When it comes to safety-critical systems for rail, few suppliers can match the combination of technical depth and long-term commitment that HANNING & KAHL brings to the table.
HANNING & KAHL specialises in hydraulic brake systems and infrastructure solutions for urban rail networks. The company has built its reputation on a simple promise: developing systems where failure is simply not an option, while providing ongoing support long after a product is handed over.
Today, that commitment spans 47 countries across six continents, backed by a workforce of around 500 and an international service network. However, what makes HANNING & KAHL’s offering genuinely distinctive is its roots. Founded in Germany in 1898, the company leverages a 127-year history as an owner-managed family business, now in its fourth generation of leadership.
In an industry shaped by consolidation and acquisitions, that continuity carries real weight. Investment decisions are made with the long view in mind, because the family name is on the door, and the next generation will inherit what this one builds. And it is precisely that mindset that has driven a fundamental shift in how HANNING & KAHL defines its value to customers.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:We've increasingly shifted from a strongly product-focused approach toward a system and service-oriented value proposition. Today, we're at our customers' side over the entire life cycle, from development and commissioning through to maintenance and on-site servicing, underpinned by our international presence.
A Complete Rail Portfolio
HANNING & KAHL structures its product range into two operating divisions: rolling stock and infrastructure. Within rolling stock is the development and production of hydraulic braking systems, track brakes (BrakeMaster™), levelling (LevelMaster™) and sanding (GripMaster™) systems.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:We're currently experiencing the strongest growth in the area of urban mobility, particularly in hydraulic brake systems for modern light rail and subway vehicles. These systems play a crucial role, as many cities worldwide are expanding and upgrading their local transport systems.
The infrastructure division supplements this product range with solutions such as point-setting systems, control technology, signalling installations and digital depot management systems for urban and industrial rail applications.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:Our strength lies in this combination: we don't just understand the vehicles, but also the environment in which they operate. This allows us to optimise interfaces, better align system behaviour and offer our customers comprehensive solutions.
This product portfolio is rounded off by an extensive range of services provided by its global partner network, most recently including the launch of its US service subsidiary.
A New North American Chapter
The company has been seeing particularly dynamic growth in North America, where there’s a strong and increasing demand for reliable service and systems solutions that are easy to maintain and available on short lead times. There’s also a positive trend in several South American markets, where multiple projects are underway to expand urban rail networks.
With this in mind, HANNING & KAHL felt the time was right to expand its existing US subsidiary into a dedicated service subsidiary in Philadelphia, USA, to support these markets. This provides the full range of services offered by its rolling stock division, from repairs and maintenance through to technical support and on-site customer training.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:We'd been seeing significant growth there for years, combined with rising demand for fast, local service support. Technical excellence is no longer enough, our customers increasingly expect us to have a local presence and the ability to respond quickly. By establishing our service subsidiary, we've directly addressed this requirement. With this, we're bridging the gap between the high technical complexity of our systems and the need for rapid support in day-to-day operations.
Laying the Foundations State-Side
The biggest challenges in setting up a fully operational service base in the US were establishing a new service setup capable of meeting both the company’s high-quality standards and the expectations of the North American market.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:Greater distances, different maintenance logic and, in some cases, even varying customer processes play an important role. Therefore, our systems and service concepts are designed to be flexible. At the same time, we've had to ensure that our service organization can respond more quickly and directly than in some European markets. Indeed, this was one of the main reasons behind our decision to establish a local subsidiary, it puts us in a better position to meet these specific requirements.
This involved building a skilled team on the ground, implementing standardized processes and integrating its existing ISO 22163 (IRIS) management system. Philadelphia and the region around Bridgeport were ideally located from a strategic perspective, as it enabled the company to reach many relevant transport regions efficiently, as well as benefit from access to skilled workers and an established industrial infrastructure.
Close cooperation between the US and Germany was also important, because while a great deal of knowledge was shared from Germany, the processes had to be adapted locally and proven in day-to-day operations. With this combined approach of central direction and local responsibility, HANNING & KAHL was able to establish its subsidiary on a stable and sustainable footing.
Berthold Fingerhut, Head of Sales and Project Management, Rolling Stock Division at HANNING & KAHL, said:In this way, we've combined global technological capabilities with local proximity and responsiveness.
Quality without Compromise
HANNING & KAHL is one of only 14 companies in the US to meet the international quality standard ISO 22163 (IRIS) and is already successfully participating in a number of major North American projects as a supplier of hydraulic braking systems. These include the Innovia Metro 300 Vancouver Skytrains and the Siemens S200 vehicles for Cleveland.
The Cleveland braking system will be exhibited at the APTA Expo 2026 on October 4-7th, where HANNING & KAHL will be at booth 3861.
Looking ahead, it plans to continue strengthening its local presence in the Americas, at the same time as driving continuous process and product improvements in Europe.
Committed to maintaining high quality standards and creating measurable value for its customers around the world, HANNING & KAHL invites current and potential customers to come and see for themselves at InnoTrans 2026. The company can be found in Hall 27, Stand 610, where it will debuting its new BrakeMaster braking system, featuring the hydraulic unit, spring accumulator and control unit subcomponents. Additionally, the company will be showcasing its newly developed filter flushing system, which plays a key role in ensuring the long-term functionality and reliability of hydraulic braking systems.
On the infrastructure side, the company will be showcasing its comprehensive range of services in addition to its new point machine for mainline rail technology, and providing insights into innovative solutions for modern rail transport.
Key sales executives and technical experts will be available to answer any questions at both shows, but for those unable to attend in person, you can reach HANNING & KAHL via [email protected].
