Pushing Precision. Since 1924.

For nearly 100 years, Sunnen has built a global business around delivering the highest levels of precision to our customers. Combining a robust distribution network with industry-leading technology, Sunnen integrates bore creation, sizing and finishing into one turnkey solution. Together, we’ll achieve extraordinary results.

An American Saga

In 1923, Joe Sunnen knew he was onto something. He was 22 years old and had just patented his first product, a valve lifter tool he designed while working in his brother’s auto garage. All he needed was a way to build it and a place to sell it.

He would find both in St. Louis, Missouri. Joe moved to the city with his wife, Cornelia, in 1924. Lacking the funds to open a storefront of his own, Joe got creative. He converted his 1916 Hupmobile into a camper and took his business on the road. As he visited garages and job shops across the region, Joe’s tool sold itself.

The success of Joe’s first tool spurred him to design another and another after that. In 1928, he designed the first manual cylinder hone, firmly planting Sunnen’s roots in precision manufacturing. A modern version of the product is still found in tool rooms around the world.

  • Did you know that Sunnen has been around for nearly a century, or that we are a global company with facilities in 15 countries spanning all corners of the world? Or that in addition to honing equipment we also manufacture a full line of machines and tools for deep hole drilling and skiving/roller burnishing?

    To get the full story on Sunnen’s global capabilities watch our new corporate brand video which will introduce you to all that we stand for…Partnership, Precision and Performance. Hope you enjoy it!

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    To commemorate Sunnen’s 75th anniversary in 1999 an exact replica of Joe Sunnen’s original 1916 Hupmobile was commissioned, shown parked in front of the first Sunnen factory, built in 1930.

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    Prior to his retirement, Joe Sunnen posed for this portrait holding his first invention, an adjustable valve lifter hand tool for working on flathead automobile engines.

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    A 1916 Hupmobile touring car was outfitted with a sleeping compartment so Joe Sunnen and his wife, Cornelia (pictured) could inexpensively travel the Midwest selling his new invention, the adjustable valve lifter hand tool.

Building a Legacy

For the Future

To this day, Joe’s story of commitment and resilience reminds us of how far we’ve come and inspires us to push the boundaries of what’s possible. What began in the back of a Hupmobile has grown into a massive operation bringing innovative machinery and advanced tooling to some of the world’s greatest manufacturers. We’re excited to carry the Sunnen legacy forward.

Join Our Team

Industries We Serve

Whether you’re manufacturing multimillion dollar aerospace equipment or refinishing a single car engine, the smallest details make all the difference. Sunnen works across the most demanding industries to deliver performance where it counts.

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Global Presence

Our roots are in the US, but our reach extends around the world. Manufacturers in every corner of the globe associate the Sunnen name with exceptional quality. Our regional facilities are centers of production, service and innovation as we connect with new customers and solve new challenges.

 

See What We’re Working On

Visit us at one of our upcoming trade shows for an in-depth look at Sunnen’s complete line of machines, tooling and abrasives.

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