What Soft Technologies does

BM Group Polytec (POLYTEC S.p.A.) is a privately-held Italian industrial automation system integrator founded in 1993 and headquartered in Borgo Chiese (Trentino), Italy, with the legal entity structure of an Italian joint-stock company. The company operates as the primary operating subsidiary of BM Group Holding, a diversified conglomerate whose portfolio also includes BM Greenpower (renewable energy power plants), Hydroalp (green hydrogen), Nyox (joint venture with Edison Next for industrial photovoltaic systems), and Polytec Intralogistics. Its Italian-headquartered subsidiary Soft Technologies provides PLC, drives, HMI, and robotics design expertise together with software solutions for the industrial automation sector, and the integrated entity employs approximately 150 people across Italy and the United States, with additional operating units in Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, India, and Germany.

The company's commercial offering combines custom-designed robotic cells, system integration, MES/SCADA software, autonomous mobile robots, and EPC contracting for renewable energy power plants. Its product portfolio spans 40+ proprietary robotic cell types, including PolyCAST (multitool caster robot), the VOYAGER fleet of AMRs (Voyager 200R, 200, 200 XL, 50), PolyCRANE (unmanned crane guidance), PolySAMPLE LF (ladle furnace sampling), PolyGAP, PolyTEST, TrimRob, and the PolyEye Beesafe anthropomorphic furnace-inspection robot developed under the PolyTEN partnership with Tenova. Underlying technology combines robotics platforms from Siemens, Rockwell Automation, ABB, FANUC, and COMAU with proprietary 2D/3D computer vision and AI integration, IIoT/cloud platforms, and after-sales service infrastructure including remote VPN support and predictive maintenance. Revenue derives from project-based custom system sales (hardware), professional services (after-sales support, upgrades, training, spare parts), subscription/recurring elements in MES and SCADA software, and managed EPC services for renewable energy plants; pricing is exclusively quote-based given the bespoke nature of each deployment.

The company targets heavy-industry verticals with steel as its flagship — claiming world leadership and 500+ installations worldwide in steel alone — alongside aluminium, foundries (newly added in 2024), pulp and paper, ceramics, intralogistics, automotive, and selected infrastructure projects including the MOSE Venice navigation lock and the Al Bayt Stadium roof for FIFA World Cup 2022. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with dedicated project managers, branch offices in Italy and Houston TX, country-specific sales representatives, and channel partnerships with Laraudogoitia, Alp Mühendislik, and S+P Samson. Customers include Gerdau, Celsa Group, Peronda, Anzani Machinery, Bayker Italia, and Picoma, with steel installed in 35 countries.

Name

Soft Technologies

Legal name

POLYTEC S.p.A.

Website

https://polytec.bmgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BM Group Polytec is a privately-held Italian industrial automation system integrator providing custom robotic cells, autonomous mobile robots, MES/SCADA software, and renewable energy EPC services to steel, aluminium, foundry, and other heavy-industry customers across 35 countries, with around 150 employees worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Robotics and Automation

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Factory Automation & Control Systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS) (IMAIAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging Line Automation, Robotics & Integration (Controls, Turnkey Lines) (IMALAOAL), Industrial IoT/Edge Electronics Manufacturing (Gateways, Edge Controllers) (IMAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Robotic cells
• Process automation
• Intralogistics solutions
• Smart factory integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Sella

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Robotic Systems: Design, engineering, manufacturing, and installation of tailor-made robotic cells and automation systems for industrial applications. Revenue is project-based with significant customization.
2. Service and After-Sales Support: After-commissioning services including upgrades, revamping, remote support, predictive maintenance, training, spare parts supply, and rental of production data analysis platforms.
3. EPC Contractor Services: Turnkey power plant solutions including feasibility studies, business plans, engineering, construction, and start-up for renewable energy systems.
4. Software Solutions: MES software, SCADA software, mobile apps, and cloud platforms for production management and process optimization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Soft Technologies (operating as BM Group Polytec) designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs custom robotic cells and automation systems for industrial manufacturing. The company combines robotics, artificial vision, AI, IIoT, and cloud computing to deliver tailor-made solutions for steelworks, foundries, rolling mills, aluminium plants, and intralogistics operations. It also provides MES/SCADA software, EPC turnkey power plant solutions, and comprehensive after-sales service including predictive maintenance and remote support.

Product overview

BM Group Polytec is a system integrator specializing in solutions combining robotics, artificial intelligence, process automation, and software to transform manufacturing companies into smart factories. The company operates across four core competency areas: Automation & Industrial Systems (covering PLCs, DCSs, HMIs, SCADA, IIoT, cloud, and cybersecurity), Mechatronics & Robotics (custom robotic cells for steel, foundries, pulp & paper, ceramics, and intralogistics with computer vision 2D/3D), Energy & Smart Grids (renewable energy automation and smart grid management), and General Contractor/EPC (turnkey power plant solutions). The product portfolio includes the Voyager fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMR/LGV), PolyCAST multitool robots for caster operations, PolySAMPLE LF for ladle furnace sampling, PolyMOVE bin picking systems, PolyCRANE crane automation, and specialized rolling mill solutions (TrimRob, PolyGAP, PolyTEST), all supported by MES/SCADA software platforms and comprehensive after-sales service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Polytec: Brand identifying robotic and mechatronic solutions for industry developed by the company
• BM Greenpower
• Nyox
• Hydroalp
• Polytec Intralogistics
• PolyCAST
• PolySAMPLE LF
• PolyCRANE
• PolyGAP
• PolyTEST
• TrimRob
• PolyEye Beesafe
• PolyLADLE

Products and services

• VOYAGER Fleet (Autonomous Mobile Robots) Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and LGV for smart warehouse management including Voyager 200R, Voyager 200, Voyager 200 XL, and Voyager 50 models for material handling, tool delivery, and intralogistics operations.
• PolyCAST Multitool robotic cell for caster operations automating the casting process between ladle and tundish in Continuous Casting Machine (CCM), equipped with 3D vision for nozzle position identification.
• PolySAMPLE LF Ladle furnace refining sampling and measurement robot for automated steel sampling and temperature measurement operations.
• PolyMOVE (Bin Picking) Robotic bin picking and palletizing systems using 2D/3D vision and AI for automated loading, batching, and pallet preparation in ceramics and industrial applications.
• PolyCRANE Automatic unmanned crane guidance system with antisway control, automatic path and missions, and 3D scanning for overhead cranes in metalworking and industrial production.
• TrimRob Robotic system for wire rod trimming and sampling in rolling mills, replacing manual operations with automated front-end and tail-end ring trimming.
• PolyGAP Robotic system for gap and profile measurement between stands in rolling mills using autonomous guided vehicles with robotic arms and 2D/3D vision scanners.
• PolyTEST Automated sample cutting robot located along cooling bed for automatic bar sample cutting using various techniques including circular saw, shear, oxyacetylene, or laser.
• PolyEye Beesafe Anthropomorphic robot part of Tenova's 'No Man on the Floor' platform for full furnace operation without workers on field, enabling inside furnace viewing and inspection.
• MES & SCADA Software Manufacturing Execution System and SCADA software for production management, data analysis, tablet/mobile apps for operator communication, and real-time process monitoring.
• Service & After-Sales Comprehensive after-sales service including system upgrades, software/electromechanical revamping, remote VPN support, predictive maintenance, on-call service, training, and spare parts supply.
• Automation & Industrial Systems Automation and process control solutions including PLCs, DCSs, HMIs, SCADA, power and control panels, IIoT, cloud integration, and industrial cybersecurity for manufacturing plants.
• Mechatronics & Robotics Robotics solutions including custom robotic cells, system integration, computer vision 2D/3D, and AI for industrial applications in steel, foundries, pulp & paper, ceramics, automotive, and intralogistics.
• Energy & Smart Grids Renewable energy power plant automation, smart grid management systems, battery energy storage, and HV/MV/LV distribution automation solutions.
• General Contractor & EPC Turnkey power plant solutions as EPC contractor including feasibility studies, engineering, construction, and after-sales support for green investments.
• Foundry Robotic Systems Purpose-built robotic systems for foundries including sampling robots for induction furnaces, dross skimming robots, and marking robots to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced manual picking preparation by 76% at Peronda Group
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tenova (Techint Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2018Strategic agreement for implementation and sale of robotics solutions for steel plants under PolyTEN brand. Collaboration aims to enhance steel plant performance and worker safety, combining Tenova's market presence with Polytec's robotics expertise.
• GerdaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 August 2017Seven-year strategic collaboration in digital transformation and robotics. First installation at Gerdau's Petersburg, Virginia mill in 2016, followed by over 10 smart robots and automation projects. Partnership includes innovative provisions for applied R&D and new product development.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationSolution Partner for Automation and Drives. Polytec uses Siemens TIA platform for hardware and software solutions, including control systems for the Al Bayt stadium roof in Qatar.
• Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationO&M Gold Partner status, providing access to Rockwell automation technologies for industrial control systems.
• ABBcoreTechnology or IntegrationValue Provider partnership. ABB KIT School donated for robotics education at ITT Marconi. Collaboration in education and workforce development.
• FANUCcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner relationship for robotics solutions. Strategic collaboration with FANUC AMERICA CORP and FANUC IT for VOYAGER 200R autonomous mobile robot development.
• Palladium Control SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic collaboration for development of VOYAGER 200R autonomous mobile robot, combining control systems with robotics technology.
• Edison Next (Joint Venture - Nyox)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture for industrial photovoltaic systems under Nyox brand. Collaboration enables energy transition solutions for industrial plants including solar EPC and PPA on-site/off-site systems.
• Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for mobile robotics and computer vision systems integrated with AI for industrial processes. FBK involved in Be Factory research center collaboration.
• Alp MühendislikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Turkey for distribution of automation and robotics systems dedicated to the steel industry. Co-exhibiting at Ankiros trade fair.
• LaraudogoitiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentative agency in Spain/Bilbao for intralogistics products and ceramics sector solutions. Handles booth presence at BIEMH trade fair.
• S+P SamsonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for robotic tagging systems covering German, Austrian and Swiss steel markets.
• ITT Marconi RoveretominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership donating ABB SCHOOL KIT for robotics laboratory. Collaboration includes joint research and workforce development initiatives.
• CFP Enaip Tione di TrentominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership donating Comau robotic cell for electromechanical laboratory. Company staff provide teaching lessons for students.
• Ori MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteel producer providing process expertise for Meltshop Training Day. Technical collaboration for understanding critical process issues from scrap yard to CCM.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SMS group: Germany-based plant engineering group for metals processing with comprehensive automation and digital solutions (SMS digital). Direct peer because it targets the same steel/aluminium end markets and increasingly bundles robotics and process control into plant-level offerings.
• Tenova (Techint Group): Global provider of technologies and services for metals and mining industries with strong automation and robotics offerings. Direct peer because both target steel plants with process automation and co-market the PolyTEN robotics collection as strategic partners.
• Danieli: Italian-headquartered plant maker for the steel industry with growing automation, robotics and digital solutions portfolio. Direct peer based on overlapping steel-industry customers, similar vertical specialization, and bundled automation offerings that partially compete with Polytec's cell-level solutions.
• Comau (Stellantis): Italian-headquartered industrial robotics and automation specialist with strong automotive heritage but expanding into heavy industry and intralogistics. Direct peer given overlapping robotics platforms, Italian R&D base, and a technology-partner relationship with Polytec that can convert to competitive head-to-head.
• Primetals Technologies: Metals-industry technology provider (joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partners) covering ironmaking, steelmaking, rolling and digitalization. Direct peer given the shared focus on integrated automation packages for global steel mills and EPC-driven customer relationships.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics: Global Tier-1 robotics and automation OEM offering industrial robots, robot cells and integrated automation across metals, process and discrete industries. Broader incumbent peer because it sells robot arms into Polytec's solutions and increasingly offers turnkey cells that overlap with Polytec's scope.
• FANUC: World's largest industrial robot OEM with broad CNC and robotics catalog. Broader incumbent peer because it provides robot arms used inside Polytec's VOYAGER 200R and rolling-mill cells and competes at the cell level with its own integrators in heavy-industry segments.
• Yaskawa: Global industrial-robotics and motion-control major with growing presence in welding, handling and palletizing cells for metals. Broader incumbent peer due to overlapping reach in robot cells for steel, aluminium and foundry applications.
• KUKA: Global Tier-1 robotics and automation supplier (Midea-owned) serving automotive, metals, electronics and logistics with both robots and integrated cells. Broader incumbent peer due to the range of robotic cells, AMR products and system-integration capabilities that overlap with Polytec's offerings.

Emerging players

• Reis Robotics (KUKA subsidiary): Specialist in high-payload robotics and automation for foundries, metalworking and heavy industry, now part of KUKA. Emerging-player peer given concentrated focus on foundry/casting robotics that directly overlaps with Polytec's foundry-market expansion (dross skimming, sampling robots).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PolytecRobotics
• LinkedInit.linkedin.com/company/bm-group-polytec-spa

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Soft Technologies