TBT
TBT Tiefbohrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of deep hole drilling machines, precision drilling tools, and contract machining services serving automotive, aerospace, medical, tool/mold making, and petrochemical enterprises worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersDettingen An Der Erms, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What TBT does
TBT Tiefbohrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1966 and headquartered in Dettingen/Erms, Germany, is a precision engineering company that designs, manufactures, and services deep hole drilling machines and tooling. The company self-positions as the worldwide market leader in deep hole drilling, serving customers across five primary verticals — automotive (engine components, fuel system parts, hydraulic cylinders), aerospace (landing gear, structural components), medical technology (surgical instruments, implants), tool and mold making (cooling channels, hot runner systems), and petrochemical (centrifugal cast pipes). Its core technology spans ELB (single-lip), BTA/STS (single tube), and patented high-speed drilling processes covering diameters from 0.7mm to 400mm and depths up to 15,000mm, with capability to achieve IT7 diameter tolerances and surface roughness below 0.9 µm Ra. The product portfolio is organized into three business lines: deep hole drilling machines (ML, B, BW, die, and custom special machines), drilling tools (single-lip, double-lip, indexable insert, high-speed, TSTS, special), and contract manufacturing (Lohnfertigung) with 30+ machines across two locations. Supporting revenues include remote maintenance, retrofit programs, spare parts for TBT and competitor machines (Nagel, GKT, SIG, Heidenreich & Harbeck), and a Second Life used-equipment program.
TBT operates a direct-sales-and-channel hybrid go-to-market: direct enterprise sales from headquarters, wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, China, France, UK, and India, and an agency network spanning 30+ countries. Pricing is quote-based for machines, tools, and custom solutions with no public price list; a 48-hour express tool delivery service supports short-cycle customer demand. The legal entity is a German GmbH & Co. KG (HRA 360933, Amtsgericht Stuttgart), privately held under Nagel Holding as part of the broader Nagel Group (2,500+ employees globally), and is led by Managing Directors Dipl.-Ing. Bernd Nagel and Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Wolfgang Klein. Certifications held include ISO 9001:2015 (quality), ISO 14001:2015 (environmental), and VDA 6.4 (automotive quality management). Company-reported revenue is only characterized qualitatively as "approximately several million euros per year" with no precise figure disclosed.
TBT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TBT
- Legal name
- TBT Tiefbohrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://tbt.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TBT Tiefbohrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of deep hole drilling machines, precision drilling tools, and contract machining services serving automotive, aerospace, medical, tool/mold making, and petrochemical enterprises worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TBT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Machinery and Deep Hole Drilling Equipment
- NAICS
- Mining and Oil and Gas Field Machinery Manufacturing (33313), Mining Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333131)
- SIC
- Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Mining Machinery & Equip (No Oil & Gas Field Mach & Equip) (3532)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)
Keywords
Where TBT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dettingen An Der Erms
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
TBT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Deep Hole Drilling Machines: Manufacturing and sale of deep hole drilling machines including ML series, B series, BW series, die machines, and custom special machines. Revenue from new equipment sales, installation, and commissioning.
- Deep Hole Drilling Tools: Production and sale of precision drilling tools including single-lip drills, double-lip drills, indexable insert drills, high-speed tools, TSTS tools, and special customized tools. Includes 48h express service for rapid delivery.
- Contract Manufacturing (Lohnfertigung): Sub-contract deep drilling services at two locations (Dettingen/Erms and Riederich) with more than 30 machines. Services range from one-off production to series production with automatic loading systems. Also offers conventional machining with milling and threading.
- Machine Service and Retrofit: Remote maintenance, on-site service, machine rebuilds, and modernization services. Also offers Second Life program for used machine buyback and rebuilding. Spare parts supply for TBT and competitor machines (Nagel, GKT, SIG, Heidenreich & Harbeck).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation-based pricing for machines, tools, and services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
TBT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TBT manufactures and sells deep hole drilling machines (ML, B, BW series, die machines, and special machines) and deep hole drilling tools (single-lip drills, double-lip drills, high-speed drills, indexable insert drills, and TSTS tools), and provides contract deep drilling manufacturing services. As a market leader with over 60 years of experience, the company delivers complete deep hole drilling solutions from a single source to industrial manufacturers worldwide.
Product overview
TBT is a precision engineering company and market leader in deep hole drilling technology, manufacturing deep hole drilling machines and deep hole drilling tools, and offering contract manufacturing services. The product portfolio consists of three main categories: (1) Deep hole drilling machines including the ML Series (horizontal multi-spindle machines), B Series (horizontal large machines), BW Series (milling and drilling centers), Die Machines, and Special Machines; (2) Deep hole drilling tools including Single-Lip Drills, WP-ELB Series 10 (indexable insert drills), Double-Lip Drills, High-Speed Drills, TSTS Tools, and Special Tools; and (3) Contract manufacturing services. The company also provides machine services including remote maintenance, retrofit, spare parts, and Second Life (refurbished) machines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ML Series Deep Hole Drilling Machines Horizontal multi-spindle deep hole drilling machines available in ML200, ML250, ML300, ML500, and ML700 versions with drilling diameters from 0.8mm to 400mm and depths up to 15,000mm. Supports ELB, BTA, STS, and high-speed drilling processes. Targeted at industrial manufacturers requiring high-volume precision deep hole drilling.
- B Series Deep Hole Drilling Machines Horizontal large deep hole drilling machines with machine beds made of steel and reinforced concrete for maximum stability and vibration damping. Features BTA/STS process for solid drilling, boring, skiving, and smooth rolling. Drilling depths from 2,000 to 15,000mm. Designed for large industrial components.
- BW Series Milling and Deep Hole Drilling Centers Combined milling and deep hole drilling centers (BW250, BW500) for drilling, milling, and tapping applications. Features optional tool changing systems and supports fully automated solutions for maximum productivity.
- Die Machines Multi-spindle die machines (ST, TR12, SX series) for producing dies with multiple spindles. Used for manufacturing pellets, wood pellets, and feed dies with drilling diameters from 1.2-25mm. Targeted at pellet die and feed die producers.
- Special Machines Custom-designed special deep hole drilling machines for unique requirements not covered by standard series machines. Built from proven standard components tailored to specific customer applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Surface roughness Ra <0.9 μm achievable with WP-ELB 10 indexable insert drills
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use TBT
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
TBT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature8 records
TBT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and regional.
- Nagel GroupcoreTBT is a pure family business integrated in the internationally active Nagel Group. The Nagel Group includes companies Nagel, Gehring, Kadia and O.erre.pi with more than 2,500 employees worldwide. TBT can offer subsequent processes such as honing of deep holes or grinding of bearings through this group membership.
- Huyghe Machining AgencyminorMachine representation in Belgium - Gustave Royerslaan 2, 9600 Ronse-Renaix, Belgium
- Nagel do BrasilregionalMachine and tool representation in Brazil - Av. Brasilia, 125, 13.327.900 Salto-SP, Brazil
- NAGEL Machinery Trading Co. Ltd.regionalMachine representation in China - Room 1106; Yulin Building; No.5 second Alley Xiangjunnanli, Beijing, China
- CEPROMA, S.A.minorMachine representation in Spain - Arturo Soria, 106 - Chalet 3, 28027 Madrid, Spain
- STROJE JMKminorMachine representation in Czech Republic - Petra Bezruce 985, 768 24 Hulin, Czech Republic
- SIN PAR S.A.minorTool representation in Argentina - Conesa 10, B1878KSB Quilmes, Prov. Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Sutton ToolsminorTool representation in Australia - 378 Settlement Road, Thomastown 3074, Victoria, Australia
- Cemage ApSminorTool representation in Denmark with showroom in Hvidovre - Hedegaardsvej 3, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- Petri Aro OyminorTool representation in Finland - Työnjohtajankatu 2 F 14, 20320 Turku, Finland
- UM TOOLS srlminorTool representation in Northern Italy - Via Lago di Garda 114, 36015 Schio (VI), Italy
- AGMminorTool representation in Southern Italy - Via Martin Luther King 57, 70124 BARI, Italy
- NK WORKS Co.,Ltd.minorTool representation in Japan - 2-17-17 Iwamoto-cho, Chiyoda-ku, 101-0032 Tokyo, Japan
- MGT Mexico S.A. de C.V.minorMachine representation in Mexico - Carretera Saltillo Monterrey KM 4, Local 6, Col. Rancho de Peña, C.P. 25210 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
- Norwegian Tools ASminorTool representation in Norway - Solgaard Skog 139, 1599 Moss, Norway
- MS SPINEXminorTool representation in Poland - Ul. Klimontowska 19, 04-672 Warsaw, Poland
- F. RAMADA, Aços e Industrias, S.A.minorTool representation in Portugal - Cova do Frade – Apartado 10, 3884-808 OVAR, Portugal
- Combi Tools PTE Ltd.minorTool representation in Singapore - Blk 2022, No. 02-174, Bukit Batok Street 23, 659527 Singapore
- SK Technik, spol. s r.o.minorTool representation in Slovak Republic - Jarní 1052/44k, 614 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- GUIMAminorTool representation in Slovenia - c/ Jon Arróspide, 11 - 5º, Local 12, 48010 Bilbao, Spain
- Carbide Solutions & Innovations (PTY) LtdminorTool representation in South Africa - Unit 4 – 127 Koornhof Road, Johannesburg 1614, South Africa
- ARP TEKNİKminorTool representation in Turkey - Sahrayıcedit Mah. Cebesoy Sok. No: 51/B, 34734 Kadıköy / Istanbul, Turkey
- Power Tools Kft.minorTool representation in Hungary - Berkenyefa sor 3, 9027 Györ, Hungary
- ООО PromsferaminorTool representation in Belarus - Volodko str. 20-38, 220037 Minsk, Belarus
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TBT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Nagel Group (Nagel): Nagel is the parent group of TBT and a direct producer of BTA/STS deep hole drilling machines, making it the closest direct peer and group sibling. It shares customers, technology heritage, and overlapping deep hole drilling product lines with TBT.
- Gühring: Gühring is a major German rotary cutting tool manufacturer offering deep hole drilling tools (including gundrills) alongside its broader twist drill, tap, and end mill portfolio. It competes with TBT in automotive and general metalworking drilling tool customers at scale.
- Walter Tools (Walter AG): Walter Tools is a German precision tooling manufacturer (part of Sandvik Machining Solutions) offering indexable insert drills and deep hole drilling solutions. It competes with TBT's WP-ELB indexable drills in metalworking and mold-making customers as part of a much broader tool portfolio.
- Sandvik Coromant: Sandvik Coromant is a global leader in metal cutting tools, including deep hole drilling (CoroDrill) product lines. It serves the same automotive, aerospace, and general metalworking customers as TBT, with overlapping deep hole drilling offerings as part of a much larger tooling portfolio.
- Kennametal: Kennametal is a US-based global tooling manufacturer offering deep hole drilling and indexable insert drill solutions through its Widia and Kennametal brands. It serves the same metalworking customer base as TBT but at significantly larger scale and broader product breadth.
Direct peers
- Botek Bohrtechnik: Botek is a German specialist in deep hole drilling tools (single-lip and BTA) and machines, directly competing with TBT's tool and machine product lines in automotive, hydraulics, and mold making. Botek is widely regarded as TBT's closest independent direct competitor in deep hole drilling.
- Botek Werkzeugtechnik: Germany-based Botek is one of TBT's principal direct competitors in single-lip and BTA deep hole drilling tools, serving the same automotive, hydraulics, and mold-making customer base. Their product catalogs overlap almost entirely with TBT's tool portfolio.
- DIXI Polytool: DIXI Polytool (Switzerland) is a precision drilling and milling tool manufacturer specializing in micro and small-diameter drills, directly comparable to TBT's solid carbide single-lip drills in the 0.7-12mm range used for medical, aerospace, and tool making applications.
Emerging players
- Mapal Dr. Kress: Mapal is a German precision tooling specialist offering indexable insert drills, gundrills, and deep hole drilling tooling to automotive and machining customers. It competes with TBT's WP-ELB and single-lip drill portfolio with comparable focus on precision and customized tooling.
Regional players
- EMUGE-FRANKEN: EMUGE-FRANKEN is a German manufacturer of precision drilling, threading, and milling tools serving automotive, aerospace, and general metalworking. Its deep hole drilling portfolio overlaps with TBT's single-lip and indexable insert offerings in the same European customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TBT social profiles
Digital presenceTBT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
TBT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TBT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
TBT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
TBT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TBT 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 TBT
What does TBT do?
TBT manufactures and sells deep hole drilling machines (ML, B, BW series, die machines, and special machines) and deep hole drilling tools (single-lip drills, double-lip drills, high-speed drills, indexable insert drills, and TSTS tools), and provides contract deep drilling manufacturing services. As a market leader with over 60 years of experience, the company delivers complete deep hole drilling solutions from a single source to industrial manufacturers worldwide.
Is TBT a public or private company?
TBT is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was TBT founded?
TBT was founded in 1966. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TBT based?
TBT is headquartered in Dettingen An Der Erms, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does TBT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Deep Hole Drilling Machines are the primary driver. The others are deep Hole Drilling Tools, contract Manufacturing (Lohnfertigung) and machine Service and Retrofit.
Who are TBT's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Nagel Group (Nagel), Gühring, Walter Tools (Walter AG), Sandvik Coromant and Kennametal. Direct peers are Botek Bohrtechnik, Botek Werkzeugtechnik and DIXI Polytool. Mapal Dr. Kress is listed as an emerging player. EMUGE-FRANKEN is listed as a regional player.
Does TBT have an API?
No public API is recorded for TBT.
What industry is TBT in?
TBT's product category is Industrial Machinery and Deep Hole Drilling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAD, Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching). Its NAICS code is 33313 and its SIC code is 3530.