In 1901, pharmacist Dr. Carl Siebert and glass and thermometer expert Albert Kühn founded Dr. Siebert & Kühn in Kassel—laying the foundation for a company driven by precision and innovation. From the very beginning, the portfolio focused on high-quality precision glass thermometers and laboratory glassware.

Under Albert Kühn’s leadership, the company achieved groundbreaking advances in glass thermometry, particularly in high-temperature measurement up to 625 °C. Among its pioneering achievements, Dr. Siebert & Kühn is recognized as the manufacturer of the first glass quartz thermometers.

Renowned for their exceptional accuracy and reliability, SIKA thermometers quickly gained worldwide recognition. To this day, numerous certifications stand as proof of their outstanding quality and the company’s enduring commitment to excellence.

In 1930, Hans Siebert, a graduate engineer and son of Dr. Carl Siebert, entered the company’s management.

In 1932, Hans Siebert assumed ownership of both his father’s shares and those of the Kühn family. For the next 36 years, until 1968, he guided the company as sole proprietor with a unique combination of inventive ingenuity and entrepreneurial vision—laying the foundation for what is now a globally active family business.

In 1939, Hans Siebert received a patent for the SIKA industrial glass thermometer he had developed.

Driven by steadily increasing demand for SIKA thermometers, production capacity was expanded from 1940 onward. A factory building in Kaufungen, near Kassel, was acquired and comprehensively modernized for this purpose. In 1943, the company moved into its new headquarters.

Following the turmoil of the war and post-war years, the company experienced renewed growth in 1949 with the successful launch of the SIKA industrial glass thermometer.

By 1952, the SIKA thermometer had already become a standard due to its excellent properties and worldwide distribution. Customers therefore called for the SIKA thermometer design to be incorporated into a German Industrial Standard (DIN). Under the chairmanship of graduate engineer Hans Siebert, a standards committee was formed, comprising additional experts from industry. In 1961, the committee successfully concluded its work with the adoption of DIN standards 16181 to 16191.

The transformation that began in the early 1950s—from a manufacturer of laboratory glass thermometers produced individually to a series producer of machine glass thermometers—was completed in 1962. In order to meet the growing global demand from industrial customers for indicating temperature measurement instruments, the product range was rapidly expanded to include dial thermometers based on various measurement principles.

The company’s first international branch was established in France. SIKA France SARL is still headquartered in Paris today.

In 1968, due to health reasons, company owner Hans Siebert stepped down and appointed Horst Maul, who had held a senior commercial management position since 1964, as Managing Director.

The number of employees increased from 40 to 90 between 1950 and 1970. The site in Kaufungen, which had already been chosen with expansion potential in mind, offered sufficient capacity, allowing for the initial construction of a two-storey administrative building for sales and administration on the premises.

With the expansion of the factory building in 1971 through the addition of a two-storey extension, the next milestone was set to further secure and strengthen the success of the traditional company. In the same year, Hans Siebert passed away, leaving Dr. Siebert & Kühn GmbH & Co. KG to his sons Werner and Christian.

Having gained experience in various companies both in Germany and abroad, the elder son, Werner Siebert, joined the company’s management in 1973 as Managing Director, representing the third generation. Under his leadership, the product range was further diversified and expanded—for example, the 4–20 mA transmitter for temperature measurement developed by SIKA was patented. At the same time, SIKA developed a product range for monitoring and measuring flow.

The company began producing battery-powered electronic handheld temperature measuring devices for laboratory and workshop use. This was followed by the production and distribution of a broad range of electronic temperature measurement, control, and monitoring instruments for all industrial applications.

SIKA is a pioneer in dry block calibration technology, enabling the calibration of temperature sensors from −55 °C to 1,300 °C for quality assurance in industrial applications.

Following the sudden death of Horst Maul in 1985, Dipl.-Wirtschaftsingenieur Christian Siebert joined the company’s management in 1986 as a managing partner, representing another member of the family. The clear separation and focus on distinct business areas led to the consistent further development of the product portfolio.

With the establishment of SIKA Systemtechnik GmbH, the SIKA Group established itself in the field of flow measurement technology. SIKA stands for customized solutions, particularly for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in industry.

The production area was expanded by 1,000 m² over three storeys. In addition, new employee facilities were established as part of the expansion.

A two-storey extension on the north side of the existing office building created additional office workspaces. With the market launch of the turbine flow sensor developed by SIKA, the first step was taken toward entering new markets in the field of flow measurement. This product family has been continuously developed and adapted to market requirements and is still successfully marketed today.

In 1995, a DKD laboratory for temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and dry block temperature calibrators was established and accredited.

SIKA Aquatec GmbH was founded in 2000

With the newly developed TP 38 000 series, SIKA successfully meets the growing market demands in temperature calibration technology. At the same time, a solar-powered thermometer for local temperature indication is developed based on modern electronics.

Spatial capacity had to be expanded once again. A three-storey extension to the existing factory building created 1,570 m² of additional space for new offices, production areas, and staff facilities. Dipl.-Wirtschaftsingenieur Sebastian Siebert, son of Werner Siebert, joined the company’s management.

In 2004, SIKA USA Inc. was founded in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. At the same time, the company began establishing a presence in China.

In the marine sector, the development of the TP17000 series of dry block calibrators expanded the product portfolio to include a device designed for quality control on board ships.

The TP17000 series was further expanded to include calibration baths, significantly enhancing its range of applications in temperature calibration. This addition allows for precise and stable calibration of temperature sensors under controlled conditions, particularly in lower temperature ranges where liquid-based calibration offers clear advantages. With this extension, SIKA strengthens its position as a provider of comprehensive calibration solutions and responds to increasing customer demands for accuracy, flexibility, and application-specific testing environments.

Additional office space for sales and administration is added through a building extension.

The positive development of the product range and revenue in the field of flow measurement technology required an expansion of the sales department through the construction of a new office pavilion. As a result of intensive development work, a modern series of electromagnetic flow meters was introduced to customers.

Temperature measuring instruments of the SolarTemp 850 series, specifically developed for use on large diesel engines, are introduced to the market.

Werner Siebert stepped down from operational management as a member of the executive board, while remaining associated with the company in an advisory capacity.

SIKA Korea Ltd. was established as the company’s fourth international subsidiary. At the same time, production capacities for electromagnetic flow meters were expanded through the acquisition of Zénon SARL in France.

The long-standing success of the family-owned company, now in its fourth generation, is based on its ability to combine tradition and technical expertise with a spirit of innovation, high quality standards, and modern management. It is also driven by the dedicated commitment of more than 300 employees. Over 30 engineers and technicians work in research and development, design, calibration laboratories, and quality assurance, contributing to the company’s long-term success through the continuous expansion of the product portfolio with innovative and high-value products.

With the dry block temperature calibrators TP37165E, TP37166E, and TP37200E, the product range of high-quality temperature calibrators was further expanded to include innovative touchscreen interfaces.

A strong financial year in 2014, along with significantly increased demand for vortex flow sensors, enabled the expansion of production lines at the Kaufungen site. In addition, a further 6,000 m² of land near the company’s headquarters in Kaufungen was acquired to secure future expansion.

Through the realignment of its product divisions, the company has achieved an even stronger focus on customer needs. Requirements can now be identified and addressed more easily, independently of the measurement method.

The introduction of new temperature calibrators, along with the continuous development of the extensive range of temperature, pressure, and flow measurement instruments, reflects the ongoing expansion of the company’s high-quality product portfolio.

SIKA Instruments UK was established in the United Kingdom as the fifth sales subsidiary. In addition, a sales office was opened in Austria.

Klaus Rümler joined the company’s management as a new Managing Director. Together with Christian and Sebastian Siebert, he is set to guide the company’s future and further strengthen its position for the years ahead.

SIKA Austria was established as the company’s sixth sales subsidiary, with its headquarters in Vienna. It is responsible for supporting customers and sales partners in Austria and the Balkan region.

Mathias Schuster joined the company as the new Managing Director, succeeding Klaus Rümler, who retired in March 2023.

In addition, SIKA achieved a new record in revenue, reaching €65 million.