What Friedhelm Loh Group does

Friedhelm Loh Group is a privately held German family-owned industrial conglomerate founded in 1961 by Prof. Dr.-Ing. E.h. Friedhelm Loh and headquartered in Haiger, Germany. The group operates six wholly owned specialist companies — Rittal (enclosures, power distribution, climate control, and IT infrastructure), EPLAN (engineering software for electrical/automation/mechatronic design), Stahlo (manufacturer-independent steel service center with Green Steel offerings), LKH (plastics), CIDEON (engineering process digitization), German Edge Cloud (IIoT/edge/cloud for industrial applications), and Loh Services (central business services) — through 95 subsidiaries and 13 production sites globally.

The core technology platform combines proprietary hardware (the VX25 enclosure system, Blue e+ cooling units achieving up to 70% energy savings, and a megawatt-class cooling solution for AI data centers) with software (EPLAN engineering tools, the ONCITE Digital Production System integrating IIoT, Smart MOM, low-code via Scheer PAS, and edge computing). Revenue is generated through a mix of hardware sales (enclosures, cooling, steel, plastics), recurring software subscriptions (EPLAN), and professional services (consulting, installation, IT/edge services). GTM is enterprise field sales through the subsidiary network with a 24-hour delivery promise, complemented by trade show presence at Blechexpo, Euroblech, and Hannover Messe.

The company serves industrial manufacturing, automotive (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, Daimler, Diehl), automation (Schuler, KUKA, ATR), steel (Salzgitter), and data center operators (Lefdal Mine Datacenter with Infosys). Pricing is quote-based B2B enterprise contracts; no public pricing or customer-level revenue disclosures exist. Reporting 3.2 billion EUR turnover and approximately 12,100–12,900 employees, Friedhelm Loh Group remains under founder/owner control with no external equity or public listing.

Name

Friedhelm Loh Group

Legal name

Friedhelm Loh Stiftung & Co. KG

Website

https://friedhelm-loh-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Friedhelm Loh Group is a German family-owned industrial conglomerate operating Rittal (enclosures and IT infrastructure), EPLAN (engineering software), Stahlo (steel services), LKH (plastics), CIDEON, and German Edge Cloud, serving automotive, manufacturing, and data center customers across 95 global subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Enclosures and IT Infrastructure

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (551), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Embedded & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (Industrial PCs, HMIs, Panel PCs) (IMAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Industrial enclosure systems
• Engineering software solutions
• IT infrastructure products
• Steel service center
• Industrial digital transformation

Headquarters

HQ city

Haiger

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Enclosure and System Hardware: Rittal manufactures and sells enclosures, power distribution systems, climate control units, and IT infrastructure solutions globally
2. Engineering Software: EPLAN provides software solutions for electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering; CIDEON offers engineering process optimization
3. Steel Services: Stahlo provides manufacturer-independent steel service center operations with Green Steel offerings
4. Plastics Products: LKH delivers innovative plastic product solutions from project management to component validation
5. IT Services and Consulting: Loh Services provides central business services; German Edge Cloud offers edge and cloud solutions for industry applications
6. Service Solutions: Comprehensive service offerings including delivery, installation, and ongoing support across product portfolio

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Friedhelm Loh Group is a family-owned industrial conglomerate that manufactures and sells industrial enclosures, power distribution systems, climate control units, and IT infrastructure through its Rittal subsidiary, while also providing engineering software (EPLAN, CIDEON), steel service center operations (Stahlo), plastics products (LKH), and edge/cloud industrial production platforms (German Edge Cloud, ONCITE DPS). The group's offerings serve industrial manufacturers, automotive companies, data center operators, and engineering teams worldwide with integrated hardware-software solutions for industrial digital transformation.

Product overview

The Friedhelm Loh Group operates as a diversified industrial conglomerate with multiple specialist companies offering complementary products and services. The portfolio includes: Rittal (enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure), Eplan (engineering software for electrical/automation/mechatronic engineering), Stahlo (steel service centre), LKH (plastic solutions), CIDEON (engineering digitization), Loh Services (central business services), and German Edge Cloud (edge/cloud solutions). German Edge Cloud's ONCITE Digital Production System integrates Smart MOM, IIoT, low-code development and edge computing, incorporating Scheer PAS as a low code platform. Products are positioned as system solutions ('The System') spanning hardware (enclosures, cooling) and software (engineering, IIoT, cloud) for industrial digitalization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rittal – The System: World's leading supplier for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure, software and service solutions
• EPLAN efficient engineering
• Stahlo
• LKH
• Loh Services
• CIDEON engineering digitized
• Rittal Foundation
• Debora Foundation
• ONCITE Digital Production System

Products and services

• Rittal – The System The world's leading supplier for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure, software and service solutions, serving industrial manufacturers, data center operators, and automotive companies worldwide.
• EPLAN Software and service solutions in electrical, automation, and mechatronic engineering for efficient engineering processes across industrial design teams.
• Stahlo One of the largest manufacturer-independent steel service centres in Germany, providing efficient steel-related services including Green Steel solutions secured from Salzgitter from 2025 onwards.
• LKH Innovative plastic product solutions spanning project management to component and process validation, targeting CO2 neutrality through bioplastics and recycling.
• Loh Services Central business services for the Friedhelm Loh Group, providing controlling and IT services to the group's operating subsidiaries.
• CIDEON Advisory and support services for businesses implementing innovation and optimizing engineering processes to raise performance, customer benefits, and business value.
• German Edge Cloud (GEC) Edge and cloud solutions specialist for industry-related applications and shop-floor apps for digitalized production, serving as the platform backbone for the ONCITE Digital Production System.
• ONCITE Digital Production System (DPS) Digital production system combining Smart MOM, IIoT, low-code development, and edge computing for manufacturing companies, enabling reliable production networking, modern data management, and flexible manufacturing processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% energy savings at Diehl Controls with Blue e+ S cooling units
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Stahlo secures 'Green Steel' from Salzgitter as of 2025 through partnering agreement. First transparency label in the steel market for Green Steel traceability and sustainability verification.
• Scheer PAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022Strategic partnership between German Edge Cloud and Scheer PAS to accelerate digital transformation in manufacturing. Scheer PAS incorporated as low-code and integration platform for ONCITE Digital Production System, combining Smart MOM, IIoT, low-code development, and edge computing.
• SchulerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic cooperation between Schuler and German Edge Cloud for forming technology and edge computing. Schuler uses GEC solutions in world's biggest smart press shop in Halle (Saale), achieving end-to-end digitalization and track & trace capabilities.
• PorschecoreTechnology or IntegrationPorsche collaborates with German Edge Cloud on digital production solutions, mentioned in context of smart factory implementations.
• Aktion Deutschland HilftminorOthersHumanitarian organization receiving Ukraine aid donations from Friedhelm Loh Group
• World VisionminorOthersHumanitarian organization receiving Ukraine aid donations from Friedhelm Loh Group
• HumedicaminorOthersHumanitarian organization receiving Ukraine and disaster relief donations from Friedhelm Loh Group
• Médecins Sans FrontièresminorOthersInternational humanitarian aid organization receiving Ukraine crisis donations
• International Justice MissionminorOthersPartner organization in India working with Debora Foundation to provide emergency supplies during pandemic

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schneider Electric: Global leader in industrial enclosures, power distribution, climate control, and IIoT (EcoStruxure). Direct competitor to Rittal across enclosure, climate, and data center infrastructure; competes head-to-head on megawatt-class AI cooling and integrated Industry 4.0 offerings.
• ABB: Provides industrial enclosures, electrification products, and motion control with strong overlap to Rittal's hardware portfolio. Competes in power distribution, control panels, and increasingly in industrial IIoT/automation software.
• nVent Electric: Pure-play electrical connection and protection solutions provider with enclosure and power distribution offerings. Closest US-listed pure-play comparable to Rittal's enclosure and electrical infrastructure business.
• Eaton: Global power management company with strong overlap in enclosures, power distribution, and data center infrastructure. Competes with Rittal in industrial and data center markets, including AI infrastructure cooling/power delivery.
• Vertiv: Critical digital infrastructure provider offering power, cooling, and IT solutions for data centers. Direct competitor in Rittal's megawatt cooling for AI and containerized IT infrastructure segments, especially for hyperscale and HPC customers.
• PTC: CAD/PLM and IIoT (ThingWorx) software vendor with overlapping engineering and smart-manufacturing offerings to EPLAN, CIDEON, and German Edge Cloud. Increasingly bundles software with industrial automation partners.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens: Operates across industrial automation, digital industries (NX, Teamcenter, TIA Portal), and smart infrastructure. Directly competes with EPLAN/CIDEON in engineering software and with Rittal in industrial automation hardware, but at substantially larger scale across a much broader portfolio.
• Dassault Systèmes: Provider of 3DEXPERIENCE platform and CATIA/SOLIDWORKS engineering software. Competes with EPLAN/CIDEON in industrial engineering and mechatronic design, with substantially larger enterprise footprint and PLM integration.
• Bosch Rexroth: Industrial automation, factory automation, and Industry 4.0 solutions provider under the broader Bosch group. Competes with Rittal enclosures and German Edge Cloud IIoT in factory automation, with stronger motion/control heritage.

Regional players

• Huber+Suhner: Swiss-headquartered provider of electrical and optical connectivity including data center cooling (Coolbit) solutions. Comparable to Rittal's data center thermal management and IT infrastructure, primarily serving European markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RittalGermany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friedhelm-loh-group
• Instagraminstagram.com/ausbildungflg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries10 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 Friedhelm Loh Group