Hilscher

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.

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

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

• Industrial communication
• Multiprotocol SoCs
• Embedded communication modules
• Industrial IoT platform
• Industrial network gateways

Headquarters

HQ city

Hattersheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Professional Services: Design-in services, consulting, device pre-certification services, maintenance, and training/workshops for customers implementing Hilscher technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Teleconnect GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Strategic development partnership to realize customer projects based on Hilscher technology. Focus on high-performance netX integrations.
• Médiane SystèmecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026Strategic 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 DigitscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Joint 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 or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Strategic 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hilscher-automation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Hilscher