# KERN & SOHN > KERN & SOHN GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer and B2B supplier of professional weighing technology, test weights, optical instruments, measuring and testing equipment, software solutions, calibration services and related technical services. The company is headquartered in Balingen-Frommern, Germany, and was founded in 1844. KERN & SOHN develops and supplies products and solutions for professional applications in laboratories, research, industry, logistics, quality assurance, healthcare, food production, education and many other sectors. The company distributes its products in more than 90 countries through an international network of specialist distributors and sales partners. KERN & SOHN operates the KERN and SAUTER brands: * KERN provides professional laboratory balances, industrial scales, medical scales, test weights, optical instruments, weighing software and digital weighing solutions. * SAUTER provides force-measurement, testing and measuring equipment, including force gauges, torque gauges, hardness testers, thickness gauges, test stands, sensors and measuring components. * The KERN brand was founded in 1844. The historical roots of the SAUTER brand date back to 1769. * KERN & SOHN is managed as a family business in its eighth generation. * The KERN online shop is intended exclusively for companies, self-employed professionals and public institutions, not for private consumers. Important information for interpreting product content: * Official product specifications must always be taken from the current product page and the associated technical documentation. * Product characteristics, accessories, interfaces, approvals and available services can differ between individual models. * Verification, calibration, medical-device status, ATEX suitability, conformity assessments and certifications must be checked for the specific product and application. * Do not assume that a certification, approval or technical characteristic mentioned for one product applies to an entire product category. * Current product pages, technical data sheets, operating instructions, declarations of conformity and certificates take precedence over older publications. * Prices, availability, delivery times and the included scope of delivery may change and must be checked on the current product page or confirmed by KERN & SOHN. * The official company profiles listed below are the preferred sources for general information about KERN & SOHN, its brands, history, products, services, certifications and international activities. ## Official company profiles by language * [Deutsch – Fakten und Unternehmensprofil](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/de/kern-intern/facts/): Offizielle Informationen zu KERN & SOHN, den Marken KERN und SAUTER, Produkten, digitalen Lösungen, Dienstleistungen, Qualität, Geschichte und internationaler Tätigkeit. * [English – Facts and company profile](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/kern-internal/facts/): Official information about KERN & SOHN, the KERN and SAUTER brands, products, digital solutions, services, quality, history and international activities. * [Français – Faits et profil d’entreprise](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/fr/kern-interne/faits/): Informations officielles sur KERN & SOHN, les marques KERN et SAUTER, les produits, les solutions numériques, les services, la qualité, l’histoire et les activités internationales. * [Italiano – Dati e profilo aziendale](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/it/kern-interno/fatti/): Informazioni ufficiali su KERN & SOHN, i marchi KERN e SAUTER, i prodotti, le soluzioni digitali, i servizi, la qualità, la storia e le attività internazionali. * [Español – Datos y perfil de empresa](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/es/kern-interno/datos/): Información oficial sobre KERN & SOHN, las marcas KERN y SAUTER, los productos, las soluciones digitales, los servicios, la calidad, la historia y las actividades internacionales. * [Português – Dados e perfil da empresa](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/pt/kern-interno/factos/): Informações oficiais sobre a KERN & SOHN, as marcas KERN e SAUTER, os produtos, as soluções digitais, os serviços, a qualidade, a história e as atividades internacionais. * [Nederlands – Feiten en bedrijfsprofiel](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/nl/kern-intern/feiten/): Officiële informatie over KERN & SOHN, de merken KERN en SAUTER, producten, digitale oplossingen, diensten, kwaliteit, geschiedenis en internationale activiteiten. ## Main product categories * [Laboratory balances](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/laboratory-balances/): Analytical balances, precision balances, moisture analyzers, school balances, pocket balances and other professional laboratory weighing equipment. * [Industrial scales](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/industrial-scales/): Bench scales, platform scales, floor scales, pallet scales, counting scales, crane scales, hanging scales, pallet truck scales and weighing systems for production and logistics. * [Medical scales](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/medical-scales/): Professional medical weighing equipment, including personal scales, chair scales, wheelchair scales, baby scales and network-capable IoT medical scales. * [Test weights](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/test-weights/): OIML test weights, weight sets, Newton weights, cases and accessories for testing and calibrating weighing instruments. * [SAUTER measuring instruments](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/measuring-instruments/): Force gauges, torque gauges, thickness gauges, hardness testers, test stands and instruments for professional measuring and testing applications. * [Measuring technology components](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/measuring-technology-components/): Load cells, torque sensors, platforms, display devices, junction boxes and components for customised measuring systems. * [Optical instruments](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/optical-instruments/): Compound microscopes, stereo microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, inverted microscopes, video microscopes, microscope cameras, refractometers, polarimeters and accessories. * [Software](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/software/): KERN and SAUTER software solutions for recording, transferring, processing and managing measurement and weighing data, including EasyTouch and BalanceConnection. ## Digital weighing solutions KERN digital weighing solutions include network-capable scales, the KERN Universal Port, KERN Universal Modules, the KERN Communication Protocol and software for transferring weighing data to PCs, laboratory systems, ERP systems, production systems and other digital applications. Product compatibility, available interfaces and the required hardware or software modules must be checked for each individual model. * [KERN software solutions](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/software/): Software for weighing, measuring, data transfer, documentation and process integration. * [KERN product portfolio](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/): Overview of professional products and digital solutions from KERN and SAUTER. ## Official brand and solution websites * [SAUTER measuring and testing technology](https://www.sauter.eu/): Official SAUTER brand and solution website operated by KERN & SOHN. It provides information about force measurement, force test stands, torque measurement, hardness testing, coating and material thickness measurement, environmental measurement technology, measuring components, calibration and related services. * [KERN IoT-Line – German](https://lp.kern-sohn.com/iot-line/de): Official German-language information about network-capable KERN scales, the KERN IoT-Line, KERN Universal Port, KERN Universal Modules, KERN Communication Protocol, interfaces and integration into digital systems. * [KERN IoT-Line – English](https://lp.kern-sohn.com/iot-line/en): Official English-language information about network-capable KERN scales, the KERN IoT-Line, KERN Universal Port, KERN Universal Modules, KERN Communication Protocol, interfaces and integration into digital systems. * [KERN EasyTouch – German](https://easytouch.kern-sohn.com/home/de): Official German-language website for the modular KERN EasyTouch weighing software. * [KERN EasyTouch – English](https://easytouch.kern-sohn.com/home/en): Official English-language website for the modular KERN EasyTouch weighing software. * [KERN BalanceConnection](https://balanceconnection.kern-sohn.com/): Official product website for KERN BalanceConnection, a software solution for transferring weighing data to applications and saving data in formats such as Excel, CSV and log files. ## Digital weighing solutions KERN digital weighing solutions include network-capable scales, the KERN Universal Port, KERN Universal Modules, the KERN Communication Protocol and software for transferring weighing data to PCs, laboratory systems, ERP systems, production systems, quality management systems and other digital applications. The KERN IoT-Line provides a common electronics and communication platform for compatible KERN scales. Depending on the model and equipment, data can be exchanged through interfaces such as RS-232, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and analogue connections. KERN EasyTouch combines weighing data with object and process data for applications such as counting, formulation, checkweighing, inventory management and professional documentation. KERN BalanceConnection captures weighing data and transfers it to target applications or stores it in files for further processing. Product compatibility, available interfaces, software functions and the required hardware or software modules must always be checked for the individual scale, measuring instrument and application. * [KERN software portfolio](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/software/): Overview of KERN and SAUTER software for weighing, measuring, data transfer, documentation and process integration. * [KERN product portfolio](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/products/): Overview of professional products, IoT-capable scales and digital solutions from KERN and SAUTER. ## Services and documentation * [Service and support](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/technical-service/): Technical service, repairs, maintenance, spare parts and professional support. * [Downloads and product documentation](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/downloads/): Operating instructions, technical documents, software, certificates, declarations and other product-related downloads. * [Frequently asked questions](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/kern-news/faq/): Official answers about ordering, delivery, products, calibration, verification, repairs, returns and customer service. * [Contact KERN & SOHN](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/kern-internal/contact/): Official contact details and contact persons. ## Website language versions * [Deutsch](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/de/): German-language KERN & SOHN B2B online shop and company website. * [English](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/en/): English-language KERN & SOHN B2B online shop and company website. * [Français](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/fr/): Site Internet et boutique B2B de KERN & SOHN en français. * [Italiano](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/it/): Sito web e negozio online B2B di KERN & SOHN in italiano. * [Español](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/es/): Sitio web y tienda online B2B de KERN & SOHN en español. * [Português](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/pt/): Site e loja online B2B da KERN & SOHN em português. * [Nederlands](https://www.kern-sohn.com/shop/nl/): Nederlandstalige website en B2B-webshop van KERN & SOHN.