What SKDK does

SKDK GmbH (DBA: SKDK IT-Engineering) is a Berlin-based industrial automation engineering firm founded in 2003. The company designs and programs automation systems for manufacturing customers, operating across two integrated service lines: robot programming for Fanuc and Epson systems (commissioning, vision system integration, Karel, HMI, process simulation) and SPS/PLC programming using the Siemens S7 family for special machine builders. SKDK also designs and builds custom automation systems including circuit boards and small-batch electronic prototypes, and has delivered a vehicle development simulator for an automotive customer.

The product portfolio combines professional services with three proprietary turnkey systems: the patented Autopallet System (APC), a self-learning collaborative palletizing robot using proprietary APE (Automatic Pallet Pattern Recognition) 3D software that requires no programming knowledge; the Depalettierroboter, a collaborative depalletizing robot integrating the Fanuc CRX-30 with Fanuc's 3Dv1600 3D vision system; and Laserauftragsschweißen (laser cladding), an additive-manufacturing system co-developed in the SAMBA research project with Ferdinand-Braun-Institut and Photon Laser Manufacturing using 780 nm direct-diode laser technology.

Revenue derives from a mix of professional services (custom programming, system integration, prototyping) and one-time turnkey product sales (Autopallet, depalletizing robot, SAMBA laser cladding). Pricing is contact-based quoting with no public list prices. SKDK operates as a sales-led B2B firm serving industrial manufacturing and special machine builders primarily in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany. Distribution is direct sales with a close service-partner relationship to Fanuc granting access to OEM products and training. The company is privately held by two managing directors (Arnardo Schulze and Mario Kiehl) with no external investors and a headcount of 1-10 employees.

Name

SKDK

Legal name

SKDK GmbH

Website

https://skdk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SKDK IT-Engineering is a Berlin-based automation firm founded in 2003 that programs Fanuc and Epson industrial robots and Siemens S7 PLCs, and sells turnkey systems such as the patented Autopallet palletizing robot and the SAMBA laser cladding solution for German manufacturing customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Services

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK)

Keywords

• Industrial automation services
• Robot programming
• PLC programming
• Collaborative robots
• Custom automation systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

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. Robot Programming Services: Programming services for industrial robots including Fanuc and Epson systems, covering commissioning, process simulation, vision system programming, Karel programming, and HMI development.
2. SPS/PLC Programming Services: Siemens S7 programmable controller programming and machine control systems development, including sensor/actuator integration and bus system configuration.
3. Custom Automation Systems: Design and development of custom automation systems and prototypes, including custom circuit boards and small-series electronic assemblies.
4. Turnkey Robot Systems: Ready-to-use robot systems including Autopallet System for palletizing and depalletizing robots, sold as complete solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

SKDK designs and builds industrial automation solutions, including robot programming for Fanuc and Epson systems, Siemens S7 SPS/PLC programming, custom automation systems, and turnkey robotic products such as the Autopallet palletizing system, collaborative depalletizing robots, and SAMBA laser cladding/additive manufacturing systems. They deliver end-to-end engineering from prototyping through to finished systems, also producing custom circuit boards and small-batch electronic assemblies in-house in Berlin.

Product overview

SKDK IT-Engineering is an automation technology company based in Berlin offering a portfolio of turnkey robot-based automation products combined with professional programming services. Core products include the Autopallet System (collaborative self-learning palletizing robot with APE software), Depalettierroboter (collaborative depalletizing robot with Fanuc 3D vision), and Laserauftragsschweißen (SAMBA laser cladding/additive manufacturing system). These products integrate Fanuc collaborative robots and are complemented by professional robot programming services for Fanuc and Epson systems, as well as SPS/PLC programming services using Siemens S7. The company also develops custom circuit boards, prototypes, and small-batch electronic assemblies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Autopallet System (APC) [Autopallet System] Turnkey collaborative palletizing robot system with self-learning APE (Automatic Pallet Pattern Recognition) software that lets operators teach pickup positions and palletizing patterns without programming knowledge. Uses Fanuc 3D recognition technology and supports up to 23 kg payload variants with throughput up to 6 cartons per minute.
• Depalletizing Robot [Depalettierroboter] Collaborative depalletizing robot built on the Fanuc CRX-30 platform with integrated 3D vision for automated removal of products from pallets onto conveyors or storage. Supports a maximum stacking height of 1800 mm and offers a speed mode for high-throughput operations.
• Laser Cladding / Additive Manufacturing [Laserauftragsschweißen (SAMBA)] Laser cladding/additive manufacturing system co-developed with FBH and Photon Laser Manufacturing, based on innovative direct-diode laser technology with application-adapted 780nm wavelength. Enables aluminum wire processing via 3D-printing-style welding with lower energy input and flexible weld seam design.
• Fanuc Robot Programming [Fanuc Roboter Programmierung] Programming services for Fanuc industrial robots covering commissioning, IO-interface parameterization, peripheral connectivity, 2D/3D vision system programming, Karel programming, HMI programming, and robot process simulation. Delivered as a Fanuc service-partner engagement for industrial customers.
• Epson Robot Programming [Epson Roboter Programmierung] Programming services for Epson 4-axis SCARA robot systems, including installation, commissioning, peripheral connectivity, and creation, adjustment, or optimization of robot processes.
• SPS / PLC Programming [SPS Programmierung] Siemens S7 PLC programming and machine control services for special machines, including sensor/actuator integration, bus system configuration, LabView-based measurement technology, and integration with components from Festo, Atlas Copco/Apex, and Keyence.
• Custom Automation Systems [Automatisierungssysteme] Design and development of complete custom automation systems, prototypes, and special machine controls, including in-house production of custom circuit boards, schematics, and small-series electronic assemblies in Berlin.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 6 cartons per minute palletizing speed with Autopallet System
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner in the SAMBA project (Compact Sources for Additive Manufacturing in Lightweight Construction Based on innovative Direct-diode Laser Technology). FBH contributes research transfer of kilowatt direct-diode laser technology.
• Photon Laser Manufacturing GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner in the SAMBA project for additive manufacturing using innovative direct-diode laser technology with application-adapted wavelength.
• FanuccoreTechnology or IntegrationClose partnership with Fanuc as a service provider. Working closely with Fanuc to stay informed about new products. Capabilities include Fanuc robot commissioning, DCS safety systems, vision systems, Karel and HMI programming. Dealer/service partner relationship.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Fanuc: Fanuc is the global industrial and collaborative robot OEM whose robots (CRX series, 3D vision, DCS safety) form the hardware substrate that SKDK integrates, configures, and programs. As a Core technology partner, Fanuc sits at the top of SKDK's stack and is the most economically significant counterpart in their ecosystem.
• KUKA: KUKA is a German-based global robot and automation manufacturer with deep exposure to automotive and industrial customers across the same Mittelstand market SKDK serves. Its cell-level automation capabilities and integrator network make it a comparable reference point for the type of integrated robot work SKDK delivers.
• ABB Robotics: ABB is one of the world's largest industrial automation and robotics suppliers, offering PLC/control products (AC500) plus robot integration. It competes with SKDK's holistic positioning of combining motion, control, and system integration for industrial customers.
• Universal Robots: Universal Robots is the market-leading collaborative robot maker and competes directly with Fanuc's CRX line in the cobot segment SKDK targets. As another cobot OEM with its own application ecosystem and partner program, it provides a useful comparison for how a cobot-anchored automation business scales.
• Yaskawa: Yaskawa is a major industrial robot and motion control manufacturer (Motoman, Sigma servo lines) with active cobot offerings. Comparable to SKDK in combining servo/motion expertise with robot integration and a global systems integration partner program.
• Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff is a German PC-based control and PLC supplier serving the same Mittelstand automation integrator market that SKDK addresses. Its TwinCAT control platform is an alternative to Siemens S7 in the same SPS programming workflows SKDK offers as a service.
• Stäubli Robotics: Stäubli is a Swiss-based manufacturer of SCARA and 6-axis robots widely used in palletizing, depalletizing, and other applications SKDK addresses. It competes for cobot/robot cell business and is a familiar alternative to the Fanuc product line that SKDK integrates.
• Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is a major supplier of industrial control, PLC, and interconnection components used in machine automation cells. It sits adjacent to SKDK's integration work in special machine building and competes for the same controller-of-record role SKDK plays in customer projects.
• Kawasaki Robotics: Kawasaki is a global industrial robot manufacturer offering high-payload palletizing, welding, and material handling robots comparable to Fanuc's product line. Its European integrator network addresses the same applications (palletizing, depalletizing, welding) as SKDK's products and services.

Others

• Schunk: Schunk is a German specialist in gripping systems, clamping technology, and automation components frequently specified by system integrators in cobot and palletizing cells. It is adjacent/ecosystem to SKDK's integration work rather than directly competing, but is regularly encountered in the same project specifications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skdk-gmbh---automatisierung

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 SKDK