Superior Clamping and Gripping SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG of Lauffen/Neckar is a German family-owned company and global player in one. The company was founded in 1945 by Friedrich Schunk as a mechanical workshop and has developed under the leadership of Heinz-Dieter Schunk to a competence and world market leader for gripping systems and clamping technology. Today, the company is run by the third generation siblings Henrik A. Schunk and Kristina I. Schunk. More than 3,000 employees in 9 plants and 33 directly owned subsidiaries and distribution partners in more than 50 countries throughout the world ensure an intensive market presence. With 11,000 standard components SCHUNK offers the world’s largest assortment of gripping systems and clamping technology from one source, and with 2,550 SCHUNK grippers the largest product range of standard grippers. The complete program of gripping systems comprises more than 4,000 components. The main customers are all manufacturing companies with assembly, handling and metal-cutting processes. The customer base includes the Who's Who of mechanical engineering, robotics, automation and assembly handling, and all the renowned automotive brands and their suppliers. Since 2012, goalkeeper legend Jens Lehmann has acted as brand ambassador for safe, precise gripping and holding in the SCHUNK team.