Plumettaz

What Plumettaz does

Plumettaz S.A., headquartered in Bex, Switzerland, designs, manufactures, and globally distributes cable laying equipment for the telecommunications and energy industries. The company's core technology is its patented jetting system (invented 1987), which uses air or water propulsion to push cables through pre-installed ducts rather than pulling them — a method that reduces mechanical stress on cables and enables longer installation distances than legacy techniques. The product portfolio spans compact battery-powered units (OptiJet™, UltimaZ™), hydraulic heavy-duty jetting machines (SuperJet™, Intelli-SuperJet™), cable pushers (Watucab™, Cable feeder), and capstan winches (including those acquired via Jakob Thaler GmbH). Supporting offerings include the IntelliBox™ electronic assistant, Remote Monitoring via the Plumettaz Connect Platform, and JetPlanner™ 4.0 simulation software (offered in Starter, Advanced, and Watucab™ Edition tiers).

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct subsidiaries in Switzerland (HQ), the United States (Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, opened 2019), Singapore, the Netherlands (HMS Machines BV, Infrarent BV), and Germany (Jakob Thaler GmbH), complemented by 50+ distributors reaching 90+ countries. Revenue is generated primarily through capital equipment sales to telecom operators, energy utilities (including offshore wind developers and grid operators such as Energinet and Swissgrid), and contractors, with a growing recurring layer from subscription-based digital services. Adjacent product lines serve rail (SNCF-approved level crossing components, transformer oil circulation pumps) and snow grooming (capstan winches for Kässbohrer PistenBully vehicles). Since transitioning from family ownership to Invision investment company ownership, Plumettaz has executed two bolt-on acquisitions (HMS/Infrarent in 2020, Jakob Thaler in 2022), launched new products in 2025 (XTractor™ copper cable extraction machine; UltimaZ™-E25 Evolution), and published formal sustainability reporting, achieving EcoVadis Bronze Medal status in 2024.

Name

Plumettaz

Legal name

Plumettaz S.A.

Website

http://www.plumettaz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Plumettaz S.A. is a Swiss manufacturer of patented jetting and floating cable-laying equipment for the global telecommunications and energy infrastructure markets, selling directly and through 50+ distributors in 90+ countries. The Bex-headquartered, PE-owned company serves telecom operators, utilities, and contractors with hardware plus subscription-based digital monitoring and simulation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bex

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cable Laying Equipment Sales: Sale of hardware equipment including jetting machines, cable pushers, winches, and accessories for telecom and energy cable installation. Products range from compact battery-powered units (OptiJet™) to heavy-duty hydraulic systems (Intelli-SuperJet™).
2. Digital Services (Remote Monitoring, JetPlanner™ 4.0): Subscription-based digital services for machine connectivity, real-time monitoring, and cable installation simulation planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Plumettaz designs, develops, manufactures, and sells cable laying equipment—including jetting/blowing machines, cable pushers, and cable pulling winches—used by telecom operators, energy utilities, and contractors to install fiber optic, micro-cable, and power cables into underground ducts. The company complements its hardware portfolio with subscription-based digital services: JetPlanner™ 4.0 simulation software for pre-installation feasibility planning, and Remote Monitoring for real-time machine connectivity and reporting. Plumettaz manufactures its equipment at a 2,000 sqm workshop in Bex, Switzerland, and exports over 90% of production to 90+ countries.

Product overview

Plumettaz offers a comprehensive portfolio of cable laying equipment and digital services for telecommunications and energy industries. The core product lines include Jetting/Blowing machines (OptiJet™, Intelli-SuperJet™, SuperJet™, IntelliJet™, MiniJet™, Intelli-MicroJet™, MicroJet™, UltimaZ™ Electric, UltimaZ™ P2P, CableJet™) for installing cables using air or water propulsion, Cable Pushers (Cable feeder, Watucab™, Snake-Eye™) for pushing cables, and Cable Pulling Winches (Capstan-winch on trailer, Capstan winch). Supporting accessories include Lubricator, Y-Connector, Figaro, Air after-cooler, Drumstand, Cable drum trailer, Lubricant, Floating kit, Multi-duct accessory, Sonic head, and electronic assistants (MP 50, IntelliBox™). Digital services include Remote Monitoring for real-time machine connectivity and JetPlanner™ 4.0 for cable installation simulation and planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JetPlanner™ 4.0: Digital cable installation simulator software that accurately simulates cable installation for all usual methods considering physical phenomena including gravity, capstan effect, friction, and buckling.
• Remote Monitoring
• Plumettaz Connect Platform

Products and services

• OptiJet™ Electric micro-cable blowing machine for FTTx installations inside and outside buildings, featuring automatic crash test, automatic pushing force and cable clamping settings, and battery-powered operation with no generator required.
• Intelli-SuperJet™ Intelligent hydraulic jetting machine with integrated computer for monitoring, supervising, and recording cable installation performance. Generates detailed digital reports via IntelliBox™ for telecommunications cables and multi-ducts.
• SuperJet™ Standard hydraulic jetting machine with the largest operational range for demanding telecommunications cable and multi-duct installations.
• IntelliJet™ Semi-automatic cable blowing machine with installation assistant and electronic data recorder. Monitors pushing force and cable slippage, stops automatically to prevent cable damage.
• MiniJet™ Multi-task cable and fiber blowing machine offering greatest market flexibility with ability to install cable, micro-cable, and microduct.
• Intelli-MicroJet™ Intelligent micro-cable and fiber units blowing machine with integrated computer for monitoring and recording installation performance.
• MicroJet™ Precision micro-cable blowing machine with precise torque control for accurate fiber installation.
• UltimaZ™ Electric Electric FTTx micro-cable blowing machine for inside and outside buildings, powered by long-life lithium battery providing full day of service.
• UltimaZ™ P2P FTTx micro-cable blowing machine powered by any electric drill or screwdriver for inside and outside building installations.
• CableJet™ Workhorse cable and fiber blowing or floating machine for telecommunications cables into pre-installed tubes.
• Cable feeder Compact, lightweight, hydraulically driven cable pusher enhancing installation distances in traditional infrastructures. Max pushing force 6000 N, admitted cable diameter 8-160 mm.
• Watucab™ Large power cable pusher for energy distribution with max pushing force 1350 daN. Handles single cables 45-160 mm or triple cables 3x 25 to 3x 65 mm. Supports water floating installation method for long-haul cable deployment.
• Capstan winch Compact and light capstan winch series combining robust performance with easy operation. Max pulling force 11-20 kN (1100-2000 kg).
• Capstan-winch on trailer Capstan winch mounted on trailer for extra flexibility. Max pulling force 20-30 kN (2000-3000 kg).
• XTractor™ World-first copper cable extraction machine with 5-ton pulling force, cuts cable segments 2 meters long, continuous speed of 45 m/min, and requires only 2 operators. Targets copper cable recovery from underground conduits.
• UltimaZ™-E25 Evolution Enhanced version of the UltimaZ™ E25 electric micro-cable blowing machine with improved ease and security for connecting final building sections in FTTx deployments.
• Remote Monitoring Digital service for real-time monitoring of cable laying machines operating in the field via GSM network connection to the Plumettaz Connect Platform. Provides geolocalization, diagnostics, alerts, and job reports.
• JetPlanner™ 4.0 Cable installation simulation software that accurately simulates cable installation for all usual methods considering physical phenomena including gravity, capstan effect, friction, and buckling. Available in Starter, Advanced, and Watucab™ Edition versions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5.23 km single blowing length achieved in Engadine valley project (vs typical 1-2 km)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.

• TechnAupart SAScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Exclusive French distributor for XTractor™ copper cable extraction machine. Will exhibit at UTNT 2025 trade show in Dijon, France (booth No. 61).
• Dura-Line AcademycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Plumettaz and Dura-Line Academy partnership provides online jetting training courses. Offers MiniJet™ Installations Certificate upon completion. Free promo codes available for certificate. Platform accessible at duraline-us.myabsorb.com.
• Kummler & Matter AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for development of 'PMZ' winch - drive mechanism for level crossing barriers deployed on Swiss railway and road network. Plumettaz provides mechanical expertise while Kummler & Matter provides rail signalling specialization.
• Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to adapt Plumett capstan winches for PistenBully snow groomers. Winches selected for approximately one-fourth of vehicles. Kässbohrer is leading supplier of all-terrain vehicles for environment, nature and recreation.
• Rehau Vertriebs AGnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccess story partnership using Rehau Rauspeed microducts with Plumettaz MiniJet™ equipment. Achieved 5.23 km blowing-in length in Engadine project - well above industry averages.
• PolywaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterview partnership with cable lubrication expert Willem Griffioen explaining origins of cable blowing technology and how lubricant chemistry advanced the industry.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fremco: Denmark-based manufacturer of fiber optic cable blowing and jetting equipment. Most direct competitor to Plumettaz's MiniJet/MicroJet/OptiJet product line, serving the same telecom contractor and FTTH customer base.
• Condux International: US-based manufacturer of cable installation equipment, including cable blowing, pulling, and innerduct products. Comparable to Plumettaz in target market (telecom and energy contractors installing fiber optic and power cables).

Broad incumbents

• Nexans: French global cable manufacturer with leading positions in submarine power, telecom, and energy grid cables. Adjacent incumbent — not a direct equipment competitor — that drives significant demand for Plumettaz-class installation tools through its project pipeline.
• Prysmian Group: Italian-headquartered world leader in energy and telecom cables. Like Nexans, a cable manufacturer rather than equipment maker, but the largest demand-shaping customer base for cable installation machinery including Plumettaz's jetting systems.
• Corning: US maker of optical fiber and cable, with end-to-end FTTH network solutions. Comparable as a buyer ecosystem participant driving FTTH build-out that requires Plumettaz-style installation tools.
• CommScope: US-headquartered network infrastructure provider of fiber cabling, connectivity, and wireless solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same telecom service providers and data center customers that Plumettaz's installation equipment serves.
• Sumitomo Electric: Japanese industrial conglomerate with a large network infrastructure and fiber optic cable business, including Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same telecom and energy cable value chain that drives demand for Plumettaz-class equipment.

Others

• Hexatronic: Swedish fiber optic infrastructure specialist and a named Plumettaz distributor in the UK, Estonia, and New Zealand. Sells its own duct and microduct products alongside Plumettaz blowing equipment, making it both a partner and a partial supply-chain peer.
• Dura-Line: US-based manufacturer of conduits, ducts, and microducts used in cable networks. Plumettaz's e-learning/training partner via Dura-Line Academy, and a complementary supplier — the ducts Dura-Line sells are installed by Plumettaz machines.
• Rehau: German polymer and microduct manufacturer with successful joint installations alongside Plumettaz MiniJet (e.g., 5.23 km Engadine project with Rauspeed microducts). A complementary ecosystem supplier, not a direct competitive peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/plumettazSA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Plumettaz
• Facebookfacebook.com/PlumettazSa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plumettaz-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/plumettazsa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 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 Plumettaz