Hilscher
Hilscher is a German family-owned industrial communication technology company (founded 1986) that builds multiprotocol netX controllers, embedded modules, gateways, and the netFIELD IIoT platform for device manufacturers, machine builders, and plant operators across global industrial automation markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersHattersheim, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hilscher does
Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH is a privately-held German industrial communication technology company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Hattersheim am Main. The company designs and manufactures the netX family of multiprotocol communication controllers — chips, embedded modules, PC cards, gateways, and switches that allow industrial devices to communicate across fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet protocols (PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, CC-Link, etc.) using a single hardware platform with firmware-based protocol switching. Beyond chips and modules, Hilscher offers the netFIELD platform for centralized edge management, edge gateways, containerized applications, and industrial cloud integration, positioning the company in the IT/OT convergence and Industry 4.0 stack.
Hilscher serves industrial device manufacturers, plant and machine builders, system integrators, planners, plant operators, and automation companies across discrete manufacturing, process industries, robotics, and food production. Its customer base spans both large enterprises (Hanwha Robotics, Pneumax, Jermi Käsewerk, Electro-Matic) and mid-market/SMB OEMs. The company operates 12 locations across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific via 8 wholly-owned subsidiaries (Italy, Austria, Switzerland, USA, China, Japan, Korea, India), with a go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales and a global integration partner network.
Revenue is generated through three streams: hardware sales (communication controllers, modules, gateways, switches), software/protocol stack licensing, and professional services (design-in, pre-certification, training). Pricing is quote-based on multi-year enterprise contracts and not publicly disclosed. The company is a second-generation family business with Sebastian Hilscher as Managing Director, supported by a CTO (Thomas Rauch) and COO (Fabian Debus), and operates without external private equity or venture capital backing.
Hilscher firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hilscher
- Legal name
- Hilscher Gesellschaft für Systemautomation mbH
- Website
- https://hilscher.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Hilscher is a German family-owned industrial communication technology company (founded 1986) that builds multiprotocol netX controllers, embedded modules, gateways, and the netFIELD IIoT platform for device manufacturers, machine builders, and plant operators across global industrial automation markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hilscher industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Communication Hardware
- NAICS
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)
- SIC
- Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advanced SoCs & Application Processors (HDAHAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Networking & Communication Electronics Manufacturing (Ethernet switches, Fieldbus, Wireless) (IMAGAGAE), Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules) (IMAGAJAK), Embedded & Industrial Network Interfaces (PCIe/M.2/SOM/SoC NICs) (HDAFAEAI), Edge Orchestration & Management Platforms (Provisioning, Fleet Mgmt) (HDABAOAF)
Keywords
Where Hilscher is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hattersheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Hilscher business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Products: Sale of communication controllers, embedded modules, PC cards, gateways, and switches for industrial communication. Hardware products include netX chips, embedded modules (comX, netRAPID), PC cards for Industrial Ethernet/Fieldbus, and edge gateways.
- Software Licenses and Stacks: Protocol stacks for Industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus, sold as firmware/software licenses for netX platform. Container apps and netFIELD Cloud services.
- Professional Services: Design-in services, consulting, device pre-certification services, maintenance, and training/workshops for customers implementing Hilscher technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise pricing through direct sales channel |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hilscher product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hilscher designs and manufactures multiprotocol industrial communication technology built around its proprietary netX controller family, supplying chip-level SoCs, embedded communication modules, PC cards, gateways, and switches to device manufacturers and machine builders. The company also offers the netFIELD Industrial IoT platform for centralized edge management, device management, and industrial cloud integration. Hardware is complemented by protocol stacks, design-in services, pre-certification, training, and maintenance support.
Product overview
Hilscher offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial communication solutions built around its netX communication controller technology. The portfolio spans from highly integrated chip-level solutions (Multiprotocol SoCs, Embedded Modules including netX Chip Carrier, Communication Module, IP40 Interchangeable Module, DIL-32 Communication IC, comX 90, netRAPID 90 IC) and PC Cards (M.2, PCI Express, Mini PCI Express formats) for device manufacturers, to turn-key system networking components (Gateways, Switches, Network Diagnostics) for machine and plant integration, and managed IIoT solutions via the netFIELD platform (Centralized Edge Management, Edge Gateways NFX8M-D4-N32-017, NFX86-D8-N128-021, NFX86-D8-N128-022, and Container Apps NFA-PNM-OTP, NFA-S7A-OTP). The multi-protocol capability of netX enables different industrial protocols to run on the same hardware through firmware, allowing customers to serve global markets without hardware redesigns.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- netX: Family of communication controller chips enabling multiprotocol industrial communication via firmware updates.
- netFIELD
- netRAPID
- comX
Products and services
- netX Communication Controller Family Foundational multiprotocol communication controller platform forming the basis of Hilscher's entire product portfolio from PC cards and modules to Industry 4.0 applications. For device manufacturers and machine builders requiring flexible industrial network connectivity.
- Multiprotocol SoCs & Protocol Stacks System-on-Chip devices and accompanying protocol stacks enabling multiprotocol communication for highly integrated industrial device solutions. For device manufacturers building components with embedded industrial network connectivity.
- Embedded Communication Modules Family of embedded communication modules including netX chip carriers, communication modules, IP40 interchangeable modules, and DIL-32 communication ICs for industrial device integration. For device manufacturers needing ready-to-integrate network connectivity.
- comX 90 Communication Module Embedded multiprotocol communication module succeeding the comX 51 model with integrated security functions, IIoT capability, and support for multiple industrial protocols via firmware updates. For device manufacturers needing compact, secure, multiprotocol communication.
- netRAPID 90 IC Plug-in embedded module combining multiprotocol capability, integrated security, and IIoT connectivity on a single platform for secure industrial communication. For device manufacturers wanting simplified integration for CRA-compliant devices.
- PC Cards for Industrial Ethernet & Fieldbus PC cards enabling industrial computers to communicate over Industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus protocols in M.2, PCI Express, Mini PCI Express, PCI, CompactPCI, and PC/104 form factors. For industrial PC integrators and machine builders.
- Gateways & Switches for Industrial Communication Turn-key gateways and switches enabling protocol conversion and network integration for industrial devices. Includes gateways for Industrial Ethernet/Fieldbus/Serial, Remote Master, netSWITCH industrial Ethernet switches, and SmartWire-DT gateways. For plant operators and machine builders needing protocol bridging.
- Network and Communication Diagnostics Diagnostic tools for analyzing and troubleshooting industrial communication networks, including network diagnostics and Ethernet test access points. For plant operators, system integrators, and maintenance teams.
- netFIELD Industrial IoT & Edge Computing Platform Holistic IIoT platform for centralized device and application management, enabling edge connectivity, fleet management, and industrial cloud integration. Includes edge gateways, container apps, and cloud services. For plant operators and automation companies pursuing Industry 4.0 initiatives.
- netFIELD Cloud 4.1 Cloud-based remote management service for Linux-based PLCs and IPCs, enabling sovereign deployment models for CRA-compliant machine fleets with cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and fleet management capabilities. For plant operators and automation companies managing distributed industrial assets.
- netFIELD Design-In Service Professional service supporting companies during implementation of IIoT and edge projects, covering system architecture, containerization, security updates, and scalable deployment concepts. For companies deploying IIoT and edge computing solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced development effort for machine builders switching between protocols via firmware
Companies that use Hilscher
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hilscher technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hilscher partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Teleconnect GmbHcoreStrategic development partnership to realize customer projects based on Hilscher technology. Focus on high-performance netX integrations.
- Médiane SystèmecoreStrategic partnership to provide innovative solutions for industrial communication in France. Hilscher's netX technology supports networking of machines via PROFINET, EtherCAT, and EtherNet/IP.
- Schwarz DigitscoreJoint initiative combining industrial OT connectivity and edge device management (netFIELD) with European certified cloud infrastructure (STACKIT Cloud). Enables secure updates, data sovereignty, and digital industrial services 'made in Europe'.
- HIMA GroupcoreStrategic partnership to jointly develop and market building blocks for functionally safe communication. Targets device manufacturers needing safety and industrial networking in one design.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Hilscher competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rockwell Automation: Owner of EtherNet/IP and a major Logix/PlantPAx automation stack. Competes with Hilscher's multiprotocol approach by promoting a single-vendor EtherNet/IP-centric architecture across PLCs, drives, and industrial networks.
- Texas Instruments: Large semiconductor supplier of Sitara, C2000, and other embedded processors used in industrial communication, motor control, and edge devices. Comparable to Hilscher at the silicon layer for industrial SoCs/modules, but at much greater scale and across many end markets.
- Phoenix Contact: German manufacturer of industrial connectivity, I/O, and automation components including PROFINET/EtherNet/IP-capable devices and switches. Comparable to Hilscher in industrial networking electronics and gateway/embedded communication products, with a broader portfolio.
- NXP Semiconductors: Supplies i.MX, Layerscape, and other processors plus Ethernet switches (SJA1105) for industrial communication and edge devices. Comparable to Hilscher as an alternative silicon source for industrial multiprotocol and edge-compute SoMs.
- Bosch Rexroth: Major German automation and drive vendor with its own industrial communication portfolio (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, SERCOS) and ctrlX Automation platform. Comparable to Hilscher as a German industrial communication/automation peer with a broader mechanical+electronic stack.
- Beckhoff Automation: Originator of EtherCAT and supplier of PC-based control, I/O, and drive technology. Competes with Hilscher in EtherCAT-enabled devices and increasingly in industrial PC/edge platforms that overlap with Hilscher's netFIELD edge gateway line.
- Siemens (Digital Industries): Owner of the PROFINET protocol and SIMATIC PLC/I/O portfolio, plus Scalance industrial networking. Represents the largest vertically integrated incumbent in industrial communication; competes with Hilscher both as a protocol stack licensor and as a complete automation supplier.
Emerging players
- Real-Time Innovations (RTI): Specialist in real-time, databus-centric industrial communication (Connext DDS, RTI Connext Drive) used in robotics, medical, and autonomous systems. Adjacent to Hilscher's netX offering in industrial-grade connectivity software and emerging DDS-based architectures.
Direct peers
- HMS Networks: Swedish-headquartered specialist in industrial communication (Anybus, IXXAT, Ewon) selling embedded communication interfaces, gateways, and remote-access solutions for PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and other industrial protocols. Most direct competitor to Hilscher's netX-based modules, gateways, and PC cards serving the same device-manufacturer and machine-builder segments.
- Moxa: Taiwan-based provider of industrial networking equipment, edge connectivity, and protocol gateways for factory automation, energy, and transportation. Overlaps with Hilscher in industrial Ethernet switches, protocol-conversion gateways, and edge gateways for OT networks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hilscher social profiles
Digital presenceHilscher compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Hilscher financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hilscher leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Hilscher subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hilscher funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hilscher 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 Hilscher
What does Hilscher do?
Hilscher designs and manufactures multiprotocol industrial communication technology built around its proprietary netX controller family, supplying chip-level SoCs, embedded communication modules, PC cards, gateways, and switches to device manufacturers and machine builders. The company also offers the netFIELD Industrial IoT platform for centralized edge management, device management, and industrial cloud integration. Hardware is complemented by protocol stacks, design-in services, pre-certification, training, and maintenance support.
Is Hilscher a public or private company?
Hilscher is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Hilscher founded?
Hilscher was founded in 1986. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Hilscher based?
Hilscher is headquartered in Hattersheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Hilscher make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses and Stacks and professional Services.
Who are Hilscher's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rockwell Automation, Texas Instruments, Phoenix Contact, NXP Semiconductors, Bosch Rexroth, Beckhoff Automation and Siemens (Digital Industries). Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are HMS Networks and Moxa.
Does Hilscher have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hilscher.
What industry is Hilscher in?
Hilscher's product category is Industrial Communication Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAAAB, Advanced SoCs & Application Processors, with a secondary code of IMAGAGAE, Industrial Networking & Communication Electronics Manufacturing (Ethernet switches, Fieldbus, Wireless). Its NAICS code is 33429 and its SIC code is 3669.