BST

What BST does

BST GmbH is a German manufacturer of quality assurance systems for web-processing industries, founded in 1960 and headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of elexis AG, the company supplies inline inspection, web guiding, register control, color measurement, and data management systems to industrial manufacturers across battery production, printing and packaging, tire and rubber, film extrusion, narrow web/label printing, converting, pharmaceuticals, nonwoven, printed electronics, and fuel cells. BST's technology stack combines proprietary computer-vision cameras (CLS CAM 100/200, CCD CAM 100), high-resolution line-scan cameras (SurfaceScope Pro, iPQ-Surface), 3D laser profilers (LaserTrack Pro 600), 100% print inspection (TubeScan, iPQ-Check, iPQ-Check Digital), fiber-optic and CCD-matrix register sensors (eltromat regi_star 20, TWINStar, AR4400), and the SMARTData analytics platform that aggregates inline quality telemetry across complex production environments.

Name

BST

Legal name

BST GmbH

Website

https://bst.elexis.group

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

BST GmbH is a Bielefeld, Germany-based manufacturer of inline quality assurance systems — including web guiding, 100% print inspection, surface inspection, 3D profiling, and register control — sold to industrial manufacturers in battery, printing, packaging, tire, pharma, and related web-processing verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Quality Assurance Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH), Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC), Labeling, Coding & Marking Equipment (Labelers, Inkjet, Laser) (IMALAOAD), Inspection, Checkweighing & Metal Detection Systems (IMAHAOAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial quality assurance systems
• Web guiding systems
• Surface inspection systems
• Print inspection systems
• Register control systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Systems: BST generates revenue primarily through the sale of quality assurance hardware systems including inspection systems, web guiding systems, color measurement devices, and register control equipment sold to industrial manufacturers.
2. Software & Data Management: SMARTData platform and related software solutions for quality and data management, likely sold as standalone or bundled licenses with hardware systems.
3. Service & Support: Comprehensive service offerings including helpdesk, installation and commissioning, maintenance, service contracts, troubleshooting and optimization, training, repair, spare parts, and complaint management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BST manufactures and sells quality assurance systems for web-processing industries, including computer-vision-based inspection systems, web guiding systems, color measurement and management systems, register control systems, and the SMARTData data management platform. These hardware and software solutions operate inline during high-speed manufacturing to detect defects, ensure precise web tracking, control print registration, and provide data-driven process optimization across industries such as battery manufacturing, printing, packaging, tire and rubber, film extrusion, and pharmaceuticals.

Product overview

BST is a leading complete provider of quality assurance systems for web-processing industries. The product portfolio consists of multiple integrated solution categories: (1) Web Guiding systems (ECOGuide, COMPACTGuide, SMARTGuide, FRAMEGuide) with various sensors (CLS CAM 100/200, CCD CAM 100) and controllers including BST SMART COM 100 Commander; (2) Surface Inspection (iPQ-Surface, iPQ-Surface ENERGY, SurfaceScope Pro) for detecting defects in coating and lamination processes; (3) Video Web Monitoring (POWERScope 5000, PROView, iPQ-View, LaserTrack Pro 600) for real-time web observation; (4) 100% Inspection systems (TubeScan, iPQ-Check, iPQ-Check Digital) for comprehensive quality control; (5) Register Control (eltromat regi_star 20, eltromat TWINStar, AR4400) for print registration; (6) SMARTData analytics platform for comprehensive production data management; (7) Application Solutions (COATINGControl, SLITTINGControl, CELLInspection); and (8) Color Management and Measurement solutions. The products serve industries including Battery, Fuel Cell, Film Extrusion, Printing & Packaging, Converting, Pharma, Nonwoven, Tire & Rubber, Printed Electronics, and Narrow Web/Label Printing. BST integrates with Voyantic Tagsurance 3 for RFID quality assurance and KepServerEX for PLC connectivity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMARTData: Advanced solution for quality and data management in production processes
• TubeScan
• iPQ-Surface
• iPQ-Check
• LaserTrack Pro
• SurfaceScope Pro
• FRAMEGuide
• CLS CAM 200
• BST COATINGControl
• BST SLITTINGControl

Products and services

• SMARTData Quality and data management platform that enables complex production processes to be viewed in their entirety, providing data-driven quality management, enhanced transparency, and continuous process optimization. Awarded Samsung SDI S-NOVA 2025 Innovation Award for lithium-ion battery manufacturing applications.
• CLS CAM 200 Camera-based sensor for web guiding applications, combining precision and sustainability with automatically controlled LED illumination and support for both bright-field and dark-field operation on reflective surfaces. Operated via BST SMART COM 100 Commander with optical positioning aid and automatic job/setup memory. For printing, packaging, and label manufacturers.
• SurfaceScope Pro 100% surface inspection system using up to six high-resolution line-scan cameras (4K color, 0.12 mm resolution) on tire cutting machines. Detects holes, rubber inconsistencies, splicing issues, wire exposures, and alignment problems. Supports working widths of 500 to 1,500 mm with OPC/KepServerEX PLC integration. Targeted at tire and rubber manufacturers.
• LaserTrack Pro 600 High-resolution 3D profile monitoring system combining point-laser resolution with full 100% width coverage. Two high-resolution 3D profilers take measurements every 30 mm on both top and bottom sides, eliminating occlusion effects common in full-width profiling systems. Targeted at tire manufacturers.
• TubeScan 100% Inspection System with RFID Integration 100% print inspection system capable of visual inspection and RFID inlay position checking. Combined with Voyantic Tagsurance 3 for integrated RFID quality control, data encoding, and data verification, delivering combined roll reports. For label and printed electronics manufacturers.
• ECOGuide Web Guiding System Web guiding system for controlling and regulating web movement in various manufacturing processes, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing waste. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• COMPACTGuide Web Guiding System Compact web guiding system for precise web alignment in space-constrained production applications. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• SMARTGuide Web Guiding System Intelligent web guiding system providing advanced web alignment control with features for varied manufacturing processes. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• FRAMEGuide Web Guiding System Web guiding system combining the lowest possible installation height with maximum guiding precision for narrow spaces in manufacturing lines. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers with space constraints.
• CLS CAM 100 Web Guiding Sensor Camera-based sensor for web guiding applications using contrast detection. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• CCD CAM 100 Web Guiding Sensor CCD camera-based sensor for web guiding applications. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• AccuWeb Web Guiding System Web guiding component for precision web alignment control. Targeted at web-processing manufacturers.
• iPQ-Surface Inspection System Surface inspection system that reliably and immediately detects typical errors in lamination and coating processes. Targeted at coating, lamination, and converting manufacturers.
• iPQ-Surface ENERGY Inspection System Energy-efficient version of the iPQ-Surface inspection system for surface quality monitoring. Targeted at coating, lamination, and converting manufacturers.
• POWERScope 5000 Video Web Monitoring System Video web monitoring system for efficient web observation during production at high web speeds. Targeted at printing, packaging, and converting manufacturers.
• PROView Video Web Monitoring System Video web monitoring system for real-time web observation and quality control. Targeted at printing, packaging, and converting manufacturers.
• iPQ-View Video Web Monitoring Solution Video web monitoring solution for inspection and process visualization. Targeted at printing, packaging, and converting manufacturers.
• iPQ-Check 100% Inspection System 100% inspection system for detecting defects and quality issues during printing and production processes. Targeted at printing and packaging manufacturers.
• iPQ-Check Digital Inspection System Digital version of the 100% inspection system for digital production quality control. Targeted at digital printing and packaging manufacturers.
• eltromat regi_star 20 Register Control System Register control system for print registration using fiber-optic scanning heads. Targeted at printing manufacturers.
• eltromat TWINStar Register Control System Dual-sided register control system for comprehensive print registration. Targeted at printing manufacturers.
• AR4400 Register Control System Register control system for print mark detection. Targeted at printing manufacturers.
• BST COATINGControl Application Solution Application solution for coating process control and monitoring. Targeted at coating and converting manufacturers.
• BST SLITTINGControl Application Solution Application solution for slitting process control and optimization. Targeted at converting manufacturers.
• CELLInspection Battery Cell Inspection Solution Inspection solution for battery cell production quality control. Targeted at battery cell manufacturers.
• Color Management Solutions Electronic color controls optimized for offset printing, setting standards in precision, speed, reliability, and operating comfort. Targeted at offset printing manufacturers.
• Color Measurement Solutions Fully automatic spectral inline color measurement systems for maintaining specified color standards. Targeted at printing manufacturers.
• Automation Solutions Efficient automation solutions for machine builders and users to automate process workflows with maximum safety, performance, and economy. Targeted at machine builders and end users across web-processing industries.
• BST Service & Support Comprehensive service portfolio covering helpdesk, installation and commissioning, maintenance, service contracts, troubleshooting and optimization, training, repair, spare parts, and complaint management. Targeted at industrial customers operating BST quality assurance systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• SMARTData selected as one of six finalists and won Innovation Award at Samsung SDI S-NOVA 2025 competition among 60+ global suppliers
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability8 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• VoyanticcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026BST entered a partnership with Voyantic enabling an integrated solution combining visual 100% inspection with RFID testing. BST TubeScan handles print image and inlay inspection while Voyantic Tagsurance 3 tests RFID quality, performs data encoding, and validates data. The combined system will be demonstrated live at LOPEC 2026 on a SMAG converting machine. Users receive a roll report combining results from both systems.
• Lazpiur E-MobilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2025BST and Lazpiur E-Mobility announced a strategic partnership to advance burr detection in the battery industry. This collaboration focuses on developing integrated quality assurance solutions for battery manufacturing processes.
• elexis BST KoreacoreOtherselexis BST Korea is BST's local representation in South Korea, actively supporting BST initiatives in the region including the Samsung SDI S-NOVA 2025 competition. It serves as the local sales and support entity for BST products in Korea.
• Braunschweig University of Technology (Institute for Machine Tools and Production Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the DuLiPro project (2022-2026), focused on increasing throughput in lithium-ion battery production through continuous sub-processes, including encapsulation, electrolyte filling, and cell sealing.
• Baker Hughes Digital Solutions GmbH (Waygate Technologies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in DuLiPro project contributing to high-throughput quality assurance methods for battery cell production.
• ViscoTec Pumpen- u. Dosiertechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in DuLiPro project for continuous battery cell production processes.
• Jonas & Redmann Automationstechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project (2023-2026) for process modelling and optimization of battery cell production.
• J. Schmalz GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for process optimization in battery cell manufacturing.
• Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for process modelling and optimization in battery cell production.
• Custom Cells Itzehoe GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for battery cell production optimization.
• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for process modelling and optimization in battery cell manufacturing.
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Institute of Production Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for process optimization in battery cell production.
• Technical University of Berlin (Institute for Machine Tools and Factory Operation, Dept. of Handling and Assembly Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for process modelling in battery cell production.
• Aalen University (Institute for Materials Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ProMoBatt project for battery cell production optimization.
• acp systems AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ExinosII project (2025-2028) for developing series-capable, highly flexible and continuous systems for optimized stack formation in battery production.
• Fraunhofer Research Centre for Battery Cell Production (FFB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ExinosII project for industrializing stack formation systems in battery production.
• BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research)coreOthersFunding organization for DuLiPro research project (2022-2026). BMBF Reference: 03XP0485B. Project focuses on continuous sub-processes in lithium-ion battery production.
• BMWK (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)coreOthersFunding organization for ProMoBatt research project (2023-2026). BMWK Reference: 16BZF357C. Project focuses on process modelling for battery cell production optimization.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco): Acquired by Atlas Copco, ISRA VISION provides industrial machine vision and inspection systems particularly for surface inspection, web inspection, and quality control. Closely comparable to BST's inspection product lines including surface and 100% inspection.
• Basler AG: German manufacturer of industrial cameras and computer vision components. Comparable to BST's camera-based sensor systems (CLS CAM) and computer vision inspection platforms, though more component-focused.
• SICK AG: Global manufacturer of industrial sensors and machine vision systems used in factory, logistics, and process automation. Directly comparable to BST in industrial vision, inspection, and quality control applications.
• Cognex Corporation: Leading global provider of machine vision and industrial barcode reading systems. Highly comparable to BST in computer vision-based inspection and quality assurance for manufacturing.
• Erhardt+Leimer: German-based direct competitor specializing in web guiding, tension control, and inspection systems for web-processing industries. Closely comparable product portfolio and customer base to BST across printing, packaging, and converting applications.

Emerging players

• Balluff: German-based industrial sensor and connectivity specialist. Comparable to BST in industrial sensor technology for manufacturing and quality assurance, though with a broader sensor portfolio beyond web processing.

Broad incumbents

• Omron Corporation: Global industrial automation company offering machine vision, sensors, and quality inspection solutions. Comparable to BST in industrial vision-based inspection and factory automation.
• Honeywell International: Diversified industrial conglomerate with substantial process control, sensing, and quality assurance offerings. Comparable to BST in process quality and measurement instrumentation across manufacturing industries.
• Keyence Corporation: Global leader in industrial automation and inspection equipment including sensors, microscopes, and measurement systems. Overlaps with BST in industrial vision and measurement but serves a much broader portfolio of customers.
• Pepperl+Fuchs: German industrial sensor and explosion protection specialist with significant presence in factory automation sensors and vision systems. Comparable to BST's sensor-driven QA systems across factory automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bst-eltromat-international-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 BST