The KOSTAL Group is an independent, family group which was founded in 1912 in the German town of Lüdenscheid. Its headquarters are still located in the town.

The Group's main activities include the development and manufacture of technologically advanced electronic and electromechanical (mechatronic) products. Many famous industrial companies, including all the world's leading automobile manufacturers and their suppliers feature in the Group's customer base.

To provide these customers with the international experience of a global company structure, while maintaining the flexibility of a medium-sized family organisation, the Group has 22 locations world-wide, with a work-force of around 9.500 people, ensuring competent and flexible service on a local basis.

The KOSTAL Group is divided into four main Business Divisions : Automobile Electrical, Industrial Electronics, Connectors and Test Technology.

In 1912 Leopold Kostal founded the parent firm in Lüdenscheid, to make sockets, plugs and switches for industrial and domestic use. In 1927 the company en-
tered the automobile electrical business, with a direction indicator switch which the firm itself had developed. A
few years later, in 1935, Kurt Kostal entered the company as the second generation of the family and, under the management of these two generations, working together, Leopold Kostal KG focussed its attention squarely on the design, development and manufacture of products for the automobile industry.

Leopold Kostal, the founder of the company, died in 1961 at the age of 77. Just over 10 years later, in 1972, his grandson, Dipl.-Kfm. Helmut Kostal joined the firm as the 3rd generation of the family. When Kurt Kostal died in 1981, his son Helmut carried on the company, making it more and more international in its activities, to meet demand. In 1995, he formed the company into four business divisions, under the umbrella of Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG, which have been transformed into legally independent companies in 2004.

The current customer base includes many famous companies, including all the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers.