HOW IT ALL BEGAN

THE FOUNDATION OF KIMETEC

In 1988, Hansjörg Kirchner founded Kimetec GmbH at Gerlinger Straße 38 in Ditzingen, also relocating the headquarters of the sister company KaWeCo GmbH from Stuttgart to Ditzingen. Kimetec focused on manufacturing diagnostic products such as tourniquets and reflex hammers, while KaWeCo specialized in the distribution of medical suction devices, breast pumps, and associated accessories like glass bottles, as well as laboratory and drainage systems. To meet market demands and drive the optimization of breast pumps, the brand mamivac® was established. For the diagnostic sector, the brand CBC was created.

In its early years, the company tackled challenges such as product optimization and portfolio expansion. At the same time, Hansjörg Kirchner advanced in-house manufacturing to respond flexibly and swiftly to customer requirements.

The original facilities in Ditzingen provided 260 square meters of space for big ideas and further development.

IMPORTANT MILESTONES

Steps on the Path to Success

  • 1992: Development of the CBC Classic Tourniquet – a significant success for the company. After the patent expired, it became the most copied venous tourniquet worldwide.
  • 1994: Launch of the CBC IONTEX, a tap water iontophoresis device.
  • 1996: Start of exports to the USA, overseas, and to Dubai through participation in trade shows such as MEDICA and Arab Health.
  • 1998: Implementation of a quality management system with DEKRA certification according to ISO 9001 and later EN ISO 13485.
  • 2000: Development of mamivac® EASY, a manual breast pump with unique features at the time.
  • 2005: Membership in the Export Association GHE, now known as GHA German Health Alliance.
  • 2009: Commencement of exclusive distribution rights for Motherlove® products in the German market.
  • 2012: Caroline Ihle, daughter of Hansjörg Kirchner, joined the company. She standardized internal processes and technical documentations and advanced the company's digital transformation.
  • 2014: Development of CBC VECOS®, a single-use tourniquet.
  • 2017: Appointment of Caroline Ihle to the management team.
  • 2019: Transition to MDR (Medical Device Regulation) for Class I products.
  • 2022: Company merger: KaWeCo GmbH fully integrated into Kimetec GmbH.
  • 2022: Development of the autoclavable CBC NUCOS tourniquet with a silicone band.
  • 2024: Launch of CBC PlasmaEgg®, a disinfection device based on innovative cold plasma technology.
historic mamivac exhibition stand
Hansjörg Kirchner in his office
Demonstration of a historical breast pump on the model breast
Hansjörg and Claudia Kirchner at exhibition stnd of the Kimetec GmbH
mamivac exhibition stand from KaWeCo

A SPECIAL MOMENT: OUR PRODUCT IN SPACE

In 2018, Kimetec discovered that the CBC Classic tourniquet was used in space. It was shown on television how Alexander Gerst used a CBC Classic tourniquet during a blood draw in the Columbus module of the ISS.t.  Image source ©: (European Space Agency) ESA Blog, Alexander Gerst

Our Vision for the Future

Our corporate philosophy is to simplify everyday medical practices through our products. These unobtrusive aids are frequently used and stand out for their user-friendly operation. In our development process, we place special emphasis on the comfort of both users and patients. We respond quickly and flexibly to our customers' needs, relying on high levels of personal responsibility and innovation. Our continuous advancement in products and manufacturing techniques, along with our international patents, underscores our commitment to innovation. Customer service is a central part of our company, and tailored solutions are a key component of our offerings.

We are committed to the economic region of Baden-Wuerttemberg and promote it through local, sustainable manufacturing and close collaboration with regional partners. Our products proudly carry the "Made in Germany" label and offer attractive and fair pricing, always keeping the customer at the center. Sustainability is a core aspect of our corporate strategy. We rely on local suppliers and long-term partnerships to ensure short production times and efficient coordination processes.

Our EN ISO 13485 certification guarantees the highest quality and safety standards for our products.

Looking ahead, we strive to be a modern company that impresses both externally and internally with cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to offer extremely durable medical devices while continually pursuing sustainability. An important objective is the approval of the PlasmaEgg® as a medical device and its launch on the American market by 2025.

With these values and goals, we look to the future with optimism and commit ourselves to continue to be a reliable partner in the field of medical technology.

Looking ahead: Groundbreaking for the new Kimetec headquarters, Ditzingen, May 8, 2024