RLS

What RLS does

RLS Merilna tehnika d.o.o. is a privately held Slovenian designer and manufacturer of magnetic rotary and linear motion encoders, founded in 1989 by Janez Novak and headquartered in Komenda, Slovenia. The company specialises exclusively in non-contact magnetic encoder technology using custom ASIC-based sensors and proprietary signal-processing algorithms developed over more than 30 years. Its portfolio spans rotary absolute encoders (AksIM™, Orbis™ series including redundant and battery-backup multiturn variants), rotary incremental encoders, linear absolute and incremental encoders (Artos™, HiLin™, LA and LM series), component-level PCB/IC modules (RMB, RLB, RLC, RoLin™) and accessories such as magnetic scales, rings and actuators. Notable performance metrics include up to 23-bit resolution, ±0.005° accuracy on ring encoders, speeds up to 60,000 RPM, IP64/IP68 environmental protection, operating temperatures from -40°C to +125°C, and ultra-high-vacuum qualification per ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C and ASTM E595-15 for space applications.

The company's commercial offering is built around a configure-to-order e-commerce storefront at rls.si with multi-currency pricing (EUR, USD, JPY), EXW Komenda terms, and a 10-piece cap on online orders, complemented by a direct sales team that handles custom solutions, larger volumes, and bespoke configurations. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of encoders and components, with additional streams from professional services (installation, commissioning, calibration, training, custom solutions) and wafer/chip-on-board assembly services. Approximately 95% of revenue is international, with active sales across the EU, US, Japan, China and South Korea; the company operates its own formal entity in Japan for APAC sales and warehousing.

RLS serves a diversified set of verticals including industrial automation (with native protocol support for FANUC, Mitsubishi and YASKAWA controllers on the LA12 product), robotics and cobotics, medical equipment, electric motors, agriculture, gimbals and camera stabilisation, automated guided vehicles, space technology, and — increasingly — humanoid robots. Distribution leverages a 2000-established associate-company relationship with UK-based Renishaw, providing access to global channels while RLS retains operational independence. At roughly 290 employees and €44M of FY2024 revenue with €7.95M of profit, RLS operates as a profitable, mid-sized European industrial sensor specialist with ongoing investment in new product families, regional expansion and generational leadership transition from founder Janez Novak to his son Matija Novak.

Name

RLS

Legal name

RLS Merilna tehnika d.o.o.

Website

https://rls.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

RLS Merilna tehnika d.o.o. is a Slovenian designer and manufacturer of magnetic rotary and linear motion encoders, serving industrial automation, robotics, medical, electric-motor, AGV, agriculture, gimbal and space OEMs across global markets via direct sales, e-commerce and a Renishaw distribution partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Komen

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: RLS designs, produces and supplies advanced rotary and linear motion sensors. Products include encoders, magnetic rings, scales, and components sold through e-commerce and direct sales channels globally.
2. Professional Services: Services include installation, commissioning, calibration, part programming, training, maintenance and custom solutions. Provided as referenced on seller order acknowledgement and services specification.
3. Wafer/Chip On Board Assembly Services: Custom manufacturing services for wafer and chip on board assembly as part of product offerings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RLS designs, produces, and supplies advanced rotary and linear magnetic encoders for position and motion sensing. The portfolio includes off-axis and on-axis absolute rotary encoders (AksIM, Orbis), housed through-hole encoders, linear absolute and incremental encoders (Artos, HiLin, LA, LM series), miniature PCB-level encoder modules (RMB, RLB, RLC series, RoLin), plus magnetic scales, rings, and magnet accessories. These products are sold as components and modules for integration into industrial automation, robotics, medical, electric motor, agricultural, and aerospace applications.

Product overview

RLS designs, produces and supplies advanced rotary and linear motion sensors. The product portfolio centers on magnetic encoder technology and comprises three main product lines: rotary magnetic encoders (AksIM™ and Orbis™ series for absolute position sensing, RM/RE/RMB modular encoders for integration), linear magnetic encoders (Artos™, HiLin™, LA and LM series for linear position measurement), and components/accessories (magnetic scales, rings, sensors ICs, optomodules, and adapters). The AksIM™ off-axis absolute encoders and Orbis™ housed encoders target applications requiring compact, accurate position feedback in robotics, medical devices, and electric motors. The Artos™ and HiLin™ linear encoders serve precision motion control applications. Components include miniature encoder modules (RLM/RoLin™, RMB series) for OEM integration, magnetic scales (MS, DS19, SAS, AS series), and magnetic rings. All products are RoHS compliant and backed by ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 quality certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Artos™: Absolute Magnetic Encoder System for rotary and linear applications.
• AksIM™
• RoLin™
• HiLin™
• Orbis™

Products and services

• AksIM Off-Axis Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder Non-contact high performance off-axis absolute rotary encoder designed for applications with limited installation space. Resolution up to 20 bits with multiple output protocols.
• AksIM-2 Off-Axis Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder Module Off-axis absolute magnetic encoder module available in ring sizes from 29 mm to 80 mm with maximum speed of 10,000 RPM.
• AksIM-2 Redundant Off-Axis Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder Module Redundant version with two independent, electrically isolated readheads for higher safety applications with built-in self-monitoring functions.
• AksIM-4 Dual Concentric Off-Axis Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder Ultra-thin dual concentric absolute encoder for motor and joint feedback. Input encoder 19 bit; output encoder 19 bit with system accuracy up to ±0.006°.
• Artos Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder System Absolute magnetic encoder system using SAR rings, available in sizes from 57 mm to 478 mm, with up to 23 bits resolution depending on ring size.
• Artos Linear Absolute Magnetic Encoder System Linear absolute magnetic encoder system with IP67 protection and operating temperature -40°C to +85°C, compatible with DS19 and SAS19 absolute magnetic scales.
• Orbis Housed Through-hole Rotary Encoder Housed through-hole rotary encoder with self-calibration and multiturn capability. Analogue sin/cos and BiSS/SSI outputs with 14 bit resolution.
• Orbis Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module True absolute rotary encoder module with self-calibration and multiturn capability, supporting multiple outputs including ABZ, BiSS-C, PWM, sin/cos, SPI, SSI, UART, UVW.
• Orbis Battery Backup Multiturn Rotary Absolute Magnetic Encoder Module Battery backup multiturn absolute encoder with 12,000 RPM capability, BiSS-C output, and position retention during power loss.
• HiLin High-accuracy Linear Magnetic Encoder System High-accuracy linear magnetic encoder system with ±5 μm/m accuracy at 20°C. Fully welded scale for harsh environments with high IP protection and coolant resistance.
• LA11 Linear Absolute Magnetic Encoder True absolute linear encoder with IP68 protection and BiSS-C, SPI slave, and SSI interfaces.
• LA12 Absolute Magnetic Encoder System Absolute magnetic encoder system with Mitsubishi, Yaskawa, and Fanuc serial communication protocols for industrial automation integration.
• LM10 Incremental Magnetic Encoder Incremental magnetic encoder supporting maximum scale length of 100 m with axial, linear, radial, and rotary reading types.
• LM13 Incremental Magnetic Encoder Incremental magnetic encoder with max resolution of 13 bit for linear and rotary motion measurement.
• LM15 Incremental Magnetic Encoder Incremental magnetic encoder for linear and rotary applications with extended measurement capabilities.
• RoLin (RLM) Miniature Incremental Magnetic Encoder Component-level miniature encoder system with high system accuracy up to ±10 μm, non-contact wear-free measuring principle, and self-diagnostic function.
• SpinCo Incremental Magnetic Encoder System Incremental magnetic encoder system for rotary motion measurement.
• RMB14 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module 14 mm diameter circular rotary magnetic encoder module for space-constrained rotary encoding applications.
• RMB20 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module 20 mm diameter circular rotary magnetic encoder module with high speed capability up to 60,000 RPM.
• RMB23 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module 23 mm diameter circular rotary magnetic encoder module for commutation and incremental encoding applications.
• RMB30 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module 30 mm diameter circular rotary magnetic encoder module with up to 30,000 RPM, absolute to 13 bit resolution, and accuracy to ±0.5°.
• RMB29 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Module 29 mm square low-cost PCB module for high volume OEM integration with 5V supply, up to 60,000 RPM, and analogue sine/cosine output.
• RMB28/RMF44/RMF58 Rotary Magnetic Encoder Modules 28 mm square PCB module for high volume OEM applications with 44 mm and 58 mm flange options, absolute to 14 bit resolution, up to 64 poles for commutation.
• RLB Miniature Incremental Magnetic Encoder Module Miniature incremental magnetic encoder module with dimensions 2 mm x 8 mm x 14 mm for embedded motion control applications.
• RLC2HD Miniature Incremental Magnetic Encoder Module Miniature incremental magnetic encoder module with dimensions 2 mm x 8 mm x 12 mm for compact integration.
• RLC2IC Miniature Incremental Magnetic Encoder Module Miniature incremental magnetic encoder module with dimensions 4 mm x 13.5 mm x 20 mm for PCB-level integration.
• DS19 Absolute Magnetic Scale Absolute magnetic scale for Artos encoder with accuracy ±10 μm/m to ±15 μm/m depending on option. Operating temperature -40°C to +100°C.
• SAS10 Absolute Magnetic Scale Absolute magnetic scale with ±20 μm/m accuracy at 0.2 mm ride height. Operating temperature -40°C to +100°C.
• AS10 Absolute Magnetic Scale Absolute magnetic scale with ±30 μm/m accuracy at 0.2 mm ride height. Pole length 2 mm.
• MS Incremental Magnetic Scales Incremental magnetic scales with maximum length of 150 m, RoHS compliant. Operating temperature -40°C to +100°C.
• SAR Rings for Artos Encoder Magnetic rings for Artos absolute encoder available in sizes from 57 mm to 478 mm.
• Axial Incremental Magnetic Rings Axial configuration incremental magnetic rings with CPE or HNBR temperature options, available sizes from 19.5 mm to 100 mm.
• Bonded Radial Incremental Magnetic Rings Bonded radial configuration incremental magnetic rings for rotary encoder applications.
• Nonius Absolute Magnetic Rings Absolute magnetic rings using Nonius measurement principle for high-accuracy rotary position sensing.
• RMA Magnet for Integration onto Shaft Magnetic actuator for integration onto shaft, available for shaft diameters 4 mm to 10 mm and 3/16" to 3/8".
• RMM Magnet for Direct Recessing SmCo magnets for direct recessing in non-ferrous shafts with glue fixing (LOCTITE 648 recommended).
• RMH Magnet Magnet actuator for integration into shaft applications.
• Custom Manufacturing and Professional Services Professional services including installation, commissioning, calibration, part programming, training, maintenance, custom solutions, and wafer/chip on board assembly services for bespoke encoder products.

Quantifiable outcome

• System accuracy up to ±0.005° for ring encoders
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heidenhain: German high-end encoder manufacturer offering both optical and magnetic rotary/linear encoders for machine tools, automation, and metrology. Directly competes with RLS in precision linear and rotary encoder segments serving industrial automation customers.
• Hengstler: German encoder specialist (part of Fortive) producing rotary and incremental encoders for industrial automation. Directly competes with RLS in motion control feedback applications across factory automation and motor feedback.
• Baumer Group: Swiss-German sensor and encoder manufacturer with broad rotary and linear encoder portfolios for industrial automation, robotics, and motion control. Directly competes with RLS across mid- and high-precision encoder segments.
• Pepperl+Fuchs: German industrial sensor company with rotary encoder product lines targeting factory automation and process industries. Directly competes with RLS in industrial motion-control feedback applications.
• FRABA Posital: German encoder manufacturer specializing in magnetic rotary encoders, including multi-turn and absolute encoders for motion control. Closest direct competitor to RLS in magnetic encoder technology and target applications.
• Lika Electronic: Italian encoder and position sensor manufacturer offering rotary and linear encoders for industrial automation. Direct competitor to RLS in motion control feedback, especially in European industrial markets.
• TR Electronic: German encoder manufacturer offering rotary and linear encoders with industrial communication protocols (similar to RLS's BiSS/SSI offerings). Direct competitor in factory automation and motion control applications.

Broad incumbents

• Renishaw: UK-based precision engineering group and RLS's co-owner/associate company. Renishaw's encoder business (optical and magnetic) is a broad incumbent in adjacent encoder markets, sharing technology and distribution overlap with RLS.
• SICK AG: German industrial sensor specialist with encoder, photoelectric, and safety product lines. Serves overlapping industrial automation customers as a broad incumbent, with encoders being one of many sensor categories.
• Sensata Technologies: US-listed industrial sensor company with broad sensor and encoder offerings across automotive, industrial, and aerospace. Broad incumbent that competes with RLS in selected automotive and industrial sensor sockets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rlsencoders
• Facebookfacebook.com/rlsencoders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rls-merilna-tehnika-d.o.o.
• Instagraminstagram.com/rls_encoders

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 RLS