Unit M

What Unit M does

Unit M GmbH is a privately held German professional services firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, with fewer than 50 employees operating on a 100% remote model. The company specializes in B2B eCommerce implementation and consulting for the German Mittelstand, focused on digital sales and customer service automation for industrial manufacturing, technical wholesale, and mechanical engineering firms. Its delivery is anchored in the proprietary "Unit M Delivery Framework" methodology and a set of reusable software components (customer cockpit, product catalogs, pricing engine, quotes & orders, spare parts & configurations, AI integration), deployed on top of standard platforms including OroCommerce, BigCommerce, Shopify, Prodexa PIM, Typesense, and Directus, with ERP connectors for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and SAP.

The product portfolio comprises B2B online shops, spare parts shops, 24/7 customer portals, product configurators, and intelligent product search, complemented by consulting services for IT architecture, GDPR-compliant AI deployment, PIM implementation, and software selection. The revenue model combines upfront consulting and implementation fees with recurring managed services for ongoing platform operation; pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadences. Go-to-market is direct enterprise consulting sales augmented by partner-initiated leads from OroCommerce, BigCommerce, and Prodexa, with channel reach supported by IHK committee leadership, industry association memberships, and trade fair presence across 8+ German industrial events.

The customer base is concentrated in enterprise industrial Mittelstand, with documented relationships of 10+ years at ABUS (security technology), Ratioparts (parts distribution), Klaus Faber (cable wholesale), Fritz Frieling (steel trading), KNIPEX (tool manufacturing), Becker-Antriebe (drive technology), Schneeberger (linear technology), and manroland Goss (printing systems). The company is founder-led by Stefan Koshold with Christian Lehmann joining as co-Managing Director in July 2024, is fully self-funded with no external investment, and is currently expanding its AI deployment and BigCommerce capabilities following 2023-2025 partnership additions and BSFZ research subsidy approval.

Name

Unit M

Legal name

Unit M GmbH

Website

https://unit-m.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Unit M is a German B2B eCommerce implementation and consulting firm that helps industrial Mittelstand companies automate digital sales and customer service processes through custom platforms, portals, configurators, and AI-based product search built on OroCommerce, BigCommerce, Shopify, and integrated ERP/PIM systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B eCommerce Implementation Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAAAGAJ

B2B SaaS & Enterprise Personalization (CRM, Sales, Support)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning/Recommender Systems & Personalization

Keywords

• B2B eCommerce consulting
• Digital sales automation
• Customer service platforms
• Industrial eCommerce solutions
• PIM implementation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mülheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Digital transformation consulting, IT architecture advisory, software selection services, and project preparation workshops for B2B companies implementing eCommerce and automation solutions.
2. Implementation Services: Custom implementation of B2B eCommerce platforms, digital portals, product configurators, and customer service solutions. Project-based work with development and integration services.
3. Managed Services: Ongoing platform operation, development, and optimization services for deployed digital platforms, including continuous improvement and maintenance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Unit M is a B2B eCommerce consulting and implementation partner that designs, builds, and operates digital sales and customer service platforms for industrial, wholesale, and mechanical engineering companies. The company combines standard eCommerce platforms (OroCommerce, BigCommerce, Shopify) with its proprietary Delivery Framework and software components (customer cockpit, product catalogs, pricing engine, search, configurators) to automate routine tasks, enable 24/7 self-service, and integrate with ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics, SAP) and PIM (Prodexa).

Product overview

Unit M is a B2B eCommerce implementation and consulting company specializing in digital sales and customer service automation for industrial, wholesale, and mechanical engineering companies. Their portfolio consists of a platform-plus-components architecture: the core Unit M Delivery Framework provides the methodology and reusable building blocks (quotes & orders, spare parts & configurations, AI integration, customer cockpit, pricing engines, product catalogs), which are deployed through distinct product modules including B2B Onlineshops, Ersatzteilshops (spare parts shops), Kundenportale (customer portals), Produkt-Konfiguratoren (product configurators), and Produktsuche (intelligent product search). These products are complemented by consulting services for IT architecture, GDPR-compliant AI implementation, PIM system introduction, and software selection. The company has over 30 years of experience and operates on a 100% remote model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B2B Onlineshop (B2B Online Shop) Digital sales platform for business customers enabling efficient 24/7 ordering processes, including customer-specific pricing, role-based access, and ERP integration. Built for B2B buyers at industrial and wholesale companies.
• Ersatzteilshops (Spare Parts Shops) Specialized eCommerce solution for spare parts identification and ordering in mechanical engineering, enabling quick product identification and easy ordering of complex products. Targets machinery manufacturers and their service organizations.
• Kundenportale (Customer Portals) Central 24/7 self-service platform for service, orders, and communication, providing access to documentation, order tracking, and account management for business customers.
• Produkt-Konfiguratoren (Product Configurators) Tool for individual product configuration enabling flexible configuration and precise assembly of complex products with real-time pricing and variant comparison, targeted at machine and plant engineering buyers.
• Produktsuche (Intelligent Product Search) Intelligent product search with autocomplete, faceted filters, and AI-based capabilities for finding products efficiently in complex catalogs. Targets industrial and wholesale B2B buyers.
• Unit M Delivery Framework Structured methodology and reusable software components for digital platform delivery, covering quotes & orders, spare parts & configurations, AI integration, customer cockpit, pricing engine, and product catalogs. Used as the foundation for Unit M's B2B eCommerce implementations.
• IT Architekturberatung (IT Architecture Consulting) Consulting services for IT architecture and system design to ensure scalable and maintainable digital platform implementations for B2B eCommerce clients.
• KI & Automatisierung (GDPR-Compliant AI Implementation) GDPR-compliant AI implementation services for automating customer inquiries and business processes in B2B eCommerce, including natural-language customer inquiry handling and AI-based product search.
• PIM Einführung (PIM Implementation) Product Information Management system implementation services to centralize and manage product data across all sales channels, leveraging Prodexa PIM.
• Softwareauswahl (Software Selection) Consulting for selecting appropriate B2B eCommerce platforms and software solutions (e.g., OroCommerce, BigCommerce, Shopify) based on client requirements.
• Projektvorbereitende Workshops (Pre-Project Workshops) Pre-project workshops for digital platforms to define goals, analyze potential, and establish measurable success metrics ahead of implementation.
• Automatisierungs-Check (Automation Check) Analysis offering to calculate automation potential and ROI for sales and customer service process digitization, available as a free initial consultation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 60% reduction in manual processes through automation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration18 records

AI capability7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BigCommercecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Joined BigCommerce Partner Program in January 2023. Active in DACH region expansion, participated in Benelux Roadshow, BigCommerce Live EMEA event at Wembley Stadium. Implemented multiple B2B projects on BigCommerce platform (e.g., Ratioparts migration).
• OroCommercecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Long-standing Silver and Trained Partner since 2016, among the most experienced OroCommerce partners in the DACH region. Unit M supports product development and marketing, and has direct relationships with OroCommerce leadership (CEO Yoav Kutner). Won OroCommerce Customer Satisfaction Award 2022.
• Prodexa (formerly jCatalog)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2001Premium Partner since 2001 with over 20 years of collaboration. Prodexa provides PIM (Product Information Management) software solutions. Unit M implements Prodexa as part of their digital platform solutions.
• TSOminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebconnector implementation partner for connecting Microsoft Dynamics NAV with eCommerce systems. Unit M presented joint solution with OXID eSales at TSO Customer Days.
• ecominorOthersInternet industry association membership for networking and industry representation in Germany.
• networker NRWminorOthersIT industry network in NRW, bundling competencies and providing networking opportunities for IT companies in the region.
• ZENITminorOthersNetwork organization for business and science cooperation. Unit M participates in Zenit events for networking and knowledge exchange with other companies.
• IHK Ruhr (MEO)minorOthersChamber of Commerce and Industry membership. Active participation in IHK committees including Digitalization & Innovation (Stefan Koshold as Deputy Chairman) and Internationalization committees.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Arvato Systems (Bertelsmann): Global IT services and systems integrator with strong DACH presence offering eCommerce, CRM, and supply chain solutions; comparable to Unit M as a much larger incumbent that frequently competes for enterprise digital transformation programs in the same German Mittelstand segment.
• valantic GmbH: Large Munich-based digital consulting and software firm with a dedicated commerce practice serving enterprise and mid-market German clients; comparable to Unit M as a broader digital transformation provider that often competes for the same B2B eCommerce and ERP-integration mandates.

Emerging players

• Akeneo (implementation partner ecosystem): Product Information Management (PIM) platform competing against Prodexa in the same DACH market with an active partner network; comparable to Unit M as an adjacent technology that influences PIM-led B2B eCommerce implementations.
• OXID eSales AG: Freiburg-based eCommerce platform with strong DACH B2B customer base and implementation partner network; comparable to Unit M as an alternative platform technology already used by Unit M in joint customer implementations.

Direct peers

• novomind AG: Hamburg-based software and services company specializing in omnichannel commerce and customer service platforms for enterprise and mid-market; comparable to Unit M as a German-language provider of digital sales and service automation solutions.
• netz98 new media GmbH: Würzburg-based digital agency implementing B2B eCommerce platforms (Akeneo, Shopware, Spryker) for German Mittelstand and industrial clients; directly comparable to Unit M as a German-speaking B2B implementation partner targeting similar verticals.
• Spryker Systems GmbH: Berlin-based enterprise commerce platform purpose-built for B2B, B2C, and marketplace models with a partner ecosystem of implementation firms in DACH; comparable to Unit M as an alternative B2B commerce platform with overlapping customer segments.
• commercetools (implementation partner network): Headquartered in Munich, commercetools is a leading composable commerce platform with a network of implementation partners serving B2B and B2C enterprise customers; comparable to Unit M as a competing B2B eCommerce platform option for similar Mittelstand buyers.
• Cobrick AG: German digital agency specializing in B2B eCommerce, PIM, and product configuration implementations for industrial Mittelstand; comparable to Unit M in target segment, service portfolio, and partner-platform-centric delivery model.
• Shopmacher GmbH: German eCommerce consultancy implementing B2B and B2C shops on platforms such as OXID, Shopware, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud; comparable to Unit M as a DACH-focused implementation partner with overlapping platform stack.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unit-m-ecommerce

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Unit M