Pushing Precision. Since 1924.

For over 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.

  • Hero

    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.

1927

1927

The Dale Avenue Plant
As demand for Joe’s tools increased, he needed additional space and modern facilities to continue production. He settled on a lot at 6419 Dale Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, a property he had purchased in 1926 with profits from his early sales.

Though put on a waitlist for a building loan, Sunnen decided he could not wait any longer. He pressed forward, paying for the construction of a 40-foot by 60-foot structure himself. By the time the bank lender revisited his request, the building was complete and paid in full.

1928

1928

The First Manual Cylinder Hone
Founder Joe Sunnen wasn’t satisfied with a limited range of products. He went back to the drawing board, searching for a new product design that would help garages and tool shops throughout the region.

After extensive ideation, he eventually introduced the manual cylinder hone in 1928. This product helped engine builders touch up their cylinders for a more perfect finish. Beyond that, this product gave Sunnen’s budding company direction. In the decade that would follow, the design principles from this product inspired the future of honing machines, tools and abrasives.

Scroll Down Memory Lane

In 2024, Sunnen celebrates a century of innovation. We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without countless people, partners and products — revisit moments of impact on our anniversary timeline.

See Our Story

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.

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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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