Bernstein AG
BERNSTEIN AG is a German, third-generation family-owned manufacturer of industrial safety technology (switches, sensors, RFID-coded safety locks) and enclosure technology, serving OEMs in mechanical engineering, elevator, railway, energy, packaging, and vehicle-construction verticals across more than 40 countries via 8 subsidiaries and 34 distributors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersPorta Westfalica, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Bernstein AG does
BERNSTEIN AG is a German, family-owned industrial technology manufacturer founded in 1947 and headquartered in Porta Westfalica. The company operates two principal product brands: DETECT, covering industrial safety technology (position switches, safety switches and sensors with RFID coding, emergency stop devices, rope pull switches, foot switches, wireless switching devices, and safety signal evaluation via safety relays, programmable SCR P controllers, and IO-Link DCD interfaces); and PROTECT, covering enclosure technology (standard, railway, and ATEX-certified explosion-protected enclosures in aluminium, polycarbonate, polyester, and ABS, plus industrial operator stations, suspension/arm systems, and control enclosures). The SMART Safety System integrates these components into scalable, networked safety architectures for complete machines and plants.
The business model is predominantly B2B hardware sales (safety components and enclosures) augmented by professional services through custom enclosure machining — drilling, milling, coating, labelling, wiring, and assembly — delivered to OEM specifications. Products are sold direct via headquarters and eight wholly-owned regional subsidiaries (China, Denmark, Italy, France, Austria, UK, Switzerland) and indirectly through 34 distributors worldwide, with a small e-commerce channel operating in Denmark. Pricing is unit-based with a 150 EUR minimum order threshold, ex-works terms, and 30-day net cash payment. End markets span six industrial verticals: mechanical engineering, elevator/lift technology, railway technology, energy technology, packaging technology, and vehicle construction.
BERNSTEIN has been third-generation family-owned since founding, currently led by siblings Nicole and Achim Bernstein (Executive Board) with Gisela Bernstein as Supervisory Board Chair. The company holds ISO 9001 (since 1996), ISO 14001 (since 2016), ATEX (IBExU), IECEx, cCSAus, and UL certifications, and operates two German production sites in Porta Westfalica and Hille-Hartum, the latter expanded with a full-roof photovoltaic system in summer 2024. No external funding, M&A activity, or AI/ML capability is present in the disclosed data.
Bernstein AG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bernstein AG
- Legal name
- Bernstein AG
- Website
- https://bernstein.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- BERNSTEIN AG is a German, third-generation family-owned manufacturer of industrial safety technology (switches, sensors, RFID-coded safety locks) and enclosure technology, serving OEMs in mechanical engineering, elevator, railway, energy, packaging, and vehicle-construction verticals across more than 40 countries via 8 subsidiaries and 34 distributors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bernstein AG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Safety Technology
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safety Instrumented Systems & Machine Safety Control (SIS, Safety PLCs, Relays) (IMAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ), Industrial Safety & Security Electronics Manufacturing (Safety relays, E-stops, light curtains, access control) (IMAGAGAG)
Keywords
Where Bernstein AG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Porta Westfalica
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Bernstein AG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Safety Technology Products: Manufacturing and sale of position switches, safety switches, sensors, emergency stop devices, rope pull switches, foot switches, and safety relays
- Enclosure Technology Products: Standard enclosures, railway enclosures, Ex-approved enclosures, industrial operator stations, suspension systems, and control enclosures made from aluminum, polycarbonate, polyester, and ABS
- Custom Enclosure Machining: Custom processing, labeling, and assembly of enclosures according to customer specifications including drilling, milling, and coating
- System Solutions: Complete concepts for safeguarding entire machines and plants including SMART Safety System and Daisy Chain Diagnostics
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard pricing with minimum order threshold |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bernstein AG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BERNSTEIN AG manufactures and sells industrial safety technology and enclosure technology. The DETECT product line includes position switches, safety switches, sensors, emergency stop devices, rope pull switches, foot switches, safety signal evaluation units, and wireless switching devices. The PROTECT product line includes standard enclosures, railway enclosures, ATEX-certified enclosures, industrial operator stations, suspension/arm systems, and control enclosures. The company also offers integrated SMART Safety System solutions and custom enclosure machining services.
Product overview
BERNSTEIN AG operates as a two-brand industrial technology company offering safety technology under the DETECT brand and enclosure technology under the PROTECT brand, plus a third system solutions pillar centred on the SMART Safety System. The DETECT portfolio includes position switches and sensors (plastic and metal housings), safety switches and sensors (electronic, magnetic, inductive, hinged, separate actuator, guard-locking including the SLO electronic safety lock), emergency stop devices, rope pull switches, foot switches, wireless switching devices, and safety signal evaluation equipment (safety relays, programmable SCR controllers, DCD interfaces). The PROTECT portfolio covers standard enclosures (aluminium CA, polycarbonate/ABS CT, polyester CP), railway enclosures, ATEX explosion-protected enclosures, industrial operator stations (CS-4000 neXt, VASS Standard), suspension/arm systems (CS-B.light, CS-3000, CS-480, CS-2000), and control enclosures (CC-3000, CC-4000, CC-5000 neXt). The SMART Safety System integrates these components into scalable, networked complete safety concepts for machines and plants. A complementary enclosure machining service provides custom processing (drilling, milling, coating, wiring, assembly) on standard enclosures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DETECT: Safety technology brand featuring switches, sensors and safety solutions that secure production processes and protect people
- PROTECT
- SMART Safety System
Products and services
- DETECT Position Switches
Quantifiable outcome
- Photovoltaic systems generate renewable energy reducing dependence on fossil fuels
Companies that use Bernstein AG
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Bernstein AG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Bernstein AG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- EKO-PUNKT Transportverpackungen GmbH & Co. KGcorePartnership for packaging take-back and recycling. EKO-PUNKT collects, records, and recycles BERNSTEIN's used packaging materials, enabling circular economy and environmental protection. Supports compliance with German Packaging Act.
- InterzerocorePartnership for material recycling and resource conservation. BERNSTEIN's collaboration with Interzero has generated measurable contributions to climate action and resource protection through recycling of materials.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bernstein AG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SICK AG: Germany-based global leader in industrial sensors, safety sensors, and safety systems. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of safety switches, safety light curtains, and integrated safety solutions for machinery and plant protection.
- Pilz GmbH & Co. KG: Family-owned German specialist in safe automation, including safety relays, configurable safety controllers (PNOZmulti), and safety sensors. Closely comparable to Bernstein's DETECT portfolio and SMART Safety System positioning.
- Schmersal Group: German family-owned manufacturer of safety switchgear, safety sensors, and operator panels for machinery. Overlaps directly with Bernstein's position switches, safety switches with guard locking, and safety relay offerings.
- Euchner GmbH + Co. KG: German specialist in industrial safety engineering, particularly safety switches with guard locking and electronic safety systems. Closely comparable to Bernstein's SLO safety lock and SRF safety sensor ranges.
- Banner Engineering: US-based manufacturer of industrial sensors, safety light devices, and machine safety products. Comparable as a competing provider of safety switches, e-stop devices, and safety controllers used in factory automation.
- Rittal GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of industrial enclosures, operator panels, and climate control solutions. Directly comparable to Bernstein's PROTECT brand in standard enclosures, control enclosures, and suspension/arm systems for industrial applications.
Broad incumbents
- Siemens AG: Global automation conglomerate whose SIMATIC and SIRIUS portfolios include safety relays, safety PLCs, and integrated functional safety. Overlaps with Bernstein's SCR P controllers and safety signal evaluation products as part of a much broader offering.
- Rockwell Automation: US-based industrial automation leader offering Allen-Bradley safety components, safety PLCs (GuardLogix), and integrated safety systems. Competes with Bernstein particularly in machine-builder accounts in North America and globally.
- Schneider Electric: Global energy management and automation company offering safety controllers, safety relays (Preventa), and machine safety solutions. Provides overlapping capabilities to Bernstein as part of a comprehensive industrial portfolio.
- Eaton Corporation: Diversified power management company with an industrial controls division offering safety relays, switches, and enclosures. Comparable as a broad-line competitor serving overlapping machinery and process-industry customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bernstein AG social profiles
Digital presenceBernstein AG compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Bernstein AG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bernstein AG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Bernstein AG subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Bernstein AG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bernstein AG 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 Bernstein AG
What does Bernstein AG do?
BERNSTEIN AG manufactures and sells industrial safety technology and enclosure technology. The DETECT product line includes position switches, safety switches, sensors, emergency stop devices, rope pull switches, foot switches, safety signal evaluation units, and wireless switching devices. The PROTECT product line includes standard enclosures, railway enclosures, ATEX-certified enclosures, industrial operator stations, suspension/arm systems, and control enclosures. The company also offers integrated SMART Safety System solutions and custom enclosure machining services.
Is Bernstein AG a public or private company?
Bernstein AG is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Bernstein AG founded?
Bernstein AG was founded in 1947. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Bernstein AG based?
Bernstein AG is headquartered in Porta Westfalica, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Bernstein AG make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Safety Technology Products are the primary driver. The others are enclosure Technology Products, custom Enclosure Machining and system Solutions.
Who are Bernstein AG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SICK AG, Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, Schmersal Group, Euchner GmbH + Co. KG, Banner Engineering and Rittal GmbH & Co. KG. Broad incumbents are Siemens AG, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric and Eaton Corporation.
Does Bernstein AG have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bernstein AG.
What industry is Bernstein AG in?
Bernstein AG's product category is Industrial Safety Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAF, Safety Instrumented Systems & Machine Safety Control (SIS, Safety PLCs, Relays), with a secondary code of IMAGABAJ, Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration). Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3620.