What Platit does

PLATIT AG, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Selzach, Switzerland, designs and manufactures Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) hard coating equipment for cutting tools, forming tools, machine components, and specialized applications such as coin minting dies and medical instruments. Its product line spans nine distinct coating units, from the entry-level Pi111 family through the high-volume PL2011, alongside a portfolio of proprietary coatings (Ti-BX, TapCT, FeinAl Plus, Omnis, DLC variants, nACo, ta-C). Core technology rests on a protected stack including LGD etching, LARC and CERC rotating cathodes, SCIL sputtering, FMS magnetron sputtering, and a hybrid LACS architecture combining ARC and SPUTTER, with deposition rates up to 3 µm/h.

The company operates a vertically integrated model: direct sale of coating units (one-time capital purchase) plus a recurring service and cathode-exchange layer delivered through four global Cathode Exchange Centers (Czech Republic, USA, China, South Korea via JV partner SQ Tech) and a Premium Plus subscription service. Manufacturing is concentrated in Šumperk, Czech Republic; commercial operations are split between the Swiss HQ and regional offices in Mundelein (IL) and Shanghai, supplemented by a distributor network. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, anchored in a 7-step dedicated coating development process and ISO 9001:2015 / ISO 10993 medical biocompatibility certifications. PLATIT is a privately held, family-owned subsidiary of the BCI Blösch Gruppe, with sister-company Blösch serving as both a customer (DLC coating services) and co-development partner.

Over 650 systems are installed worldwide across diverse end-markets (shank tools, forming, components, medical, coin minting, saw bands/blades, rollers). The company is actively expanding its coating portfolio, launching four new signature coatings and one new hardware platform (Pi111 TRM) across 2024–2025, and won 2nd place at the Prix SVC Espace Mittelland 2025 for innovation.

Name

Platit

Legal name

PLATIT AG

Website

https://platit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PLATIT AG is a Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of PVD and PECVD hard coating equipment and proprietary coatings, serving tool makers, component producers, government mints, and medical/dental firms across Europe, North America, and Asia with 650+ systems installed.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Libertyville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PVD Coating Equipment Sales: Sale of high-tech PVD and PECVD coating units ranging from compact entry-level systems (Pi111) to large industrial systems (PL2011). Units are sold directly to tool manufacturers, component producers, and coating service centers.
2. Service, Support and Maintenance: Comprehensive lifecycle services including spare parts supply, training programs, online service database access, hotline support, remote diagnostics, maintenance visits, and premium service packages (Premium Plus). Includes cathode exchange services with global Cathode Exchange Centers.
3. Turnkey Solutions: Complete coating process systems including decoating, edge pre- and post-treatment, cleaning, and quality control components. Designed for seamless integration into tool manufacturing and resharpening processes.
4. Custom/Dedicated Coating Development: 7-step dedicated coating development process for creating customized coating solutions. Part of PLATIT's open-source philosophy allowing customers to develop their own layers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Platit designs, manufactures, and globally sells PVD and PECVD coating equipment for cutting tools, forming tools, molds, medical instruments, and decorative components. Alongside capital equipment, the company supplies proprietary coating formulations and offers turnkey coating center solutions, supported by an in-house CEK contract coating service for customers that outsource coating work.

Product overview

PLATIT is a leading manufacturer of high-tech PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and PECVD (Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) hard coating equipment for tools and machine components. The product portfolio centers on coating units including the Pi111 family (entry-level with HiPIMS technology), Pi411 G3 (flexible with expandable technologies), PL711 (specialized for DLC coatings), PL1011 SAT (high-productivity with plasma-nitriding), Pi1511 (technological lead), S-MPuls (for coin minting), Mega-PiMS (for large rotating components), PL2011 (for large volumes), and Pi603 (for saw bands). The company also offers a comprehensive range of proprietary coatings including Ti-BX, TapCT, FeinAl Plus, Omnis, DLC coatings, TiXCo3, PSiX, nACo, nACRo, and ta-C. Turnkey solutions encompass decoating, edge treatment, cleaning, and quality control systems. With over 650 systems installed worldwide, PLATIT serves customers through service and support offices in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PVD and PECVD Coating Equipment Capital equipment for industrial Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) coating of cutting tools, forming tools, molds, medical instruments, and decorative components. Sold to industrial manufacturers worldwide, with units installed in tool shops, mold shops, medical-device factories, and decorative-coating lines.
• Proprietary Platit Coating Portfolio Proprietary coating formulations (e.g., nACo nanocomposite coatings, nACRo, Platit DLC, Platit TiN, Platit CrN family) applied via Platit equipment to extend tool life, reduce friction, and provide decorative colored finishes. Sold as consumables and process recipes to Platit equipment users and applied at Platit's CEK service center for customers without in-house coating capability.
• Turnkey Coating Center Solutions Turnkey coating center packages that combine Platit coating equipment with process recipes, operator training, installation, and ongoing support to enable customers to operate their own industrial coating lines from day one. Targeted at tool makers, mold shops, and OEMs setting up in-house coating capability.
• CEK Contract Coating Service Contract coating service operated by Platit, applying its proprietary PVD and PECVD coatings to customer-supplied tools and components (cutting tools, forming tools, medical instruments, decorative parts) on a fee-for-service basis. Used by customers that do not run their own coating lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650+ coating systems installed worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered parent, core, key, regional and extended.

• BCI Blösch GruppeparentOthersPLATIT is part of the BCI Blösch Gruppe, a solidly financed family-owned company. This corporate family connection provides financial backing and operational synergies with sister company Blösch.
• BlöschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company specializing in surface processing and finishing. Uses PL711 DLC coating unit for customer components. Jointly offers development of custom coating solutions.
• FeintoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Feintool and PLATIT to release FeinAl Plus, next generation of dedicated PVD coatings for fineblanking. Joint development combining Feintool's fineblanking expertise with PLATIT's coating technology.
• FULLANTIkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the largest and most innovative PLATIT customers in China. Development partner that helped PLATIT understand unique Chinese market requirements. Receives latest coating recipes as trusted supplier. Pi411 PLUS customer.
• SQ Tech Co., Ltd. (Korea)regionalTechnology or IntegrationKorean service partner operating as CEC (Cathode Exchange Center) for South Korea region, enabling local cathode exchange services.
• Distributor and Partner NetworkextendedChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroad network of distributors and partners for pre- and post-coating processes complements PLATIT's own global offices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Walter Tools (Sandvik): Major cutting tool brand under Sandvik with in-house PVD coating capabilities and equipment. Competes with PLATIT indirectly by offering coated tools rather than selling coating units externally.
• Veeco Instruments: US-based thin-film deposition equipment maker (PVD, MOCVD, ion beam) serving semiconductor, photonics, and industrial customers. Adjacent technology peer in PVD deposition, though targeting different end markets.
• Kennametal: Global tooling and wear-resistant products manufacturer with proprietary PVD coating capabilities. Indirect competitor as a captive coating user and tool supplier overlapping with PLATIT's customer base.
• Praxair Surface Technologies (now Element Solutions): Large surface-treatment and coatings provider offering thermal spray, PVD, and specialty coatings at industrial scale. Overlaps with PLATIT in PVD coatings for tooling and aerospace components.
• Sulzer (Metco surface solutions): Diversified industrial player with Sulzer Metco providing thermal spray and surface coating equipment/services. Broad incumbent in industrial surface treatment with overlapping PVD/coating technologies.

Direct peers

• IHI Ionbond: Major PVD/PECVD/CVD coating services provider (part of IHI Group). Direct peer offering both coating services and equipment with overlapping customer base in tooling, automotive and decorative segments.
• voestalpine eifeler: PVD coating specialist within voestalpine, providing tool coatings and coating services across Europe and globally. Competes with PLATIT on PVD equipment sales and proprietary coatings for cutting tools and forming applications.
• HEF Groupe (Fives Group): French surface-treatment specialist offering PVD coatings and coating services to industrial customers. Competes with PLATIT in DLC, nitriding, and PVD coatings for tooling and mechanical components.
• Oerlikon Balzers: Global leader in PVD/PECVD coating services and equipment under Oerlikon Group. Directly competes with PLATIT in hard coatings for cutting tools, forming tools and components, with a much larger global service-center footprint.
• CemeCon: German-based manufacturer of PVD coating equipment and provider of diamond and nanocomposite coatings. Comparable to PLATIT in PVD unit sales targeting cutting tool and component manufacturers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/platitusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/platitusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/platit-ag

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 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 Platit