GEDORE tools are made by the Gedore Tool Group, a German company founded in 1919 by the three Dowidat brothers in Remscheid.
The brand is known for wrenches, sockets, and torque tools used across industrial, automotive, and forestry applications.
The company name Gedore is an acronym of Gebruder Dowidat Remscheid, reflecting its founding by brothers Otto, Karl, and Willi Dowidat.
Knowing who makes GEDORE tools helps buyers understand how a century old German family business grew into a global tool conglomerate.
This article covers GEDORE ownership, where the tools are manufactured, the brand’s expansion history, and answers to common GEDORE questions.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes GEDORE Tools And Who Owns The Brand?
GEDORE was founded in 1919 as Gedore Werkzeugfabrik Otto Dowidat KG in Remscheid, Germany.
The company operates today as the Gedore Tool Group, a conglomerate of production and sales companies specializing in hand tools.
GEDORE’s umbrella brand comprises two main lines, GEDORE and GEDORE red, both focused on high quality, safe hand tools.
Where Are GEDORE Tools Manufactured?
GEDORE operates seven production facilities, with several concentrated in and around Remscheid, Germany.
The company expanded production to Waldkirchen in the Bavarian Forest in 1961 to address a labor shortage in the Bergisches Land region.
GEDORE’s torque tools are developed and produced at the company’s Remscheid-Luttringhausen headquarters.
How Did GEDORE Grow Into A Global Conglomerate?
GEDORE began investing abroad in the 1960s, marking the start of its transformation into a global organization.
In 1972, GEDORE acquired Richard Abr Herder KG from Solingen, a company specializing in torque tools.
GEDORE further expanded in 1985 by acquiring Hermann Bremer oHG in Wuppertal, a hammer manufacturing specialist.
What Other Brands Does GEDORE Own?
GEDORE continues to use the traditional Ochsenkopf brand name specifically for its forestry tool lineup.
The GEDORE red line targets a more accessible price point while maintaining the parent company’s quality standards.
This multi brand structure allows GEDORE to compete across different price tiers within the professional and industrial tool market.
GEDORE vs Hazet: Which German Tool Brand Is Better?
GEDORE and Hazet are both German family founded brands with strong reputations among professional mechanics.
GEDORE has grown into a larger, more diversified conglomerate, while Hazet has remained more tightly focused on its core mechanics tool lineup.
Both brands are held in similarly high regard by working mechanics who prioritize German engineering.
For more comparisons, see our guide to who makes Craftsman tools for a widely available American comparison point.
Frequently Asked Questions About GEDORE Tools
Who makes GEDORE tools?
GEDORE tools are made by the Gedore Tool Group, founded in 1919 in Remscheid, Germany.
What does the name GEDORE mean?
GEDORE is an acronym of Gebruder Dowidat Remscheid, referencing the three founding Dowidat brothers.
Is GEDORE red the same as GEDORE?
GEDORE red is a separate, more budget friendly line within the same GEDORE umbrella brand.
Are GEDORE tools made in Germany?
Yes, GEDORE operates seven production facilities concentrated primarily in Germany.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.