | – | – | Sales outlets |
| EUROmix colour mixing system | KABE EUROmix | – | – | – | Sales outlets |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
KABE is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 (SQS H11969). For the powder coatings, there are numerous Qualicoat, GSB and qualisteelcoat approvals as well as fire tests according to DIN EN 45545-2 and DB product qualifications (DBS 918 340).
| Evidence | Gossau SG | Arnegg SG |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | ||
| Qualicoat | ||
| GSB | ||
| qualisteelcoat | ||
| DIN EN 45545-2 (fire test) | ||
| DB product qualification DBS 918 340 |
History
- 1908
Karl Bubenhofer opened a painting business on Bischofszellerstrasse in Gossau with 300 francs of operating capital.
- 1928
Successful years 1928–1930; development from master painter to manufacturer.
- 2012
Launch of the first FARBwerk colour fan deck set, bestseller with 2'000 copies sold.
- 2024
Introduction of the FARBwerk2 with 659 colours in seven colour fan decks.
- 2026
Qualicoat certificates for powder coating systems valid until 31.12.2026; participation in PaintExpo 2026 planned.