In 2020, HKW received the Industrial Innovation Award from the European Mechanical Engineering Association for outstanding slewing bearing innovation.

In 2015, HKW developed slewing bearings for extreme environments such as mining, offshore engineering and polar wind applications.

Driven by Industry 4.0, HKW introduced smart manufacturing—CNC machining, automated inspection and data analysis—into slewing bearing production.

A testing center was established for product verification and testing.

From the 2000s onward, HKW expanded internationally, exporting slewing bearings to North America, Asia and Europe and establishing local sales and technical support.

To ensure product quality, HKW obtained ISO 9001 quality management certification in 1995.

With the rise of global wind power, HKW began developing slewing bearings for wind turbines in the mid-1980s and became an early supplier in this market.

The first heavy-duty slewing bearing series entered volume use in construction machinery and TBM equipment—high load capacity and long life for demanding duty, marking a successful start in slewing bearings.

Building on success in bearing gears and drive technology, HKW entered production of externally geared slewing bearings.

The company expanded beyond traditional bearing gears into matching bevel and spiral bevel gear assemblies.

After extensive wartime destruction of the plant, small-scale production was gradually restored.

Dr. Heinz Kühlwetter founded Heinz Kühlwetter GmbH (HKW) in Cologne, Germany—a specialist workshop for gears and ball bearings, especially for industrial equipment.