Christopher Tiessen, President and CEO of KLAUS Multiparking America, is leading the U.S. expansion of a 118-year-old German engineering company that specializes in mechanical and automated parking solutions. In a recent Q&A, Tiessen outlined how the company transforms parking from a development constraint into a competitive advantage for commercial real estate projects across major U.S. metropolitan markets.
Tiessen, who moved from Germany to the United States in 2004 and later returned for university, joined KLAUS as a sales manager before being appointed President/CEO in 2022. He emphasized that KLAUS systems, engineered and manufactured in Germany, address the challenge of space in development. "We’re not just providing parking systems – we’re delivering engineered solutions that unlock development potential, enhance project viability, and create long-term value," Tiessen said.
KLAUS has been in business for 118 years and has been engineering parking stackers since 1964. This October marks the company's 35th anniversary in the United States. Tiessen highlighted the company's unique approach as a family-owned legacy manufacturer, with Mrs. Klaus still serving on the board in Germany. "Longevity and reliability define who we are. We may not be the loudest in the industry—but we’ve built our reputation by being the most consistent, the most trusted, and the most dedicated to our clients’ success," he stated.
In high-cost American markets like New York, San Francisco, and Miami, Tiessen advocates for building parking vertically instead of horizontally to preserve valuable space for revenue-generating amenities. At The Mather in Tysons Corner, Virginia, KLAUS's vertical solution reduced the parking footprint, allowing more living space, green areas, and luxury amenities. Similarly, at Swift & Co. in Jersey City, early engagement with developer SILVERMAN enabled a tailored parking solution for a nine-story mixed-use development.
Tiessen emphasized a partnership-based approach, engaging early with architects and planners from the entitlement phase to influence building layout and unlock density bonuses. He noted that recent economic challenges, including steel and aluminum tariffs, have impacted the business, but KLAUS maintains a "Customers First" mindset by committing only to what it can deliver exceptionally well.
Sustainability is embedded in every solution, Tiessen said, as KLAUS systems eliminate the need for cruising for parking, reducing CO₂ emissions. By condensing the parking footprint, more space is freed for green areas, rain gardens, and public realm improvements. The company also addresses EV charging demand with systems like the MasterVario R3C fully automatic parking system at a luxury condominium in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, which integrates EV charging on movable platforms.
Beyond dense urban cores, Tiessen sees opportunities in areas like Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Ketchum, Idaho, where developers use KLAUS systems to create premium amenities even with ample space. His leadership philosophy blends German discipline with American entrepreneurial agility, fostering psychological safety with high accountability.
Tiessen envisions a movement in commercial real estate toward smarter infrastructure that prioritizes people over vehicles. "Every developer, architect, and planner who embraces smarter, more efficient design contributes to building urban and suburban environments that serve both current and future generations," he said. His goal for KLAUS is to become synonymous with mechanical parking, delivering engineered solutions that redefine parking integration into development.
For more information, visit KLAUS Multiparking America.
