AKL-tec

What AKL-tec does

AKL-tec GmbH is a privately held German industrial manufacturer, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Alsdorf, that designs and produces logistics automation and measurement systems for freight, parcels, pallets, and 3D objects. Its core product portfolio spans the CubiScan series (N9, S9, 325, and the jointly developed 1200-AKL with US partner Cubiscan), the APACHE portal and APACHE DWS Static measurement systems, and the RedTagger T-300 automated labeling unit. The company builds on state-of-the-art sensor technology combined with self-developed deep learning and computer vision capabilities, delivered through its flagship AI module Predictive Vision for Logistics for hazardous goods detection, pallet classification, anomaly identification, and continuous-learning freight monitoring.

The business model is a hybrid of hardware sales, bundled and standalone AI/software subscriptions, professional services for installation and commissioning, and recurring support and maintenance contracts. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales in Germany with a global network of over 30 authorized distributors covering Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia, including named partners such as Cubiscan (USA), BPS Global (China), 3H Corporation (Korea), Diverseco (Australia/SEA), Tecsoft (France), Inther (Netherlands/Belgium), and NIDO Machineries (India). Customer segments are horizontal across cargo handling, warehouse and intralogistics, shipping, and air freight, served via quote-based, multi-year enterprise contracts. The company is owned and operated by managing directors Herbert Elben and Rüdiger Elben, with no external parent, venture capital, or public listing disclosed.

Name

AKL-tec

Legal name

AKL-tec GmbH

Website

https://akl-tec.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AKL-tec is a German industrial manufacturer that designs logistics measurement and automation systems, including the CubiScan series and AI-powered Predictive Vision module, serving cargo handlers, warehouse operators, shippers, and air freight customers globally via direct sales and 30+ distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Measurement and Automation Systems

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Real-Time Operational Visibility & Exception Management (TLAEAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Labeling, Coding & Marking Systems (IMAHAOAE)

Keywords

• Logistics measurement systems
• Freight dimensioning equipment
• Pallet inspection technology
• Hazardous goods detection
• Warehouse automation hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Alsdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware and Measurement Systems: Sale of measurement systems including CubiScan (N9, S9, 325), APACHE portal, and specialized pallet inspection equipment. Systems are sold directly and through global distribution network.
2. Software and AI Solutions: Predictive Vision for Logistics AI software solutions bundled with hardware or as standalone systems.
3. Professional Services: Installation, commissioning, training, and support services for measurement systems.
4. Support and Maintenance: Customer support services with dedicated ticket portal and account management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AKL-tec designs and manufactures industrial logistics automation and measurement systems, including the CubiScan series and APACHE portal product lines, for contactless dimensional measurement, weight capture, and master data acquisition of parcels, freight, pallets, and 3D objects. Its offerings combine hardware measurement systems with AI-powered software modules (notably Predictive Vision for Logistics) for hazardous goods detection, pallet classification, and process optimization across cargo handling, warehousing, shipping, and air freight operations.

Product overview

AKL-tec offers a comprehensive portfolio of logistics measurement and automation solutions, comprising hardware-based measurement systems integrated with AI-powered software modules. The core product line includes the CubiScan series (N9, S9, 325) for dimensional measurement of parcels, freight, and 3D objects, alongside APACHE portal and APACHE DWS Static systems for fixed installation measurement. Strategic partnership with Cubiscan (since 2005) enables the jointly-developed CubiScan 1200-AKL high-capacity pallet measurement system. The AI-powered Predictive Vision for Logistics module adds deep learning capabilities for hazardous goods detection, pallet classification, and anomaly detection. Additional add-on modules include automated pallet inspection and RedTagger labeling systems. Products serve cargo handling, warehouse and intralogistics, shipping, and air freight applications with a focus on precision measurement, process automation, and AI-supported optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CubiScan N9 High-performance logistics measurement system establishing new standards in freight dimensioning with continuous scanning and easy system integration for logistics operators and warehouse customers.
• CubiScan S9 Precision measurement device for logistics dimensioning that captures object dimensions accurately while combining measurement accuracy with operational efficiency for logistics and warehouse operators.
• CubiScan 325 3D measurement system providing precise dimensional analysis for objects of any shape, suitable for varied logistics measurement needs in warehouses and distribution centers.
• CubiScan 1200-AKL High-capacity pallet measurement system jointly developed with Cubiscan, combining AKL-tec's expertise in heavy cargo measurement with Cubiscan technology. Features fast ROI, regulatory approval, and is the most widely used system in its class worldwide.
• APACHE portal first choice Compact, robust measurement portal designed for easy installation, providing reliable dimensional measurement for logistics operations.
• APACHE DWS Static Static dimensioning, weighing, and scanning system providing precise measurement data for logistics optimization.
• Predictive Vision for Logistics AI-powered software module using deep learning for continuous monitoring, hazardous goods detection, pallet classification, and intelligent process control in logistics environments. Recognizes danger labels, classifies pallet conditions, and provides early-warning freight information.
• Pallet Inspection Automated pallet inspection system that reliably identifies pallet conditions and Class C pallets using computer vision technology.
• RedTagger T-300 Automated marking and labeling system that enables automated object marking directly in the process, extending beyond pure data capture to include labeling automation.

Quantifiable outcome

• ROI times of a few months with Cubiscan 1200-AKL
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CubiscancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Strategic partnership since summer 2005. Joint development of Cubiscan 1200-AKL - the most widely used pallet measurement system worldwide with ROI times of a few months. Collaboration spans development, software, support, marketing, and sales across time zones. 20-year partnership celebrated with planting of partner tree symbolizing sustainable growth. AKL-tec brings expertise in freight measurement, contour detection, and robust measurement technology while Cubiscan leads in static dimensioning of small items and automated warehouse processes.
• SDFS Smarte Demonstrationsfabrik Siegen GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAKL-tec became one of approximately 70 partners of the Smart Demonstrations Factory Siegen in February 2024. Visit to the renovated facility of Achenbach Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG demonstrated the smart factory concept.
• COREangelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAKL-tec participated in a panel alongside COREangels as part of a technological innovation delegation organized by Sands China and Macao Economic Development Bureau at Web Summit in Lisbon.
• gebauer.mediaminorOthersFilm production company that created AKL-tec's new image film, providing real insight into what makes the company unique.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: SICK is a German-headquartered leader in industrial sensors, including 3D and laser-based measurement solutions for logistics and warehouse automation. Its product portfolio overlaps with AKL-tec's APACHE and CubiScan offerings in dimensional capture and object detection.
• Mettler-Toledo: Mettler-Toledo is a global leader in industrial weighing and measurement instruments with broad logistics, parcel, and freight applications. Its dimensioning/weighing/scanning systems overlap directly with AKL-tec's CubiScan and APACHE product lines, but at a much larger enterprise scale.
• Zebra Technologies: Zebra's acquisition of Motorola Solutions' barcode and later its expansion into industrial machine vision and fixed industrial scanning make it a broad incumbent in logistics identification, dimensioning, and tracking. Zebra competes with AKL-tec across parcel/freight measurement use cases.
• Beumer Group: Beumer Group is a German intralogistics systems integrator providing conveyor, sorting, and palletizing solutions that often incorporate dimensioning and weighing subsystems. It is comparable to AKL-tec as a European-headquartered competitor in warehouse and cargo handling automation.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell's Intelligrated division provides integrated warehouse execution, dimensioning/weighing/scanning, and conveyor-based logistics solutions. Its broader automation portfolio competes with AKL-tec in large enterprise intralogistics deployments.

Direct peers

• Vitronic: Vitronic is a German machine vision specialist with strong presence in logistics, postal automation, and hazardous goods identification. Its automated dimensioning, label recognition, and inspection systems compete head-on with AKL-tec's Predictive Vision and pallet inspection portfolio.
• LMI Technologies: LMI Technologies designs and manufactures 3D smart sensors used for inline measurement, inspection, and logistics applications. Its Gocator line of 3D profilers competes with AKL-tec's 3D object measurement and CubiScan 325 offerings in dimensional capture.
• Cubiscan: Cubiscan is AKL-tec's 20-year strategic partner and the original pioneer of parcel and freight dimensioning/weighing equipment. Their jointly developed CubiScan 1200-AKL is the flagship product, making Cubiscan the most directly comparable peer in static and dynamic dimensioning hardware.

Emerging players

• ifm electronic: ifm is a German industrial sensor and automation specialist with growing offerings in 3D vision, object recognition, and intralogistics. Its expanding vision portfolio puts it into adjacent competition with AKL-tec's measurement and AI-based inspection systems.
• Quanergy / LiDAR-based vision vendors: LiDAR and 3D vision specialists such as Quanergy target warehouse, freight, and logistics measurement use cases. They represent an emerging threat layer to AKL-tec's optical/sensor-based dimensional measurement stack, particularly in automated dimensioning and yard logistics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AKLtec/videos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 AKL-tec