Development and high-volume production of intelligent latching and drive systems for the automotive industry.
Kiekert AG
Heiligenhaus · Wixom, Michigan · Přelouč · Amozoc, Puebla · Changshu, JiangsuNew on Amplifa
About Kiekert
Kiekert AG is an internationally active automotive supplier headquartered in Heiligenhaus, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1857, the company develops and manufactures latching systems, drive systems and electronic solutions for vehicle access, including side door latching systems, latch modules, mini actuators and tailgate latches. System solutions combining mechanics, electronics and software are produced in customer-specific high-volume assembly, complemented by globally uniform testing and quality assurance expertise. Kiekert supplies more than 100 automotive brands; according to the company, every third side door latching system worldwide is based on a Kiekert product design. In addition to its headquarters with around 700 employees in Germany, the company maintains production and development sites in Europe, North America and Asia, including Wixom (USA), Přelouč (Czech Republic), Amozoc (Mexico) and Changshu (China). The corporate group employs around 4,500 people with annual revenue of approximately 800 million euros. Since 2012, Kiekert belonged to the Chinese supplier Hebei Lingyun Industrial; in September 2025, preliminary insolvency proceedings were filed, which were opened on December 1, 2025.
- Site
- Heiligenhaus
- Processes
- Customer-specific high-volume assembly of latching and drive systems, customer-specific high-volume assembly, software and system development, testing/QA, drive systems, electronic latching systems
- Materials
- System development mechanics/electronics/software, Customer-specific high-volume assembly, Testing/QA
- Certificates
- Globally uniform testing expertise
- Founded
- 1857
- Employees
- 4500
- Industries
- Automotive industry, Automotive supplier
- 01
Engineering (mechanics, electronics, software)
- 02
System development
- 03
Manufacturing
- 04
Customer-specific high-volume assembly
- 05
Testing/QA
- 06
Worldwide delivery
Development & System Competence
System development mechanics/electronics/software
Development of vehicle access, latching and drive systems as integrated system solutions.
Customer-specific high-volume assembly
Assembly of latching and drive systems to customer specifications on a large scale.
Testing/QA
Globally uniform testing of products to the highest manufacturing standards.
Locations
Heiligenhaus
DEHeadquarters and site
- Lot size
- High volume
- Materials
- Latching and drive systems
Wixom
USProduction/development site
Přelouč
CZProduction site
Amozoc, Puebla
MXProduction site
Changshu, Jiangsu
CNProduction site
Products & Systems
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer-specific high-volume assembly of latching and drive systemsAssembly | – | – | – | High volume | – |
| Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Quality & Testing
Kiekert tests its products with globally uniform testing expertise according to uniform manufacturing standards at all locations.
| Evidence | Heiligenhaus | Wixom | Přelouč | Amozoc, Puebla | Changshu, Jiangsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globally uniform testing expertise |
History
- 1857
Founded by Arnold Kiekert as a lock and fittings factory in Heiligenhaus
- 1888
Relocation of production to a new site in Heiligenhaus
- 1974
Development of the first central locking system
- 1995
IPO of Kiekert AG
- 2000
Acquisition by Schroder Ventures Europe (today Permira)
- 2006
Resale to the hedge funds Bluebay Asset Management and Silver Point Capital
- 2007
Occupancy of the current headquarters at Höseler Platz in Heiligenhaus
- 2012
Acquisition by the Chinese automotive supplier Hebei Lingyun Industrial
- 2025
Preliminary insolvency proceedings filed with the Wuppertal District Court; proceedings opened on December 1, 2025