KLS Martin, Gebrüder Martin in Tuttlingen

German masters of surgical precision and high-tech implants

The company KLS Martin is famous German manufacturer of the high-precision surgical instruments and implants — first of all neurosurgical and orthopaedic, OP-lights, HF-coagulators and lasers.

Originally firm was called Gebrüder Martin — it was founded by three mechanics, brothers Martin on September 1, 1923, in the city of Tuttlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Since the second half of the 19th century, this small Swabian town has been a global cluster for surgical instrumentation with numerous renowned companies, including Aesculap and Karl Storz, having established their headquarters here. While Gebrüder Martin itself was founded in 1923, the KLS Martin Group traces its roots to the earlier foundation of Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik in 1896.

Their goal was to combine individual offers of smaller companies and market their specialized products globally under one brand. One of the core part was a firm Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik (founded 1896 by watch-maker Ludwig Leibinger), which products remain a core part of today's portfolio. 

The first electrosurgical unit of the company, at that time still known as Fritz Hüttinger, was developed in cooperation with the University Hospital of Freiburg. In 1950s – 1970s KLS Martin became a pioneer in electrosurgery (HF-surgery) and surgical lasers. In 2005 they developed marSeal* tools that used electrical currents to cut tissue and seal blood vessels simultaneously—technology that is now a requirement in almost every operating room in the world. 

In the latter half of the 20th century, the company became the global leader in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery (surgery of the face, jaw, and skull). Together with Prof. Champy, the scientific pioneer from Strasbourg, Martin developed the use of miniplate osteosynthesis in maxillofacial surgery in 1975 and establish it as the “gold standard”. They revolutionized the field with small titanium plates (Mini-plate systems) used to fix broken facial bones. Another innovative technology was Distraction Osteogenesis for oral and maxillofacial surgery (since 1999). These devices literally "grow" bone by slowly pulling segments apart (the technique was first proposed by Bernhard von Langenbeck in 1869, clinically applied by Alessandro Codivilla in 1905, and perfected on a massive scale on many thousands of patients in the 1950s by Soviet orthopedic surgeon Gavriil Ilizarov).

In 2004, the various member companies officially unified under the KLS Martin Group umbrella — the name: "KLS" stands for Karl Leibinger Surgical, which eventually became the heart of the group. Today, the company is managed by the Leibinger family in its fourth and fifth generations. KLS Martin produces over 16,000 different products, ranging from a simple pair of scissors to complex, AI-assisted laser systems. The products of the company have evolved from simple surgical tools to "Individualized Medicine Devices" — using 3D printing to create patient-specific implants, e.g., a custom titanium jawbone for a children patient). The KLS Martin World — High-tech training centers in Germany and the US — provide surgeons from around the globe with an access to innovative practice.

In 2024, the company's turnover reached EUR 486 million, with 2,400 employees worldwide.
 

First steps

The firm Gebrüder Martin (Germ. — "Brothers Martin") was founded by brothers Fritz, Gotthilf, and Wilhelm Martin on September 1, 1923, three precision mechanics in the city of Tuttlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The firm manufactured and distributed surgical instruments and metal products, as well as traded in their own products and those of other companies. Gebrüder Martin began as a separate entity but soon became a crucial cooperative sales and marketing platform for several independent medical technology companies. Inflation and fierce competition, especially from much larger manufacturers, created difficulties for small companies involved in medical technology. Exporting their own products and cooperating with companies in a similar situation seemed like a good way to continue running a successful business. Rudolf Buck, then managing director of Gebrüder Martin, understood this and in the late 1920s suggested that seven independent medical technology manufacturers join forces to achieve a common goal. Each company took on part of the production program and transferred the distribution of its products to Gebrüder Martin. The proposal was well received, resulting in the following legally independent manufacturing companies joining forces:

• Rudolf Buck GmbH (est. 1928)
• Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG (est. 1896)
• Gebrüder Berchtold GmbH & Co. KG
• Ueth & Haug GmbH
• Karl Vögele Medizintechnik GmbH (est. 1884)
• H. + H. Handte GmbH & Co. KG
• Josef Heiß OHG

Fritz, Gotthilf, and Wilhelm Martin left the company one after the other. Nevertheless, the name Gebrüder Martin, which was well known on international markets by that time, was retained.

Companies and Shares

1981: Gebrüder Martin moved into a new sales building built in Ludwigstaler Str. 132 in Tuttlingen

1991: Gebrüder Berchtold company left the group. The company shares were transferred to Trumpf GmbH + Co. KG, Ditzingen, Germany, and Fritz Hüttinger Medizintechnik GmbH + Co. KG, Freiburg, Germany — both remain shareholders of KLS Martin today.

1995: The shares of H. + H. Handte GmbH & Co. KG from Gebrüder Martin were acquired by Stuckenbrock Medizintechnik GmbH.

1998: Two major shareholders of Gebrüder Martin merged—Karl Vögele Medizintechnik GmbH and Stuckenbrock Medizintechnik GmbH.

2001: The shares of Ueth & Haug GmbH, part of Gebrüder Martin, were acquired by Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG.

2002: The shares of Josef Heiß OHG in Gebrüder Martin were acquired by Stuckenbrock Medizintechnik GmbH.

2004: The shares of Trumpf GmbH + Co. KG, owned by Gebrüder Martin, were acquired by Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG and merged with it. Fritz Hüttinger Medizintechnik GmbH + Co. KG was renamed Trumpf Medizin Systeme GmbH + Co. KG. The company's shares were then acquired by Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG, and the company was renamed again to KLS Martin GmbH + Co. KG.  The name KLS Martin Group was introduced as an umbrella brand (the abbreviation “KLS” in the name stands for “Karl Leibinger Surgical”).

2020: On May 1, 2020, Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG acquired the core production facilities of Stuckenbrock Medizintechnik and its shares in Gebrüder Martin.

2021: Rudolf Buck GmbH and Mondeal Medical Systems GmbH merged with Karl Leibinger Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Main address: KLS Martin SE & Co. KG, KLS Martin Platz 1, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany