The Schmersal Group

Name

The Schmersal Group

Legal name

K.A. Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://schmersal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Machine Safety

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection) (IMAGAEAB), Protection, Control & SCADA/Automation Installation (Relay Panels, RTUs) (IMAFAHAF), Testing, Commissioning, Maintenance & Retrofit/Modernization (Substations/Switchgear) (EUADACAL)

Keywords

• Industrial safety switches
• Machine safety components
• Safety relay modules
• Explosion protected devices
• Optoelectronic safety sensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Wuppertal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Safety Components and Systems: Schmersal generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of industrial safety switching devices, including safety switches, sensors, safety light curtains, safety relays, safety controllers, and ATEX-compliant products. Products are sold directly via a global webshop (~15,000 products, ~20 countries) and through field sales teams with dedicated commercial and technical support hotlines. Revenue is primarily product-based, one-time purchase, with some services component.
2. Safety Consulting and Services (tec.nicum): The tec.nicum business unit provides manufacturer-neutral safety consulting, risk assessment, training, and seminar programs (tec.nicum academy) for machine safety. These services complement the hardware portfolio and generate recurring service revenue including training programs and consulting engagements.
3. Webshop and E-commerce: The Schmersal Webshop (products.schmersal.com) sells approximately 15,000 products directly to industrial customers 24/7. The recently redesigned platform is available in ~20 countries with modern UX, product comparison tools, and mobile functionality. Technical and commercial support is maintained via hotlines alongside the online platform.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Schmersal Group develops and produces switching devices and system solutions for machine safety and workplace protection. Its portfolio includes safety switches and sensors, optoelectronic safety devices (light curtains and grids), safety relay modules and controllers, command and signal devices, tactile safety sensors, and explosion-protected (ATEX/IECEx) switching devices. The company also delivers Industry 4.0 capabilities such as IO-Link Safety, digital twins, and safe fieldbus integration, and offers manufacturer-neutral safety consulting, training, and risk assessment services through its tec.nicum division.

Product overview

Schmersal Group is a system and solution provider for machine safety, offering the world's largest program of safety switches and safety systems. Their portfolio is organized around six core product categories: Safety Switches and Safety Sensors (including safety interlocks, magnetic and electronic safety sensors), Safe Signal Processing (featuring the PROTECT SRB-E multifunctional safety relay modules and SRB-EXi for explosion protection), Optoelectronic Safety Devices (safety light curtains, grids including ATEX-certified EX versions), Command and Signal Devices (including the hygienic H-Programm), Safety Tactile Sensors (switching mats, edges, bumpers), and Safe System Solutions for Industry 4.0 (IO-Link Safety, Digital Twin, Safety Fieldbox for PROFINET/EtherCAT/EtherNet IP fieldbus integration, SD-Gateway). Additional categories include Ex-Switching Devices for ATEX compliance and Elevator Technology. The portfolio also includes tec.nicum safety services for manufacturer-neutral consulting, training, and validation. Products are available through a global webshop with approximately 15,000 items across approximately 20 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• tec.nicum: Safety services division offering comprehensive safety consulting and services including manufacturer-neutral safety consulting, digitalization services, and outsourcing solutions.

Products and services

• Safety Switches and Safety Sensors Safety switches with separate actuator, safety interlocks, and magnetic and electronic safety sensors for non-contact protective door monitoring and machinery guarding in industrial applications.
• Safe Signal Processing Safety relay modules and signal processing devices including the multifunctional PROTECT SRB-E series (8 variants, SIL 3 / PLe Cat 4), SRB-EXi for ATEX/IECEx/INMETRO explosion-protected monitoring, and output expansions.
• Optoelectronic Safety Devices Safety light curtains, safety light grids, and EX-certified versions (e.g., EX-SLC/SLG440) for hazardous area / explosive atmospheres.
• Command and Signal Devices Operator interface devices including the hygienic H-Programm series for food/pharma/cleanroom, emergency stop switches, position switches, rope pull switches, foot switches, and operator panels (including BDF20/BDF40).
• Safety Tactile Sensors Pressure-sensitive safety devices for area protection, including safety switching mats, safety switching edges, and safety-directed bumpers.
• Safe System Solutions for Industry 4.0 Industry 4.0 ready safety solutions including IO-Link Safety communication, digital twin models, SD-Gateways, Safety Fieldboxes for PROFINET/PROFIsafe, EtherCAT/FSoE, and EtherNet/IP/CIP Safety fieldbus integration, and installation systems.
• Ex-Switching Devices Explosion-protected switching devices compliant with ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for use in gas and dust explosive atmospheres.
• Elevator Technology Safety components and systems specifically designed for elevator and lift applications, including door safety, position monitoring, and emergency stop functionality.
• PROTECT SRB-E Multifunctional Safety Relay Modules Multifunctional safety relay modules in 8 configurable variants for monitoring all common electromechanical and electronic safety switches, locks, and sensors up to SIL 3 / Category 4 / PL e; each unit configurable for up to 11 different application profiles.
• SRB-EXi Safety Relay Modules Explosion-protected safety relay modules with intrinsic safety 'i' protection type for monitoring sensors, emergency stop devices, and interlocking devices in ATEX Zones 1/2 (gas) and 21/22 (dust).
• Safety Fieldbox Safe fieldbox family for PROFINET/PROFIsafe, EtherCAT/FSoE, and EtherNet/IP/CIP-Safety integration; up to 8 safety device connections with integrated dual-port switch and IP66/IP67 protection for field mounting.
• IO-Link Safety Smart factory safety communication solution enabling Industry 4.0 integration for safety devices via the IO-Link Safety protocol.
• Digital Twin for Machine Safety 4D models and virtual machine planning solution for machine safety design and simulation, enabling digital twin-based safety design and validation.
• AZ215/AZ216 and AZ315/AZ316 Safety Switches Compact and flexible safety switches with separate actuators for protective door monitoring on machinery and equipment.
• EX-SLC/SLG440 Safety Light Curtains and Grids Safety light curtains and grids with ATEX certification for use in explosive atmospheres requiring explosion-protected optoelectronic safety devices.
• H-Programm Command and Signal Devices Hygienic-grade command and signal devices designed for food processing, pharmaceutical, and cleanroom environments.
• tec.nicum Safety Services Manufacturer-neutral safety consulting services delivered by tec.nicum, including risk assessment, safety concept development, validation, and training programs via the tec.nicum academy.
• Schmersal Global Webshop 24/7 online ordering platform offering approximately 15,000 industrial safety products with product comparison tools and mobile functionality, currently available in around 20 countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Safety relay modules reach PL e / Category 4 / SIL 3 per EN ISO 13849-1 and IEC 61508, providing the highest level of functional safety for machine applications.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments13 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature9 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pilz GmbH & Co. KG: Pilz is a German family-owned safety automation specialist offering safety relays, controllers, light curtains, and operator terminals. Closest direct competitor to Schmersal, with a comparable family-company heritage and overlapping product portfolio in machine safety.
• SICK AG: SICK is a German sensor and safety systems manufacturer with a strong machine safety portfolio (safety light curtains, laser scanners, safety controllers). Direct competitor in optoelectronic safety devices and safety sensors targeting identical industrial OEMs.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens AG: Siemens offers safety-integrated automation via SIMATIC and SIRIUS safety relays within its broader factory automation portfolio. A large incumbent that competes on integrated platforms where Schmersal partners or loses on standalone components.
• Eaton Corporation: Eaton manufactures safety switches, contactors, and protective devices as part of its electrical and industrial portfolio. Overlaps with Schmersal in industrial safety switches, particularly in North American and hazardous-location applications.
• ABB Ltd: ABB provides safety products (Eden, Pluto, Jokab) within its broader robotics and electrification portfolio. Competes in machine safety as part of integrated automation offerings, especially in robotics and process industries.
• Keyence Corporation: Keyence offers safety light curtains and sensors alongside its broader sensor and machine vision portfolio. Strong direct-sales model overlapping with Schmersal in factory automation customers, especially in Asia.
• Omron Corporation: Omron's safety business (light curtains, safety relays, controllers) sits within its industrial automation segment. Competes with Schmersal in machine safety components, particularly in Asian automotive and electronics OEM accounts.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell bundles safety I/O, drives and controllers (GuardLogix, Allen-Bradley) into its Logix platform. Competes primarily in North American machine builder accounts where its integrated safety stack rivals Schmersal's component-led approach.

Emerging players

• Banner Engineering: Banner Engineering is a US-based safety products specialist focused on safety light curtains, safety controllers, and machine safety components. A focused niche competitor to Schmersal in optoelectronic safety devices for the North American market.
• Datalogic: Datalogic provides industrial sensors, safety light curtains, and machine vision products. Competes with Schmersal in factory automation and intralogistics safety applications, particularly in European manufacturing accounts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kaschmersal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/schmersal
• Facebookfacebook.com/kaschmersal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schmersal
• Instagraminstagram.com/schmersal.group

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 The Schmersal Group