Stoba

What Stoba does

Stoba (stoba Holding GmbH & Co. KG) is a German precision manufacturing group founded in 1947 and headquartered in Backnang, operating across three business divisions: stoba Precision Technology, stoba Systems, and stoba Customized Machinery. The company produces high-precision metal components from prototype through large-series production, alongside custom-built electrochemical machining (ECM), pulsed electrochemical machining (PECM), and laser micro-machining equipment — most notably the proprietary Alpha Series ECM machines and the FocusONE 5-axis laser micro-machining center with sub-micron positioning accuracy (±1.0 μm). Core technology stacks are complemented by the InspectorONE AI-based quality inspection system, precSYS femtosecond laser integration (with SCANLAB GmbH), and secure VPN-based remote support that resolves 90% of service requests without on-site intervention.

The business model combines one-time capital equipment sales (custom machinery), recurring precision component manufacturing (hardware sales), and professional services including 24-hour service coordination, retrofit modernization for both own and competitor machines, spare parts, and training programs. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise sales from regional offices in Germany (Backnang, Memmingen, Kaufbeuren, Weinstadt), Czech Republic (Brno), China (Yantai), UK (Small Dole), and USA (Charleston), supported by a network of 11 international sales partners across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. Customer concentration spans eleven industrial verticals, with primary focus on Commercial Vehicles, E-Mobility, and Automotive/PKW, and secondary exposure to Semiconductors, Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Laboratory, Construction & Agricultural Machinery, Maritime, Micromobility, Consumer Goods, and general Industrial Applications.

Notable corporate actions include the 2022 divestiture of the E-Drive business unit of stoba e-Systems to Huber Automotive AG (in exchange for an equity stake), January 2026 membership in the ARENA2036 research platform for AI and industrial robotics, and three consecutive TOP 100 Innovator awards (2020-2022). The group holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and continues to invest in proprietary process technology, having trained over 300 apprentices since 1986 and earned more than 50 IHK training excellence awards.

Name

Stoba

Legal name

stoba Holding GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://stoba.one

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Stoba is a German precision manufacturing group producing high-precision metal components and custom ECM/PECM and laser micro-machining equipment, serving automotive, e-mobility, semiconductor, aerospace, medical, and industrial customers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Backnang

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Machinery Manufacturing: Design, development, and manufacture of custom ECM, PECM, and laser micro-machining equipment. Machines sold as complete turnkey solutions including installation and commissioning.
2. Precision Component Manufacturing: Production of high-precision metal components from prototype through small, medium, and large series production for industrial customers.
3. Service, Maintenance & Support: Comprehensive service including 24-hour service coordination, on-site service within two business days, preventive maintenance contracts, spare parts supply, and remote support. Also services competitor machines under 'Maintained by stoba' brand.
4. Retrofit & Modernization: Modernization of existing ECM machines including generator upgrades, control system updates, and full machine overhauls. Extends machine lifespan and integrates current components.
5. Training Services: Process training, machine operation training, preventive maintenance training, and custom training programs delivered on-site, at stoba facilities, or online.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stoba develops and manufactures highly precise, individualized metal components from prototype to series production, alongside customized machinery built around proprietary electrochemical machining (ECM/PECM) and laser micro-machining technologies. Operating through three business divisions (stoba Precision Technology, stoba Systems, and stoba Customized Machinery), the company delivers end-to-end solutions—from process development and tooling to complete production equipment—for industrial customers across automotive, e-mobility, semiconductor, aerospace, medical, and other high-tech sectors.

Product overview

Stoba is a precision metal components and customized machinery company organized into three business divisions: stoba Precision Technology, stoba Systems, and stoba Customized Machinery. The core precision technology business delivers high-precision, individualized metal components across industries including commercial vehicles, semiconductors, construction machinery, maritime, passenger cars, e-mobility, micro-mobility, consumer goods, industrial applications, aerospace, and medical/laboratory sectors. The stoba Customized Machinery division produces specialized manufacturing equipment — specifically the Alpha Series ECM/PECM machines and the FocusONE laser micro-machining center — alongside add-on systems like the InspectorONE AI-powered inspection platform. Services span the entire value chain from engineering and process development through manufacturing, assembly, and worldwide service and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FocusONE Laser Micro-Machining Center A high-precision, fully automatic 5-axis laser micro-machining center for micro-precision drilling and processing in the µm range. Features ±1.0 µm positioning accuracy, ±0.1 Kelvin temperature stability, integrated laser and machining stations, granite frame with water cooling, and processes bores starting at ø 25 µm with approximately 95% laser efficiency. Built for industrial customers requiring ultra-precise laser processing.
• Alpha Series ECM Machines Contact-free electrochemical metal machining (ECM) systems available in multiple variants — Alpha Smart (compact entry), Alpha Core (standard processes), Alpha Pro (high-performance), Alpha Pro XL, and Alpha Pro Duo (dual-station high-throughput). Used for deburring, forming, drilling, and cross-drilling of precision components with NaNO3 or NaCl electrolyte medium and generator configurations up to 2500A, ranging from prototypes to large-scale production.
• Precision Components Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of high-precision, individualized metal components from prototype through small, medium, and large series production. Spans milling, drilling, hard and fine machining, laser machining, ECM/PECM, turning, sheet metal processing, cleaning, measurement and testing, and assembly for industrial customers across automotive, e-mobility, semiconductors, aerospace, medical, and other sectors.
• Engineering Services Engineering services covering process development, process optimization, programming, mechanical construction, electrical planning, and software programming for ECM, PECM, laser, and cleaning technologies. Includes expert support from analysis through prototype development to production optimization using Simultaneous Engineering methodology.
• Service, Maintenance & Support Comprehensive service offering including 24-hour service coordination, on-site support within two business days, personal account managers, VPN-based remote support (resolves 90% of service requests remotely), preventive maintenance contracts, retrofit modernization for own and third-party ECM machines, spare parts supply, and tailored training programs for processes, machine operation, and maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 500 projects completed worldwide with custom ECM and laser machinery
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ARENA2036coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Active Research Environment for the Next Generation of Automobiles. stoba joined as new member in early 2026, strengthening technological development in Artificial Intelligence, machine-near data analysis, and industrial robotics.
• SCANLAB GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership where SCANLAB supplies core components for stoba's new machine concept for laser micro-drilling. SCANLAB's 5-axis micro-machining system precSYS integrated with femtosecond laser and optical measurement for automatic correction of drilling results.
• Huber Automotive AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuber Automotive AG acquired E-Drive business unit of stoba e-Systems on July 1, 2022. In return, stoba received an equity stake in Huber Automotive AG, establishing long-term partnership and collaboration foundation.
• Fenotec GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading service provider for toll deburring using ECM technology. Partnership for ECM technology from stoba with 12 ECM stations at Fenotec. stoba Customized Machinery supports smooth operations with high-performance machines, short downtimes, and high cost-efficiency.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sodick: Japanese manufacturer of EDM machines, precision milling machines, and high-speed machining centers for mold-making, aerospace, and electronics. Comparable in EDM and precision machining technology focus, with overlapping aerospace and electronics customer segments.
• INDEX-Werke: German precision turning machine manufacturer offering multi-spindle and ECM machines for high-volume automotive and industrial production. Directly comparable as a German Mittelstand machine tool builder with ECM technology in its portfolio targeting the same precision component customers.
• GF Machining Solutions: Swiss manufacturer of EDM, laser, and milling machines serving aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics customers. Directly comparable as a precision machine tool provider with overlapping product portfolio (laser micro-machining, EDM) and similar global enterprise sales motion.
• Grob-Werke: German manufacturer of special purpose machinery and universal machining centers serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. Comparable as a German Mittelstand custom machine builder offering turnkey production systems for high-precision manufacturing.
• Hermle AG: German precision machining center specialist (milling, drilling, tapping) serving medical, automotive, aerospace, and electronics customers. Comparable as a German Mittelstand precision machine builder with similar enterprise B2B sales motion and quality positioning.
• Chiron Group: German manufacturer of precision CNC machining centers and turnkey manufacturing solutions for automotive, aerospace, and medical technology. Comparable as a German Mittelstand custom precision machine builder with similar customer segments and turnkey production system offering.
• Makino: Japanese manufacturer of precision machining centers, EDM, and laser machines for aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor tooling. Comparable in precision machining technology focus and similar enterprise customer segments, though larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• EMAG Group: German-based manufacturer of precision turning, milling, grinding, and ECM (electrochemical machining) machines serving automotive, aerospace, and energy customers. Directly comparable as both a custom precision machine builder and ECM technology provider competing for the same enterprise customer base.

Broad incumbents

• TRUMPF: Global market leader in laser technology and machine tools for sheet metal processing and manufacturing. Overlaps with stoba's laser micro-machining business but operates at vastly larger scale across a much broader product portfolio including industrial lasers, 3D printing, and EUV laser systems.
• Schuler Group: German global market leader in press technology and automation for automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing. Overlaps with stoba in automotive and aerospace precision component manufacturing but operates in metal forming rather than ECM/laser machining.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGa2o6FRobY4S1RKLWNnoxQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stoba-holding-gmbh-co-kg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Stoba