The AWM GmbH
We see ourselves as problem solvers for challenging tasks.
Our mission:
As an internationally operating, family-owned company, Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH supports its customers with innovative products and reliable solutions to improve long-term productivity and quality.
Our vision:
Sustainable development of our family-owned company to become an industrial hub based on partnership with all parties involved and collaboration with our customers to create innovative and reliable solutions for complex technical tasks.
Founded as engineering firm for mechanisation in Gotha
Employees
Privatisation and change of name to Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH
DIN EN ISO
Certification
Annual revenue 2024
Production area
Share capital
Office area
Annette Bezold
Managing Director and Administration
Annette Bezold studied business administration at the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and graduated with a degree in business administration. She then completed a postgraduate course in industrial engineering with a degree in industrial engineering (Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur FH).
2002 marked the start of her professional career at AWM. Activities included accountant, controlling, head of accounting/controlling department and head of IT.
In 2015, Ms Bezold was appointed Head of Administration. She has been a member of the Executive Board & Head of Administration at AWM since 2018.
Dr. René Scharn
Managing Director & Head of Special Machinery Division
Dr. René Wilfried Scharn studied business administration at Oxford Brookes University, graduating with a Master of Business Administration. He completed a postgraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on design engineering at Ilmenau Technical University and obtained a doctorate in engineering from the University of Wuppertal in 2012.
In 2001, he began his professional career at AWM. His roles included Assistant to the Management Board, Key Account Manager and Sales Manager for the Special Machinery division.
In 2010, he was appointed by the Supervisory Board and Executive Board as Head of the Special-purpose Machinery division. Prior to this, he worked as a department head at a well-known management consultancy in southern Germany.
Since 2018, he has been a member of the Executive Board & Head of the Special Machinery Division at AWM.
Peter Hofmann
Deputy Head of the Toolmaking Division
Peter Hofmann studied mechanical engineering at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering. He began his career at AWM GmbH as a design engineer in 2008, switched to project management and sales in 2012 and was promoted to Head of Design in 2018. From 2020, his focus was once again on project management and sales, and in 2021 he became deputy manager in this area.
In 2022, he completed the renowned General Management Program at Leipzig Graduate School of Management. He has been Head of Sales and Deputy Head of the Toolmaking division since 2025.
With a passion for technical innovation and a clear focus on sustainable customer enthusiasm, he brings strategic thinking and leadership experience to every project - always with the aim of jointly creating tailor-made solutions that are convincing in the long term.
Dr. Horst Moka
Former CEO & Company founder
Dr. Horst Moka, born in 1940, studied mechanical engineering - specializing in the design of machine tools at Chemnitz University of Technology, graduating with a degree in engineering.
During his time as a research assistant at Chemnitz University of Technology, he obtained the academic degree of Doctor of Engineering.
In 1964, he began his professional career at VEB Ingenieurbüro für Mechanisierung Gotha. He worked as a design engineer, head of the design department (mechanical engineering) and operations director at VEB Engineering Office for Mechanization Gotha, from which AWM was founded.
From 1991 to 2017, he was a shareholder and board member of AWM.
Klaus Kleinsteuber
Former CEO & Company founder
Klaus Kleinsteuber, born in 1951, completed his vocational training as a rubber worker and subsequently studied mechanical engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology, specializing in plastics and elastics technology, and graduated with a degree in engineering.
1991 marked the beginning of his professional career at AWM AG as Managing Partner. He has been a member of the Management Board since 2002.
Before that, Mr. Kleinsteuber was Head of Technology at Gummiwerk Thüringen, Head of Research/Development and Director of Research and Development at a plastics processing company and Sales Engineer at a plastic injection moulding company.
From 1991 to 2021, he was a shareholder and member of the Management Board of AWM AG.
Erfurt Cross Initiative
The Erfurter Kreuz initiative is an independent regional network with the aim of promoting the economy in the region around the Erfurter Kreuz.
RECY / INFRAPOLYMER innovation network
The network aims to reuse polymer materials from the dismantling of transport infrastructure by cleaning and recycling them.
Association for the Promotion of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Precision Engineering
An association of the Technical University of Ilmenau e.V. The Association for the Promotion of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Precision Engineering of the Technical University of Ilmenau e.V. supports research and academic education and cooperation with industry and scientific institutions. At the same time, the association aims to foster links between the faculty and its graduates.
The Thuringia Sustainability Agreement
The Thuringia Sustainability Agreement is a voluntary agreement between the Thuringian state government and the Thuringian economy. It brings together politics, administration and business, particularly on the topics of climate and environmental protection, resource conservation, energy efficiency and social sustainability.
TÜV Rheinland DIN ISO 9001:2015
We have been certified in accordance with DIN ISO 9001 by TÜV Rheinland.
Here you have the opportunity to view details of our certification with TÜV Rheinland:
Certificate of research allowance (BSFZ)
We have proudly carried the BSFZ seal of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space since 2021. It confirms our continuous research and development work and is a visible sign of our innovative expertise. The seal strengthens our profile and demonstrates our commitment to pioneering solutions.
Here you can find a more detailed article.
Company history
AWM GmbH over the years
1917
Foundation
First industrial establishment at Arnstadt location "Maschinenfabrik Arnshall"
1956
VEB Arnshall
VEB Technisches Kombinat Arnshall: Merger of three companies, Feinmechanik Arnstadt, Kühlschrankbau Gräfenroda and Kugellagerfabrik Arnstadt.
1965
Engineering firm
Founding of engineering firm for mechanisation in Gotha – Arnstadt-Rudisleben business division, a local industry company.
1990-1991
Foundation of AWM
Founding of Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH under the direction of Treuhand. August 1991 Privatisation of the company by Berthold Ottens, Dr. Horst Moka and Klaus Kleinsteuber.
1996
Structure
Change in shareholder structure. The two families Moka and Kleinsteuer are equal shareholders.
2002
Change of name
Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH undergoes restructuring and changes its company format to become a stock company (Aktiengesellschaft).
2012
Profitcenter
Enhanced efficiency through creation of two profit centres, tool manufacture and special machine engineering as well as cost centre management.
2014-2018
Refurbishment & new build
Modernization of the administration building, the SMB assembly hall, construction of a new production hall and parking facility
.
2015
50 years
AWM celebrates 50th anniversary.
2018
The 2nd generation
The second generation – Annette Bezold and Dr. René Scharn take over management as Executive Board members for the Aktiengesellschaft.
2025
GmbH
Change of company legal form to Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH.
Arnstädter Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH is located in the Erfurter Kreuz industrial area in Arnstadt, close to the state capital of Thuringia. Thanks to the connection to A4, A71, ICE network and the Erfurt-Weimar airport, the location is optimally accessible from a logistical standpoint.
Management system
A house acts as a clear metaphor that visualises the different elements and principles of the management system (e.g. in accordance with ISO 9001). At AWM GmbH, this model demonstrates how the individual components of the company interact and come together to form a stable, future-oriented system.
The foundation: The company DNA of AWM GmbH is the basis for the entire system. It is shaped by technological expertise, innovative spirit and a clear focus on sustainability. These values and principles are firmly anchored in daily work routines as well as our strategic orientation.
The pillars: The pillars symbolise the different business divisions with all their departments. Each department contributes to the company's overall success with its expertise and responsibility.
The roof framework: The roof stands for continuous improvement and the quality targets that AWM aims for. This protects and secures quality on the long term. Quality is a dynamic process and requires regular reviews to determine where there is potential for optimisation and strategic measures need to be implemented. Methods such as PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) are typical tools to keep the roof stable and protect the house from damages. All management-related processes are pooled together here.
The roof: The roof symbolises AWM GmbH's strategic orientation with clearly defined vision, mission and strategy. It protects the company and provides orientation.
