Gefra GmbH

Name

Gefra GmbH

Legal name

GEFRA GmbH

Website

https://gefragmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Optical Inspection Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK), Machine Vision & Inspection Lighting (Ring lights, bar lights, backlights, strobed illumination) (IMAGAIAG), Dimensional Inspection Software (GD&T, SPC, Reporting) (IMAAAHAD)

Keywords

• Optical inspection systems
• Fastener quality control
• Machine vision sorting
• Automated parts inspection
• Industrial sorting machines

Headquarters

HQ city

Friedewald

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. OPTISORT Inspection Systems: Sale of optical inspection and sorting machines including OPTISORT W (glass disk), OPTISORT ST (steel disk), and OPTISORT mini models. Machines can be equipped with up to 10 inspection stations and 32 cameras depending on requirements.
2. AUTOCONTROL Software License: Proprietary inspection software bundled with hardware systems. Non-exclusive, non-transferable right of use for programs/software including documentation for intended operation of delivery item.
3. Service, Maintenance and Training: Service contracts for preventive maintenance, spare parts supply, remote service via internet, training sessions, and annual seminars on image processing. Customer available 14 hours per day.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GEFRA GmbH manufactures and sells the OPTISORT family of optical inspection and sorting machines (OPTISORT W with glass disk, OPTISORT ST with steel disk, and OPTISORT mini for micro-screws) for 100% automatic, contactless quality control of metal and plastic components such as screws, nuts, washers, stamped parts, blind rivets and aerospace fasteners. The systems are controlled by GEFRA's proprietary AUTOCONTROL image-processing software and run at throughputs up to 2,500 parts per minute, and the company also provides feasibility studies, installation, training and preventive-maintenance service contracts.

Product overview

Gefra GmbH manufactures OPTISORT optical inspection and sorting systems for 100% automatic quality control of metal and plastic components. The product portfolio consists of three main machine types built on a modular standard machine construction kit: OPTISORT W (glass disk) for stamped parts, nuts, and washers; OPTISORT ST (steel disk) for screws and fasteners; and OPTISORT mini for micro screws. All systems are controlled by the proprietary AUTOCONTROL software featuring over 200 inspection tools. The systems perform dimensional measurement, surface inspection (including SFS technology for finest defects), 360-degree thread inspection, and eddy current hardness testing at speeds up to 2,500 parts per minute. Complete turnkey solutions include bunker storage, feeding devices, and automatic filling/packaging systems. Deep Learning technology integration was added in 2024 for enhanced defect classification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OPTISORT: Line of optical inspection and sorting systems for fasteners and industrial components including OPTISORT W (glass disk for stamped parts), OPTISORT ST (steel disk for screws), and OPTISORT mini (for micro screws).
• AutoControl
• OPTICON

Products and services

• OPTISORT W Glass-disk based optical inspection and sorting machine for 100% automatic contactless inspection of stamped parts, sleeves, nuts, washers and flat metal and plastic parts up to 90x90mm surface and 130mm height, at throughputs up to 1,500 parts per minute.
• OPTISORT ST Steel-disk based optical inspection and sorting machine for 100% automatic contactless inspection of screws, blind rivets and rod-shaped parts with heads, handling screw sizes M1.4 to M16 and lengths up to 160mm, at throughputs up to 2,500 parts per minute.
• OPTISORT mini Compact steel-disk inspection system specifically designed for micro screws from M1.4 to M4, featuring a 1.5mm thick steel disk and pneumatic lifting station for quick disk changes at throughputs up to 1,500 parts per minute.
• AUTOCONTROL Proprietary PC-based image processing and control software powering all OPTISORT inspection systems, with over 200 predefined inspection and measurement tools including 360° thread inspection, SFS surface inspection, contour inspection, color/coating inspection, and eddy current testing via a menu-driven interface.
• OPTICON Stand-alone test bench for pre-inspection and feasibility studies, featuring three camera systems with rotating component holding devices that allow independent setup of new products or defect detection methods without interrupting production OPTISORT systems.
• OPTISORT Remote Service and Preventive Maintenance After-sales service program combining TeamViewer-based remote support available 14 hours per day, preventive-maintenance service contracts, spare parts supply, customer training, and annual image-processing seminars for OPTISORT systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Throughput up to 2,500 parts per minute depending on model and inspection requirements
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STEMMER IMAGING / Allied VisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing technology partnership for machine vision hardware. STEMMER IMAGING supplies Allied Vision cameras (specifically Manta G-223B models) used in OPTISORT systems. Partnership described as reliable supplier relationship spanning many years with positive experiences. Allied Vision's modular camera concept provides flexibility through various hardware variants including angle heads, optical filters, and special lens connections.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Keyence Corporation: Global leader in machine vision systems, sensors, and measurement instruments. Directly competes with GEFRA in industrial inspection of components, offering broad machine vision platforms including automated quality inspection for fasteners and small parts, though at much larger scale and with broader product lines.
• Cognex Corporation: Leading provider of machine vision and industrial barcode reading solutions. Directly competes with GEFRA in automated visual inspection for manufacturing, with AI-based vision tools comparable to OPTISORT and global sales/service infrastructure GEFRA lacks.
• ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco): Specializes in industrial machine vision and surface inspection; now part of Atlas Copco. Provides 100% quality inspection systems for metal and other materials, directly overlapping with GEFRA's inspection offering though typically serving larger-scale industries such as glass, metal, and paper.

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: Major German industrial sensor and automation company offering machine vision, identification, and quality inspection solutions. Comparable to GEFRA's inspection capabilities but as part of a much broader industrial sensor portfolio with global service network.
• Baumer Group: Swiss-based provider of sensors, encoders, and industrial cameras including machine vision components. Overlaps with GEFRA through industrial vision technology and supplier ecosystem, but operates at much larger scale across multiple industries.
• Mettler-Toledo International: Global manufacturer of precision instruments including industrial quality inspection and dimensional measurement systems. Comparable to GEFRA's metrology and inspection capabilities but serves a much broader range of industries with extensive global service infrastructure.
• Körber Technologies (Inspection): Industrial technology group offering automated quality inspection and manufacturing solutions for metals and other materials. Provides comparable automated inspection systems to GEFRA but serves broader industrial segments with greater resources.
• Wenzel Group (metrology): German manufacturer of coordinate measuring machines and industrial metrology solutions. Comparable to GEFRA's dimensional inspection capabilities but specializes in larger CMM systems rather than high-speed in-line parts inspection.

Emerging players

• EVK (Perception Park): Austrian company specializing in hyperspectral imaging and machine vision for industrial inspection. Comparable to GEFRA in industrial inspection focus but uses different sensor technology (hyperspectral vs. optical/disk rotation) and serves broader industrial markets.

Others

• Stemmer Imaging AG: European machine vision technology provider and supplier of vision components including Allied Vision cameras. Acts as GEFRA's camera supplier partner but also provides complete vision solutions, representing both an enabler and adjacent competitor in industrial vision.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHj7Ahy-NVkiKlBhNVgLXXQ/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gefra-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Gefra GmbH