OptiSense

What OptiSense does

OptiSense GmbH & Co. KG, founded around 2000 and headquartered in Haltern am See, Germany, develops and manufactures photothermal measuring systems for non-contact coating thickness measurement under the PaintChecker brand. The company describes itself as the world's leading provider in this niche, with all sensors developed and produced in-house in Germany (made in Germany), enabling custom solutions for unusual applications. The product portfolio is organized into three families: PaintChecker Industrial (automated inline systems with a controller plus multiple miniature sensor form factors: Cube, Tube, Angle, Line and the higher-power Tube-HP) for production-line integration; PaintChecker Mobile (Pen and Gun handheld sensors that are network-independent and eye-safe) for field inspection; and PaintChecker Lab for continuous laboratory testing. Supporting the hardware are PaintChecker OS Manager software for measurement data management and PaintChecker reference/calibration samples, plus a 360-degree lifecycle ServicesSuite covering calibration, training, and support.

OptiSense sells predominantly through a global channel of approximately 30 certified OptiSense Approved Partners spanning Europe (Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Turkey), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand), and the Americas (United States via Rhopoint Americas, Brazil). Its direct enterprise field-sales team (Sales Managers such as Jörg Mülleneisen for Germany) co-sells with channel partners, conducts customer visits in priority markets (notably a documented two-week USA tour in 2025), and delivers technical presentations at major industry events including the European Coating Show (ECS), ACA Coating Tech Conference (Pittsburgh), DSCT Focus Show (Detroit), the Detroit Auto Show, and the JOT Coating and Powder Meeting (Mannheim). Customers span automotive and EV battery manufacturing (a disclosed engagement with BMW Group for battery cell inspection, plus ILB, Metob Group, Giga-Coating), textile technology (Brückner Textile Technologies), lubricants (BECHEM), industrial coaters (WWO across appliances, rail vehicles, and medical technology), and agricultural machinery (Stoz GmbH), among others. Two 2025 product introductions signal R&D momentum: a mini coating thickness testing system for holes, pipes, and hollow parts (presented at JOT 2025 by Dr. Fabian Gaußmann) and a novel photothermal in-motion measurement method for extended surfaces and moving components.

The business model is largely hardware-centric, with revenue streams from industrial systems, mobile devices, lab systems, and reference/calibration samples sold through distributors and supplemented by recurring professional services (calibration, maintenance, training, and technical support) across the equipment lifecycle. Pricing is custom-quoted via distributor or sales representative and structured under multi-year industrial contracts. The company holds DIN EN ISO 9001 quality certification, Q-DAS process quality certification, WEEE registration, and the German Business Award 2023 (Innovation / R&D). It remains privately held as a GmbH & Co. KG controlled by OptiSense Verwaltungs-GmbH, with Managing Directors Joachim Menke and Dr. Jens Heymans; an SEC Form D exempt offering in July 2023 raised $14,425,010 of a $17,100,113 total, supporting ongoing investment in product development and channel expansion.

Name

OptiSense

Legal name

OptiSense GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://optisense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OptiSense GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of photothermal, non-contact coating thickness measurement systems sold under the PaintChecker brand (Industrial, Mobile, Lab form factors) to automotive, battery, aerospace, medical, and industrial manufacturers worldwide via a certified distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Haltern

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Test Systems (PaintChecker Industrial): Sale of automated industrial coating thickness testing systems including controllers and sensors (Tube, Angle, Cube, Line). Targeted at manufacturing facilities for inline quality control.
2. Mobile Measurement Devices (PaintChecker Mobile): Sale of portable handheld coating thickness measurement devices and sensors (Pen, Gun). Network-independent and eye-safe for field use.
3. Lab Systems (PaintChecker Lab): Continuous operation laboratory testing equipment for coating thickness measurement.
4. Professional Services: 360-degree service throughout the entire product lifecycle including calibration, maintenance, and support. Professional services offered across installation, training, and ongoing technical support.
5. Reference and Calibration Standards: Sale of reference samples and calibration standards for verifying measurement accuracy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OptiSense designs, develops, and manufactures photothermal coating thickness measurement systems sold under the PaintChecker brand, including automated industrial inline test systems, portable mobile handheld devices, and continuous-operation laboratory systems. The PaintChecker product family is supported by proprietary PaintChecker OS Manager software, reference and calibration samples, and a 360-degree lifecycle ServicesSuite. All PaintChecker sensors are developed and manufactured in-house in Germany, and the company sells exclusively through a global network of approximately 30 certified OptiSense Approved Partners.

Product overview

OptiSense is the world's leading provider of photothermal measuring systems for coating thickness measurement. The product portfolio centers on the PaintChecker brand, which encompasses three main product lines: PaintChecker Industrial (automated systems for production lines), PaintChecker Mobile (handheld portable devices), and PaintChecker Lab (continuous-operation laboratory systems). The product family includes multiple sensor form factors (Tube, Pen, Gun, Cube, Tube-HP) all based on proprietary photothermal technology developed and manufactured in-house in Germany. Supporting the hardware ecosystem are PaintChecker OS Manager software for data management, reference and calibration samples, and comprehensive ServicesSuite offerings. The sensors are designed for contact-free, eye-safe measurement across diverse substrates and applications including automotive, batteries, energy, aerospace, medical, and transport industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PaintChecker: Product brand for photothermal coating thickness measurement systems including Industrial (Controller, sensors: Cube, Tube, Angle, Line, Move), Mobile (Pen, Gun), Lab, and Reference/Calibration products

Products and services

• PaintChecker Industrial Automated coating thickness testing system for industrial facilities. Contactless, fast, and highly precise photothermal measurement for integration into production lines. Targeted at manufacturing facilities for inline quality control.
• PaintChecker Mobile Mobile handheld coating thickness measurement device. Lightweight, network-independent, and eye-safe contactless measurement system for portable quality control and field inspection on delicate small parts and tight spaces.
• PaintChecker Lab Continuous-operation laboratory coating thickness testing system designed for uninterrupted measurement tasks in lab environments.
• PaintChecker OS Manager Proprietary software platform for PaintChecker measurement data capture, visualization, and analysis, available with light and dark theme interfaces.
• PaintChecker Reference and Calibration Samples Factory-calibrated reference standards for verifying and maintaining measurement accuracy and traceability of PaintChecker systems.
• PaintChecker ServicesSuite Professional 360-degree service throughout the entire product lifecycle. Includes system selection consultation, calibration, and ongoing support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Non-contact, contactless measurement eliminates damage to coatings during inspection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• H. P. Automation Pvt. LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 February 2025H. P. Automation Pvt. Ltd from India is a newly qualified OptiSense distributor, joining the global OptiSense Approved Partner network in February 2025. Located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• HERGENG Enterprise Co. LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 February 2025HERGENG Enterprise Co. Ltd from Taiwan is a newly qualified OptiSense distributor, joining the global OptiSense Approved Partner network in February 2025. Contact: Leo Lin.
• Rhopoint Americas Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRhopoint Americas Inc. is the certified OptiSense distributor for the United States. Located in Troy, Michigan. President: Darryl Case. Handles sales and support of PaintChecker products throughout the US market. Co-exhibited with OptiSense at the DSCT Focus Show and Detroit Auto Show.
• URAI S.P.A.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorURAI S.P.A. is the certified OptiSense distributor for Italy. Division Manager: Stefano Pintossi. Presented OptiSense products at the European Coating Show 2025 (Hall 3C Stand 427).
• NauMetrics (Sape Nauta)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNauMetrics is the OptiSense distributor for Belgium and the Netherlands. Located in Borne, Netherlands.
• Proinex Instruments, s.r.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProinex Instruments is the OptiSense distributor for Czech Republic. Located in Ostrava-Kunčičky.
• Brant-IndustrieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrant-Industrie is the OptiSense distributor for France. Contact: Frédérick Gheerbrant. Located in Hellemmes, France.
• HES1 SIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHES1 SIA is the OptiSense distributor for Latvia. Contact: Aleksandrs Karmazins. Located in Riga.
• ITA spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością Sp. k.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorITA is the OptiSense distributor for Poland. Located in Poznań/Skórzewo.
• Visiotek Ltd. Sti.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVisiotek is the OptiSense distributor for Turkey. Technical Director: Cavit Yatman. Located in Istanbul.
• China Physical and Chemistry Analysis Technology Development Co., LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina Physical and Chemistry Analysis Technology Development Co., Ltd is the OptiSense distributor for Beijing, China.
• Foerster (Shanghai) NDT Instruments Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoerster (Shanghai) NDT Instruments Co., Ltd. is the OptiSense distributor for Shanghai, China. Sales Manager: Alex Li.
• PT Yakin Maju SentosaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPT Yakin Maju Sentosa is the OptiSense distributor for Indonesia. Located in Jakarta.
• Unitechnology Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUnitechnology Co., Ltd. is the OptiSense distributor for Japan. Located in Nagoya.
• SPCL SYSTEMS SDN BHDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPCL SYSTEMS SDN BHD is the OptiSense distributor for Malaysia. Contact: Paul Tang. Located in Puchong, Selangor.
• Woongchun Global Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWoongchun Global Inc. is the OptiSense distributor for South Korea. Located in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do.
• iPaint Tech Co. LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributoriPaint Tech Co. Ltd is the OptiSense distributor for Thailand. General Manager: Dimitri Loyer. Located in Samutprakarn.
• G&R Finishing Equipment Co., Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorG&R Finishing Equipment Co., Ltd. is an OptiSense distributor for Thailand. Contact: Wanchai Nitimongkolchai. Located in Bangkok.
• GW groupworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGW groupwork is the OptiSense distributor for Brazil. CEO: Franz von Fürstenberg. Located in São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• BYK-Gardner: Part of ALTANA, BYK-Gardner manufactures color, appearance and coating thickness measurement instruments. Direct competitor in industrial QA for paints and coatings with strong automotive OEM relationships in Europe and North America.
• Elcometer: UK-based manufacturer of inspection equipment for the coatings industry, including handheld and inline coating thickness gauges. Direct competitor in mobile and industrial coating inspection, with comparable global distributor model.
• Helmut Fischer (Fischer Technology): German-headquartered global leader in coating thickness measurement (XRF, eddy current, magnetic) and materials analysis. Direct competitor to OptiSense across automotive, electronics and industrial QA, with comparable premium German-engineered positioning.
• Defelsko: US-based manufacturer of coating thickness gauges (PosiTector, PosiTest lines) using magnetic, eddy current and ultrasonic methods. Direct competitor across mobile and industrial handheld coating inspection with strong presence in North America.
• ElektroPhysik: German manufacturer of coating thickness measurement instruments using magnetic, eddy current and ultrasonic methods. Direct competitor in the same European industrial QA channel, with overlapping automotive and metal-finishing customers.

Broad incumbents

• Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science: Global analytical instrument provider offering XRF and coating thickness analyzers (formerly Oxford Instruments XRF/GN R-series). Broad incumbent competing in the same coating thickness applications as OptiSense.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions): Industrial NDT and coating thickness inspection provider offering ultrasonic and eddy current thickness gauges. Broad incumbent with overlapping products in industrial QA and aerospace inspection.
• Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis: UK-based analytical instrumentation group whose XRF analyzers are widely used for coating thickness and composition measurement. Broader incumbent with overlapping industrial QA products but wider scope beyond coatings.

Emerging players

• Phase II (Phase II Plus): US-based manufacturer and distributor of coating thickness gauges and hardness testers. Smaller, niche competitor primarily in handheld coating inspection for industrial and consumer goods manufacturers.

Regional players

• Testia (Airbus): Airbus subsidiary providing non-destructive testing services and equipment, including coating thickness inspection for aerospace. Comparable to OptiSense in aerospace coating QA but focused on European aviation customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/OptiSense_GmbH
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqgofabZYvUW5VhYyX4kdOw
• Facebookfacebook.com/OptiSense-GmbH-100255062252901
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/optisense-gmbh-&-co-kg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OptiSense