What Fresmak does

Fresmak, S.A. is a Spanish industrial engineering company founded in 1967 in Zarautz and historically operating in the high-pressure workholding segment of the machine tool industry. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes precision clamping solutions including high-pressure vices (under the ARNOLD product family), self-centering static blocks (BLOCK-SC), zero-point positioning systems (0-MAK), and customized workholding fixtures. Its core technical differentiator is a force multiplier spindle architecture developed in 1967 with German engineer Franz Arnold, which delivers high clamping force with minimal manual input; the company holds over 20 registered patents protecting subsequent innovations such as the ARNOLD MAT monoblock design (0.01mm repeatability), the ARNOLD TWIN dual-workpiece vice, and the BLOCK-SC self-centering block. Current development includes the F-GRIP project, an EU H2020-funded adhesion-based clamping concept.

Fresmak operates a B2B industrial equipment business model, generating revenue primarily through hardware sales of workholding products, complemented by spare parts supply, bespoke engineered solutions, and authorized maintenance and repair services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; products are sold on a quote basis through a multi-tiered channel including direct commercial representatives in five European countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic/Slovakia), independent distributors in the USA, Russia, Turkey, and China, and a wholly-owned US subsidiary, ARNOLD Workholding INC, established in 2008. The company is ISO 9001 certified since 1994 and serves primarily the machine tool industry (CNC machining centers, milling, drilling, grinding, boring, 5-axis, and transfer machines), with targeted aerospace-sector engagements supported by collaboration with the Polymat Institute of the University of the Basque Country. Recent non-dilutive funding includes approximately $1.47 million from EISMEA/EU grant programs in 2017.

The company is privately held by founders and management, with no disclosed private equity or venture capital involvement. Its scale is small by enterprise standards (11-50 employees, 126 product variations) but it occupies a defensible niche with 50+ years of brand heritage, a global commercial footprint across 20+ countries, and ongoing R&D investment through both internal R&D (established 2004) and EU-funded programs.

Name

Fresmak

Legal name

Fresmak, S.A.

Website

https://fresmak.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fresmak, founded in 1967 in Spain, designs and manufactures high-pressure workholding clamping solutions (vises, self-centering blocks, zero-point systems) for CNC machining centers and machine tool operators worldwide, selling through distributors and representatives across 20+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Workholding Equipment

NAICS

Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pneumatic Components (FRLs, Cylinders, Valves) (IMAHAGAC)

Keywords

• High-pressure clamping vices
• Workholding equipment
• Zero-point clamping systems
• Self-centering static blocks
• CNC machining fixtures

Headquarters

HQ city

Zarautz

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Workholding Equipment Sales: Sale of high-pressure vices, self-centering blocks, zero-point systems, and accessories. Products include ARNOLD MAT, ARNOLD MB2, ARNOLD TWIN, ARNOLD CLASSIC, ARNOLD SC, BLOCK-SC, and 0-MAK systems with various configurations (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, oleo-dynamic).
2. Spare Parts Supply: Complete traceability of all components enables quick and agile responses for supplying spare parts to customers.
3. Customised Solutions: Tailor-made workholding solutions designed and manufactured to customer specifications for complex clamping requirements.
4. Maintenance and Repair Services: Technical assistance including evaluation, maintenance, fine-tuning, repair and replacement of components. The only national centre authorized for Fresmak brand product repairs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fresmak designs, manufactures, and sells high-pressure workholding clamping equipment for CNC machining centers and machine tools. Its primary product families are the ARNOLD high-pressure clamping vices (manual, hydraulic, oleo-dynamic, and automatic variants), the BLOCK-SC self-centering static block system, and the 0-MAK zero-point positioning and clamping system. The company also provides bespoke customized workholding solutions plus maintenance and repair services for its installed product base.

Product overview

Fresmak is a workholding specialist company offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial clamping solutions. The core offerings include the ARNOLD Clamping system (high-pressure vices with force multiplier technology), BLOCK-SC self-centering static blocks, and the 0-MAK zero-point positioning system. These products are complemented by customized solutions for unique requirements. The ARNOLD product line encompasses multiple sub-brands: MAT (advanced compact vise), MB2 (multi-purpose), TWIN (double-clamping for two workpieces), 5X (elevated jaws for 5-axis machines), CLASSIC (original 1967 high-pressure vise up to 80kN), and SC (compact self-centering). The BLOCK-SC comes in hydraulic (40 kN) and pneumatic (20 kN) variants. The 0-MAK system offers rapid workpiece changeover with 5-micron accuracy. All products target machining centres, CNC machines, and manufacturing equipment requiring precision workholding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARNOLD: High-pressure clamping vices including MAT, MB2, TWIN, 5X, CLASSIC, and SC models - the company's flagship product line first developed in 1967.
• BLOCK-SC
• 0-MAK
• F-GRIP

Products and services

• ARNOLD Clamping Vices High-pressure clamping vice family for CNC machining centers, available in manual, hydraulic, oleo-dynamic, and automatic variants. Multiple sub-models (MAT, MB2, TWIN, 5X, CLASSIC, SC, SC 5X) address different workpiece sizes, batch lengths, and 5-axis access requirements, with clamping forces up to 80kN and 0.01mm repeatability.
• BLOCK-SC Self-Centering Static Blocks Automatic self-centering static blocks for medium to long production series, featuring high clamping force up to 40kN in a compact design with automatic feed via double-acting cylinder and sealed protection against chips and coolant. Offered in hydraulic and pneumatic actuation variants for 5-axis and transfer machine applications.
• 0-MAK Zero Point System Pneumatic opening with mechanical clamping via compressed springs and precision balls for reduced wear. Provides 0.005mm centering repeatability, clamping force up to 55kN per unit, and up to 90% savings in setup times for clamping system and tool changes on machining centers.
• Customized Workholding Solutions Tailor-made workholding solutions designed and manufactured to customer specifications for unique clamping needs, materials, geometries, and machine configurations, including aerospace and other complex-component applications developed with partner research institutes.
• Authorized Maintenance, Repair, and Spare Parts Service Technical assistance including evaluation, maintenance, fine-tuning, repair and replacement of components, plus spare parts supply with full component traceability. Fresmak operates the only authorized national repair center for the Fresmak/ARNOLD product line.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% savings in setup times with 0-MAK zero point system
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Brown & Holmes (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013Commercial agreement signed with UK firm Brown & Holmes for the sale of Fresmak products in the United Kingdom market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Schunk: Germany-based global leader in workholding, gripping systems and toolholding for CNC machine tools. Directly comparable to Fresmak across high-precision clamping vices and zero-point systems, with a substantially broader catalog and global direct-sales footprint.
• Erowa: Swiss pioneer of palletizing and zero-point workholding systems (Erowa System 3R-compatible). Closely comparable to Fresmak's 0-MAK zero-point proposition, especially for automated/robotic production environments.
• Hainbuch (Hainbuch Spannende Technik): German workholding specialist known for its SPANNTOP stationary chuck system and modular workholding. Comparable to Fresmak's high-pressure clamping spirit across CNC turning/milling applications.
• Gressel AG: Swiss manufacturer of precision clamping systems including the well-known gredoc and grepos systems. Comparable to Fresmak's BLOCK-SC and 0-MAK self-centering and zero-point offerings for high-mix CNC production.
• Lang Technik: German specialist best known for the Makro•Grip jaw-clamping system and Stalex/Zero-Point workholding solutions. Closest direct competitor to Fresmak's 0-MAK and ARNOLD product lines in stationary CNC workholding.
• Röhm (Röhm GmbH): A long-established German workholding specialist producing vices, chucks, and zero-point clamping systems. Directly comparable to Fresmak's ARNOLD product family for milling-machine and machining-center workholding.
• Kitagawa / Kitagawa Europe: Japanese-rooted workholding and chuck manufacturer with global reach. Comparable to Fresmak across hydraulic and pneumatic clamping products for machining centers, with overlap on automated workholding.
• Kosmek (KOSMEK LTD): Japanese manufacturer of pneumatic/hydraulic workholding and zero-point systems. Comparable to Fresmak's BLOCK-SC Pneumatic and 0-MAK MAK20 products in pneumatic zero-point and pallet-changing clamping.
• Allmatic-Jakob: German manufacturer specializing in hydraulic and mechanical clamping systems, including their well-known Centro-P and Z-Line zero-point modules. Direct competitor to Fresmak in stationary zero-point clamping.

Regional players

• Dapra Corporation: US-based workholding distributor and solutions provider. Overlaps with Fresmak as its exclusive US distributor (ARNOLD Workholding INC operated under Fresmak since 2008) and offers comparable workholding products to North American machining customers, making it an indirect competitor in the same end-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fresmakARNOLD
• Facebookfacebook.com/457950647582737

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Fresmak