What Grafitec AG does

Grafitec AG is a Swiss advertising-technology manufacturer and full-service provider of physical brand-presence assets, organized around four product categories: illuminated advertising (Leuchtwerbung) covering letters, light boxes, pylons, facade bands, light contours, mast installations, and custom specials; building signage and wayfinding (Beschriftung & Signaletik) including facade lettering, orientation systems, and vehicle wrapping; large-format digital printing (Grossformat Digitaldruck) for banners, rigid panels, foils, textiles, custom wallpaper, and POS materials; and construction-site advertising (Baustellenwerbung) including rental signs, scaffolding wraps, construction wall panels, crane light boxes, and flags.

The production backbone combines an in-house Schlosserei for metalwork with UV direct digital printing (up to 2500x4000mm on plates up to 50mm thick), LED illumination assembly across multiple light-letter profiles (front-lit, front+trim-lit, back-lit), and dedicated installation teams. Output is fabricated at two Swiss sites — the headquarters and original production facility in Gossau SG, plus a Zurich-region site in Glattbrugg — with Montage crews deployed nationwide for on-site fitting and permit handling included as a service-line differentiator.

Grafitec operates a direct field-sales and inside-sales model serving enterprise and institutional customers across retail, automotive, banking, hospitality, energy, cultural, real estate, and government segments, with named reference customers including Porsche, Raiffeisen, AVIA Tankstellen, Hotel Einstein Congress, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich, and Oak Valley. Revenue is generated through one-time project sales, multi-year service and maintenance contracts, and a rental system for construction-site advertising; pricing is custom-quoted per project and is not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held with no disclosed external investors, no subsidiaries, and no funding history.

Name

Grafitec AG

Legal name

Grafitec AG

Website

https://grafitec.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grafitec AG is a Swiss advertising-technology manufacturer founded in 1968 that produces and installs illuminated signage, wayfinding, large-format digital prints, and construction-site advertising for enterprise and institutional clients nationwide, operating two production sites in Gossau SG and Glattbrugg ZH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Gallen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Illuminated Signs & Signage: One-time purchase model for illuminated letters, light boxes, pylons, building signage, vehicle lettering, and printed materials. Custom projects from design through installation.
2. Rental System - Construction Site Advertising: Rental system for construction site advertisements allowing attractive pricing without purchase of materials that would then be disposed. Includes support services and maintenance.
3. Maintenance & Service Contracts: Ongoing maintenance, repair, spare parts, and modernization services for installed advertising systems. Optional service contracts for continuous optimal function.
4. Permit Acquisition Services: Complete handling of official permit applications for advertising installations, including planning, documentation, and authority communication.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grafitec AG manufactures and installs custom advertising technology products in Switzerland, covering illuminated signage (LED letters, light boxes, pylons, facade bands, light contours, mast installations), building signage and wayfinding systems, large-format UV digital printing on panels, foils, textiles, and custom wallpapers, and construction site advertising including rental signs and wall panels. The company operates two in-house production facilities in Gossau SG and Glattbrugg ZH, providing end-to-end services from consultation and design through permit acquisition, manufacturing, professional on-site installation, and optional maintenance contracts.

Product overview

Grafitec AG is a Swiss advertising technology company established in 1968, offering a comprehensive portfolio of signage and visual communication products manufactured in-house at facilities in Gossau SG and Glattbrugg ZH. The product portfolio is organized into four core categories: (1) Leuchtwerbung & Leuchtreklamen comprising illuminated signage products including illuminated letters, light boxes, pylons/steles, facade bands, light contours, mast installations, and custom special solutions; (2) Beschriftung & Signaletik covering building signage, wayfinding systems, vehicle lettering, foil lettering, and privacy films; (3) Grossformat Digitaldruck featuring large-format printing services for banners, rigid panels, foils, textiles, custom wallpapers, and point-of-sale advertising; and (4) Baustellenwerbung offering construction site advertising solutions including rental construction signs, wall panels, crane light boxes, crane signs, and flags. The company provides end-to-end services from consultation and design through production and installation, with optional maintenance and permit acquisition support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Illuminated Advertising & Light Signage Custom illuminated advertising for facades, roofs, and outdoor installations providing day-and-night brand visibility. Includes LED illuminated letters, light boxes, facade bands, light contours, mast installations, and advertising towers. For enterprises, retail, hospitality, automotive, energy, and public-sector clients across Switzerland.
• Building Signage and Wayfinding Systems Building signage, facade lettering, door signs, floor directories, orientation steles, and complete wayfinding guidance systems for buildings, campuses, and outdoor areas. For corporate, institutional, and public-sector clients.
• Large-Format UV Digital Printing Large-format UV digital printing services on plates (Dibond, aluminum, acrylic, Forex up to 2500 x 4000 mm), adhesive foils, textiles (Grafiframe system), custom-printed wallpapers, and POS advertising materials. For events, retail spaces, exhibitions, and corporate interiors.
• Construction Site Advertising Construction-site advertising including rental construction signs, scaffold advertising, construction wall panels, crane light boxes, crane signs, and flags for construction companies, real estate developers, and project investors during active construction phases.
• Vehicle Lettering and Fleet Wrapping Full and partial vehicle wrapping, lettering, and fleet branding services for cars, trucks, and commercial fleets, converting vehicles into mobile advertising platforms. For fleet operators and automotive businesses.
• Maintenance and Service Contracts Ongoing maintenance, repair, spare parts, and modernization services for installed advertising systems with optional service contracts for continuous optimal function. For enterprise customers with installed illuminated signs, pylons, and wayfinding systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products manufactured in Switzerland with Swiss Label certification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 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

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss Label AssociationcoreOthersSwiss Label membership certifies that Grafitec's products are manufactured in Switzerland, meeting quality standards established by the association. This certification supports marketing to customers prioritizing Swiss-made products.
• Verband Werbetechnik+Print (VWP)coreOthersIndustry association membership connecting Grafitec with other Swiss advertising technology and print companies. Provides networking, standards, and industry representation.
• Werbeclub OstschweizminorOthersRegional advertising club membership for networking with other advertising professionals and companies in Eastern Switzerland.
• MISG (madeinsg)minorOthersInitiative promoting products manufactured in the St. Gallen region. Supports local manufacturing identity and marketing.
• Workcontrol SuisseminorOthersWorkplace safety and quality organization membership supporting compliance with Swiss labor and safety standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Mactac: Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive films and graphic materials used in vehicle wraps, signage, and large-format printing applications. An ecosystem supplier whose products Grafitec uses for vehicle branding and signage applications.

Direct peers

• Blachère Illumination: French specialist in LED architectural and advertising lighting, including illuminated motifs, light strings, and custom lighting installations for cities and commercial sites. Comparable in custom illuminated outdoor advertising technology with European geographic focus.
• Heichg GmbH: German signage manufacturer producing illuminated letters, light boxes, pylons, and digital-printed advertising technology. Directly comparable in product portfolio (illuminated + printed signage) and B2B project sales model, though operating primarily in Germany rather than Switzerland.
• LichtWerk Werbetechnik: German illuminated advertising and signage manufacturer specializing in LED light letters, pylons, and facade lighting. Closely comparable in core illuminated signage product line and target market of corporate/retail enterprises.
• Permaplay AG: German display and signage systems provider offering illuminated signs, displays, and visual communication solutions. Comparable in offering custom advertising technology and large-format display products to enterprise and retail customers.

Broad incumbents

• Signify (formerly Philips Lighting): Global leader in LED lighting including professional signage and architectural illumination systems. A broad incumbent in the LED technology space that Grafitec uses and could face competition from as digital LED display networks expand into traditional illuminated signage.
• Avery Dennison: Global materials science company with a Graphics Solutions business producing signage films, vehicle wraps, and large-format printing materials. Comparable as an upstream material provider and broad incumbent in the visual communication ecosystem that Grafitec serves.
• 3M Commercial Solutions: Global conglomerate with a Commercial Solutions division offering signage films, reflective materials, and architectural surface products. A broad incumbent in the visual communications space where Grafitec competes and sources materials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/grafitec.ch
• LinkedInch.linkedin.com/company/grafitec-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/grafitec_ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Grafitec AG