Helling

What Helling does

Helling GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German manufacturer of non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment and consumables, headquartered in Heidgraben near Hamburg under Managing Director Cornelia Bergholz. Founded in 1863 originally as a trading house, the company has spent over four decades specializing in NDT, serving industrial manufacturing, aviation, railway, plant engineering, metal processing, welding, and police/forensic customers in Germany and internationally. Its product portfolio spans all major NDT methods — penetrant testing (PT), magnetic particle testing (MT), ultrasonic testing (UT), visual testing (VT), radiographic testing (RT), and leak testing (LT) — covering aerosols, suspensions, calibration and reference blocks, UV-LED lamps, hand yoke magnets, mobile devices, and engineered test facilities such as HELLMAG magnetisation benches and the ROD-A-MAT wheelset system. Technical differentiators include aviation-certified UV-LED lamps (Airbus AITM6-1001, AMS2647F, Rolls-Royce RRES 90061, ASTM E3022), the proprietary HELLING Connect Control System (HCC) for digital test documentation, and PLC-controlled custom test rigs built at the in-house HELLING Center for Technology ("Blue Hall"). Supporting the equipment business are a DAkkS-accredited calibration laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018), the joint DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING delivering DIN EN ISO 9712-certified NDT qualification, and a quality system certified to DIN EN ISO 9001 by TÜV NORD. The business model is B2B and quote-based, with a WooCommerce webshop, German (€50 minimum order) and international (€100 minimum, documentary collection or letter of credit) pricing tiers, and recurring revenue from consumables (MET-L-CHEK penetrants, UT coupling agents, calibration blocks) and accredited calibration services. Distribution is direct, supplemented by climate-neutral GLS shipping and an in-house + DGZfP training channel; no channel partners, resellers, or third-party logistics integrations are disclosed.

Name

Helling

Legal name

Helling GmbH

Website

https://helling.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1863

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helling GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer of non-destructive testing equipment and consumables, serving industrial manufacturing, aviation, railway, plant engineering, and forensic customers across all major NDT methods (PT, MT, UT, VT, RT, LT).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Equipment

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Inspection Services (IMAIACAI), Welding Inspection, QA/QC & NDT Prep Training (e.g., CWI) (EDAOADAF)

Keywords

• Non-destructive testing equipment
• Magnetic particle inspection systems
• Penetrant testing consumables
• NDT calibration services
• Ultrasonic testing devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidgraben

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. NDT Equipment and Testing Systems: Sale of testing equipment, instruments and testing systems for non-destructive testing including magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, UV-LED lamps, ultrasonic testing devices, and leak detection equipment. Custom-built testing facilities manufactured at HELLING Center for Technology.
2. NDT Consumables and Testing Media: Sale of testing consumables including magnetic particle suspensions, penetrant testing liquids, coupling agents, calibration blocks, reference blocks, and other testing media. Recurring revenue through consumable replenishment.
3. Calibration and Certification Services: Accredited calibration laboratory services according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018, issuing accredited calibration certificates. Also provides factory calibration certificates upon request.
4. NDT Training and Qualification: Training services through DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING for NDT methods (VT, PT, MT, RT, UT) according to DIN EN ISO 9712, test engineer training, and radiation protection courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Helling GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells certified non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, instruments, and custom-built test facilities covering penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, visual, radiographic, and leak testing methods. In addition to hardware, the company supplies NDT consumables (coupling agents, calibration/reference blocks, anti-reflection sprays, test media), operates a DAkkS-accredited calibration laboratory, and delivers NDT qualification training through the DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING.

Product overview

Helling GmbH is a German company founded in 1863 specializing in non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment and materials testing. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of testing products organized into core product categories: Penetrant Testing (PT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), UV-LED Lamps, NDT Test Facilities, Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Visual Testing, Radiographic Testing, Leak Testing (LT), Measuring Devices, Temperature Indicators, Welding Technology, Colors and Protective Coatings, Markers, and Police/Forensic Technology. The product line includes specialized equipment like the HELLING Connect Control System (HCC) for documentation, HELLMAG magnetization benches for series testing, chain testing facilities, and wheelset testing systems. Key consumables include coupling agents, calibration blocks, reference blocks, and anti-reflection sprays. The company also operates an accredited calibration laboratory (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018) and provides NDT training through the DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Penetrant Testing (PT / Eindringprüfung) Non-destructive testing method that detects surface cracks without requiring water or electricity, including penetrants, developers, removers, emulsifiers, test kits, and dedicated test facilities for industrial QA.
• Magnetic Particle Testing (MT / Magnetpulverprüfung) Sensitive NDT method for detecting surface and near-surface irregularities in ferromagnetic materials using detection media, hand yokes, magnets, mobile equipment, and custom MT test facilities.
• UV-LED Lamps (UV-Inspector and ZERO series) High-performance, certified UV-LED hand lamps, pocket lamps, and stationary area lamps for fluorescent NDT procedures (PT, MT), forensics, and leak testing, including aviation-qualified variants.
• NDT Test Facilities (ZfP-Prüfanlagen) - HELLMAG, Chain, Wheelset Custom-built NDT test facilities for specific applications (sling chains, wheelsets, axle/wheel inspection), including PLC-controlled magnetization benches with HELLING Connect Control System (HCC) documentation, integrated for series testing and training.
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT / Ultraschallprüfung) Ultrasonic testing equipment, calibration blocks, and coupling agents for reliable non-destructive inspection of materials and components across industrial and aerospace applications.
• 3D Laser Scanning Anti-Reflection Spray MATT Titanium dioxide-free anti-reflection spray for matting reflective surfaces in 3D laser scanning, used in NDT and dental scanning applications; sublimates without residue.
• Measuring Devices for NDT Modern measuring instruments (thickness, hardness, roughness, temperature, photometry, field strength, densitometry, dose rate, warning devices) for verifying test parameters and environmental conditions in NDT procedures.
• Leak Testing (LT / Dichtheitsprüfung) Leak detection methods using bubble, acoustic, and pressure test procedures with foam-forming indicators and fluorescent concentrates for industrial leak testing.
• Radiographic Testing (RT / Durchstrahlungsprüfung) Materials and accessories for radiographic NDT including X-ray films, film development and viewing systems, image quality indicators, density step wedges, and related supplies.
• Visual Testing (VT / Sichtprüfung) Aids Visual testing aids including endoscopes, pocket and hand lamps, cameras, and the MATT anti-reflection spray for matting reflective surfaces in 3D laser scanning.
• Police / Forensic Technology Products NDT test media, test systems, and aids for police and forensic science applications including forensics, trace detection, crime scene work, and evidence preservation.
• NDT Calibration, Certification, and Testing Services Accredited NDT calibration and certification services performed by Helling's DAkkS-accredited laboratory per DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018, issuing accredited and factory calibration certificates.
• NDT Training and Qualification Qualification courses and seminars for NDT methods (VT, PT, MT, RT, UT) per DIN EN ISO 9712, test engineer training per DIN 54161, radiation protection courses, and NDT seminars delivered via DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING.

Quantifiable outcome

• All UV-LED lamps subject to careful quality control with test certificates of spectral irradiance analysis available on request

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DGZfP (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint DGZfP Training Center Hamburg/HELLING offering NDT qualification courses, test engineer training, and radiation protection courses according to DIN EN ISO 9712 and DIN 54161. Training seminars available for PT, MT, RT, and UT methods. All trainings available as in-house events.
• General Logistics Systems GmbH & Co. OHG (GLS)minorOthersGLS provides climate-neutral parcel shipping for HELLING products, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions): Global manufacturer of ultrasonic, eddy current, and radiographic NDT equipment serving aerospace, automotive, and energy. Closest direct competitor in UT devices, phased array, and industrial inspection instrumentation; much larger scale than Helling.
• Magnaflux (a division of Illinois Tool Works): Leading global manufacturer of magnetic particle and penetrant testing consumables and equipment, including the MET-L-CHEK product line that Helling also distributes. Most direct overlap with Helling's PT/MT product portfolio.
• Rohmann GmbH: German specialist in magnetic particle testing equipment, eddy current testing, and crack detection systems. Direct German competitor to HELLMAG benches and MT magnetisation equipment, serving similar automotive and rail customers.
• Pfinder KG: German manufacturer of penetrant testing consumables and corrosion protection coatings for NDT. Direct competitor in PT consumables and complementary to Helling's MET-L-CHEK offerings in the European Mittelstand market.
• Sonatest Ltd: UK-based manufacturer of ultrasonic flaw detectors, thickness gauges, and phased array instruments. Direct competitor in UT equipment, competing with Helling's Dolphitech DC2 and calibration block offerings.
• Foerster Group: German manufacturer of NDT instruments including magnetic particle, eddy current, and flux leakage testing systems for industrial quality assurance. Direct German competitor with broader product range and global footprint.
• YXLON International (Waygate subsidiary): Specialist in industrial X-ray and CT inspection systems for aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Direct overlap with Helling's radiographic testing films and accessories line, though YXLON focuses on capital equipment.

Broad incumbents

• Waygate Technologies (formerly GE Inspection Technologies): Global broad-line NDT provider (ultrasonic, radiographic, remote visual, computed tomography) serving aerospace, energy, and automotive. Larger incumbent offering integrated NDT portfolios that overlap with multiple Helling product lines including RT films and viewing equipment.
• Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK): Global test and measurement group offering acoustic emission, vibration, and NDT condition monitoring solutions for industrial applications. Broad incumbent overlapping with Helling's measuring devices and field strength meter categories.

Emerging players

• Eddyfi Technologies: Canadian specialist in advanced NDT including phased array UT, eddy current, and pulsed eddy current. Technology-forward competitor; smaller than incumbents but more aggressive on digital and software-defined inspection than Helling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100066832916294
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helling-gmbh

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Helling