VEM Group
VEM Group is a German manufacturer of electric motors and complete drive systems (0.06 kW to 100 MW) serving industrial customers in chemical, oil & gas, energy, maritime, railway, metals, water, and mining sectors. Founded 1886, with manufacturing in Germany, Slovakia, and China. Privately held by the Wang family since 2020.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1886
- HeadquartersDresden, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What VEM Group does
VEM Group is a privately held German manufacturer of electric motors and complete drive systems, tracing its origins to an 1886 Dresden factory founded by Oskar Ludwig Kummer. The company designs and produces motors and generators spanning 0.06 kW to 100 MW/300 MVA, including standard low-voltage motors, medium- and high-voltage machines, explosion-protected motors (Ex db, Ex eb), permanent magnet synchronous motors, IE5 synchronous reluctance motors, high-speed motors up to ~30 MW at 5,000 rpm, compact drives with integrated frequency converters, and wind power generators from 1.5 to 7 MW. Manufacturing is concentrated in three German sites (Dresden/Sachsenwerk for large and special machines up to 100 MW, Wernigerode for low-voltage motors, and Zwickau for small-frame motors), supplemented by VEM Slovakia s.r.o. in Piešťany (supplying over 98% of low-voltage windings) and VEM Motors (China) Co., Ltd. in Wuxi (commissioned 2018-2019, expanded March 2025).
The company's commercial model is built on direct enterprise field sales organized across six global regions (Americas, Europe, MEA, Central Asia, APAC, China), with wholly-owned sales subsidiaries in the US, Sweden, Austria, UK, and Singapore, complemented by digital self-service channels (VEM eKAT, VEM Portal, Online-Lager spare parts, DEL-Notierung copper pricing). Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of motors, generators, and integrated drive systems, supplemented by technical service, on-site installation and commissioning, spare-parts supply, and machine diagnostics. VEM serves industrial customers across more than ten verticals, with primary exposure in chemical/oil & gas, energy generation, maritime, railway transportation, metals, water and wastewater, and mining, selling into named reference accounts such as Mekorot (Israeli water authority), Vattenfall Wärme Berlin, Alstom (Frecciarossa1000), and Siemens Energy.
The group is ultimately controlled by the Chinese Wang family through SEC Holding Ltd., which acquired the company from the Merckle family around 2020, with Dr. Torsten Kuntze, Dr. Joachim Koch, and Jianyu Wang serving as managing directors. VEM holds comprehensive explosion-protection certifications (ATEX, IECEx, CCC, NEPSI, EAC), rail welding certification (DIN EN 15085-2), and quality/environmental/energy management certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001) across its German, Slovak, and Chinese entities, and protects proprietary technology through the VEMoDUR (insulation system, registered 1968) and VEMoDRIVE (controlled drive systems) trademarks.
VEM Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VEM Group
- Legal name
- VEM Group GmbH
- Website
- https://vem-group.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1886
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- VEM Group is a German manufacturer of electric motors and complete drive systems (0.06 kW to 100 MW) serving industrial customers in chemical, oil & gas, energy, maritime, railway, metals, water, and mining sectors. Founded 1886, with manufacturing in Germany, Slovakia, and China. Privately held by the Wang family since 2020.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VEM Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Electric Motors and Drive Systems
- NAICS
- Motor and Generator Manufacturing (335312)
- SIC
- Motors & Generators (3621)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Backup Power & Critical Power Systems (Generators/UPS) (IMAIABAJ)
Keywords
Where VEM Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dresden
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
VEM Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Electric Motor Manufacturing and Sales: Core revenue from manufacturing and selling electric motors and generators ranging from 0.06 kW to 100 MW. Product categories include standard motors, explosion-proof motors, high-speed motors, permanent magnet motors, synchronous reluctance motors, and custom drive solutions.
- Technical Service and Maintenance: Technical customer service including 24/7 hotline, on-site service for installation and commissioning, maintenance and repair services, and machine diagnostics. Service operations coordinated centrally from Dresden.
- Spare Parts Supply: Replacement parts supply with guaranteed short delivery times and highest OEM quality. Efficient logistics processes and priority access to manufacturing ensure rapid delivery of critical components worldwide.
- Drive Systems and Components: Complete electrical drive equipment including transformers, frequency converters, and power converters as part of full system solutions. Turnkey delivery capability for complex modernization projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Energy efficiency classes IE1 to IE4 motors available across power ranges |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
VEM Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VEM Group manufactures and sells electric motors, generators, and complete drive systems ranging from 0.06 kW to 100 MW/300 MVA, serving industrial customers across chemical/oil & gas, energy, rail, maritime, water, mining, metals, and process industries. The product range covers low-voltage motors, medium- and high-voltage machines, wind generators, explosion-protected motors, permanent magnet and IE5 synchronous reluctance motors, plus associated transformers, frequency converters, and power converters delivered as integrated system solutions. Supporting services include technical customer support, on-site installation and commissioning, spare parts supply, and machine diagnostics.
Product overview
VEM Group is an innovative, internationally active manufacturer of technically sophisticated system and drive solutions as well as special drives and individual components. The product portfolio spans from 0.06 kW to 100 MW/300 MVA and includes three core product lines: (1) Motors encompassing low-voltage motors (0.06-1000 kW), medium/high voltage machines (up to 100 MW), and specialized variants including explosion-protected motors (Ex series), permanent magnet synchronous motors, synchronous reluctance motors (IE5), high-speed motors, and compact drives with integrated frequency converters; (2) Generators including wind power generators (1.5-7 MW); and (3) Drive Systems combining motors with transformers, frequency converters, and current converters. Supporting services include technical customer service with 24/7 support, on-site service worldwide, spare parts supply, machine diagnostics, an online eKAT catalog, copper price listing (DEL-Notierung), energy savings calculator, and digital lifecycle documentation via SAP AIN. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Germany (Dresden, Wernigerode, Zwickau), Slovakia, and China, with products marketed under brand names including VEMoDRIVE for drive systems and VEMoDUR for proprietary insulation systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VEM eKAT: Electronic catalog and customer login system for VEM products
- VEMoDUR
- VEMoDRIVE
- VEM-Impulse
Quantifiable outcome
- Annual CO2 savings of 6,500 tonnes and 120,000 m³ cooling water reduction achieved through Qwark3 heat pump project using 3 MW VEM motor
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use VEM Group
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments11 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
VEM Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
VEM Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, key and core.
- IntegrityNextsupportingSustainability compliance platform used by VEM for supply chain due diligence under LkSG (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz). Platform enables supplier sustainability assessments through questionnaires and categorization, providing insights into company sustainability performance.
- Siemens EnergykeyPartner in Qwark3 (Quartiers-Wärme-Kraft-Kälte-Kopplung) project for high-temperature heat pump system at Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. Siemens Energy provided the heat pump technology while VEM supplied the 3 MW drive motor.
- Vattenfall Wärme Berlin AGkeyOperator of cooling center at Potsdamer Platz (since 1997) and heat pump project initiator. Commissioned Qwark3 project with Siemens Energy and VEM to utilize waste heat for district heating network, saving 6,500 tonnes CO2 annually.
- Tectrion GmbHcoreJoint partnership for digital lifecycle documentation of equipment using SAP AIN cloud platform. VEM delivers motors with QR-coded nameplates per DIN SPEC 91406 and NFC chips. Tectrion provides brownfield documentation services and maintains digital twins of customer equipment. Enables equipment tracking and lifecycle management across company boundaries.
- Solcon Industries Ltd.keyIsraeli company acting as intermediary for Mekorot (state water corporation). Ordered seven vertical motors from VEM for Jerusalem drinking water pipeline project. Managed Local Content requirements including training Israeli workers at VEM Dresden facility.
- A.S.T. LeistungselektronikkeyGerman technology partner for development of frequency converter for compact drive systems in railway applications. A.S.T. developed the new frequency converter with special requirements including 160 VDC output voltage rating and dual-coded output function. Collaboration resulted in M21 AST BAH compact drive series for Frecciarossa1000 high-speed trains.
- SystemairkeyBerlin-based company that installed VEM compact drives in ventilation units for Frecciarossa1000 trains. Mounted the M21 AST BAH compact drives developed by VEM and A.S.T. into ventilation systems. Conducted comprehensive testing including thermal, electrical, shock and vibration testing per rail standards.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VEM Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABB: Global electrification leader with a substantial Motors & Generators division producing low-voltage, medium-voltage, and high-voltage motors across similar power ranges (kW to multi-MW). ABB overlaps directly with VEM in industrial drives, explosion-proof motors (ATEX/IECEx), and railway traction, but operates at vastly greater scale with broader service and digital offerings.
- Siemens (Innomotics): German industrial giant with large drives business covering motors, geared motors, converters, and integrated drive systems. Competes directly with VEM Sachsenwerk in medium/high-voltage motors up to 100+ MW and is a partner competitor in railway drives (Siemens Mobility is a rail OEM customer/peer). Significantly larger R&D and global service footprint.
- Nidec Corporation: Japanese global motor manufacturer with operations spanning small precision motors to industrial motors. Overlaps with VEM in industrial low-voltage and medium-voltage motors, with strong positions in HVAC, pumps, and railway traction motors. Significantly larger scale with broader geographic and product diversification.
Direct peers
- WEG Industries: Brazilian manufacturer of electric motors, generators, and drive systems with global presence. Directly comparable in low-voltage and medium-voltage motor portfolios, explosion-proof (Ex) certifications, and vertical coverage including oil & gas, mining, and railway. WEG is publicly listed, providing revenue transparency VEM lacks.
- Regal Rexnord: American manufacturer of electric motors, power transmission, and automation products. Directly comparable in industrial motor portfolio including IEC and NEMA frame motors, medium-voltage motors, and explosion-proof variants. Active across similar end markets (oil & gas, metals, water).
- TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems): Joint venture of Toshiba and Mitsubishi Electric focused on industrial motors, drives, and power electronics. Directly comparable in large industrial motors for metals, mining, and cement verticals, with strong medium-voltage motor capabilities. Japanese engineering pedigree overlaps with VEM's specialized industrial motor positioning.
- SEW-Eurodrive: German specialist in drive technology, gearmotors, and electronic drives with global manufacturing footprint. Overlaps with VEM in drive systems, particularly in material handling, conveyor, and industrial automation applications. Family-owned like VEM with similar mid-sized industrial manufacturer profile.
- Bonfiglioli: Italian manufacturer of gearmotors, drive systems, and inverters serving industrial automation, wind energy, and marine. Comparable in mid-sized European industrial drive manufacturer profile, with overlap in wind generators, industrial drives, and marine applications where VEM operates.
- Brook Crompton: UK/Canadian manufacturer specializing in low-voltage and high-voltage electric motors for industrial applications. Closely comparable in product scope (standard and specialized motors including explosion-proof), customer segments (industrial drives, pumps, fans), and mid-sized specialty manufacturer profile.
Regional players
- Hyosung Heavy Industries: Korean manufacturer of high-voltage motors, generators, and power transformers with strong presence in Asia-Pacific markets. Comparable product portfolio in large industrial motors for power generation and heavy industry, with similar ATEX/IECEx-grade explosion-proof offerings. Regional rather than direct competitor to VEM in Europe but increasingly relevant in APAC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
VEM Group social profiles
Digital presenceVEM Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
VEM Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VEM Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
VEM Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
VEM Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VEM Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VEM Group
What does VEM Group do?
VEM Group manufactures and sells electric motors, generators, and complete drive systems ranging from 0.06 kW to 100 MW/300 MVA, serving industrial customers across chemical/oil & gas, energy, rail, maritime, water, mining, metals, and process industries. The product range covers low-voltage motors, medium- and high-voltage machines, wind generators, explosion-protected motors, permanent magnet and IE5 synchronous reluctance motors, plus associated transformers, frequency converters, and power converters delivered as integrated system solutions. Supporting services include technical customer support, on-site installation and commissioning, spare parts supply, and machine diagnostics.
Is VEM Group a public or private company?
VEM Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was VEM Group founded?
VEM Group was founded in 1886. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is VEM Group based?
VEM Group is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does VEM Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Motor Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are technical Service and Maintenance, spare Parts Supply and drive Systems and Components.
Who are VEM Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABB, Siemens (Innomotics) and Nidec Corporation. Direct peers are WEG Industries, Regal Rexnord, TMEIC (Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems), SEW-Eurodrive, Bonfiglioli and Brook Crompton. Hyosung Heavy Industries is listed as a regional player.
Does VEM Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for VEM Group.
What industry is VEM Group in?
VEM Group's product category is Industrial Electric Motors and Drive Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIABAJ, Backup Power & Critical Power Systems (Generators/UPS). Its NAICS code is 335312 and its SIC code is 3621.