Hottinger Baldwin Metrology

What Hottinger Baldwin Metrology does

Hottinger Baldwin Metrology (HBM), now operating as part of HBK - Hottinger Brül & Kjaer following the 2020 merger with Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration Measurement A/S, is a Darmstadt, Germany-based manufacturer of precision test and measurement products founded in 1950. The company designs and sells a complete measurement chain spanning sensors (strain gauges in over 6,000 variants including electrical and Fiber Bragg Grating optical types, load cells from grams to 470 tons, force sensors, torque sensors from 0.1 N·m to 2 MN·m at up to 40,000 rpm, multi-axis sensors measuring up to six forces and torques simultaneously, pressure transducers up to 15,000 bar, displacement, current and piezoelectric transducers), data acquisition hardware (QuantumX, SomatXR, MGCplus, Genesis HighSpeed, optical interrogators), and software (catman, catman Enterprise for up to 20,000 channels, Perception for high-speed acquisition, nCode for fatigue and durability) together with industrial electronics (PMX, ClipX, DSE) and precision instruments such as the DMP41 amplifier.

The business model is a mix of direct hardware sales (sensors, DAQ systems, industrial electronics, precision instruments) sold quote-based to enterprise customers through direct sales offices in nine countries and a global representative network spanning 30 countries in total, plus subscription/recurring measurement software and DAkkS / DKD-accredited calibration services including Germany’s only torque calibration laboratory. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; standard products are available through the HBMshop e-commerce platform and custom and enterprise solutions are sold on quote.

HBM serves industrial manufacturing and quality control, automotive and electric mobility (where it is specified by a large automotive OEM as the best in the market for test rig DAQ), aerospace and defense, energy and utilities, transportation, research and academia, medical and healthcare, and OEM sensor manufacturers. Named customers include ITER, Marenco Swisshelicopter, and HOERBIGER. The company operates with 251–500 employees, generated a 2026 wave of new product launches (U10F, LCMC, QuantumX MXFS optical interrogator, SLH700, NG120, DAkkS calibration), and is led by CEO Carol Henson.

Name

Hottinger Baldwin Metrology

Legal name

Hottinger Baldwin Metrology GmbH

Website

https://hbm.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HBM, now part of HBK, manufactures precision test and measurement sensors (strain gauges, load cells, force, torque, multi-axis, pressure), data acquisition hardware, software, and calibration services for industrial, automotive, aerospace, energy, and OEM customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test and Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC), Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO), Pressure & Force Sensors (Pressure/Strain/Load Cells) (HDAHALAB)

Keywords

• Test measurement equipment
• Strain gauge sensors
• Load cell sensors
• Data acquisition systems
• Torque measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Darmstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 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. Sensor Products: Sale of precision sensors including strain gauges, load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, multi-axis sensors, pressure transducers, displacement sensors, and current transducers
2. Data Acquisition Systems: DAQ hardware systems including QuantumX, SomatXR, MGCplus, Genesis HighSpeed, and optical interrogators
3. Measurement Software: Software solutions including catman DAQ software, Perception, catman Enterprise, and industry-specific software like nCode fatigue and PanelX weighing software
4. Industrial Electronics: Signal conditioners, measuring amplifiers, weighing electronics, and industrial automation products including PMX, ClipX, and DSE
5. Precision Instruments: High-precision measurement amplifiers and calibration instruments including DMP41 precision amplifier

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hottinger Baldwin Metrology manufactures and sells precision test and measurement products including strain gauges, load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, multi-axis sensors, pressure transducers, displacement sensors, optical fiber (FBG) sensors, and current transducers. These sensors integrate with modular data acquisition (DAQ) systems (QuantumX, SomatXR, MGCplus, Genesis HighSpeed) and software (catman, Perception, nCode), delivered to industrial, automotive, aerospace, and energy customers through direct sales, e-commerce, and regional distributors across 30 countries.

Product overview

Hottinger Baldwin Metrology (HBM/HBK) offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision test and measurement products organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core sensor portfolio includes strain gauges (electrical and fiber optic FBG), load cells, force sensors, torque sensors, multi-axis sensors (MCS10), pressure transducers, displacement sensors, current transducers, and accelerometers. These sensors integrate with multiple DAQ platforms: QuantumX (universal), SomatXR (rugged), MGCplus (high channel), and Genesis HighSpeed (high-speed transient recording). Data acquisition software includes catman (universal), catman Enterprise (high channel), and Perception (high speed). Industrial electronics include PMX for IoT/process control, ClipX signal conditioners, DMP41 precision amplifiers, and eDrive power analyzers for electric machine testing. The company also offers optical interrogators for FBG sensors, OEM custom sensor manufacturing, and calibration services including DAkkS and DKD-accredited torque calibration. Founded in 1950 and now part of HBK (merged with Brüel & Kjær in 2020), the company operates with branches in 30 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• newLight: Optical fiber sensors product line based on Fiber Bragg Grating technology for strain, tilt, temperature and acceleration measurements
• catman
• QuantumX
• SomatXR
• Genesis HighSpeed
• PACEline
• Perception
• FiberSensing
• eDrive
• nCode
• PanelX
• FIT
• PACEline

Products and services

• Strain Gauges Precision strain gauges for experimental stress analysis, durability testing, monitoring, and transducer manufacturing. Over 6,000 variants available including electrical and fiber optic (FBG) types, for engineering, research, and OEM customers.
• Load Cells Global market-leader load cells for load measurement, including single point, beam, canister, shear beam, S-type, and digital variants ranging from grams to 470 tons, for industrial scales, weighing systems, and OEM integration.
• Force Sensors Force sensors and transducers using strain gauge or piezo technology for static and dynamic tensile and compressive load measurement, with ranges from less than 1 kN to more than 500 kN. Used in test rigs, production monitoring, and R&D.
• Torque Sensors Digital torque transducers, torque meters, and non-rotating torque sensors for engine, motor, and powertrain testing. Includes T12, T40, and T10F series.
• MCS10 Multi-Axis Sensor Simultaneously measures up to 6 forces and torques (Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz) with accuracy class up to 0.1 and IP67 protection. Includes crosstalk compensation for mechanical engineering and R&D applications such as transmission test rigs.
• Pressure Transducers Precise pressure transducers and sensors for static and dynamic measurements up to 15,000 bar, including P3MB, P3 Top Class, and P3IC series, for test stands, hydraulic systems, and process monitoring.
• Displacement Sensors Inductive displacement transducers and sensors for high-precision measurement from micrometer range to industrial applications, with up to 300 m cable length. Includes WA and WI series for test stands and structural monitoring.
• newLight Optical Fiber Sensors Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensors for strain, temperature, acceleration, and tilt measurement, compatible with standard telecom fiber for cost-efficient long-distance measurements. Used in harsh environments, structural health monitoring, and ITER fusion reactor deployments.
• Current Transducers Fluxgate-based closed-loop current sensors (CTS/CTM series) for DC and AC measurement with ppm-class accuracy up to 1200 A rms and bandwidth up to 1000 kHz, for electric drive testing and power quality applications.
• QuantumX Data Acquisition System Universal and distributable modular DAQ system for test benches and laboratory use, integrating electrical, mechanical, optical (via MXFS), and bus-based inputs for sensor-to-software measurement chains.
• SomatXR Rugged Data Acquisition System Rugged modular DAQ system for harsh environments, enabling standalone or combined module use in centralized or distributed topologies for mobile testing, field trials, and vehicle applications.
• MGCplus Data Acquisition System High-channel-count scalable DAQ system for laboratory and test stand use, acquiring data on many parameters for material testing and structural monitoring applications.
• Genesis HighSpeed Data Acquisition System Transient recorder and DAQ system delivering sample rates from 20 kS/s to 250 MS/s per channel for high-speed data acquisition in electric powertrain, eDrive, and transient event testing.
• catman DAQ Software Universal data acquisition software supporting connect, measure, visualize, and analyze workflows for sensor data; simplifies immediate or post-process analysis across laboratory and field tests.
• catman Enterprise Software High-channel-count DAQ software supporting up to 20,000 measurement channels for real-time monitoring and evaluation, targeted at aerospace full-scale fatigue testing and large structural test programs.
• Perception High-Speed DAQ Software High-speed data acquisition software for fast and reliable processing of large data amounts, with advanced analysis features for electric machine testing and CAN bus synchronized measurement.
• PMX Industrial Data Acquisition System Multi-channel industrial DAQ system for real-time measurement and control in production processes, quality assurance, and IoT applications, with industrial protocol support.
• eDrive Power Analyzers Power analyzers for inverter testing in electric machines, providing power computation with electrical and mechanical power calculation for electric drive testing applications.
• Optical Interrogators Optical interrogators including QuantumX MXFS and FS22/FS42 BraggMETER series for fiber optic FBG sensor systems, enabling long-distance distributed strain and temperature measurements.
• FIT Digital Load Cells Digital load cells delivering high speed and high precision for dynamic weighing, sorting, filling, and dosing applications, with IP78 protection for industrial environments.
• High Voltage Probes High-accuracy passive differential probes for safe measurement at HV systems and large drives with voltages up to 5 kV, used in e-drive and grid testing applications.
• OEM Sensor Design & Manufacturing Service Custom OEM sensor design and manufacturing service for sensor and transducer OEMs, taking products from concept through custom sensor assembly including strain links and integrated amplifier variants.
• Calibration Services (DAkkS / DKD) DKD/DAkkS-accredited calibration services for force, torque, pressure, and other measurements, including the DMP41 reference precision amplifier for laboratory calibration, serving enterprise and OEM customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• MCS10 multi-axis sensor achieves accuracy class up to 0.1 with crosstalk compensation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration Measurement A/ScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHBM Test and Measurement merged with Brüel & Kjær Sound & Vibration Measurement A/S in 2020 to form HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjaer). This merger created the world's foremost provider of precision measurement, processing and control solutions, combining physical measurement (sensors, testing) with digital simulation and analysis capabilities.
• ITER (International Fusion Energy Organization)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationHBM supplied optical sensors for installation on superconducting magnets at ITER nuclear reactor. Sensors were designed to bear particular environmental constraints on different mechanical structures of the fusion energy facility.
• Brüel & KjærcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrüel & Kjær is part of HBK and offers acoustic measurement solutions alongside HBM's products. Together they provide broad spectrum acoustic and vibration measurement solutions for various applications.
• HBM FiberSensingcoreTechnology or IntegrationHBM FiberSensing (now integrated into HBK newLight brand) offers Fiber Bragg Sensors (FBG optical sensors) and optical interrogators. Products are compatible with standard telecom fiber for cost-efficient long-distance measurements.
• Various System IntegratorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLarge automotive OEMs specify HBM products must be integrated by system integrators for test rigs, indicating a partner ecosystem for deployment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kistler Group: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of piezoelectric and strain-gauge-based dynamic force, torque, pressure and acceleration sensors plus DAQ systems. Directly comparable to HBM across force, torque and pressure measurement for automotive, aerospace and industrial test applications.
• National Instruments (NI, Emerson): Major DAQ platform vendor offering modular PXI/DAQ hardware and LabVIEW/DIAdem software, with HBM providing native LabVIEW/DIAdem/CANape drivers. Direct competitor in DAQ hardware and adjacent in industrial test software ecosystems.
• MTS Systems (Ametek): Supplies mechanical testing systems, load frames, and high-performance sensors for materials and structural test. Competes with HBM in structural durability, fatigue and component testing for automotive and aerospace.
• Interface Inc: US-based load cell and force measurement specialist serving test, weighing and OEM applications. Directly comparable to HBM's load-cell portfolio with overlapping customer base in industrial weighing and materials testing.
• Vishay Precision Group: Manufacturer of precision strain gauges, load cells, and force/pressure sensors with a global footprint. Closely comparable to HBM's strain-gauge and load-cell franchises serving transducer manufacturers and weighing applications.
• PCB Piezotronics / IMI Sensors: Leading manufacturer of piezoelectric accelerometers, force sensors, microphones and pressure transducers. Overlaps with HBM's piezo (PACEline), accelerometer and pressure product lines for vibration and dynamic measurement.

Broad incumbents

• Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Sound and vibration measurement specialist merged into HBK alongside HBM in 2020. Comparable as a sister brand within the same parent and a benchmark for HBK's acoustic/integrated measurement portfolio.
• Keysight Technologies: Electronic test and measurement leader offering oscilloscopes, power analyzers and DAQ-grade instruments for automotive electronics and power test. Adjacent competitor in electric-drive and inverter test where HBM's eDrive competes.
• Fluke (Fortive): Test and measurement incumbent under Fortive spanning portable electrical testers, calibration tools and industrial diagnostics. Comparable at the test-equipment layer, though narrower in precision strain/force sensors.
• TE Connectivity: Diversified sensor and connector manufacturer with significant exposure to pressure, force, position and temperature sensors for industrial and automotive markets. Comparable as a broader sensor incumbent competing for OEM sensor slots.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hbmmeasurement
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HBMmeasurement
• Facebookfacebook.com/hbmmeasurement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hbm

Compliance5 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&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hottinger Baldwin Metrology