Who Owns FLEX Tools? Chervon, Lowe's Distribution and Manufacturing Explained

Key Points

FLEX tools are owned by Chervon, which acquired all shares of FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH in 2013.
Lowe's helped launch FLEX as a nationwide home-center exclusive in the United States, but retail distribution is not ownership and must be checked under current channel terms.
FLEX retains German engineering and manufacturing operations while Chervon runs production in China and Vietnam; the exact factory and origin still depend on the product model.

Who Owns FLEX Tools? Chervon, Lowe's Distribution and Manufacturing Explained

FLEX tools are owned by Chervon. Chervon Holdings acquired all shares of FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH in 2013. FLEX kept its German brand, headquarters and professional-tool identity while gaining access to Chervon's global development, manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

Lowe's is an important part of the North American story, but Lowe's does not own FLEX. The retailer and Chervon launched FLEX as a nationwide home-center exclusive brand in the United States in 2021. That describes a distribution relationship, not the shareholder, trademark owner or manufacturer of every tool.

FLEX Ownership at a Glance

Company or relationship	Verified role	Important boundary
Chervon Holdings / Chervon Group	Current owner of FLEX following the 2013 acquisition	Group ownership does not assign every SKU to one factory
FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH	German FLEX operating company based in Steinheim an der Murr	Headquarters and engineering location do not prove every product's origin
FLEX	Professional power-tool brand	FLEX is not a standalone public parent company
Chervon North America	North American warranty and commercial entity for specified FLEX products	Its U.S. role is market-specific and does not prove U.S. manufacture
Lowe's	Major U.S. launch and retail partner	Retail exclusivity or shelf presence is not brand ownership
FLEX 24V	North American cordless platform	It is separate from European FLEX 18V and other Chervon-brand systems
Chervon manufacturing network	Group production in Nanjing, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	Group sites cannot be assigned to a model without product-level evidence

FLEX ownership, German operations, Chervon manufacturing, Lowe's distribution and 24V product responsibility separated

*Chervon owns FLEX; the German company, group factories, retailer and warranty administrator answer different questions.*

When Did Chervon Buy FLEX?

Chervon announced the acquisition on September 30, 2013. The transaction covered all shares in FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH from the company's previous financial investors.

The announcement said FLEX would continue developing and marketing products under its own name. Chervon also said it intended to maintain and expand the headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Steinheim, Germany, while retaining the management team, development center and employees.

This was not merely a trademark license. FLEX became part of Chervon's brand portfolio and remains listed there alongside EGO, SKIL and other group brands. Common ownership, however, does not make FLEX batteries or warranties interchangeable with EGO or SKIL.

Who Owned FLEX Before Chervon?

Before the 2013 transaction, FLEX was owned by financial investors. Chervon's acquisition announcement does not identify Lowe's, Bosch, Stanley Black & Decker or another tool company as the seller.

FLEX itself traces the business to Hermann Ackermann and Hermann Schmitt, who founded Ackermann & Schmitt in 1922 near Stuttgart. The company developed the flexible-shaft hand grinder that helped shape its name and later became closely associated with angle grinders.

That historical identity remains part of FLEX's positioning, but founder history is separate from current ownership. Today the verified parent is Chervon.

Does Lowe's Own FLEX Tools?

No. Lowe's is a retailer and distribution partner, not the owner of FLEX.

Lowe's described Chervon as the vendor partner that helped launch EGO, FLEX and SKIL as nationwide home-center exclusive brands in 2021. For FLEX, the arrangement gave the newly expanded North American 24V line broad store access and exposure to professional customers.

“Exclusive” needs a date and scope. A retailer announcement can describe a home-center channel at launch without necessarily covering every dealer, specialty outlet, online seller, country or future contract. FLEX also operates through professional dealers in other markets.

Before making a current exclusivity claim, verify:

country and product category;
whether the claim covers stores, online sales or home-center channels;
contract period;
authorized professional dealers;
warranty eligibility; and
current seller listed on the official FLEX website.

Who Manufactures FLEX Tools?

FLEX operates inside Chervon's integrated power-tool business, while retaining German development and manufacturing capabilities.

FLEX's official company material identifies Steinheim an der Murr as its headquarters and describes the brand as a developer, manufacturer and marketer of professional tools. The original acquisition announcement specifically committed to maintaining and expanding the Steinheim manufacturing facilities.

Chervon's current power-tool profile identifies production facilities in Nanjing, China, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The group says its value chain covers research and development, sourcing, manufacturing, testing, sales, distribution and after-sales service.

These facts support a multi-site manufacturing answer. They do not prove that every FLEX grinder is made in Germany or that every 24V drill is made in China. Product families, components and generations can follow different routes.

Where Are FLEX Tools Made?

There is no accurate single-country answer for the complete FLEX range.

FLEX has manufacturing heritage and current operations in Germany. Chervon has large production bases in China and Vietnam. A specific tool may also contain components sourced through the wider group supply chain.

For an exact FLEX model, verify:

country-of-origin label;
manufacturer and importer on the declaration or manual;
model, serial number and production date;
destination-market certification;
factory and shipment evidence for commercial orders; and
warranty entity named for that market.

Do not use the German headquarters address, the Chervon parent address or the Lowe's store location as a substitute for the product label.

Is FLEX a German Brand?

Yes, in heritage and operating identity. FLEX was founded in Germany and FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH remains based in Steinheim near Stuttgart.

But “German brand” does not mean the company is independently German-owned today or that every tool is manufactured in Germany. Chervon is the current owner, and the group operates an international manufacturing network.

The correct description is therefore more precise: FLEX is a German-origin professional power-tool brand owned by Chervon.

What Is the FLEX 24V Platform?

FLEX 24V is the cordless platform developed for the North American professional market. It covers drilling, fastening, cutting, grinding, lighting, dust extraction and other jobsite applications.

The platform uses nominal-voltage marketing common in North America. FLEX combines battery management and cooling features with different pack capacities, including stacked-cell designs in newer products.

Battery compatibility should remain model-specific:

use FLEX 24V batteries only with products approved for that platform;
match the charger to the battery and destination-market electrical supply;
do not assume compatibility with FLEX 18V products sold in Europe;
do not assume compatibility with SKIL, EGO or another Chervon-owned brand; and
check whether high-demand tools specify a minimum battery capacity.

Common ownership is not an electrical compatibility standard.

FLEX 24V vs FLEX 18V

FLEX markets different cordless naming and configurations by region. North America centers on FLEX 24V, while European FLEX material commonly presents 18V systems.

These labels should not be treated as two names for one universally interchangeable product. Nominal voltage conventions, battery interfaces, chargers, certifications and regional warranties can differ.

Cross-border buyers should compare exact part numbers rather than voltage headlines. Importing a tool from another region can create charger, service and certification problems even if the brand and color look familiar.

FLEX in Dust Extraction and Cleaning Workflows

FLEX has a strong connection to surface preparation, renovation, drywall, automotive finishing and metalworking. Those applications create dust and debris that require extraction and cleanup.

The portfolio includes dust extractors, vacuums, shrouds, sanding systems and tool-connected collection solutions in selected markets. FLEX's wall and ceiling sanders are especially relevant to renovation dust control.

For World Clean Biz readers, the key purchasing question is system fit. Match the tool, shroud, hose, extractor airflow, filter class, bag or container and local dust-safety requirement. A battery platform alone does not establish suitable dust control.

How Does the FLEX Warranty Work?

In the United States and Canada, Chervon North America issues the reviewed FLEX warranty.

The warranty page updated in November 2025 states that eligible FLEX 24V tools, batteries and chargers receive a three-year limited warranty, with an optional five-year period when the original purchaser registers the product within 30 days and keeps proof of purchase. Legacy corded, 12V and 18V products have different terms.

The five-year headline is therefore not universal. Product category, registration, purchase date, authorized seller, market and use case can affect coverage.

For other countries, use the local FLEX company or dealer terms. Keep the invoice, model, serial number, registration confirmation, battery and charger identity.

What Buyers and Distributors Should Verify

Before relying on a FLEX ownership or manufacturing claim, record:

Current owner: Chervon.
Operating company: FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge or the relevant regional entity.
Retail channel: Lowe's, authorized dealer or another current route.
Product identity: Model, serial number, kit and date code.
Battery platform: North American 24V, European 18V or legacy system.
Origin: Product label, declaration and approved factory.
Importer: Legal entity for the destination market.
Warranty: Registration, duration, seller authorization and exclusions.
Dust-control setup: Tool, shroud, hose, extractor and filter.
Cross-border support: Charger, certification, parts and service eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns FLEX tools today?

Chervon owns FLEX. It acquired all shares of FLEX-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH in 2013.

Is FLEX owned by Lowe's?

No. Lowe's is a major U.S. retail partner, not the brand owner.

Is FLEX owned by Chervon or Bosch?

FLEX is owned by Chervon. Bosch does not own the brand.

Is FLEX a German company?

FLEX is a German-origin brand with headquarters and operations in Steinheim, but its parent company is Chervon.

Are FLEX tools made in Germany?

Some FLEX manufacturing occurs in Germany, while Chervon also operates factories in China and Vietnam. Check the exact model's origin label.

Are FLEX and SKIL batteries compatible?

Do not assume compatibility. FLEX and SKIL share Chervon ownership but use separately documented battery platforms.

Is FLEX 24V the same as FLEX 18V?

No universal interchangeability should be assumed. They are regionally presented systems with different product and charger configurations.

Does FLEX make dust extractors?

Yes. FLEX offers professional dust-extraction and vacuum products in selected markets, especially for renovation and surface-preparation workflows.

Final Answer

Chervon owns FLEX after acquiring the German power-tool company in 2013. FLEX retained its Steinheim headquarters, engineering identity and manufacturing capabilities while joining Chervon's global tool group.

Lowe's is a major North American retail partner, not the owner. FLEX products can come from a multi-country manufacturing network, so verify the exact model's factory, importer, battery platform and warranty. Keep the North American 24V system distinct from European 18V products and from other Chervon-owned brands.