Force Measuring Systems

What Force Measuring Systems does

Force Measuring Systems AG (FMS) is a privately held Swiss industrial measurement company founded in 1993 and headquartered in Oberglatt, Switzerland, with a wholly-owned US subsidiary in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The company designs and manufactures precision force measurement and control hardware — primarily strain gauge-based force sensors (LMGZ series), measuring amplifiers (EMGZ series), digital web tension and web guiding controllers (CMGZ, BKS series), segmented tension rollers (FMS-segFORCE), wireless telemetry systems (RTM series), and conveyor belt scales (BMGZ series) — for continuous material processing industries. Its core technology centers on high-accuracy (±0.3%) force measurement with 100:1 measuring range and integrated fieldbus connectivity (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profibus, Anybus).

The company serves six primary industrial verticals: converting (films, foils, labels), metal processing, wire and cable manufacturing, paper production, textile manufacturing, and construction/recycling bulk materials. FMS operates a direct sales model from its Swiss and US offices supplemented by a network of regional service partners (six disclosed across Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Australia) for belt scale sales and installation. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales with multi-year warranty terms (1-3 years depending on product line), complemented by professional installation services billed at hourly rates.

FMS positions itself as the market leader in web tension monitoring and control, leveraging 30+ years of domain specialization, Swiss-made quality positioning, a 10-year minimum product availability commitment, and differentiated technologies such as the integrated non-contact speed sensor in BMGZ belt scales and the 50-point segmented tension roller. Distribution is supported by digital channels including the FMS-Calculator sizing tool, product configurators, a YouTube channel, LinkedIn presence, trade show participation, Google and LinkedIn advertising, and email marketing via GetResponse. The company's sole disclosed reference customer is Holcim Schweiz AG, which has operated nine BMGZ belt scales without failure at a Swiss gravel plant since 2015.

Name

Force Measuring Systems

Legal name

FMS Force Measuring Systems AG

Website

https://fms-technology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Force Measuring Systems AG is a privately held Swiss manufacturer founded in 1993 that designs precision force sensors, web tension controllers, wireless telemetry systems, and belt scales for converting, metal, wire/cable, paper, textile, and bulk materials industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Process Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Weighing & Force Measurement (Load cells, scales, torque, strain measurement) (IMAGAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Web tension measurement
• Force sensors
• Belt scales
• Telemetry systems
• Web guiding systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Oberglatt

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Force Sensors and Measuring Bearings: Sale of force sensors and force measuring bearings (LMGZ series) for web tension measurement applications. Products range from compact sensors for dead shaft applications to large sensors for heavy-duty pulley systems. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with optional professional installation services.
2. Amplifiers and Electronics: Measuring amplifiers and evaluation electronics for signal processing, display, and control. Includes single-channel and multi-channel amplifiers with Ethernet and fieldbus interfaces. Products include the BMGZ700 series electronics for belt scales.
3. Web Tension and Guiding Controllers: Digital tension controllers and web guiding controllers for closed-loop control of web tension and material guiding in converting, paper, textile, and other roll-to-roll processes.
4. Telemetry Systems: Wireless telemetry systems (RTM series) for signal transmission on rotating machines, including wire tension measurement, brake control, and general signal transmission for stranding and twisting machines.
5. Belt Scales and Weighing Equipment: Conveyor belt scales (BMGZ series) for weighing bulk materials in quarries, gravel works, construction, recycling, and mining applications. Also includes platform scales for ink/color weighing in printing applications.
6. Customized and Special Solutions: Customer-specific solutions including customized force sensors, web tension systems, and weighing equipment. Planning, project engineering and implementation performed in-house for small and large series production.
7. Professional Services: Installation and commissioning services provided by FMS fitters at applicable hourly rates. Includes working time, travel time, waiting time, travel expenses, meals, accommodation, and tool transport costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FMS (Force Measuring Systems) develops and manufactures precision force measurement and web tension monitoring hardware for roll-to-roll industrial manufacturing. Its product range includes force sensors (LMGZ series), measuring amplifiers, web tension controllers, segmented tension rollers (FMS-segFORCE), web guiding systems (steering frames, actuators, material sensors, controllers), wireless telemetry systems (RTM series) for rotating machines, and conveyor belt scales (BMGZ series). The company sells complete measurement and control solutions to converting, metal, wire and cable, paper, textile, and construction/recycling industries.

Product overview

FMS Force Measuring Systems is a Swiss company specializing in measurement and control solutions for continuous material processing industries. The product portfolio centers on web tension measurement and control systems (force sensors, amplifiers, and controllers), web guiding solutions (steering frames, actuators, material sensors, and controllers), telemetry systems for rotating machines, and belt scales for bulk material weighing. The core products use strain gauge technology and are complemented by configuration/sizing tools (FMS-Calculator, segFORCE Configurator, beltSCALE App) and ATEX intrinsically safe barriers for explosive atmospheres. The company serves converting, textile, paper, metal, wire and cable, and construction/recycling industries with Swiss-made quality products that remain in assortment for at least 10 years from market introduction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Force Sensors (LMGZ Series) High-precision stainless steel force measuring bearings for web tension measurement on rollers with rotating shafts. Available in 11 sizes with rated forces from 33 to 25,000 N, ±0.3% accuracy class, 100:1 measuring range, and overload protection up to 20x rated force. Used in roll-to-roll industrial manufacturing lines.
• Measuring Amplifiers (EMGZ Series) Single-channel and multi-channel measuring amplifiers for signal processing, display, and control from FMS force sensors. Support industrial communication interfaces including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profibus, and Anybus fieldbus.
• Web Tension Controllers (CMGZ Series) Digital web tension controllers for closed-loop control of unwind, rewind, and intermediate drives in converting, paper, textile, and other roll-to-roll processes. Models include CMGZ309 with multiple interface options.
• FMS-segFORCE Segmented Tension Roller Segmented measuring roller providing up to 50 measurement points across web width for tension profiling, enabling detection of uneven tension distribution not possible with conventional single-point sensors.
• Web Guiding Systems (Steering Frames, Actuators, Material Sensors, Controllers) Complete web guiding solution including BKS series steering frames for narrow to wide web widths, BKS.D actuators, ultrasonic (US), optical BlueFlash (AZS), and digital line/edge (DLS) material sensors, plus BKS309 digital guiding controllers for motorized sensor adjustment.
• Telemetry Systems (RTM Series) Wireless telemetry systems for rotating machines including RTM Wire Tension (RTM X42), RTM Brake Control, RTM Control Center, RTM MP Signal Transmission, and FMS-cradleGUARD Machine Safety. Provides bidirectional radio-based signal transmission eliminating the need for slip rings on stranding and twisting machines.
• Belt Scale Measuring Rollers (BMGZ Series) Conveyor belt weighing systems with hermetically sealed force measurement and integrated non-contact belt speed measurement inside the measuring roller. BMGZ021 for flat conveyors, BMGZ041 for troughed conveyors, BMGZ061 is a certifiable version with temperature compensation.
• Belt Scale Electronics (BMGZ700 Series) Evaluation electronics for belt scales displaying throughput, daily total, cumulative total, and belt speed. Features graphical display, Ethernet interface, optional PROFINET IRT, and integrated web browser for configuration.
• FMS-platformSCALE Platform scale for weighing ink or color in flexographic printing machines. Torsion-stiff frame with galvanized steel and stainless steel cover, resolution from 5g, with explosion-proof versions available.
• ATEX Solutions (ExMGZ100/200 Intrinsically Safe Barriers) ATEX-certified intrinsically safe barrier cards enabling the use of force sensors, amplifiers, and platform scales in explosive atmospheres per directive 2014/34/EU.
• Customized Solutions Customer-specific solutions including customized force sensors, web tension systems, and weighing equipment. In-house planning, project engineering and implementation for small and large series production.
• Installation and Commissioning Services Professional installation and commissioning services provided by FMS fitters at applicable hourly rates. Includes working time, travel time, waiting time, travel expenses, meals, accommodation, and tool transport costs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accuracy class of ±0.3% with 100:1 measuring range on LMGZ force sensors
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered regional.

• Gerbas GmbHregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial service partner for sales and installation of FMS belt scales in Switzerland. Located in Altdorf, Switzerland. Provides installation and maintenance services for BMGZ belt scales in Swiss market.
• Haspe GmbHregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial service partner for sales and installation of FMS belt scales in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Located in Kornwestheim, Germany.
• Konzept GmbHregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial partner for sales and service of FMS belt scales in NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia), Germany. Located in Düren, Germany.
• TMX Solutions GmbHregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial partner for sales and service of FMS belt scales covering Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Hessen, and Thuringia regions in Germany. Located in Friedberg, Germany.
• MG Industries Ltd.regionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial partner for sales and installation of FMS belt scales in the United Kingdom. Located in Grimethorpe, UK.
• PrometregionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial partner for sales and installation of FMS belt scales in Australia. Located in Bassendean, Western Australia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MTS Systems (Sensata Technologies): MTS Sensors (now part of Sensata Technologies) is a major supplier of linear position and force sensors for industrial machinery. While its core focus is on hydraulic/test applications, its Temposonics and force sensor lines compete with FMS in industrial force measurement contexts.
• Schenck Process: Schenck Process is a global leader in industrial weighing, feeding, and screening technologies, including conveyor belt scales that compete directly with FMS's BMGZ product family. It serves similar end-markets in mining, cement, and bulk materials handling but as a much larger diversified industrial group.
• HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær): HBK, part of Spectris plc, is a global leader in force, torque, pressure, and strain measurement technology. While HBK's force sensor and amplifier portfolio overlaps with FMS's LMGZ/EMGZ lines, it serves a much broader measurement market across research, manufacturing, and testing applications.
• Kistler Group: Kistler is a Swiss-headquartered global supplier of piezoelectric and strain-gauge based force, pressure, and acceleration measurement sensors. While best known for high-end industrial and automotive test applications, its force measurement technology competes in adjacent industrial segments where FMS's web tension sensors are specified.

Direct peers

• Erhardt+Leimer: Erhardt+Leimer is a German specialist in web guiding, web tension control, and web inspection systems for converting, textile, and paper industries. It is the closest direct competitor to FMS, offering an overlapping portfolio of steering frames, tension sensors, and controllers with comparable fieldbus integration.
• NDC Technologies: NDC Technologies specializes in online gauging and measurement systems for web and sheet processes including paper, film, foil, and nonwovens. While primarily focused on thickness/coat-weight measurement, it shares FMS's converting and web-processing customer base and competes for instrumented-line specification budgets.
• Double E Company: Double E Company is a US-based manufacturer of web handling equipment including web guides, tension controls, brakes, and chucks for converting and printing. It directly overlaps with FMS's web tension and web guiding product range and serves many of the same converting-industry end customers.
• BST eltromat International: BST eltromat is a German-based supplier of web guiding, tension measurement, and surface inspection solutions for converting and printing applications. It competes head-on with FMS in web tension monitoring and guiding, with a similar global footprint across Europe, Americas, and Asia.

Emerging players

• Re S.p.A. (RE Controlli Industriali): Re S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of web tension controllers and load cells for converting and packaging machinery. It is a smaller, niche European competitor with an overlapping product range in tension measurement electronics and force sensors targeting similar converting customers.
• Magtrol SA: Magtrol is a Swiss manufacturer of force/torque measurement and motor testing equipment, overlapping with FMS's force-measurement expertise but focused on test benches and laboratory applications. Comparable Swiss Mittelstand profile and similar strain-gauge-based force sensor technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCN9chHYredDxRIjXgcNQ2mA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/68279377

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Force Measuring Systems