Schmalz
Schmalz is a family-owned German industrial automation company, founded in 1910, that designs and sells vacuum-technology components and systems for automated gripping, ergonomic manual handling, robotics, and CNC clamping, serving manufacturers across 15+ industry verticals in 80+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersNürensdorf, Switzerland
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Schmalz does
Schmalz (legal entity J. Schmalz GmbH, headquartered in Glatten, Germany) is a family-owned industrial automation company founded in 1910 that designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum-technology products for both automated and manual handling applications. Its core technology uses pneumatic vacuum to grip, lift, and move workpieces in industrial processes; the company's tagline "Beyond Gravity" encapsulates its focus on overcoming gravitational and material-handling constraints. The product portfolio spans vacuum components (suction cups, generators, valves, switches, mounting elements, area grippers, end effectors) for industrial automation, ergonomic manual handling equipment (vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster lifting devices, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems), vacuum clamping systems for CNC machining, and vacuum integration kits for robotics and collaborative robots. In August 2024, Schmalz expanded into soft robotics with the acquisition of the mGrip product line from US-based Soft Robotics.
Schmalz firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Schmalz
- Legal name
- J. Schmalz GmbH
- Website
- https://schmalz.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Schmalz is a family-owned German industrial automation company, founded in 1910, that designs and sells vacuum-technology components and systems for automated gripping, ergonomic manual handling, robotics, and CNC clamping, serving manufacturers across 15+ industry verticals in 80+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Schmalz industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vacuum Automation and Ergonomic Handling Equipment
- NAICS
- Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), All Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (33399)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD)
Keywords
Where Schmalz is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nürensdorf
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Schmalz business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vacuum Automation Components and Systems: Sale of vacuum technology components (suction cups, generators, valves, switches, mounting elements) and complete vacuum gripping systems for industrial automation applications. Products are sold as individual components or as integrated systems ready for industrial use.
- Manual Handling Equipment: Sale of vacuum tube lifters, vacuum lifting devices (VacuMaster), mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and portable conveyor systems for ergonomic manual material handling in industrial settings.
- Vacuum Clamping Technology: Vacuum clamping systems for CNC machining and other manufacturing processes, including vacuum blocks and matrix plates.
- Vacuum Technology for Robotics: Robot end effectors, area gripping systems, and cobot grippers for automated handling applications, including integration with industrial robots.
- Customized/Configured Products: Individually configured or customized products using the product configurator on the website. These are tailored solutions for specific customer applications.
- mGrip Product Line: Soft robotics gripper product line acquired from Soft Robotics in August 2024, expanding Schmalz's portfolio in collaborative robotics gripping solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Standard industrial vacuum components and systems |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Individually configured/customized products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DHL Express international shipping rates |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Payment by invoice (established customers only) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Schmalz product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Schmalz manufactures and sells vacuum technology components and systems for two primary use cases: industrial automation (vacuum suction cups, vacuum generators, valves, switches/system monitoring, area gripping systems and end effectors, mounting elements) and ergonomic manual handling (vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster lifting devices, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and jib cranes). The portfolio also includes vacuum clamping technology for CNC machining and vacuum-based gripping systems for industrial and collaborative robots, sold exclusively to B2B customers.
Product overview
Schmalz offers a comprehensive portfolio of vacuum technology solutions for both automation and manual handling applications. The product range spans two main categories: Vacuum Technology for Automation (including vacuum suction cups, vacuum generators, switches and system monitoring, area gripping systems and end effectors, mounting elements, and valves) and Manual Handling (including vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster lifting devices, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and jib cranes). Additional specialized areas include Vacuum Technology for Robotics and Vacuum Clamping Technology. In August 2024, Schmalz expanded its portfolio by acquiring the mGrip soft robotics gripper product line from US-based Soft Robotics. The company serves industries including food, logistics, automotive, wood, metal and sheet metal, packaging, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, glass, battery, plastics, electronics, solar, wind energy, fiber composites, and defense.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Binar Handling: Handling systems subsidiary under Schmalz Group
- GPS
Products and services
- Vacuum Suction Cups
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy cost reduction of up to 62% with air-saving ejectors
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Schmalz
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments15 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Schmalz technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Schmalz partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Soft Robotics (US-based company)coreSchmalz acquired the mGrip product line from US-based Soft Robotics in August 2024. This acquisition expands Schmalz's portfolio in soft robotics gripping technology and collaborative robot (cobot) gripper solutions, strengthening its position in the growing soft robotics market projected to reach $25.17 billion by 2035.
- Binar HandlingminorBinar Handling is listed as part of the Schmalz Group, suggesting an affiliated company within the corporate family.
- GPS (Stuttgart)minorGPS Stuttgart is listed as part of the Schmalz Group, suggesting an affiliated company within the corporate family.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Schmalz competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Piab: Piab is a direct competitor focused on industrial vacuum technology for automation and material handling, with overlapping product lines in vacuum suction cups, ejectors, and end-of-arm tooling. Highly comparable in mission, customer base, and product categories to Schmalz's automation business.
- Schunk: Schunk is a German specialist in gripping systems and clamping technology for robotics and automation, with a direct overlap in robotic end-effectors, area gripping systems, and vacuum-based clamping. Highly comparable customer base in automotive and industrial automation.
- Zimmer Group: Zimmer Group is a German manufacturer of grippers, clamping, and end-of-arm tooling technologies for robotics and automation. It competes with Schmalz in robotic grippers and vacuum-based handling for industrial OEMs.
- OnRobot: OnRobot provides plug-and-produce end-of-arm tooling including vacuum grippers for collaborative robots. It directly competes with Schmalz's cobot gripper portfolio, including the recently acquired mGrip soft-robotics line.
- Destaco: Destaco manufactures workholding, clamping, and gripping solutions including vacuum-based systems for industrial automation and CNC machining. Competes with Schmalz's clamping technology and manual handling equipment segments.
- Vacuum Gripper by Coval: Coval is a French specialist in vacuum handling technology including vacuum pumps, suction cups, and grippers for industrial automation. A smaller direct competitor with comparable product categories targeting similar industrial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Festo: Festo is a global pneumatics and automation incumbent offering vacuum components alongside a much broader portfolio of actuators, valves, and controllers. It competes with Schmalz on vacuum grippers and generators while bundling solutions at the system level.
- SMC Corporation: SMC is the world's largest pneumatics manufacturer with a broad vacuum components catalog, including suction cups, ejectors, and vacuum filters. Competes with Schmalz in vacuum automation for industrial manufacturing customers globally.
- Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin's Motion & Control division supplies vacuum pumps, grippers, and pneumatic automation components for industrial automation. As a broad industrial conglomerate, it overlaps with Schmalz in vacuum and pneumatic handling for manufacturing customers.
Regional players
- Bystronic: Bystronic, although primarily known for sheet metal cutting/bending, integrates vacuum-based material handling systems into its automation lines. It is a regional European player with adjacent vacuum handling relevance rather than a direct horizontal competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Schmalz social profiles
Digital presenceSchmalz financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Schmalz leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Schmalz subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Schmalz funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Schmalz M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Schmalz
What does Schmalz do?
Schmalz manufactures and sells vacuum technology components and systems for two primary use cases: industrial automation (vacuum suction cups, vacuum generators, valves, switches/system monitoring, area gripping systems and end effectors, mounting elements) and ergonomic manual handling (vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster lifting devices, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and jib cranes). The portfolio also includes vacuum clamping technology for CNC machining and vacuum-based gripping systems for industrial and collaborative robots, sold exclusively to B2B customers.
Is Schmalz a public or private company?
Schmalz is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Schmalz founded?
Schmalz was founded in 1910. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Schmalz based?
Schmalz is headquartered in Nürensdorf, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Schmalz make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Vacuum Automation Components and Systems are the primary driver. The others are manual Handling Equipment, vacuum Clamping Technology, vacuum Technology for Robotics, customized/Configured Products and mGrip Product Line.
Who are Schmalz's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Piab, Schunk, Zimmer Group, OnRobot, Destaco and Vacuum Gripper by Coval. Broad incumbents are Festo, SMC Corporation and Parker Hannifin. Bystronic is listed as a regional player.
Does Schmalz have an API?
No public API is recorded for Schmalz.
What industry is Schmalz in?
Schmalz's product category is Vacuum Automation and Ergonomic Handling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAGAN, Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers), with a secondary code of IMAHANAD, Vacuum Pumps & Systems. Its NAICS code is 3339 and its SIC code is 3569.