Schlegel

What Schlegel does

Schlegel Gruppe is a German family-owned electrical wholesale distributor (Elektrofachgroßhandel) operating under the holding entity ETL Paul Schlegel Holding GmbH, with roots tracing to SARX in Siegen (founded 1901). The company sells over 400,000 electrical articles sourced from approximately 1,500 suppliers — including market-leading brands such as Siemens, Eaton, Hager, Schneider Electric, WAGO, Weidmüller, LAPP, NKT, and E-T-A — and holds 80,000 SKUs in stock across 26 decentralized branch warehouses served by 70 delivery vehicles. Its product span covers automation technology, low-voltage switchgear, security and network technology, cables and conductors, installation materials, lighting, renewable energy and EV-charging products, device protection, and control-cabinet construction accessories.

The business serves three primary vertical segments: industrial customers (project-based automation, e-procurement integration, supplier bundling, and article standardization), electrical trade and craft businesses (Handwerk — flexible delivery, broad assortment, OCI/EDI connectivity), and municipalities (Kommunen — infrastructure projects, street lighting, electromobility, tender support). Distribution is hybrid: enterprise field sales at branches, a self-service B2B e-commerce platform (eshop.schlegel-gruppe.de), online catalog portals, and enterprise-grade e-procurement integrations via OCI, B2B marketplaces, EDI, CSV, OpenTrans, and BMEcat. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with a €150 minimum order and €15 small-order fee, typical of B2B electrical wholesale.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the company carries no external investors, operating as a private Mittelstand business built through organic growth plus acquisitions of regional wholesalers (Lange GmbH, J. Findler & Sohn, Sarx GmbH, ETL Schlegel GmbH) that continue to trade under their legacy names. Supporting infrastructure includes an ISO 9001:2015 quality certification (valid 2025–2028), active social and trade-show presence, and co-hosted manufacturer training events focused on emerging regulatory topics such as § 14a EnWG smart-metering compliance.

Name

Schlegel

Legal name

ETL Paul Schlegel Holding GmbH

Website

https://schlegel-gruppe.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Schlegel Gruppe is a family-owned German electrical wholesale distributor operating 26 branches and a B2B e-commerce platform, selling 400,000+ articles from 1,500 suppliers to industry, electrical trade/craft, and municipal customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices25 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product distribution and wholesale: Revenue is generated through the sale and distribution of electrical products (over 400,000 articles from ~1,500 suppliers), including automation technology, low-voltage switchgear, security and network technology, antenna technology, lighting, installation materials, cables and conductors, and renewable energy products. The company operates 26 decentralized warehouses and 70 delivery vehicles for logistics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schlegel Gruppe is an electrical wholesale distributor (Elektrofachgroßhandel) that distributes over 400,000 electrical products from approximately 1,500 suppliers across 26 decentralized branches in Germany, supported by 80,000 in-stock items and 70 delivery vehicles. The portfolio spans automation technology, low-voltage switching devices, cables and conductors, installation materials, lighting, renewable energy products, security/network technology, and control cabinet accessories from leading brands such as Siemens, Eaton, Hager, Schneider Electric, Weidmüller, WAGO, LAPP, NKT, and E-T-A. Distribution is delivered through field sales at branch locations, a self-service B2B e-commerce platform (eshop.schlegel-gruppe.de), and e-procurement system integrations (OCI, EDI, BMEcat, OpenTrans, CSV).

Product overview

SCHLEGEL GRUPPE is an electrical wholesale company (Elektrofachgroßhandel) operating a unified multi-brand distribution platform consisting of their e-commerce online shop (eshop.schlegel-gruppe.de), 26 decentralized branch locations, and e-procurement integration services. The core offering centers on their curated assortment of over 400,000 electrical products from approximately 1,200 suppliers, with 80,000 articles held in stock. Their product portfolio spans automation technology (Siemens, E-T-A), low-voltage switching technology (Eaton, Hager, ABB, Schneider Electric), security and network technology, cables and conductors (Lapp, NKT), installation materials (Gira, Busch-Jaeger, Berker, Jung), lighting (Philips LED), renewable energy products (Weidmüller smart metering, MENNEKES charging infrastructure), device protection, control cabinet construction accessories (Klauke tools, HellermannTyton marking systems), and antenna technology. The online shop serves as the digital front-end while their nationwide branch network provides localized technical consultation, same-day delivery via 70 delivery vehicles, and project-specific solutions for industry, trade/crafts, and municipal customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCHLEGEL Online Shop (eshop.schlegel-gruppe.de) B2B e-commerce platform where registered customers can browse 400,000+ electrical products, check real-time stock across 26 warehouses, and place orders 24/7 with account management and order history.
• E-Procurement Solutions Electronic procurement integration services including OCI (Open Catalog Interface), B2B marketplace connections, and document exchange (XCBL, OpenTrans, CSV, EDI) for seamless B2B integration with customer ERP systems.
• 26-Branch Field Sales & Distribution Network Direct field sales through 26 branches across Germany, providing in-person consultation, technical advice, and order placement, with delivery via 70 company vehicles for short-term fulfillment.
• Siemens Automation Products (SINAMICS G220) Siemens Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) portfolio including SINAMICS G220 frequency converters and digital enterprise automation solutions, distributed through Schlegel Gruppe's branch network and online shop.
• E-T-A Device Protection & Power Distribution World market leader in device protection, offering thermal circuit breakers, smart communication-capable systems for Industry 4.0, and electronic fuse automatics (REX system) for industrial applications.
• NKT Medium-Voltage Cable Accessories Medium-voltage cable accessories including splices, plugs, terminations, and prefabricated connection cables with silicone rubber technology and geometric field control, suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including wind farms.
• LAPP Cables and Conductors Flexible cables, conductors, and cable accessories including ÖLFLEX control cables, with 40,000 catalog products and global manufacturing, distributed through Schlegel Gruppe's network.
• Eaton Energy Management Products Intelligent energy management solutions including circuit breakers, isolierstoffgehäuse enclosures, and PKZ motor protection systems for electrification and digitalization applications.
• Weidmüller Industrial Connectivity (EEBUS-Relais-Converter) Industrial connectivity solutions including the EEBUS-Relais-Converter for § 14a EnWG compliance and smart metering products, with joint training events organized by Schlegel Gruppe.
• Hager Transformer Systems (VDE-AR-4100) Transformer systems for meter installations compliant with DIN VDE 0603-2-2 and current TAB regulations, including ZPlan configuration tool for compliant installation.
• Schneider Electric Resi9 + Acti9 Distribution Products Digital transformation and energy management solutions including Resi9 and Acti9 distribution products for residential and commercial energy distribution.
• WAGO Connection Technology Connection technology solutions for industrial automation and electrical installations, including spring clamp terminals, PCB components, and automation systems.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• E-T-AcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorE-T-A describes Schlegel Gruppe as their specialized partner for device protection and power distribution solutions in Germany. E-T-A is the world market leader in device protection. The partnership provides local expert consultation, fast logistics for E-T-A core product ranges, and jointly developed custom power distribution solutions tailored to customers' switch cabinet architectures. E-T-A and Schlegel Gruppe together offer technological excellence through product design and application consulting.
• NKTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNKT and Schlegel Gruppe have been distribution partners since 2015. NKT is a leading provider of medium-voltage cable kits (muffen, connectors, end seals) manufactured in Germany. Schlegel Gruppe offers NKT products from stock in their branches, providing customers with tailored solutions in warehousing — either at Schlegel locations or directly at the customer's site. NKT products feature silicone rubber technology, geometric field control for reliability, and are suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including wind farms.
• EatonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEaton is one of the major brands distributed by Schlegel Gruppe. Eaton is an intelligent energy management company focused on electrification and digitalization. Products distributed include circuit breakers, protective devices, and enclosures. Schlegel Gruppe serves as a distribution partner making Eaton products available through its 26-branch network.
• SiemensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSiemens is one of the major brands distributed by Schlegel Gruppe, offering automation and drive technology including the SINAMICS G220 frequency converter. Schlegel Gruppe distributes Siemens products through its branch network and online shop.
• HagerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHager is a brand partner of Schlegel Gruppe, specializing in transformer systems, energy distribution, and building installation. Hager products available include complete cabinets, pre-wired units, and ZPlan configuration tools for compliant installation per DIN VDE 0603-2-2.
• WeidmüllerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeidmüller is a brand partner of Schlegel Gruppe, specializing in industrial connectivity, connection technology, and smart metering solutions. Schlegel Gruppe distributes Weidmüller products including the EEBUS Relay Converter (ERC) for § 14a EnWG compliance. Joint training events (e.g., § 14a EnWG training at ETL SARX Siegen) are organized.
• Schneider ElectricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchneider Electric is a brand partner of Schlegel Gruppe, offering products including Resi9 and Acti9 series for residential and commercial energy distribution. Schlegel Gruppe distributes Schneider Electric products across its branch network.
• WAGOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWAGO is a brand partner of Schlegel Gruppe, specializing in connection and automation technology, including spring clamp terminals, PCB components, and automation systems. Distributed through Schlegel Gruppe's branch network.
• LAPPminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLAPP is a brand partner of Schlegel Gruppe. LAPP is a world leader in cables, connectors, and connection solutions with 40,000 catalog products. Schlegel Gruppe distributes LAPP cables, wires, and accessories including ÖLFLEX® and other branded products through its network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Siemens AG: One of Schlegel's most important brand partners, supplying automation technology (SINAMICS drives), low-voltage equipment, and smart infrastructure products. Not a competitor, but a key ecosystem participant whose direct-channel strategy directly shapes Schlegel's competitive position.
• Schneider Electric: Global energy management and automation manufacturer whose Resi9, Acti9, and industrial products are distributed by Schlegel. A critical supplier whose channel decisions, digital platforms, and pricing policies materially affect Schlegel's value proposition.

Direct peers

• Sonepar: Global market leader in B2B electrical distribution with a strong German subsidiary network. Operates the same electrical wholesale model — multi-brand assortment, branch-and-fleet logistics, e-procurement integration — at materially larger scale than Schlegel.
• Rexel: French-listed global electrical distributor with extensive German operations. Directly comparable on product breadth (Siemens, Schneider, Hager, ABB), branch-based B2B sales, and digital procurement platforms serving industry, trade, and municipal customers.
• YESSS Electrical: European electrical distributor operating across multiple countries with branch-based B2B sales of multi-brand electrical products. Comparable customer base (electricians, contractors, industrial accounts) and overlapping brand partnerships with Schlegel.
• ALSO Group: European B2B technology and electronics distributor with comparable logistics-intensive business model, e-procurement platform, and branch network. Different product mix (IT/electronics rather than electrical) but highly analogous go-to-market mechanics for Schlegel.
• Edmundson Electrical: UK-based electrical wholesaler with a decentralized branch network serving trade and industry customers. Closely comparable model of multi-brand electrical distribution with local branches, project support, and e-commerce ordering.
• FEGA & Schmitt Elektrogroßhandel GmbH: Mid-sized German electrical wholesale distributor with a comparable multi-branch model across southern and central Germany. Serves the same tradesperson and industrial customer base with overlapping brand portfolios and similar e-procurement integration capabilities.
• Obeta ElektroGroßhandel: German electrical wholesale cooperative with regional branches and a comparable product range spanning installation materials, automation, lighting, and renewable energy. Overlaps with Schlegel on customer segments (Handwerk, industry, utilities) and supplier partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Würth Group: Family-owned global market leader in assembly and fastening materials with a much broader industrial product range. Overlaps with Schlegel in serving German trades and industrial customers through direct field sales, but Würth's scale, capital base, and brand reach materially exceed Schlegel's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schlegel-gruppe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/etl-schlegel-gruppe
• Instagraminstagram.com/schlegel-gruppe
• Xx.com/etl_schlegel

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Schlegel