Ing. Karl Thanhofer GmbH was established in the 1700s - Thanhofer knows what works and proves successful over time!
We are proud to share Pekotek´s history with Thanhofer in Austria and of our running blasting chamber that was delivered to Thanhofer 1996. Petri Rautiainen and Pierre Brolin from Pekotek visited Thanhofer in June for an intriguing discussion about market developments and a long overdue inspection of our chamber.
Thanhofer is an international venture with a focus on machinery and steel constructions. The company has an impressive history and a very strong connection to Kematen / Innbach, a charming town surrounded by farmland and forests located between Salzburg and Linz. Members of the Thanhofer family are confirmed to have been blacksmiths in Kematen since 1739 and one operates in the exact same central Kematen community location since then.
Pekotek´s history with Thanhofer started in 1996 when we supplied a blasting chamber measuring 10 x 4 x 4 meters. This was at the time designated for air blasting volumes of 10 000 m3 and for iron- as well as aluminium oxide abrasives.
One rubber wall panel was exchanged over the last 30 years, and since Thanhofer is located in the middle of the Kematen community the unit was additionally sound proofed in the 90s. But no adaptions or renovations have been made to the chamber or the recycling system since 1996, merely regular limited maintenance work including filter exchanges.
Even a trained eye finds it hard to believe that the system (chamber below) is more than 5-10 years old when in reality it has been in constant use for decades.
Thanhofer´s and Pekotek´s joint history and cooperation in perspective
Thanhofer´s and Pekotek´s joint history and cooperation in perspective
A long family line of Thanhofer blacksmiths focused on metal works for 200 years. This has continued but in 1963 the company pivoted to a stronger and more sophisticated focus on farming equipment repairs - thus reflecting Austrias’ rural needs. A turning point also occurred 1990, when the current managing director Karl Thanhofer took the helm, propelling the firm into CNC machining era while nurturing impressive international connections, contract business and scaling up production.
Above left and right, Thanhofer grounds and supplementing production line process.
By 1994, CNC tech was in full swing, enabling precision beyond manual craftsmanship and in 1995, the company officially became Ing. Karl Thanhofer GmbH. Thanhofer acquired ISO certification and a steadily growing number of contracts with global customers in Germany, Italy, England and also in South America and the US.
Pekotek´s blasting chamber has subsequently served to strengthen Thanhofers continuous growth and development from the 90s.
The chamber has helped Thanhofer meet increasing demands for state of the art surface quality and prompt delivery deadlines. This has worked very well according to Thanhofer, the chamber has provided Thanhofer with the means to flexibly address regular and ad hoc blasting demands, while often even catering to multiple overlapping engineering processes and production lines.
Above from left to right, erected 1996; Front entrance & tracks, blasting chamber & recycling floor, chamber - wall & ceiling, chamber control room and panels.
Thanhofer´s facilities may be located in the same property as 300 years ago, but are continually expanded and modernised. Mr Karl Thanhofer junior and senior, graciously showed us around the premises and the complete production lines and facilities. Petri and Pierre were mere pups 1996 and had not yet joined Pekotek. It was nevertheless obvious to us that a lot has happened at Thanhofer since the delivery of Pekotek´s blasting chamber in the 90s. Today Thanhofer spans advanced ´just in time´ production lines staffed by 35+ skilled operators handling robot welding, plasma cutters, paint shops, blasting chamber, conveyor systems and a 3D CMM inspection system.
Specifically, Thanhofer conceives and builds forest technology frames and safety frames (FOPS/OPS-certified) for tractors by Case, Steyr, New Holland, and Lindner. These meet ISO 8083 (FOPS) and 8084 (OPS) standards, ensuring high safety and quality demands.
By use’ of CAD and high-tech CNC equipment, another especially important line of work for Thanhofer is to fabricate a wide range of engineered metal and machinery components: for instance for SKF, FAG-Schäffler, Siemens etc. Such as hydraulic parts, oil pans (300–4,000 kW), high-voltage frames, axle housings, also frontal systems for the aforementioned tractor and forest machinery manufacturers.
Thanhofer subsequently supplies thousands of high precision parts annually under tight delivery guidelines and deadlines. Thanhofer has not least also done an impressive job when expanding within the community and property boundaries conveniently next to the motorway. But Mr Thanhofer mentions that one now has reached the physical limits of the main Thanhofer premises. Occassionally inexperienced (?) delivery drivers with especially bulky loads for example ram the premise gates when navigating what looks like a spacious front entrance yet is located off Kematens main street.
Thanhofer estimates that Pekotek´s blasting chamber has been in use at least 3h / day primarily during normal working hours over the last - almost - 30 years. Managing Director Karl Thanhofer states that Pekotek´s low maintenance blasting chamber and air powered recycling system has offered long term cost savings and reliability, efficiency as well as flexibility for Thanhofer´s production lines.
Quote Managing Director Karl Thanhofer: ´I am convinced that Pekotek´s efficient reliable chambers and solutions are perfect for companies like ours.´
From left to right; Assistant Manager Karl Thanhofer, Managing Director Karl Thanhofer, Pekotek: Development Manager Petri Rautiainen, Export Manager Pierre Brolin
From forging iron by fire to shaping steel with lasers and programs, Thanhofer stands out in precision engineering.
Thanhofer´s mix of traditional roots, modern craftsmanship, rigorous quality control, in‑house design and inspection, and global reach make them a strong and proven partner for well known international heavy-duty industry customers.
Thanhofer - together with Pekotek - reflects a story of steady evolution: diversifying and adopting new skills while remaining focused on one´s core competence and target customers, no matter the era. Pekotek thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Kematen and look forward to our continued successful cooperation.
We hope to return soon again even if our blasting chamber just keeps running!
/ Petri, Pierre & Team Pekotek
