What Herrenknecht does

Herrenknecht AG is a family-owned, privately-held German manufacturer of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and underground construction technology, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Schwanau, Germany. The company produces the industry's broadest portfolio of mechanical tunnelling equipment — including EPB Shields, Mixshields, Gripper TBMs, Double Shield, Single Shield, Multi-Mode, and Variable Density TBMs with diameters from 0.1m to 19m — alongside mining equipment (raise boring rigs, boxhole boring machines, shaft boring roadheaders up to 2,000m depth), trenchless pipeline installation systems (HDD rigs, Direct Pipe, Pipe Express, E-Power Pipe), vertical shaft sinking machines, and offshore foundation drills. A vertically integrated subsidiary ecosystem supplies navigation and process data management (VMT GmbH), conveyor belt systems (H+E Logistik GmbH), tunnel formwork, multi-service vehicles (Techni-Métal Systèmes), separation technology, and engineered mobility solutions, complemented by the Herrenknecht.Connected digital performance portal.

The company serves government clients, tier-1 construction joint ventures, and infrastructure developers across metro and urban rail, high-speed rail, road tunnels, utility infrastructure, hydropower, mining, and pipeline installation. Its 6,700+ project references worldwide include flagship infrastructure such as the Gotthard Road Tunnel, HS2 in the UK (12 TBMs supplied across the Align, SCS, and Balfour Beatty VINCI JVs), the Suez Canal crossing, Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, Hanoi Metro Line 3, and Egypt's Port Said crossing. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time sales of custom-engineered TBMs (each project-specific, ranging from compact auger machines to record-setting 19m-diameter, 400m-long units) plus Original Herrenknecht Services covering design, manufacturing, transport, site assembly, excavation support, disassembly, and remanufacturing. Go-to-market is exclusively direct enterprise field sales, with active presence at major industry events including bauma, No-Dig conferences, and the ASTT Awards. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Herrenknecht

Legal name

Herrenknecht AG

Website

https://herrenknecht.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Herrenknecht AG is a family-owned German manufacturer of tunnel boring machines and underground construction equipment, serving governments, construction JVs, and mining operators across metro, rail, road, utility, hydropower, and pipeline projects globally with 6,700+ completed projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tunnel Boring Machines and Underground Construction Equipment

NAICS

Construction Machinery Manufacturing (33312), Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Tunnels & Underground Rail Civil Construction (IMAFAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Underground Mining Equipment (Loaders/LHDs, Continuous Miners, Longwall Systems) (IMAKANAB), Mining & Underground Vehicles (LHDs, Underground Haul Trucks) (IMAHAIAD)

Keywords

• Tunnel boring machines
• Underground construction equipment
• Trenchless pipeline installation
• Horizontal directional drilling
• Mining shaft boring equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Ostenau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tunnel Boring Machine Sales: Sale of highly engineered custom tunnel boring machines and equipment. Each machine is project-specific with custom engineering, manufacturing, and assembly. Machines range from small diameter (0.1m) to large diameter (19m) for various applications including metro, railway, road tunnels, utilities, and mining.
2. Original Herrenknecht Services: Comprehensive service offerings including project design and TBM manufacturing, transport and site assembly, excavation support, disassembly and rebuilding, and remanufacturing. The company provides 24/7 field service support throughout project phases.
3. Mining Equipment: Sale of mining technology including Raise Boring Rigs, Boxhole Boring Machines, Shaft Boring equipment, and related accessories for underground mining operations worldwide.
4. Pipeline Equipment: HDD rigs, Direct Pipe, Pipe Express, and E-Power Pipe systems for trenchless pipeline and cable installation in oil, gas, water, and utilities sectors.
5. Additional Equipment and Components: Separation technology, conveyor belt systems, rock support equipment, segment production systems, tunnel shutters, navigation systems, and excavation tools.
6. Exhibition and Event Revenue: Participation in industry exhibitions and events as exhibitor showcasing products and technology to industry professionals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Herrenknecht AG designs, manufactures, and services custom-engineered tunnel boring machines (TBMs), raise boring rigs, horizontal directional drilling rigs, vertical shaft sinking machines, and trenchless pipeline installation systems for diameters from 0.1m to 19m. Each machine is project-specific, produced at dedicated facilities in Germany and China, and supported through comprehensive Original Herrenknecht Services spanning design, transport, assembly, excavation support, disassembly, and remanufacturing. The company also offers the Herrenknecht.Connected digital portal for real-time performance reporting.

Product overview

Herrenknecht AG is a global market leader in tunnel boring machines and underground construction technology, offering an extensive portfolio of mechanical tunnel boring equipment. The product range includes multiple TBM types (AVN, EPB Shield, Mixshield, Double Shield, Multi-Mode, Variable Density, Single Shield, Gripper) for diameters from 0.4m to 19m across all geological conditions, as well as specialized equipment for mining (BBM, BBR, RBM, RBR, SBR, SBC, SBE, SDJ, DHBM), exploration (Deep Drilling Rigs, SDD-Rig), and trenchless pipeline installation (HDD-Rig, Direct Pipe, Pipe Express, E-Power Pipe). Supporting infrastructure includes navigation/monitoring systems (VMT), belt conveyor systems, separation technology, segment production, and specialized equipment. The portfolio is complemented by digital services (Herrenknecht.Connected) and comprehensive project services. With over 6,700 project references and 50 years of experience, the company operates as a family-owned enterprise headquartered in Schwanau, Germany, with subsidiaries including VMT, H+E Logistik, Herrenknecht Formwork, and Herrenknecht Separations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AVN Machine (AVN-Maschine)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,900 km of metro tunnels constructed worldwide with Herrenknecht TBMs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Afcons Infrastructure (Shapoorji Pallonji Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Mumbai Bhiwandi-Thane water tunnel project. Herrenknecht supplies 5.33m Gripper TBM designed for hard rock excavation through 133m deep shaft. Afcons operates the machine for Mumbai's water transport network expansion.
• Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel Project (11km). Herrenknecht India supplies two TBMs 'Nayak' and 'Arjuna' with 13.34m cutterhead diameters for hard rock excavation beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
• National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for India's first bullet train project (Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor). Herrenknecht supplies two TBMs weighing 6,000 tonnes combined for the 21km underground tunnel including a 7km undersea section.
• Align Joint Venture (Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, VolkerFitzpatrick)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic project partnership for HS2 Chiltern Tunnel. Herrenknecht supplies two custom Variable Density TBMs (Florence and Cecilia) for the 16km tunnel. Each machine is 2,000 tonnes and 170m long. The partnership involves ongoing support and service throughout the project execution.
• Balfour Beatty VINCIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for HS2 Bromford Tunnel (2x5.7km) with two Variable Density TBMs. Also involved in Long Itchington Wood tunnel project. Herrenknecht provides custom-engineered machines and technical support.
• SCS Joint Venture (Skanska, Costain, STRABAG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for multiple HS2 tunnel sections including Northolt Tunnel West, Northolt Tunnel East, Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel, and Euston connection. Herrenknecht supplies four EPB Shields with diameters ranging from 7.08m to 9.82m.
• VMT GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Subsidiary company providing navigation and process data management systems for tunnel boring machines. VMT supplies guidance systems that ensure millimeter-precision excavation, essential for modern tunnel construction.
• Herrenknecht FormworkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Subsidiary company supplying tunnel segment formwork systems for segment production. Essential for creating the concrete tunnel linings that support excavated tunnels.
• Techni-Métal Systèmes (TMS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Subsidiary company supplying multi-service vehicles for tunnel construction site logistics and support operations. Enables efficient material and personnel transport within tunnel environments.
• H+E Logistik GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Subsidiary company manufacturing conveyor belt systems for tunnel excavation material removal. Handles muck transport distances up to 15km with high-performance systems adapted to site conditions.
• Implenia and Frutiger (Secondo Tubo Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Consortium operating Herrenknecht Single Shield TBM 'Alessandra' for Gotthard Road Tunnel second tube project in Switzerland on behalf of client ASTRA (Federal Roads Office).
• HERRENKNECHT Group Brands NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationComprehensive subsidiary ecosystem including: Herrenknecht Formwork (segment production systems), Herrenknecht Separations (separation technology), VMT (navigation/monitoring), H>Next Engineered Mobility, Euroform, H+E Logistik (conveyor systems), Techni-Métal Systèmes (multi-service vehicles), Global Tunnelling Experts, Herrenknecht Vertical, Bohrtec (microtunnelling).

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Komatsu: Japanese construction and mining equipment OEM with significant underground mining machinery presence. Competes with Herrenknecht's mining equipment line and adjacent surface construction equipment; broader scale but narrower tunneling specialization.
• Epiroc: Swedish mining and infrastructure equipment manufacturer (spun off from Atlas Copco). Provides underground drilling, loading, and haulage equipment used alongside TBMs in mining; complements rather than directly competes, but increasingly adjacent as both players target deep underground mining.
• Caterpillar: World's largest construction and mining equipment OEM. While not a direct TBM competitor at the same scale, Caterpillar's underground hard rock mining loaders (LHDs) and equipment financing capabilities make it an indirect competitor in mining-adjacent tunnelling and a benchmark for global heavy equipment.
• Hitachi Zosen Corporation: Japanese heavy industrial group with a TBM product line for shield tunneling alongside shipbuilding, environmental systems, and industrial machinery. Competes with Herrenknecht in Japan and select international metro projects.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: Large Japanese diversified industrial conglomerate manufacturing slurry and EPB shield TBMs as part of its broader infrastructure and machinery portfolio. Historic competitor in Asian metro and undersea tunnel projects.
• China Communications Construction Company (CCCC): China's largest infrastructure contractor with in-house TBM manufacturing capability through subsidiaries. Dominant position in domestic Chinese tunnel projects and active internationally; represents both customer and competitor dynamic for Herrenknecht in Asia.
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries: Japanese industrial conglomerate with TBM manufacturing capability for shield tunneling. Broader portfolio spans aerospace, shipbuilding, motorcycles, and energy; competes with Herrenknecht on Japanese and select international infrastructure tenders.

Direct peers

• Robbins Company: US-based tunnel boring machine manufacturer specializing in hard rock TBMs for mining, hydro, and infrastructure. Closest direct competitor to Herrenknecht with comparable product line (main beam, double shield, EPB) but smaller scale and narrower ground-condition coverage.
• Terratec: Hong Kong-based TBM manufacturer focused on metro and utility tunneling in Asia-Pacific. Direct competitor with overlapping EPB and slurry shield product lines, particularly active in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia where Herrenknecht also competes.

Emerging players

• China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC): Chinese state-owned construction and TBM manufacturer with rapidly expanding technical capability in EPB and slurry shields. Strong domestic China presence and growing exports to other Belt-and-Road markets; key Asian competitor to Herrenknecht on price-sensitive tenders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/herrenknechtag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/herrenknecht-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries11 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 Herrenknecht