KBS

What KBS does

KBS Industrieelektronik GmbH is a German specialist manufacturer of Pick-by-Light and Put-to-Light systems for paperless order picking, material provisioning, and assembly guidance in warehouses and production environments. Founded in 1981 in Waldshut by three engineers (Wolfgang Klein, Joachim Beck, and Wolfgang Schenk) and now headquartered in Freiburg im Breisgau, the company develops and manufactures all hardware and software in-house in Germany under ISO 9001:2015 certification. The product portfolio centers on the PickTerm Flexible (PTF) platform — a third-generation system of modular shelf displays, controllers, mounting profiles, and the proprietary PTF Device Manager software — and extends to complementary modules including PickTerm Cart (mobile multi-order picking), PickTerm Tray (container illumination), PickTerm Pointer (single-bin lighting), SEKAN (E-Kanban), PTF Sentinel (sensor-monitored picking), Pick-by-Balance (scale-integrated picking), and QRS (contactless confirmation). Integrations span SAP via Classic RFC, major SQL databases, PROFINET/PROFIBUS, scanners, RFID readers, scales, label printers, and material flow computers.

The business operates on a project-based model combining one-time hardware sales (display modules, controllers, mounting hardware, carts, and peripherals), custom application software development per installation, and recurring professional services including planning, consulting, training, and tiered maintenance contracts (from telephone support to 24/7 coverage). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; system scale ranges from small pilot units to large installations of tens of thousands of display modules. Distribution relies primarily on direct enterprise field sales through a multilingual (German, English, French) sales team led by Head of Sales Michael Weiser, supplemented by general contractor and system integrator channel partners for larger turnkey logistics projects. KBS maintains a roster of large European enterprise customers including Volkswagen, Audi, DHL, Roche, Pfizer, dm-drogerie, arvato, MAN, and ABUS, with installations across 42 countries and several thousand reference projects spanning automotive, pharmaceutical, retail, e-commerce, publishing, and discrete manufacturing.

Name

KBS

Legal name

KBS Industrieelektronik GmbH

Website

https://kbs-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KBS Industrieelektronik GmbH is a German specialist manufacturer of Pick-by-Light and Put-to-Light systems for paperless order picking, serving enterprise customers in logistics, automotive, pharmaceutical, retail, and e-commerce with installations across 42 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Pick-by-Light / Order-Picking Automation Systems

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)

Keywords

• Pick-by-light systems
• Paperless order picking
• Warehouse automation hardware
• Intralogistics pick to light
• E-Kanban replenishment

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

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. Hardware Systems (One-Time Sale): Sale of complete Pick-by-Light systems including display modules (Fachanzeigen), controllers, mounting profiles, picking carts, and peripheral components. Systems are custom-configured to customer requirements ranging from small systems with a few display modules to large projects with tens of thousands of display modules. One-time capital expenditure for customers.
2. Software Solutions: Custom application software development for each installation (applikationsspezifische Software) integrating with customer's WMS, ERP (including SAP), or material flow computer. PTF Device Manager software license (one license required per system). SAP integration and database communication modules.
3. Professional Services: Planning, consulting, and training by intralogistics experts; turnkey system handover; hardware and software service support on request. Maintenance contracts available from telephone support to 24/7 coverage for systems with KBS application modules.
4. Test/Pilot Systems: Small test or pilot systems offered for a small cost contribution covering non-reusable components. Includes standalone demo software enabling basic picking process demonstration without host system connection.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KBS designs, manufactures, and integrates Pick-by-Light / Put-to-Light paperless order-picking systems centered on the PickTerm Flexible (PTF) platform. Offerings include electronic display modules (Fachanzeigen) with signal lamps and confirmation buttons, controllers (PTF-SUB3 with PROFINET, PTF-MIU, PTF-SOLO, PTF-ZCTRL2), specialized modules (PickTerm Cart, Tray, Pointer, Sentinel, Pick-by-Balance), the SEKAN E-Kanban system, sensors (QRS contactless, distance measurement), and the PTF Device Manager software — all developed and produced in-house in Freiburg, Germany, complemented by customer-specific application software and intralogistics consulting services.

Product overview

KBS offers a modular Pick-by-Light hardware and software system portfolio centered on the PickTerm family of products. The core offering is PickTerm Flexible (PTF), a third-generation Pick-by-Light/Put-to-Light system for paperless order picking, supported by the PTF Device Manager software for device management. The product range extends to specialized modules including PickTerm Cart (mobile multi-order picking), PickTerm Tray (tray illumination), PickTerm Pointer (single-bin lighting), and SEKAN E-Kanban for electronic material replenishment. Specialized add-ons include PTF Sentinel (pick monitoring), Pick-by-Balance (scale integration), QRS sensor (touchless confirmation), and distance measurement sensors. Controllers include PTF-SUB3 (with PROFINET), PTF-MIU (modular for large systems), PTF-SUB2, PTF-SOLO, and PTF-ZCTRL2 (touchscreen zone display). KBS develops all hardware and software in-house and provides custom application software and consulting services for each installation. All products are manufactured in Germany (Freiburg).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PickTerm Flexible: Flexible and robust Pick-by-Light/Put-to-Light system for paperless order picking in stationary and mobile applications.
• PickTerm Cart
• PickTerm Tray
• PickTerm Pointer
• SEKAN
• PTF Sentinel
• PTF Device Manager

Products and services

• PickTerm Flexible (PTF) Pick-by-Light System Flagship third-generation semi-automated Pick-by-Light / Put-to-Light system for paperless manual order picking. Features modular electronic display modules (Fachanzeigen) with multi-color signal lamps, quantity displays, and confirmation buttons clipped onto aluminum mounting profiles, supporting parallel and sequential picking modes. Uses proprietary Plug&Pick bus architecture allowing display modules to be added, removed, or repositioned during live operation. Designed for warehouses, distribution centers, and assembly stations of enterprise customers.
• PTF Device Manager Software Proprietary standard software for managing and controlling PTF Pick-by-Light systems. Provides device management, interpreter, diagnostic, and monitoring functions; runs on Windows and Linux (MP version); communicates with host systems via proprietary TCP/IP socket telegrams. Licensed one-per-system for enterprise operators and integrators.
• PickTerm Cart Mobile Picking System Mobile picking cart with integrated Put-to-Light system and wireless connection to the control computer, enabling multi-order picking (simultaneous picking of multiple customer orders) and saving walking time in warehouses and distribution centers.
• PickTerm Tray Container Illumination Tray illumination module for container/bin lighting in tray-based warehouse systems. Illuminates the correct compartment of segmented storage containers for rapid and accurate picking or storage operations, suitable for picking from or placing into illuminated trays.
• PickTerm Pointer Single-Bin Illumination Static single-compartment illumination module for storage containers used when display-based user guidance is insufficient, particularly for mixed-type (non-sort-pure) source containers in Pick-to-Light / Put-to-Light picking.
• SEKAN E-Kanban System Electronic Kanban system with sensors for automatic monitoring and control of material replenishment at assembly and production stations, preventing production stoppages by ensuring adequate material container availability at Kanban shelves.
• PTF Sentinel Zero-Error Pick Module Pick-by-Light module with integrated sensor that monitors the pick zone and detects removals as well as picking errors for zero-error picking operations, enabling intrusion monitoring and verification of correct picks.
• Pick-by-Balance Scale-Integrated Pick-by-Light Pick-by-Light system with integrated scale enabling capture of actual removal quantities for more exact picking verification, suitable where weight confirmation complements light-based pick guidance.
• PTF-SUB3 Controller (with PROFINET) Controller unit with integrated 150W power supply supporting up to 100 PTF display modules, featuring PROFINET interface for PLC communication as well as RS485 and Ethernet connectivity, enabling Industry 4.0 integration.
• PTF-ZCTRL2 Zone Display Controller Compact 2-in-1 module combining a controller and zone display in one standard display module. Features Ethernet and USB interfaces with a multi-color graphical touchscreen for user interaction.
• Customer-Specific Application Software Custom software developed by KBS IT specialists for each installation, programming customer-specific picking processes and implementing interfaces to warehouse management systems, ERP (SAP), material flow computers, and order control systems.
• Pick-by-Light Consulting, Planning & Service Professional services covering planning and consulting by intralogistics experts, turnkey handover, training, and ongoing hardware/software service and maintenance support (from telephone support up to 24/7 coverage) for enterprise customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Picking performance doubled with same staff and same floor space
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers30 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKBS is a member of the Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL), the German Logistics Association. BVL serves as a competence network for logistics and supply chain management, aiming to communicate the importance of SCM and logistics and to advance research, development, and application. As a neutral platform, BVL facilitates interdisciplinary and industry-oriented exchange of knowledge, trends, and best practices between companies, scientists, and logistics experts.
• Logistics Integrators and General ContractorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKBS works as a reliable partner for general contractors and system integrators. The company has long-standing successful relationships with globally renowned logistics integrators. KBS provides Pick-by-Light hardware and software as components within larger integrated logistics projects, collaborating closely with these partners to maximize project outcomes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Knapp AG: Austrian headquartered global warehouse logistics automation specialist offering pick-to-light, pocket sorters, and OSR (Order Storage and Retrieval) systems. Direct overlap with KBS in pick-by-light hardware for pharmaceutical, retail, and e-commerce fulfillment customers.
• TGW Logistics Group: Austrian warehouse automation integrator with Pick-by-Light and Pick-to-Tote solutions as part of its broader systems portfolio. Competes with KBS for paperless picking deployments in fashion, grocery, and industrial distribution customers.
• Swisslog: Swiss-German warehouse automation vendor (part of KUKA Group) offering Pick-by-Light along with auto-store and conveyor-integrated solutions. Comparable to KBS in targeting pharmaceutical, e-grocery, and manufacturing intralogistics customers.
• SSI SCHAEFER: German family-owned intralogistics company with its own Pick-by-Light product line (SSI LOGIMAT) and broad warehouse automation portfolio. Most direct German-headquartered peer to KBS with overlapping automotive and manufacturing customer base.
• Matthews Automation (Lightning Pick): US provider of Pick-to-Light systems and Lightning Pick software, the closest direct technology peer to KBS PickTerm Flexible. Targets similar distribution and manufacturing customers with comparable paperless picking workflow.

Broad incumbents

• Dematic: Global warehouse automation incumbent (KION Group) with pick-to-light among its broader portfolio of ASRS, conveyor, and WMS-integrated solutions. Competes with KBS in large multi-site enterprise RFPs where breadth of offering matters.
• Vanderlande Industries: Dutch warehouse and parcel logistics automation vendor serving airports, warehousing, and parcel networks. Comparable to KBS at the system level for large enterprise logistics projects, with pick-by-light as one component of integrated offerings.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell-owned warehouse automation integrator offering pick-to-light as part of its order fulfillment solutions. Comparable to KBS in targeting distribution center operators and large e-commerce fulfillment customers.

Emerging players

• OPEX Corporation: US-based warehouse automation specialist offering Perfect Pick and Sure Sort systems. Competes with KBS in the precision-picking segment with proprietary goods-to-person and sortation technologies targeting similar fulfillment customer profiles.
• Bastian Solutions: US warehouse automation integrator (Toyota Advanced Logistics Group) offering pick-to-light alongside conveyor, robotic, and WMS solutions. Comparable to KBS in mid-market distribution and e-commerce fulfillment projects.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kbs-industrieelektronik-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 KBS