1900 - Founding years
History is being made in Remscheid.
Heinrich Kissling and Heiner Schumacher.
Heinrich Kissling and Heiner Schumacher founded the company Schumacher & Kissling in Remscheid, the centre of the German tool industry, in 1900. Heinrich Kissling (* 11.12.1866) had previously worked in a smithy and had the technical background. Heiner Schumacher financed the founding project and received a 25% share in return.
They combined two former hammer mills with new buildings in Remscheid's Morsbachtal and began producing pliers, hammers, sockets and bicycle tools on two water-driven forging hammers.
Increasing industrialisation gave Remscheid and its tool companies a decisive boost in development and so the number of employees at Schumacher & Kissling was already 49 in 1906.
The first catalogue was published in 1907 and featured "bicycle, motor and automobile keys" on 34 pages.
Follow the success story of MATADOR and take a journey through time with us through the history of one of the leading companies in tool production.
Heinrich Kissling and Heiner Schumacher found the company “Schumacher & Kissling” in Remscheid, the center of the German tool industry.
They start with the production of pliers, hammers and sockets on two water powered forging hammers.
First catalogue in 1907.
Patented "Engländer".
Combination pliers, pincers and end cutting nippers from own production.
Tyre levers and tubular box spanners - stil today part of the MATADOR assortment.
First MATADOR bench vices.
Tool set for automobiles.
Learn more about the history.
MATADOR's journey through time continues into the next decade 1919, the founding of MATADOR, the first French-language catalogue, which also contained numerous tools for which Heinrich Kissling had registered his own patents.
Current products
We have continuously developed to deliver the best quality.
MATADOR is one of the pioneers of the German tool industry. Since 1900 we have been producing quality hand tools "around the screw" at our site in Remscheid, the centre of the German tool industry. Our core competences are spanners, sockets, torque and pneumatic tools as well as modular systems. For screws from 3.2 - 230 mm. Over 4,500 catalogue items. Proven millions of times. Available in >70 countries. For ambitious users in industry, trade and automotive. MATADOR is an accredited initial supplier to leading automotive groups, including Audi, Bosch, Ford, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo and many others.