What Contrafeu does

Contrafeu AG is a Swiss specialist integrator of fire extinguishing systems, founded in 1957 and headquartered in Zollikofen near Bern. The company designs, plans, installs, commissions, and maintains a full portfolio of fire protection solutions including sprinkler and foam systems (wet, dry, pre-action, deluge), high- and low-pressure water mist systems, gas extinguishing systems (nitrogen, argon, CO2, Novec 1230), object/local extinguishing systems, and oxygen reduction systems. Since April 2020 it has held exclusive Swiss distribution rights for VID Fire-Kill's FIREKILL low-pressure water mist technology, which consumes 60-80% less water than conventional sprinklers. Contrafeu is a VKF-recognized specialist company and holds ISO 9001:2015 (SQS) certification, IQNet certification, and memberships in SES and LGVS industry associations.

The company operates four sites across Switzerland with approximately 64 employees and generates revenue through three primary streams: project-based fire extinguishing system sales and installation (hardware sales), recurring maintenance and inspection contracts (professional services), and AEAI-recognized training courses priced at CHF 590-840 per participant. Its go-to-market is exclusively direct enterprise field sales targeting industrial, commercial, infrastructure (hydroelectric, railway), pharmaceutical, heritage, and special-hazard clients across Switzerland, with no reseller or distributor channels. Customer engagements span the full lifecycle from advisory consultation through ongoing maintenance, with notable references including Roche Tower 2 (8,000 high-pressure nozzles), Nant de Drance power plant (192 nitrogen cylinders), Zurich Central Station (SBB), and Jungfraubahnen.

Contrafeu has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Securitas Gruppe Schweiz since 1974, enabling integrated fire safety solutions through collaboration with sister company Securiton SA (fire detection and alarm systems). This group affiliation provides distribution leverage, cross-selling synergies, and access to the Securitas customer network. The company is currently undergoing a leadership transition: Urs Hintermann has served as interim CEO since November 2023, and Fabio Sansosti will assume the CEO role on January 1, 2026, following a two-year internal and external succession search.

Name

Contrafeu

Legal name

Contrafeu AG

Website

https://contrafeu.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Contrafeu AG is a Swiss specialist integrator founded in 1957 that designs, installs, and maintains fire extinguishing systems, including sprinklers, water mist, gas, and foam systems, serving industrial, commercial, infrastructure, and heritage clients across Switzerland as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Securitas Gruppe Schweiz.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zollikofen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fire Extinguishing System Sales and Installation: Project-based revenue from the design, planning, and installation of bespoke fire extinguishing systems. Includes sprinkler systems, water mist/fog systems, gas extinguishing systems, foam systems, and special extinguishing systems. Revenue recognized upon project completion.
2. Maintenance and Inspection Services: Recurring maintenance contracts and periodic inspection services for installed fire extinguishing systems. Includes sprinkler tests, general overhauls, and system adjustments to meet current technical standards.
3. Training and Education Courses: Revenue from AEAI-recognized training courses including sprinkler maintenance training, fire extinguishing instruction, water mist system training, and advanced fire extinguishing systems courses. Courses priced at CHF 590–840 per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Contrafeu AG designs, plans, installs, commissions, and maintains custom fire extinguishing systems — including sprinkler, water mist (low- and high-pressure), gas (nitrogen/argon/CO2/Novec 1230), foam, object/local, special-hazard, and oxygen reduction systems — for industrial, commercial, infrastructure, and heritage clients throughout Switzerland. The offering is delivered as a complete lifecycle service from initial consultation and regulatory planning through to AEAI-certified training and 24/7 on-call maintenance support.

Product overview

Contrafeu offers a comprehensive portfolio of fire extinguishing systems as a single unified product category rather than a modular platform. The core offering encompasses seven distinct product families: (1) Sprinkler and foam systems (wet, dry, and pre-action configurations), (2) Water mist systems available in both high-pressure (up to 140 bar) and low-pressure variants, (3) Gas extinguishing systems using nitrogen, argon, CO2, or Novec 1230, (4) Object/local extinguishing systems in three tiers (Mini, Medium, High End), (5) Special/custom extinguishing solutions for unique requirements, (6) Portable fire extinguishers and blankets, and (7) Associated accessories. Additionally, as exclusive Swiss distributor since April 2020, Contrafeu offers VID Fire-Kill's FIREKILL low-pressure water mist systems (2-12 bar), which consume 60-80% less water than traditional sprinklers. The company also provides oxygen reduction systems that continuously regulate oxygen levels to prevent fire occurrence. All systems are designed, installed, and maintained as integrated solutions with services spanning consultation, planning, project management, installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sprinkler and Foam Extinguishing Systems Automatic sprinkler and foam extinguishing systems with wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, foam, and deluge configurations; designed for industrial, commercial, and infrastructure facilities.
• Water Mist Extinguishing Systems High-pressure (up to 140 bar) water mist systems using fine droplets (50-120 μm) for heat absorption, oxygen displacement, and thermal radiation blocking in sensitive environments.
• Gas Extinguishing Systems Gas-based extinguishing systems using nitrogen, argon, CO2, or Novec 1230 to suppress fires by reducing oxygen levels; engineered for computer rooms, electrical installations, and storage facilities.
• Object and Local Extinguishing Systems Compact detection-and-extinguishing systems in Mini, Medium Standard, and High End versions designed for enclosed sensitive equipment such as electrical cabinets, server rooms, fryers, and vehicles.
• Special Extinguishing Systems Custom fire extinguishing solutions for specialized applications where standard systems are insufficient, including electric vehicle fires in parking structures, heliports, munitions facilities, and battery test installations.
• FIREKILL Low-Pressure Water Mist Systems Exclusive Swiss distribution of VID Fire-Kill's low-pressure water mist systems (operating at just 8 bar) that consume 60-80% less water than traditional sprinklers while providing equivalent fire suppression; certified as a sprinkler alternative in Switzerland since April 2020.
• Permanent Oxygen Reduction Systems Systems that continuously regulate oxygen levels in protected zones via controlled nitrogen injection, creating a fire-retarding atmosphere without storing extinguishing agents.
• Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets Handheld fire extinguishers rated for different fire classes and fire blankets made of fiberglass fabric (120 x 180 cm) for manual fire suppression by on-site personnel.
• AEAI-Recognized Fire Protection Training Courses One-day AEAI-recognized training courses including sprinkler maintenance (CHF 590), water mist systems (CHF 840), advanced fire extinguishing systems (with 2-hour personal advisory), and customized firefighting training delivered at the Zollikofen training center or customer premises.
• Maintenance, Inspection, and General Overhaul Services Recurring maintenance contracts including periodic sprinkler tests, system adjustments to current technical standards, and general overhauls of installed fire extinguishing systems across Switzerland; supported by 24/7 emergency on-call (Pikett) service.

Quantifiable outcome

• FIREKILL consumes 60-80% less water than conventional sprinklers while providing equivalent extinguishing effectiveness
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VID Fire-KillcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2020VID Fire-Kill is a Danish company and global leader in innovative water-based fire extinguishing systems. Contrafeu holds exclusive distribution rights for the FIREKILL low-pressure water mist system in Switzerland since April 2020. The partnership was renewed in 2022, providing Contrafeu with a differentiated, environmentally friendly product that uses 60-80% less water than conventional sprinklers.
• Securitas Group Switzerland (Securitas Gruppe Schweiz)coreOthersContrafeu AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Securitas Group Switzerland (a family-managed security group). As part of the Group, Contrafeu collaborates with other subsidiaries including Securiton SA to provide comprehensive security solutions from a single source. The Group connection provides Contrafeu with access to a broad customer network, shared resources, and cross-selling opportunities.
• Securiton SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecuriton SA is a sister company within the Securitas Group Switzerland, specializing in fire detection and alarm systems. Contrafeu and Securiton collaborate on integrated fire safety projects where Securiton's detection systems (e.g., SecuriFire series) are paired with Contrafeu's extinguishing systems (sprinkler, water mist, gas). This partnership enables comprehensive 'one-stop' fire safety solutions from detection through suppression.
• Oeschger Babberger Brandschutz AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOeschger Babberger Brandschutz AG collaborated with Contrafeu SA on the Roche Building 2 project in Basel, with Contrafeu handling the extinguishing system installation while Oeschger Babberger contributed its own fire protection expertise as part of the Securitas Group's broader service offering.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Fagus-GreCon: German fire protection specialist focused on spark detection and extinguishing systems for industrial production. Comparable to Contrafeu in delivering specialized suppression systems for niche industrial applications (woodworking, paper, etc.).

Direct peers

• Marioff (Carrier): Finnish-origin water mist fire protection specialist, part of Carrier. HI-FOG water mist systems directly overlap with Contrafeu's Wassernebellöschanlagen and FIREKILL offerings, making Marioff a direct competitor in the European water mist suppression segment.
• Securiton AG: Swiss sister company within Securitas Gruppe Schweiz specializing in fire detection and alarm systems. While primarily detection-focused, it competes and collaborates with Contrafeu in the same Swiss customer accounts and is the natural integrated peer inside the Securitas Group.
• Minimax GmbH: German-headquartered fire protection specialist (now part of Viking Group) offering sprinkler, water mist, gas, and foam suppression systems plus installation and service across Europe. Directly comparable to Contrafeu in product breadth, system design, and project-based installation model.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Building Technologies: German incumbent in building security and fire detection systems. Overlaps with Contrafeu in commercial and industrial accounts across DACH and broader Europe where integrated building safety solutions are procured.
• Honeywell Building Technologies: Global incumbent in fire alarm, detection, and integrated safety solutions. Overlaps with Contrafeu in regulated commercial and industrial accounts where buyers seek single-vendor, multi-system building safety offerings.
• Johnson Controls: Global incumbent in building management and fire suppression (including Tyco-era sprinkler and detection heritage). Competes with Contrafeu on large commercial and industrial fire protection installations across Europe.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Global incumbent in building technologies including fire detection, alarm, and integrated building safety. Competes with Contrafeu on large infrastructure projects where buyers prefer broad-portfolio suppliers with multinational execution capabilities.
• Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA: German safety equipment and gas detection specialist with adjacent presence in fixed fire suppression and safety services. Comparable to Contrafeu as a DACH-region safety specialist serving regulated industrial and infrastructure customers.
• Viking Group: Global fire protection manufacturer and service provider (parent of Minimax since 2020). Comparable to Contrafeu as a fire suppression systems specialist with a strong European installation and service footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/contrafeu

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Contrafeu