History of KIEPE Electric S.p.A. (Italy)
For more than 65 years, KIEPE Electric S.p.A. has stood for innovation, quality and reliability in industrial solutions.
Founded in Italy in 1959 as an independent company, KIEPE Electric has built its growth on engineering expertise, application know‑how and a constant focus on technological development.
The milestones below highlight the key stages that have shaped the company’s evolution and industrial identity over time.
From heritage to an independent Italian company
1906 – Establishment of Kiepe in Germany
In 1906, Theodor Kiepe founded Kiepe Elektrik GmbH (spelled with the letter “K”) in Düsseldorf, Germany, as a special laboratory for arc lamps.
During the 1950s, production diversified also into other industrial applications, including thermo-insulated control cabins for steel mills or control devices for conveyor belts in power plants and mining operations.
Key milestones of KIEPE Electric SpA (Italy)
1959 – Foundation of Kiepe Electric S.p.A. in Italy
During the 1950s, Helmut Kiepe planned the expansion of the company’s activities acreoss Europe. To support this strategy, he selected and trained some of the brightest young European engineers at the Düsseldorf headquarters, preparing them to manage the future European subsidiaries.
Engineer Franco Cerretelli was among them. After two years working in the Düsseldorf, he moved to Milan to establish “Kiepe Italiana di Elettricità SpA”, later named “KIEPE Electric S.p.A.”.
1979 – Kiepe Electric Italia becomes a joint stock company independent from the parent company, with engineer Franco Cerretelli as an owner.
In 1979, Engineer Franco Cerretelli acquired the majority share of the Italian subsidiary, becoming its reference shareholder and assuming full responsibility for the company’s strategic and operational leadership.
From this point onward, KIEPE Electric S.p.A. operated as a fully independent Italian company, with no corporate, ownership or operational ties to the former German entity.
KIEPE Electric S.p.A. subsequently consolidated its position as a trusted partner for industrial consulting and component supply, delivering major projects for public and private sectors, including urban transport, shipbuilding, lifting systems, and electrification.
1997 – A successful generational transition: female leadership at KIEPE.
In 1997, Dr. Alessandra Cerretelli assumed the company’s leadership and accelerated the diversification strategy in Italy, expanding the product and solution portfolio beyond the original fields. The company entered new market segments starting to promote also fall arrest-, fire protection- and explosion proof systems.
2009 – KIEPE Electric expands abroad with the KE Worldwide brand
In 2009, as part of international development, KIEPE Electric SpA created KE Worldwide, an operational structure for activities outside Italy and opens a representative office in Spain with this brand.
In the same year Ciro Cerretelli, PhD, left GE to join the company as a member of the board.
During this time KIEPE hired new highly skilled staff, giving new boost to the structure which is divided into 5 well-established divisions: Industrial components for Cranes, Conveyor Belts and Steelworks, Process components for Food and Pharma, Electrified Transport, Fire and Fall Protection.
2014 – Corporate restyling: new logo KIEPE
Following the market demands, in 2014 the company undertakes an innovative corporate restyling to the industry 4.0 transformations and redefines both the corporate image and the new operational headquarters.
2017 – Headquarters relocation to Caponago (MB)
From 2017, KIEPE Electric SpA moved its operations to a new office in Caponago (MB), reinforcing its identity as a distinct Italian entity.
2018 – Launch of the international brand KINEXTEC®
In 2018, KIEPE Electric SpA introduced KINEXTEC, a brand created to support structured commercial activities outside the domestic market and strengthen market recognition.
2021 – Establishment of KINEXTEC Iberica SL and introduction of the new KINEXTEC corporate identity
In 2021, KIEPE Electric SpA strengthened its presence in Spain and Southern Europe with the establishment of KINEXTEC Iberica SL, a company created to support commercial activities in the Iberian market.
KINEXTEC Iberica SL markets, among others, selected products already included in the KIEPE Electric SpA catalogue, reinforcing KIEPE’s visibility and operational presence in Spain and Southern Europe.
In the same year, a new KINEXTEC corporate identity was introduced, marking an important step in the evolution of the brand and reflecting KIEPE Electric’s ongoing focus on innovation, quality and a contemporary industrial image.
TODAY – KIEPE Electric / KINEXTEC – innovation, quality and industrial continuity
More than 65 years after its establishment as an independent company in Italy, and building on a much longer industrial heritage, KIEPE Electric S.p.A. today represents a solid point of reference for innovation, quality and reliability in industrial solutions.
KIEPE Electric SpA is the manufacturer of STIKO® industrial joysticks and control stations, developed for professional applications in lifting technologies, industrial automation and demanding operating environments. Alongside manufacturing, the company acts as a technological and application‑driven partner, combining engineering expertise, specialized technologies and selected partner solutions.
Customer appreciation for KIEPE’s methodology, application‑focused approach and engineering competence, together with the successful completion of complex projects and steady growth over time, provides a solid foundation for continued investment in innovation, quality improvement and the ongoing evolution of the company’s industrial portfolio.
