Springer Group
Springer Group is a privately held German industrial automation company that designs, manufactures, and commissions modular gripping systems and handling components for automotive press plants and body shops, serving global OEMs and Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers through direct sales and an international distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersStuhr, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Springer Group does
Springer Group is a privately held German industrial automation specialist headquartered in Stuhr, Germany, focused exclusively on gripping systems, handling components, and turnkey automation for automotive press plants and body shops. Founded in January 2001 and led by managing director Uwe Springer, the company operates from an approximately 11,000 m² facility in Stuhr with a wholly-owned subsidiary, Springer Automation CZ s.r.o., in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, serving Central European markets. Its product portfolio centers on three gripping-system families — for press plant automation, body shop automation, and the plastics processing industry — built on a modular baukasten (kit) component system, supplemented by proprietary products such as the SK-IDS-01-10 flexible inductive guide sensor and the KGSP100 compact clamp.
The company's underlying technology stack combines knowledge-based 3D CAD engineering for design of gripping systems and handling arms with FARO-based 3D coordinate metrology (measuring arms, laser trackers, laser scanners) for measurement, inspection, and process optimization. Springer makes money primarily through project-based, quotation-driven capital equipment sales to global automotive OEMs and their Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers, complemented by recurring professional service streams: 2D/3D CAD engineering services, on-site assembly and commissioning, 3D metrological services, and process optimization consulting. Sales cycles are described as long and complex, consistent with large automation system sales to vehicle manufacturers.
Springer reaches customers through a hybrid go-to-market model: direct enterprise field sales in Germany (with regional sales representatives covering North/East/West and South) and an international distribution and sales partner network across Brazil, China, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic/Slovakia/Slovenia/Serbia, France/Benelux, Russia, and Hungary/Romania. Marketing is primarily event-driven, with active participation in trade fairs such as K Fair (Düsseldorf), FMB Supplier Fair (Bad Salzuflen), and ITM (Poland), supplemented by a comprehensive ~300-page press plant product catalogue and a corporate news section. Named enterprise customers include Daimler AG and the Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC) joint venture in China, where Springer commissioned specially developed servo-driven Wenders.
Springer Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Springer Group
- Legal name
- Springer GmbH
- Website
- https://springer.group
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Springer Group is a privately held German industrial automation company that designs, manufactures, and commissions modular gripping systems and handling components for automotive press plants and body shops, serving global OEMs and Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers through direct sales and an international distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Springer Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Equipment
- NAICS
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)
- akta.pro primary industry
- End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)
Keywords
Where Springer Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stuhr
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Springer Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automation Systems and Components (Hardware): Design, manufacture, and sale of automation components and systems — gripping systems, handling arms, press plant transfer systems, body shop automation modules, compact clamps (KGSP100), and system components. Revenue is project-based and quotation-driven, typically as part of large capital equipment orders from automotive manufacturers.
- Engineering Services: 3D CAD engineering, design, and development services provided to customers as part of automation projects or standalone engineering engagements. Includes project management, requirement specifications development, and documentation.
- Assembly and Commissioning Services: On-site assembly, installation, and commissioning services for automation systems. Includes employee training, test-fit, simulation, and rework/adjustment services.
- Metrological Services: Measurement and metrology services including component quality inspection, prototype digitization, data model production, fixture measurement, plant alignment, reverse engineering. Provided as standalone service across multiple industry sectors.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Springer Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Springer Group designs, manufactures, and integrates automation systems and components — primarily modular gripping systems, handling arms, and transfer systems — for automotive press plants, body shops, and plastics processing operations. The portfolio is built around a standardized modular kit (baukasten) that is configured into tailored customer solutions, complemented by 3D CAD engineering services, FARO-based 3D metrology services, on-site assembly/commissioning services, and process optimization consulting. Customers include global automotive OEMs (e.g., Daimler/Mercedes-Benz at Beijing Benz Automotive) and Tier-1/2 suppliers served via direct sales in Germany and an international distributor partner network.
Product overview
Springer Group offers a comprehensive portfolio of automation products and services centered on gripping systems and handling technology for the automotive manufacturing industry. The core offering consists of three main gripping system categories: Handling systems for press plant automation, body shop automation, and plastics industry applications, all built on a standardized modular component system. Supporting products include the SK-IDS-01-10 flexible inductive guide and KGSP100 compact clamp. The portfolio is complemented by engineering services (2D/3D CAD development), metrological services (3D measurement and inspection), assembly services (installation and commissioning), and process optimization consulting. Special engineering services provide custom solutions when standard products do not meet requirements. The company serves automotive manufacturers and suppliers globally, with manufacturing facilities in Germany (Stuhr) and the Czech Republic (Mladá Boleslav).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gripping Systems for Press Plant Automation Handling systems for press plants with flexible components designed to accommodate different environmental conditions and component geometries, based on a standardized kit of system components. Used by automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers in automated press plants.
- Gripping Systems for Body Shop Automation Body construction gripping systems enabling handling of metal parts and plastic components including CFRP, with flexible components and precise replicability for robot cell applications. Used by automotive OEMs and Tier-1/2 suppliers for body-in-white and assembly operations.
- Gripping Systems for Plastics Industry Handling systems for plastic processing industry and injection moulding machine automation, optimizing manufacturing processes through special installations. Used by plastics processors and injection moulding operations.
- Automation and System Components Standardized system components for automation applications featuring compact, lightweight, and wear-resistant design using aluminum and hybrid techniques for efficient handling. Used as building blocks within Springer's modular kit (baukasten) system.
- Special Engineering Custom design solutions developed for individual requirements when the standard modular system kit does not cover specific applications, based on detailed consulting and intensive coordination with the customer.
- SK-IDS-01-10 Flexible Inductive Guide Sensor Flexible inductive guide sensor for body construction automation, the latest generation of the SK-IDS series focusing on essentials with high flexibility for various uses. Used in body shop and press plant automation applications.
- KGSP100 Compact Clamp New compact clamp primarily used in body construction and automated welding operations, representing the latest product line for gripping components in body shop automation.
- Metrological Services 3D metrology services including fixture measurement, inspection, target-actual comparison, alignment, reverse engineering, and plant digitization using FARO equipment (measuring arms, laser trackers, laser scanners) with the latest software, achieving 0.5 mm accuracy. Provided across multiple industry sectors.
- Engineering Services Engineering services using 2D and 3D CAD software for product development, production documentation, and project management for body shop and press plant automation, delivered as part of automation projects or standalone engineering engagements.
- Assembly Services Assembly, installation, adjustment, and commissioning services for automation projects including testing of gripping systems and components at customer facilities, including employee training, test-fit, simulation, and rework/adjustment.
- Process Optimization Production process optimization services including actual state analysis, dynamic process behavior capture, and goal definition for quality improvement and productivity enhancement, with metrology-driven process optimization and virtual commissioning.
Quantifiable outcome
- Metrology accuracy of 0.5 mm enables realistic simulations and shorter cycle times with simultaneous increase of plant safety
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Springer Group
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Springer Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature6 records
Springer Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ARCINCO Industrial Ltda.minorSales partner for Brazil covering the South American market. Antonio Benedicto Ignácio represents the company at Rua Oneda 935, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil.
- Shanghai Hasson Automation & Engineering Co., Ltd.minorSales partner for press plant automation products in China. Located at No. 1166 FengPu Road, Fengxian District, Shanghai. Contact: Dony Chen.
- ART Robotics SA de CVminorSales partner in Mexico. Located at Pioneros del Cooperativismo No. 136, México Nuevo Atizapán de Zaragoza, Estado de México. Contact: Jorge Medina Lopez.
- MXnorm Sp. z o.o.minorSales partner in Poland. Presented Springer products at ITM fair in Poznań. Located at ul. Nadrzeczna 61, 43-100 Tychy, Poland.
- FIXSOLDA Lda.minorSales partner in Portugal. Located at Estrada Principal No. 204, Almornos, 2715-244 Sabugo – Sintra.
- Sankyo Desarrollos Técnicos, S.L.minorSales partner in Spain. Located at C/ Manisitu 5, Pabellón A, Polígono Industrial Lurgorri, 01240 Alegría – Dulantzi (Araba), Spain.
- Springer Automation CZ s.r.o.coreOwned subsidiary serving Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Serbia markets. Located in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. Manages assembly and installation services for manipulation arms. Managers: Uwe Springer and Roman Iltis.
- FAROcoreTechnology partner providing advanced metrology equipment (measuring arms, laser trackers, laser scanners) used for Springer's metrology services including fixture measurement, plant alignment, 3D visualization, and reverse engineering.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Springer Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stäubli International AG: Industrial robotics, tool changers and automation solutions provider with deep automotive body shop presence. Competes with Springer on integrated handling, robotics interfaces and engineered automation for stamping and body-in-white cells.
- Piab Group: Specialist in vacuum gripping and suction-based material handling for automotive and Tier-1 customers. Competes with Springer on end-effector technology, particularly for body construction and sheet-metal handling within automotive press plants.
- SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG: German specialist in gripping systems, clamping technology and toolholding for industrial automation with a strong automotive body shop and press plant focus. Directly comparable to Springer as a gripper-technology specialist serving global automotive manufacturers with modular component systems.
- KUKA AG: Major automotive body shop and press plant robotics and systems integrator. Competes with Springer for automation content within OEM and Tier-1 press plants and body-in-white lines, particularly on integrated handling and turnkey body shop cells.
- Zimmer Group: German manufacturer of gripper, clamping and end-effector technology used across automotive body shop, assembly and press automation. Closely comparable niche specialist competing for modular gripping content on similar customer programs.
- Destaco (Stabilus): Global supplier of clamping, gripping and end-of-arm tooling for automotive body construction, stamping and assembly. Directly competes with Springer's modular gripper portfolio for OEM press and body shop applications.
- IEF-Werner GmbH: German specialist in press automation, handling systems and assembly technology for automotive and Tier-1 suppliers. Most comparable German mid-sized peer to Springer on press plant handling and engineered automation cells.
- Robot System Products AB: Supplier of grippers, tool changers and material handling accessories for industrial robots, with strong automotive body shop and Tier-1 customer base. Closely comparable niche player in robotic end-effector and modular handling technology.
Broad incumbents
- Festo SE & Co. KG: Broad industrial automation incumbent (pneumatics, electric automation, handling). Overlaps with Springer on standardized automation and handling components but operates across many industries with a much wider portfolio beyond gripping systems.
- ABB Ltd. (Robotics & Discrete Automation): Large automation incumbent offering industrial robots and full body-shop automation solutions. Competes indirectly with Springer on handling and gripper content within broader turnkey automotive automation programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Springer Group social profiles
Digital presenceSpringer Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Springer Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Springer Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Springer Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Springer Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Springer Group 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 Springer Group
What does Springer Group do?
Springer Group designs, manufactures, and integrates automation systems and components — primarily modular gripping systems, handling arms, and transfer systems — for automotive press plants, body shops, and plastics processing operations. The portfolio is built around a standardized modular kit (baukasten) that is configured into tailored customer solutions, complemented by 3D CAD engineering services, FARO-based 3D metrology services, on-site assembly/commissioning services, and process optimization consulting. Customers include global automotive OEMs (e.g., Daimler/Mercedes-Benz at Beijing Benz Automotive) and Tier-1/2 suppliers served via direct sales in Germany and an international distributor partner network.
Is Springer Group a public or private company?
Springer Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Springer Group founded?
Springer Group was founded in 2001. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Springer Group based?
Springer Group is headquartered in Stuhr, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Springer Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Automation Systems and Components (Hardware) is the primary driver. The others are engineering Services, assembly and Commissioning Services and metrological Services.
Who are Springer Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stäubli International AG, Piab Group, SCHUNK GmbH & Co. KG, KUKA AG, Zimmer Group, Destaco (Stabilus), IEF-Werner GmbH and Robot System Products AB. Broad incumbents are Festo SE & Co. KG and ABB Ltd. (Robotics & Discrete Automation).
Does Springer Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Springer Group.
What industry is Springer Group in?
Springer Group's product category is Industrial Automation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAOAN, End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems. Its NAICS code is 333310 and its SIC code is 3560.