DBK David + Baader

What DBK David + Baader does

DBK David + Baader GmbH is a German family-owned industrial technology company founded in 1946 in Rülzheim, Germany, specializing in electrical heating and cooling solutions. The company operates three integrated business segments: Automotive (high-voltage and low-voltage heating solutions for electric, hybrid, fuel cell, and combustion engine vehicles, including its flagship 400V and 800V High Voltage Coolant Heaters with patented fluid guidance technology and ~98% energy efficiency), EMS / Electronic Manufacturing Services (PCB assembly, SMD and THT processing, testing, and after-sales service for medical, industrial, defense, automotive, telecommunications, and renewable energy customers, ISO 13485 certified), and Industrial Thermal Management (PTC convection heaters, PTC pre-heaters for HVAC, and thermoelectric Peltier coolers, with a Drymatic sub-brand for moisture removal and drying).

The company employs 750+ people across 9 factories and sales offices spanning Germany, France, the UK, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the United States, Hong Kong, and China. Group sales reached 162 million EUR in 2022, and more than 2.5 million DBK high-voltage heaters are in service on roads globally, with 20+ automotive OEM customers. DBK holds IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485 certifications across its relevant entities.

DBK generates revenue primarily through direct B2B sales of engineered hardware components and custom manufacturing services, with custom quotation-based pricing and no public price list. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting automotive OEMs (from development through serial production, supported by 360-degree customer service) and industrial customers, supplemented by a European distributor network for industrial thermal management products, an active tradeshow presence (MedtecLive, ISH Frankfurt, electronica China, Chillventa, etc.), and digital channels. EMS volume metrics — 800+ projects per year, 4 million delivered products annually, and 500 million processed components — provide additional scale signal.

Name

DBK David + Baader

Legal name

DBK David + Baader GmbH

Website

https://en.dbk-group.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DBK David + Baader is a German family-owned industrial technology company (founded 1946) specializing in electrical heating and cooling solutions, serving automotive OEMs with high-voltage coolant heaters for EVs, EMS customers across medical/industrial/defense sectors, and industrial manufacturers with PTC heaters and thermoelectric coolers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Thermal Management Components

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Thermal Management for Electrified Powertrains (Battery/Inverter/Motor Cooling) (IMACALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive HVAC Modules & Integrated Climate Units (IMACALAA), Commercial Vehicle Cooling, HVAC & Thermal Management Manufacturing (IMACABAN), Automotive Air Distribution & Ventilation Components (Blower Motors/Ducts/Vents/Cabin Filters) (IMACALAF), Automotive Refrigerant Lines, Hoses & Thermal Plumbing (IMACALAG)

Keywords

• Automotive heating solutions
• Electronic manufacturing services
• High voltage coolant heaters
• Industrial thermal management
• PTC heating technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Rülzheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automotive Heating Solutions: Sale of high-voltage and low-voltage heating solutions for cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles including electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. Products include coolant heaters, air heaters, and thermal management systems.
2. Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS): Full-service EMS including PCB assembly, SMD & THT processing, testing, and after-sales service for customers in medical technology, industrial technology, defense, automotive, telecommunications, and renewable energy sectors.
3. Industrial Thermal Management: Sale of industrial heating and cooling solutions including PTC convection heaters, PTC pre-heaters for HVAC systems, and thermoelectric Peltier coolers for various industrial applications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DBK David + Baader GmbH designs and manufactures electrical heating and cooling solutions organized across three segments: Automotive (high-voltage and low-voltage coolant heaters for EVs and hybrid vehicles, including 400V and 800V systems), EMS (electronic manufacturing services such as PCB assembly and box-build for industrial customers), and Industrial Thermal Management (PTC air heaters and Peltier coolers for cabinets, devices, and process applications). The company serves automotive OEMs, medical technology, defense, industrial, and renewable energy customers from a global footprint of nine factories and sales offices.

Product overview

DBK David + Baader is a German industrial technology company specializing in electrical heating and cooling solutions across three business segments: Automotive (high and low voltage heaters for vehicles including the flagship High Voltage Coolant Heaters at 400V and 800V), EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services providing PCB assembly and testing), and Industrial Thermal Management (PTC heaters, thermoelectric coolers, and Drymatic branded solutions). The company operates as a corporate group with subsidiaries in France, UK, Hong Kong, USA, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Drymatic: Industrial heating and drying solutions brand operated by DBK Technitherm Ltd. in the UK.

Products and services

• High Voltage Coolant Heater (400V/800V)
• Low Voltage Coolant Heater
• Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS)
• PTC Air Heaters
• Peltier Coolers

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% energy efficiency achieved by high-voltage coolant heaters
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Eberspächer: German-headquartered automotive thermal management and exhaust specialist with a strong portfolio of HV heaters, fuel cell heating, and cabin climate solutions for EVs — directly comparable to DBK's automotive thermal business and competing for the same OEM platforms.
• Webasto: German automotive supplier specializing in roof systems and thermal management, including HV coolant heaters and battery thermal solutions for EVs. Directly comparable in product portfolio, customer base (global OEMs), and core thermal heating technology.
• Gentherm: US-based specialist in automotive thermal management technologies, including battery thermal solutions and cabin climate products. Comparable focus on EV thermal management and similar mid-sized supplier profile to DBK.
• Modine Manufacturing: US manufacturer of thermal management technology including EV battery cooling, power electronics cooling, and on-highway vehicle thermal solutions — comparable product scope and commercial vehicle exposure to DBK.
• Catem: European specialist in HV coolant heaters and high-voltage electric heaters for EVs and hybrids, closely competing with DBK's flagship HV heater product line for OEM thermal management applications.
• Backer AB: European heating technology specialist offering tubular heating elements, PTC heaters, and bespoke thermal solutions for automotive and industrial applications — closely comparable to DBK's industrial thermal management and PTC heater products.

Broad incumbents

• Mahle: Large global automotive supplier with broad thermal management offerings (engine cooling, HVAC, EV thermal modules, e-compressors) that overlap with DBK's HV coolant heater business, but at much greater scale and with a wider product portfolio.
• BorgWarner: Global Tier-1 supplier with a thermal and energy solutions portfolio including HV coolant heaters, e-heaters, and battery thermal systems serving EV and hybrid platforms. Overlaps with DBK's automotive HV heating products but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Valeo: French global Tier-1 supplier with thermal systems (HVAC, HV heaters, heat pumps, battery cooling) and electrification components. Directly comparable in automotive thermal management technology and OEM customer base.
• Jabil: Global EMS giant providing PCB assembly, design, and manufacturing services across automotive, medical, and industrial end markets — directly comparable to DBK EMS in business model and customer industries, though at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCY8DUq4vMxXwfwWDF4IMLaQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/DBK.David.Baader
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5394001
• Instagraminstagram.com/dbkgroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 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 DBK David + Baader