PRIMES
PRIMES GmbH is a German privately-held manufacturer of laser beam diagnostics products and systems, serving industrial laser users across automotive, additive manufacturing, and systems engineering with power meters, beam profilers, and focus measurement instruments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersPfungstadt, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PRIMES does
PRIMES GmbH is a privately-held German manufacturer of laser beam diagnostics products and systems, founded in 1992 by Dr. Reinhard Kramer and headquartered in Pfungstadt with approximately 120-130 employees. The company develops measurement instruments for industrial laser users who cannot visually inspect invisible infrared beams, enabling quality assurance, process optimization, and certification across applications including automotive welding and battery production, additive manufacturing / selective laser melting, laser systems integration, and formal laser approval processes. PRIMES reports no external institutional investment and remains under founder ownership.
The company's product portfolio spans four functional categories: power measurement devices (PowerMonitor, CompactPowerMonitor, EC-PowerMonitor, PocketMonitor, Cube/Cube+, PowerMeasuringModule, PowerMeasuringCassette), beam distribution analyzers (BeamMonitor BM+, LaserQualityMonitor LQM+), focus measurement instruments (FocusMonitor FM+/FMW+, MicroSpotMonitor MSM+/MSM+ HB, FocusParameterMonitor), and custom solutions (ScanFieldMonitor SFM/SFM 2D, OpticsQualityMonitor OQM, PowerLossMonitor). All '+' generation devices are operated through the proprietary LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS) platform. Products support integration into industrial automation systems via standardized fieldbus interfaces (PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, CC-Link), and PRIMES operates an ISO-certified calibration laboratory with standards traceable to the German National Metrology Institute (PTB). The company holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, and its ScanFieldMonitor won 1st place at the Innovation Award Laser Technology 2022 in Aachen.
PRIMES generates revenue through four streams: hardware sales of measurement instruments, recurring software licensing/subscriptions for LDS, professional services including PTB-traceable calibration for all makes of laser power measuring devices, and on-site measurement-to-order services. Distribution operates through a direct enterprise field sales team in Germany organized by postal code regions, complemented by an international network of approximately 18 distributors across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. A wholly-owned subsidiary, PRIMES Japan K.K. (株式会社プリメス), was established in Yokohama in April 2017 to serve the Japanese market directly, with export revenue distributed roughly one-third each across Europe, the United States, and Asia.
PRIMES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PRIMES
- Legal name
- PRIMES GmbH
- Website
- https://primes.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- PRIMES GmbH is a German privately-held manufacturer of laser beam diagnostics products and systems, serving industrial laser users across automotive, additive manufacturing, and systems engineering with power meters, beam profilers, and focus measurement instruments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PRIMES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laser beam diagnostics
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination) (IMAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD), Optics & Laser/Light Engine Components (Lenses, Galvos, Laser Modules, UV Engines) (IMAAAIAC), Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)
Keywords
Where PRIMES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pfungstadt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
PRIMES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Laser Diagnostic Hardware Products: Sale of specialized measurement instruments including power meters (PocketMonitor, Cube, PowerMonitor), beam profilers (FocusMonitor, MicroSpotMonitor, LaserQualityMonitor), and integrated sensors (PowerMeasuringModule, FocusParameterMonitor). Products range from portable handheld devices to factory-integrated systems with fieldbus connectivity.
- LaserDiagnosticsSoftware LDS: Proprietary software platform for controlling and analyzing measurements from PRIMES devices. Available via individual download links for customers.
- Calibration Services: ISO certified calibration laboratory offering calibration services for all makes of laser power measuring devices. Includes PTB-traceable calibration with detailed certificates.
- Measurement-to-Order Services: On-site beam diagnostics and monitoring conducted by PRIMES staff at customer locations. Includes system characterization and target-actual comparison of laser applications.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
PRIMES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PRIMES develops and manufactures laser beam diagnostic instruments and systems for industrial laser applications. The product range spans laser power meters (PocketMonitor, Cube, PowerMonitor, CompactPowerMonitor, EC-PowerMonitor, PowerMeasuringModule, PowerMeasuringCassette), beam distribution analyzers (BeamMonitor BM+, LaserQualityMonitor LQM+), focus measurement devices (FocusMonitor FM+/FMW+, MicroSpotMonitor MSM+, FocusParameterMonitor), custom systems (ScanFieldMonitor, OpticsQualityMonitor, PowerLossMonitor), and the LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS) platform that unifies device control. All hardware is supported by fieldbus integration, ISO-certified calibration services, and on-site measurement services for industrial laser users.
Product overview
PRIMES develops and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of laser beam diagnostics products and systems for industrial applications. The product range spans power measuring devices (PocketMonitor, Cube, Cube+, PowerMonitor, CompactPowerMonitor, EC-PowerMonitor, PowerMeasuringModule, PowerMeasuringCassette), beam distribution analyzers (BeamMonitor BM+, LaserQualityMonitor LQM+), focus measurement devices (FocusMonitor FM+/FMW+, MicroSpotMonitor MSM+/MSM+ HB, FocusParameterMonitor), and custom solutions (ScanFieldMonitor, OpticsQualityMonitor, PowerLossMonitor). All devices are controlled via the LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS), which provides unified measurement control, automated analysis, and reporting. The products support integration into industrial systems via standardized fieldbus interfaces (PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, CC-Link) and are complemented by calibration services, technical advice, and measurement-to-order services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS) Central software platform for operating all PRIMES '+' generation devices (FocusMonitor FM+, BeamMonitor BM+, LaserQualityMonitor LQM+). Provides automated one-click measurements, beam propagation analysis, caustic calculations, and PDF report generation for industrial laser users.
- Cube+ Compact Power Meter Ultra-compact power meter for short beam exposure with power range 25 W to 12 kW and 4 kW/cm² power density. Features highly accurate, fast, and precise measurement with Android and iOS app support, designed to fit in every laser cell.
- Cube Compact Power Meter Compact power meter for short beam exposure with power range 25 W to 150 kW and 4 kW/cm² power density, designed to fit in every laser cell.
- PocketMonitor PMT Compact, robust, portable power meter for short beam exposure with power range 25 W to 12 kW and 5 kW/cm² power density. Ideal for service technicians with integrated display.
- PowerMonitor PM Continuous power meter for laser powers from 300 W to 150 kW with power density 5-15 kW/cm². Robust device suited for high power densities and industrial production environments.
- CompactPowerMonitor CPM+ Compact continuous power meter with power range 0.1-30 kW and 0.5-1 kW/cm² power density. Small, light, USB connected device that can be combined with FocusMonitor in the BeamControlSystem.
- EC-PowerMonitor EC-PM Reference power meter for continuous beam exposure with power range 200 W to 10 kW and 10 kW/cm² power density. Features self-testing function and serves as a reference instrument for calibration, also used by the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) as a National Standard instrument.
- PowerMeasuringModule PMM Power meter for short beam exposure with power range 400 W to 12 kW and 4 kW/cm² power density. Features system integration via fieldbus interfaces, fully automatic operation, and short acquisition time of approximately 300 ms.
- PowerMeasuringCassette PMC Compact power measuring cassette for incorporation in processing heads with power range 400 W to 12 kW and 1.5 kW/cm² power density. Portable device ideal for maintenance and service technicians.
- BeamMonitor BM+ Camera-based system for raw beam measurement supporting CO2 and solid-state lasers with clear aperture of 60 or 100 mm and laser power up to 25 kW. Suitable for system integration and servicing.
- LaserQualityMonitor LQM+ Camera-based beam parameter measurement device for UV and NIR lasers with power up to 10 kW (cw) and up to 20 kW depending on configuration. Features direct fibre connection and integrated water-cooled beam dump for quality assurance and acceptance inspection.
- FocusMonitor FM+ Device for focus measurement supporting CO2, fibre, and diode lasers with measurement window sizes from 8x8 mm to 12x24 mm. Features new design, new electronics, and fully automated measurements.
- FocusMonitor FMW+ Focus measurement device for CO2 and fibre lasers with 8x8 mm measurement window, new design and electronics, faster Ethernet data transmission, and power measurement up to 1000 W.
- MicroSpotMonitor MSM+ Versatile camera-based beam profiler for focus measurement with wavelengths 340-360 nm, 515-550 nm, 1030-1090 nm. Measures beam dimensions down to 20 µm minimum from femtosecond to cw and VIS to NIR.
- MicroSpotMonitor MSM+ HighBrilliance (HB) High power density variant of MicroSpotMonitor MSM+ for NIR wavelengths with measurement window 40x40 µm to 2x2 mm. Handles maximum power densities up to GW/cm² with small spot size up to 10 µm at 10 kW laser beam power.
- FocusParameterMonitor FPM Integrated sensor for focus and power measurement in manufacturing systems. Combines focal measurement with simultaneous power measurement via fieldbus interface for automotive welding and soldering applications, including BMW battery production.
- PowerLossMonitor PLM Custom solution for power loss measurement to identify and quantify power losses in laser beam delivery systems.
- OpticsQualityMonitor OQM Custom solution for qualification of optics, enabling assessment of optical component quality in laser beam delivery systems.
- ScanFieldMonitor SFM / SFM 2D Device for measuring beam properties in the scan field of laser scanner systems, enabling comprehensive calibration and process optimization for additive manufacturing applications. The SFM 2D variant enables scan field correction.
- Laser Beam Absorbers Safety absorbers for safe absorption of laser beams up to 30 kW, protecting personnel and equipment during laser diagnostics operations.
- ISO 11554 Calibration Services In-house ISO-certified calibration laboratory with PTB-traceable reference standards. Calibrates all makes of laser power measuring devices and issues detailed calibration certificates under ISO 11554.
- Measurement-to-Order Services On-site beam diagnostics and monitoring conducted by PRIMES staff at customer locations, including system characterization and target-actual comparison of laser applications.
- BeamControlSystem BCS Combined integrated system integrating FocusMonitor with CompactPowerMonitor for comprehensive beam and power measurement in production environments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Detection of beam quality changes before they cause production defects or product failures
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PRIMES
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
PRIMES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature6 records
PRIMES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.
- PRIMES Japan K.K.coreFully-owned subsidiary established in April 2017 to serve the Japanese market directly with local sales and support
- Laser Trader LimitedstandardDistributor for United Kingdom and Ireland, providing local sales and support in English language
- Precitec SarlstandardDistributor for France, providing local sales and support
- PERMANOVA Lasersystem ABstandardDistributor for Sweden, Norway, and Denmark
- Apricon OystandardDistributor for Finland
- laser PRO Sp. z o.o.standardDistributor for Poland
- OptoprimstandardDistributor for Italy
- M. T. Brandao España, s.l.standardDistributor for Spain and Portugal
- ALP LAZER Servis MuhendislikstandardDistributor for Türkiye
- Laser Mechanisms, Inc.standardDistributor for USA and Canada, providing local sales and support
- Lacsher TechnologiesstandardDistributor for Mexico and Middle America
- AMMO ENGINEERING E.O.(1995)Ltd.standardDistributor for Israel
- ETSC Technologies Co.standardDistributor for China
- Qbic Laser System Inc.standardDistributor for Korea
- OPT PLUSV Sdn BHdstandardDistributor for Southeast Asia (Malaysia)
- One Photonics Pte LtdstandardDistributor for Singapore
- Laser Mechanisms TaiwanstandardDistributor for Taiwan
- Solutions for Lasers & Photonics Pvt LtdstandardDistributor for India
- Industrial LaserstandardDistributor for Australia
- German National Metrology Institute (PTB)corePRIMES calibration laboratory is traceable to PTB National Power Standards. PTB itself uses a PRIMES EC-PM adapted to its purposes as a National Standard instrument for laser power.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PRIMES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ophir (MKS Instruments): Ophir is the most direct competitor to PRIMES, offering laser power meters, beam profilers and beam diagnostics sensors across industrial and scientific laser markets. Both companies compete head-to-head in laser power measurement and beam profiling with overlapping product portfolios.
- Gentec Electro-Optics (Gentec-EO): Gentec-EO manufactures laser power and energy measurement devices, thermal sensors and beam profilers for industrial and scientific laser users. The company is a close peer in laser power measurement and beam diagnostics instrumentation.
- Duma Optronics: Duma Optronics specializes in laser beam profilers and diagnostic instruments for industrial and medical laser applications. It is a focused direct peer in beam profiling and analysis with comparable product offerings.
- DataRay (part of Gentec-EO): DataRay specializes in laser beam profiling cameras and diagnostic software for industrial and scientific applications. Recently acquired by Gentec-EO, it is a direct peer in camera-based beam profiling.
Broad incumbents
- Thorlabs: Thorlabs is a broad photonics incumbent offering laser beam profilers, power meters and a wide catalog of optical components. While not laser-diagnostics focused, it competes in beam profiling and power measurement with similar customer bases.
- Coherent Corp. Coherent (formerly II-VI) is a broad laser and photonics incumbent with beam diagnostics offerings integrated into its laser systems portfolio. Represents an incumbent threat through potential vertical integration of diagnostics into laser platforms serving PRIMES' customers.
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu Photonics is a broad Japanese photonics incumbent offering optical sensors, detectors and beam diagnostics components. Comparable as a supplier of optoelectronic sensing technology underlying laser measurement.
- Keyence: Keyence is a broad industrial sensors and measurement incumbent with laser-based measurement products used in factory automation. Comparable in industrial sensing applications though it does not specialize in laser beam diagnostics.
Emerging players
- Sensor Physics: Sensor Physics develops laser beam profiling and analysis tools with focus on industrial and scientific laser applications. It is an emerging niche player overlapping with PRIMES in beam diagnostics.
- Standa: Standa manufactures optical components and laser diagnostics equipment including beam profilers and power meters. It is a smaller emerging player with overlapping product categories in laser measurement instrumentation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PRIMES social profiles
Digital presencePRIMES compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
PRIMES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PRIMES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
PRIMES subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
PRIMES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PRIMES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PRIMES
What does PRIMES do?
PRIMES develops and manufactures laser beam diagnostic instruments and systems for industrial laser applications. The product range spans laser power meters (PocketMonitor, Cube, PowerMonitor, CompactPowerMonitor, EC-PowerMonitor, PowerMeasuringModule, PowerMeasuringCassette), beam distribution analyzers (BeamMonitor BM+, LaserQualityMonitor LQM+), focus measurement devices (FocusMonitor FM+/FMW+, MicroSpotMonitor MSM+, FocusParameterMonitor), custom systems (ScanFieldMonitor, OpticsQualityMonitor, PowerLossMonitor), and the LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS) platform that unifies device control. All hardware is supported by fieldbus integration, ISO-certified calibration services, and on-site measurement services for industrial laser users.
Is PRIMES a public or private company?
PRIMES is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PRIMES founded?
PRIMES was founded in 1992. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is PRIMES based?
PRIMES is headquartered in Pfungstadt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does PRIMES make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Laser Diagnostic Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are laserDiagnosticsSoftware LDS, calibration Services and measurement-to-Order Services.
Who are PRIMES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ophir (MKS Instruments), Gentec Electro-Optics (Gentec-EO), Duma Optronics and DataRay (part of Gentec-EO). Broad incumbents are Thorlabs, Coherent Corp., Hamamatsu Photonics and Keyence. Emerging players are Sensor Physics and Standa.
Does PRIMES have an API?
No public API is recorded for PRIMES.
What industry is PRIMES in?
PRIMES's product category is Laser beam diagnostics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAB, Machine Vision & Optical Sensing (Cameras, 3D vision, LiDAR, illumination), with a secondary code of IMAGAFAD, Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3827.