Michael Koch

What Michael Koch does

Michael Koch GmbH, operating under the brand "Bremsenergie," is a privately held German industrial manufacturer founded in 1997 and headquartered in Ubstadt-Weiher, Germany. The company specializes in two complementary product lines: safe brake resistors (10W to 7.2kW) that dissipate braking energy as heat, and active energy management devices (peak power up to 200+ kW) that store and reuse braking energy in the DC intermediate circuit of electric drives. Its proprietary Pxt product family, including PxtFX, PxtRX, PxtKX, and PxtTX variants, addresses application-specific needs such as controlled machine stops during power failures, voltage dip compensation, grid load peak reduction, and operation in contaminated-air environments. The company also offers complete custom-engineered control cabinet systems, accessories, and digital tools (PxtTerminal software, PxT Web Sizing Portal, digital type plate service). Koch serves industrial OEMs and machine builders across diverse verticals including packaging, food processing, marine/electric propulsion, aerospace manufacturing, die casting, machine tools, and infrastructure (e.g., gas pipeline valve actuators). The business model is direct sales-led with a dedicated sales team, complemented by an international channel partner network (AC Sinergie in Italy, ControlEng in Canada, Elincom with a 50-year relationship) and a certified Siemens Product Partner for Drives Options. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts for custom solutions. The firm employs approximately 60 people, is co-managed by three Geschäftsführer (Michael Koch, Christine Lieber-Koch, Fabian Hofmann), and is recognized as a German Mittelstand company with certifications including DEKRA, EMAS, and the Großer Preis des Mittelstandes award.

Name

Michael Koch

Legal name

Michael Koch GmbH

Website

https://bremsenergie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Michael Koch GmbH (Bremsenergie) is a privately held German industrial manufacturer founded in 1997 that designs and produces safe brake resistors and active energy management devices for electric drive systems, serving OEM machine builders across packaging, food processing, marine, aerospace, and other industrial verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Drive Energy Management Hardware

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)

akta.pro primary industry

Power Quality & Conditioning (PFC units, active filters, voltage regulators, surge protection) (IMAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charging Infrastructure Components (connectors, cables, dispensers, payment/controls) (IMAGAHAH), Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Resistors (Fixed/Variable/Network) (HDAHANAA)

Keywords

• Active energy management
• Safe brake resistors
• Electric drive technology
• Industrial energy storage
• Drive braking components

Headquarters

HQ city

Ubstadt-weiher

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Active Energy Management Devices and Systems: Sale of proprietary active energy management devices including PxtFX, PxtRX, PxtKX, and PxtTX models. Systems range from individual components to complete control cabinet solutions with peak power up to 200 kW.
2. Safe Brake Resistors: Sale of safe brake resistors in wire and PTC technology. Product range spans from 10W single modules to 7.2 kW combinations, available as standard models or custom-configured for specific applications.
3. Custom Solutions and Systems: Application-specific complete systems in control cabinets. From pilot phase to series maturity, providing customer-specific solutions with highest quality standards and short delivery times.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Michael Koch GmbH manufactures and sells active energy management devices and safe brake resistors for electric drive technology. The product portfolio spans from 10W single brake resistor modules to 7.2 kW resistor combinations and active energy management systems with peak power exceeding 200 kW, including proprietary Pxt variants (PxtFX, PxtRX, PxtKX, PxtTX). The company also delivers application-specific complete systems in control cabinets and custom solutions developed from pilot phase through series maturity.

Product overview

Michael Koch GmbH (Bremsenergie) offers a product portfolio consisting of two main product lines: Safe Brake Resistors and Active Energy Management Devices. Safe Brake Resistors range from 10W to 7.2kW and safely dissipate braking energy in electric drive systems. Active Energy Management Devices and systems achieve peak powers up to more than 200 kW, with the Pxt product family including PxtKX (short-term UPS with capacitors), PxtTX (for contaminated air environments), PxtFX (for controlled stops during power failures), and PxtRX (with external storage for higher loads). The company also provides complete systems in control cabinets, accessories, and custom solutions. A web-based design portal (PxT-Auslegungsportal) and PxtTerminal software tool support product configuration and optimization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fabrikle: Internal term used by employees for the company/factory location in Ubstadt-Weiher.

Products and services

• Safe Brake Resistors (Sichere Bremswiderstände) Safe brake resistors available as single modules in wire and PTC technology and as combinations, with a power range from 10W to 7.2 kW for safely dissipating braking energy in electric drive systems.
• PxtFX Active Energy Management Device Active energy management device with integrated storage capacitors for frequent short cycles, enabling controlled machine stops during power failures, bridging short-term power outages, and compensating for voltage dips in electric drive systems. Features multiple LEDs, two push buttons, and a plug strip for enhanced control capabilities.
• PxtRX Active Energy Management Device Active energy management device with external storage for higher loads, designed for managing energy in electric drive intermediate circuits in industrial applications with frequent, short cycles.
• PxtKX Short-term UPS Active energy management device serving as a short-term UPS specifically designed for voltage dips and power failures in the DC intermediate circuit of frequency converters and servo controllers. Features optimized power electronics and robust storage capacitors.
• PxtTX Active Energy Management Device Active energy management device protected against suspended matter in air, suitable for woodworking and textile industries. Scalable design with adjustable configurations for various applications.
• Active Energy Management Complete Systems (Komplettsysteme) Application-specific complete systems in control cabinets for active energy management solutions, with peak power up to more than 200 kW. Provided as customer-specific solutions from pilot phase to series maturity with short delivery times.
• Custom Solutions (Sonderlösungen) Customized special solutions for active energy management devices and safe brake resistors tailored to specific customer applications, developed from pilot phase to series maturity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production capacity can be increased through extended acceleration and braking cycles using stored braking energy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and regional.

• AC SinergiecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 May 2026Italian distribution partner for SPS Italia exhibitions and ongoing Italian market presence. Alberto Carrara represents the partnership, with support from Valeria Carrara. Long-term collaborative relationship.
• Siemens (Feature Days Program)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 July 2025Joint participation in Siemens Partnerprogramm Feature Days. Online presentation on optimal combination of brake resistors with Siemens converters.
• ElincomregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2025Long-standing international partner celebrating 50 years of relationship in 2025. Represents one of company's most enduring distribution partnerships.
• ControlEngregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 March 2025Canadian distribution partner. Joint exhibition at Hannover Messe 2025 (Stand G39 in Halle 6). Partnership extends market reach to North American customers.
• Siemens AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified Siemens Product Partner for Drives Options. Partnership provides technical competence certification, innovation recognition, and access to Siemens distribution ecosystem for brake resistors and energy management products combined with Siemens converters.
• 3zu0.de Training PortalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated training portal (3zu0.de) for apprenticeships, internships, and dual study programs. Provides information about career opportunities at Michael Koch GmbH.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bonitron: US-based manufacturer of braking resistors and ride-through/energy storage solutions for industrial drives (e.g., MHR, MLine). The closest direct competitor to Michael Koch's Pxt and brake resistor product lines, serving the same DC-link and power-quality use cases for variable-frequency drive installations.
• KEB Automation: German drive and automation specialist offering braking resistors and combinations as part of its drive accessory ecosystem, alongside frequency converters and servo controllers. Comparable through its co-development of drive peripherals and similar industrial customer base in Central Europe.

Broad incumbents

• SEW-EURODRIVE: Drive and mechatronics systems provider offering MOVITRAC/MOVIDRIVE converters with their own brake resistor portfolio. Comparable as a broad drive incumbent selling accessories into German machine-builder OEMs.
• Bosch Rexroth: Drive and control technology business offering IndraDrive converters with braking resistor and energy management accessories. Comparable through its European industrial customer footprint and focus on factory automation.
• Lenze: German drive and automation manufacturer (i500/i510/i550 inverters, servo) with related brake resistor and energy management accessories. Comparable through its Mittelstand positioning and focus on machine builders across industrial verticals.
• Yaskawa: Japanese drives and motion control manufacturer (A1000, GA700, Sigma-X servo) with associated brake resistors and DC-link modules. Overlaps with Michael Koch's customer profile in industrial automation, packaging, and machine tools.
• ABB: Global incumbent in industrial drives (ACS series) and power electronics. Although ABB drives ship without a dedicated energy-management accessory brand, its scale, R&D resources, and converter roadmap define the competitive ceiling for niche players like Michael Koch.
• Schneider Electric: Industrial automation and power management major (Altivar drives). Relevant as a broad incumbent whose power-quality and energy-management portfolio defines buyer expectations around integrated solutions.
• Eaton: Industrial power management company offering drives, power quality, and electrical components. Comparable through its broad portfolio that overlaps with Koch's energy-management and power-conditioning positioning in industrial facilities.
• Siemens (Drive Technology division): Maker of SINAMICS converters; both a strategic partner (Product Partner for Drives Options) and the dominant broad incumbent whose converter base Michael Koch's accessories are designed to complement. Relevant because any in-house DC-link UPS would directly threaten Koch's value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MichaelKochGmbH
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• Instagraminstagram.com/michaelkochgmbh
• Xx.com/GmbKoch

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Michael Koch