Manufacturer of scales, measuring devices and optical instruments with a calibration laboratory for weighing technology up to 50,000 kg
Kern & Sohn GmbH
Balingen-Frommern (DE)New on Amplifa
About Kern & Sohn
Kern & Sohn GmbH, based in the Frommern district of Balingen (Baden-Württemberg), produces and sells scales, scale accessories, measuring devices and optical instruments. The family business, founded in 1844 by Gottlieb Kern in Onstmettingen, is considered Germany's oldest precision balance factory and is run in its eighth generation. The product range comprises around 2,500 different scales for laboratory, medical, industrial, scientific, pharmaceutical and chemical applications as well as measuring instruments for force, torque, hardness, coating thickness, material thickness, luminous intensity and sound level measurement, plus hygrometers, test weights, microscopes, refractometers and polarimeters. In addition, the company offers software solutions such as EasyTouch and BalanceConnection for data acquisition and integration of weighing systems into IT environments. Its service portfolio includes verification (Eichung), conformity assessments in accordance with EU Directive 2014/31/EU and DAkkS-accredited calibrations with a calibration range up to 50,000 kilograms. In 2023, the company generated revenue of 44.4 million euros with around 200 employees; sales are handled primarily through an international dealer network.
- Site
- Balingen-Frommern
- Processes
- Calibration and verification of scales and measuring devices, DAkkS-accredited calibrations, Calibration (DAkkS-accredited), Verification (Eichung), Conformity assessment in accordance with EU Directive 2014/31/EU, Software solutions for data acquisition (EasyTouch, BalanceConnection), Integration of weighing systems into IT environments
- Materials
- Weighing technology, Measuring devices, Optical instruments, Software, Calibration and verification service
- Certificates
- DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN EN ISO 13485, MDR (EU Regulation 2017/745), DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkkS, calibration laboratory), ISO 9001, ISO 13485, MDR (EU 2017/745), ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkkS), ISO 14001, IATF 16949
- Founded
- 1844
- Employees
- 200
- Industries
- Laboratory, Medicine, Industry, Science, Pharmacy/Pharmaceuticals, Chemistry
- 01
Development and design
- 02
Production of scales and measuring devices
- 03
Calibration (DAkkS-accredited) and verification
- 04
Conformity assessment in accordance with EU Directive 2014/31/EU
- 05
Software for data acquisition and integration
- 06
Distribution via an international dealer network
Products and Services
Weighing technology
Precision scales, industrial scales and laboratory balances for science, medicine and industry.
Measuring devices
Instruments for force, torque, hardness, coating thickness, material thickness, luminous intensity and sound level measurement.
Optical instruments
Microscopes, refractometers and polarimeters for laboratory and industrial applications.
Software
EasyTouch and BalanceConnection for automated measurement data acquisition and system integration.
Calibration and verification service
DAkkS-accredited calibrations up to 50,000 kg as well as conformity assessments in accordance with EU Directive 2014/31/EU.
Locations
Balingen-Frommern
DEHeadquarters, production and sales
- Materials
- Scales, measuring devices, optical instruments
- Calibration laboratory (DAkkS-accredited)
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calibration and verification of scales and measuring devicesTesting | – | – | 50,000 kg | – | – |
| DAkkS-accredited calibrationsTesting | – | – | 50,000 kg | – | – |
Additional services
Quality and Accreditations
The company is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001 and, for medical scales, meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 13485 and the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The company's own calibration laboratory is accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkkS) and covers a calibration range up to 50,000 kg.
| Evidence | Balingen-Frommern |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| ISO 13485 | |
| MDR (EU 2017/745) | |
| ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkkS) | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| IATF 16949 |
History
- 1770
Sauter scale workshop in Onstmettingen
- 1844
Company founded by Gottlieb Kern in Onstmettingen (today Albstadt)
- 1867
Production and sale of around 2,000 scales to scientists, pharmacists, chemists and goldsmiths
- 1870
Albert Sauter joins the company
- 1886
Death of Gottlieb Kern; Albert Sauter takes over management; production facility in Ebingen
- 1903
Gustav Sauter takes over the company and expands the scale factory
- 1914–1918
First World War: production falls by 70%
- 1939–1945
Second World War: factory destroyed, company owners Paul and Walter Sauter are killed
- Ende 1940er
Resumption of scale production
- 1970er
Transition to semi-electronic precision scales as a result of the electrification of weighing technology
- 2023
Revenue €44.4 million, equity ratio over 50%, around 200 employees