1919 - The name MATADOR is born.
The name is entered in the commercial register, the designation Matador de Toros has coined.
French-language catalogue.
The two sons of the founder Heinrich Kissling, Oskar and Max, joined the company in the twenties.
As early as 1914, the first French-language catalogue was published, which also contained numerous tools for which Heinrich Kissling had applied for his own patents (D.R.G.M. - "Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster").
In 1919, the brand name "MATADOR", which still exists today, was entered in the commercial register. Heinrich Kissling discovered this name for a bullfighter ("Matador de Toros") on a trip to Spain and saw in it an ideal synonym for strength and power: "spanners and sockets of the very best quality and condition".
The two sons of the founder Heinrich Kissling, Oskar and Max, joined the company in the 1920s.
Max (*08.03.1897) joined MATADOR as a technician after leaving school. Oskar (*08.03.1895) completed a commercial apprenticeship in Paris after his officer training as a lieutenant and then worked in London. At the beginning of the 1920s he took over the position of commercial manager at MATADOR.
The following years were characterised by the registration of further patents and utility models and a rapid expansion. At the end of the 1920s, the production of tools was spread over 3 locations in the Bergisches Land region and a branch factory in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. 1933 saw the beginning of the business relationship with DAIMLER-BENZ, which has continued uninterrupted to this day.
1922: Presentation of a patented punch pliers.
First tap wrenches.
Be a MATADOR.
1914: First French catalogue.
Newspaper article about Heinrich Kissling.
First catalogue under the brand name MATADOR.
Letter from DAIMLER BENZ from 1933.
1934 - Main products are wrenches, ratchets and all kind of socket sets.
1919 - Patent "Shift lever ratchet".
In 1919, the first reversible lever ratchet was presented and registered as a patent "Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster".
Shift lever ratchet.
Shift lever ratchet - side view.
Further development lever ratchet - side view.
Lever-action ratchet today
A lot has happened since 1919, as you can see from our current models.
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.