What Mankenberg does

Mankenberg GmbH is a Lübeck, Germany-based manufacturer of self-acting (self-operated) industrial control valves, founded in 1885 by Gustav Mankenberg and continuously operated for 140+ years. The company specializes in pressure reducing valves, back pressure regulators, vacuum breakers, vacuum control valves, differential pressure control valves, surge relief valves, bleeding and venting valves, steam traps, float valves, strainers, filters, separators, and sight glasses, manufactured using a proprietary deep-drawing technique for stainless steel, Hastelloy, and titanium that replaces traditional casting. Products are designed to operate without external power sources (pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric), using process medium and spring force for actuation, which the company positions as a differentiator in maintenance cost and reliability.

The company serves more than 5,000 active customers across chemical, energy, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, offshore, shipbuilding, and water supply verticals, with named reference customers including BP, Cargill, Vattenfall, RWE, ArcelorMittal, Wacker, Goodyear, PetroChina, PCK Raffinerie, and MIBRAG. Mankenberg operates with approximately 95% vertical integration in Lübeck, combining deep-drawing, tungsten inert gas (WIG/TIG) welding, machining, and assembly under one roof. The EASY-ADAPT modular system allows interchangeable connection adapters (DIN/ANSI flanges, G/NPT threads, Tri-Clamps) on a single valve body, and the M-TIME logistics program offers tiered delivery (M-BASE ~2 working days, M-EDIT ~15 working days, M-XTRA custom).

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of standard catalog valves and custom-engineered solutions, complemented by spare parts and maintenance kits sold through the mankenberg.shop e-commerce site, and workshop repair services at the Lübeck facility. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with self-serve digital channels including the configure.mankenberg.com product configurator, the ValvePilot sizing software, and the my.Mankenberg client portal. The company maintains a global service team, a wholly-owned subsidiary OOO Mankenberg in Moscow (founded 2015), and regional sales partners in select geographies. The company is led by Managing Director Dr. Stefan Nehlsen (appointed September 2017).

Name

Mankenberg

Legal name

Mankenberg GmbH

Website

https://mankenberg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mankenberg GmbH manufactures self-acting industrial control valves and pipeline ancillaries in stainless steel and special alloys, serving over 5,000 customers in chemical, energy, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, offshore, shipbuilding, and water supply verticals worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lübeck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Valve Sales: Sale of self-acting control valves including pressure reducing valves, back pressure regulators, vacuum breakers, vacuum control valves, differential pressure control valves, surge relief valves, bleeding and venting valves, steam traps, float valves, strainers, filters, separators, and sight glasses. Products range from standard catalog items to custom-engineered solutions.
2. Spare Parts and Maintenance Kits: Individual spare parts packages and maintenance kits available for standard valves. Express delivery service available for orders received by 15:00. Long-term availability of spare parts ensures customer satisfaction.
3. Workshop Repair Services: Factory repair services at headquarters in Luebeck including maintenance contracts, valve modification and rebuild, and Mankenberg express repair service. Includes safety through maintenance contracts, flexibility through modifications, and valve cleaning including hazardous substance handling.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mankenberg manufactures and supplies self-acting (self-operated) industrial control valves and pipeline ancillaries for pressure regulation, level control, and flow management. Its portfolio includes pressure reducing valves, back pressure regulators, vacuum breakers, surge relief valves, bleeding and venting valves, steam traps, float valves, strainers, separators, and sight glasses, with manufacturing based in Lübeck, Germany using deep-drawing technology for stainless steel and special materials.

Product overview

Mankenberg is a manufacturer of self-acting (self-operated) control valves for industrial applications. Their product portfolio spans three main categories: Pressure Control valves (pressure reducing valves, back pressure regulators, vacuum breakers, vacuum control valves, differential pressure control valves, surge relief valves), Level Control valves (bleeding and venting valves, steam traps, float valves), and Pipeline Ancillaries (strainers and filters, separators, sight glasses and indicators). The company specializes in deep-drawn stainless steel valves and offers the EASY-ADAPT modular system for connection flexibility. Products are available as standard items or customized solutions, supported by digital tools including ValvePilot (valve sizing software) and an online product configurator. The M-TIME logistics system provides tiered delivery options (M-BASE, M-EDIT, M-XTRA). Notable products include the DM 152V electro-pneumatic pressure reducing valve (ASME BPE compliant), DM 555 modular valve with interchangeable seats, the historic NIAGARA steam trap (introduced 1904), SAV 820E surge anticipation valve, and SR 6.2 surge relief valve.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• M-TIME: Delivery promise and storage logistics system with M-BASE (2 working days), M-EDIT (15 working days), and M-XTRA (custom-made products)
• EASY-ADAPT
• ValvePilot
• M-SERVICE

Products and services

• Pressure Reducing Valves (DM Series) Self-acting valves that reduce upstream pressure to a lower, preset downstream pressure. Includes modular designs like DM 555 with interchangeable seats and DM 152V with electro-pneumatic actuation. Used in industrial process control across chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical industries.
• Back Pressure Regulators (UV Series) Self-acting valves that maintain upstream pressure by opening when pressure exceeds setpoint. Used in water treatment and process industries.
• Vacuum Breakers (VV Series) Valves that protect tanks and pipelines from negative pressure (vacuum) that can form during emptying, cooling, or pump failure.
• Vacuum Control Valves Valves that regulate negative pressure in pipes, vessels, and systems, based on pressure reducing valve or back pressure regulator principles.
• Differential Pressure Control Valves Valves that maintain a constant differential pressure between two points in a system.
• Surge Relief Valves (SR/SAV Series) Valves that protect piping systems from water hammer (pressure surges). SR valves relieve overpressure; SAV 820E is a surge anticipation valve.
• Bleeding and Venting Valves (EB Series) Float-controlled valves that automatically vent air or gas from tanks or pipelines. Includes start-up valves, continuous operation valves, and combined valves.
• Steam Traps Devices for discharging condensate from steam systems. The NIAGARA is a large float-controlled steam trap designed for high condensate volumes.
• Float Valves (NV Series) Level control valves that regulate liquid level in tanks using float mechanisms. Available as inlet valves or outlet valves.
• Strainers and Filters Pipeline filtration devices that protect systems and equipment from damage caused by dirt, particles, and weld beads. Available in Y-type and pot-type designs.
• Separators Devices that separate different phases (liquid/solid, liquid/gas) in pipeline systems.
• Sight Glasses and Indicators Visual flow indicators and level tubes that allow operators to monitor fluid conditions and flow in pipelines and vessels.
• EASY-ADAPT Modular Connection System Modular valve body system with interchangeable connection adapters allowing DIN or ANSI flanges, G or NPT threaded sockets, and Tri-Clamp connections. Enables flexible configuration while maintaining stock availability.
• DM 755 Pressure Reducing Valve and UV 7.5 Back Pressure Regulator Pressure reducing valve and back pressure regulator designed for tank blanketing applications, offering precise control even in millibar ranges starting from 0.001 bar.

Quantifiable outcome

• Service life of up to 25 years or more is typical for Mankenberg valves, with some operators reporting 40-year service life
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Broad incumbents

• Flowserve Corporation: Flowserve is a large global manufacturer of pumps, valves, and seals for power, oil & gas, chemical, and water industries. Comparable end-market exposure; competes on larger-diameter and engineered project valves rather than Mankenberg's specialty self-acting niche.
• Pentair plc: Pentair is a diversified water-flow and treatment equipment company serving industrial, commercial, and residential water markets. Overlaps with Mankenberg's water-supply strainer/filter/regulator lines but with a much broader product portfolio.
• Crane Company: Crane Co.'s Crane ChemPharma & Energy and Crane Supply segments manufacture process valves, regulators, and related products for chemical, oil & gas, and power end markets. Comparable customer base and product categories but as a diversified industrial.
• Emerson Electric (Fisher / ASCO): Emerson's Fisher Controls is a global incumbent in process control valves and regulators across oil & gas, chemical, and power. Overlaps with Mankenberg in pressure regulation and back-pressure control but at vastly larger scale and with full automation/digital portfolios.

Direct peers

• Spirax-Sarco Engineering: Spirax-Sarco is the global leader in steam traps and condensate management — directly comparable to Mankenberg's Niagara steam-trap line and level-control valves used in steam systems across food, pharma, and process industries.
• GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau: GEMÜ is a German family-owned manufacturer of valves, measurement, and control systems for sterile and corrosive applications. Highly comparable to Mankenberg's stainless-steel, hygienic (ASME BPE), and pharma/food segment focus.
• IMI plc: IMI plc (UK) designs and manufactures engineered flow control solutions, including self-acting regulators, for HVAC, process, and energy markets. Comparable in self-operated regulation technology and end-market exposure, though larger and more diversified.
• KSB SE & Co. KGaA: KSB is a German-based global manufacturer of pumps, valves, and related systems serving water, energy, and process industries. Comparable as a German Mittelstand industrial-flow-control specialist with overlapping customer base in water supply, energy, and chemicals.
• SAMSON: SAMSON (Frankfurt, Germany) is the most direct competitor: a family-controlled manufacturer of self-operated control valves, regulators, and actuators for process industries. Closely overlaps with Mankenberg's core product portfolio, customer verticals (chemical, oil & gas, power), and self-acting technology positioning.
• LESER GmbH & Co. KG: LESER is a German specialty manufacturer of safety/relief valves for process industries. Comparable as a German Mittelstand valve specialist focused on pressure protection in chemical, oil & gas, and energy applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCC7Eg5vneM_0hp9f1HorZAg
• Xx.com/mankenberg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MANKENBERG

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Mankenberg