Interview with Torsten Thaler and Heiko Krenn
Managing Directors of Fritz Thaler jun. GmbH

The Last Shall Be First

At first glance, brushes may seem like simple products, but in reality, they are highly complex—at least the ones produced by Fritz Thaler jun. GmbH from Solingen. This family business, now in its fourth generation, is the last brush manufacturer in the city of Solingen. For nearly 100 years, the company has been producing technical brushes that meet a wide range of requirements in various industries and trades.

A Craft with a Long Tradition

Fritz Thaler was founded in the 1910s by the great-grandfather of the current managing director, Torsten Thaler, who runs the family business together with Heiko Krenn. “Brush makers have become rare,” says Torsten Thaler. “Solingen was once a stronghold for brush manufacturing, with 40 brush makers operating in the city. They supplied the local grinding workshops with tools, but with the advent of industrialization and automation, most of them disappeared. Today, we are the last brush makers in Solingen.”

Changing Times

The shift towards industrial brushes was a turning point in the Thaler company’s history—and it was further accelerated by the next generation. “When my father and my aunt took over the business, they set a new course,” explains Torsten Thaler. “Through forward-thinking investments, they made the company competitive, increasing efficiency and production. As a result, we are now a highly sought-after partner for technical brushes in all variations.”

A Modern Manufacturing Company

Fritz Thaler offers a broad range of products, including round brushes, deburring machine brushes, cup and conical brushes, shaft brushes, cylinder brushes, strip brushes, and spiral brushes. These brushes are used for deburring, paint removal, cleaning, texturing, polishing, and many other applications. Each year, approximately 300 new products are added to the portfolio. “What matters most is staying up to date and adapting our brushes accordingly,” says Managing Director Heiko Krenn. “That’s why we work with ever-new materials and manufacturing methods, while still mastering traditional craftsmanship. This makes us less suited for mass production, but the perfect partner for customized solutions — whether it’s one or 10,000 pieces.” To ensure fast delivery, Fritz Thaler relies on a large stock of raw materials — while the brush inventory remains small. “Customers value our responsiveness,” emphasizes Torsten Thaler. “We work less with CNC machines and more like a traditional manufactory, where many manual processes are involved. Thanks to this approach, we can typically supply customers with cylindrical brushes in a wide variety of designs and applications within two to three days — quickly and cost-effectively.”

The longer, the better

60 employees currently work for Fritz Thaler Jr., many of them for several years. Staff turnover is low. “We regularly celebrate 25-year anniversaries,” says Torsten Thaler. “As a family business, long-term company loyalty is very important to us. The longer our employees stay with us, the more expertise and experience they bring.” This know-how benefits customers throughout Europe. Fritz Thaler Jr. evolves with its customers — and with the times. “In this era of economic transformation, as we move away from traditional combustion engines toward renewable energy, it’s crucial to recognize and seize opportunities,” emphasizes Heiko Krenn. “We’re in it together with our customers, co-developing solutions. We don’t see change as a threat — we see new opportunities and perspectives.” “In the automotive industry, entirely new processing tasks are emerging that need solutions — and that’s where our expertise comes into play. New requirements are also arising for brushes in medical technology.” Fritz Thaler Jr. can look to the future with optimism. The next generation of the Thaler and Krenn families is already waiting in the wings, and within the team, there are experienced professionals eager to take on more responsibility — and the management trusts them to do so, as Torsten Thaler points out. Thus, the last brush maker in Solingen will continue to successfully combine craftsmanship and modernity, staying attuned to the market and working in close coordination with its customers.