Pilz

What Pilz does

Pilz GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held, family-owned German industrial automation company headquartered in Ostfildern, with 2,500+ employees and commercial operations spanning more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The company specializes in safety-critical automation, building a vertically integrated product stack that runs from sensor technology (safety switches, light curtains, laser scanners, safe radar systems) through configurable safety relays and modular controllers (PNOZmulti, myPNOZ, PSS 4000) to drive technology, robotics modules, and the MYZEL digital lifecycle platform. Industrial security (IEC 62443-aligned) and IO-Link Safety field-level connectivity extend the offering into adjacent layers of plant automation.

The business model combines hardware sales of automation components, recurring software and licensing (visualization, configuration, and controller software), and professional services covering machinery safety consulting, risk assessment, validation, and recurring training revenue (including the CMSE certification co-delivered with TÜV NORD). Pilz reaches customers through a multi-channel go-to-market: direct subsidiary sales in key markets (Germany, US, France), authorized distributors and system partners for regional coverage, and a global e-shop for direct product ordering. Targeted verticals span industrial manufacturing, hydrogen, battery, railway, packaging, machine tools, and robotics assembly, with no public pricing and no anchor-logo customer disclosures in the available data. Recent product activity in 2025 — including IO-Link Safety, Industrial Security Services, zones-and-conduits security strategy, and a PNOZmulti test-bench solution — signals continued platform extension into growth verticals and recurring services revenue.

Name

Pilz

Legal name

Pilz GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://pilz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pilz GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German safety automation company with 2,500+ employees that sells sensors, configurable safety controllers (PNOZmulti, PSS 4000), drive and robotics products, and related lifecycle and consulting services to industrial manufacturers across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Safety Automation

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Safety Instrumented Systems & Machine Safety Control (SIS, Safety PLCs, Relays) (IMAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Industrial safety automation
• Machinery safety sensors
• Safety relay modules
• Functional safety controllers
• Automation drive technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Granollers

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Products and Components: Sale of automation components including sensor technology, relays, controllers, drive technology, robotics, networks, and connection technology
2. Safety and Consulting Services: Comprehensive services including machinery safety consulting, risk assessment, safety concept, safety design, system implementation, validation, and international compliance services
3. Training Services: Training courses on machinery safety, industrial security, product applications, and qualification programmes including CMSE certification
4. Software and Licensing: Software products including visualisation software, PNOZmulti software, controller software, drive technology software, and automation system software

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pilz manufactures and sells safety-critical industrial automation components — including sensor technology, safety relays, configurable small controllers, PLC controllers, drive technology, robotics modules, and network/connection technology — and complements them with machinery safety consulting, risk assessment, validation, industrial security, and certified training services (e.g., CMSE) for industrial manufacturers and machine builders worldwide.

Product overview

Pilz is an automation technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of safety-critical industrial automation products. The product ecosystem includes sensor technology products (safety switches, light curtains, laser scanners, radar systems), relay modules and safety controllers (PNOZmulti, PSS 4000 automation system), drive technology (servo amplifiers and motors), robotics solutions with ROS modules, and network/connectivity solutions including IO-Link Safety. The MYZEL Lifecycle Platform serves as the central digital hub for product management. Products are organized into core automation categories (sensor, control, drive, robotics, networks) supported by visualization software, connection technology, and industry-specific solutions for packaging, railway, hydrogen, battery, and presses applications. Services include machinery safety consulting, international compliance, workplace safety, and industrial security services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PNOZmulti: Small controllers product line
• myPNOZ
• PSS 4000
• MYZEL
• CMSE

Products and services

• Sensor Technology Safety sensors including safety switches, safety light curtains, safety laser scanners, safe radar systems, and position monitoring devices used by industrial machinery builders and manufacturers to protect personnel and equipment.
• Relay Modules Safety relay modules including safety relays, monitoring relays, line monitoring devices, brake control devices, and the modular safety relay myPNOZ for machine safety control.
• Small Controllers PNOZmulti Configurable small controllers including PNOZmulti 2 for safety and automation applications with dedicated configuration software, sold as a standalone product line for machine builders.
• Controllers PLC controllers, I/O systems, decentralised field devices, and industrial PCs for comprehensive control and automation solutions.
• Drive Technology Servo amplifiers and servo motors for precision drive technology applications in industrial automation.
• Robotics Robotics solutions including ROS (Robot Operating System) modules for safe robot integration and control, sold to robot integrators and manufacturers.
• Networks Fieldbus and Ethernet systems and device diagnostics systems for industrial network communication and monitoring.
• Operation and Monitoring Control and signal devices and operator terminals for human-machine interface in industrial environments.
• MYZEL Lifecycle Platform Digital lifecycle management platform for automation products, providing configuration, monitoring, and maintenance services.
• Visualisation Software Visualisation software for automation system design, monitoring, and control interface creation.
• Connection Technology Cables and plug-in connectors for reliable electrical connections in automation systems.
• Automation System PSS 4000 Complete automation system PSS 4000 including PLC controller hardware, programming software, visualisation components, and PSS 4000-R remote I/O module.
• IO-Link Safety Complete IO-Link Safety system enabling safe communication up to field level for sensor and actuator integration.
• Safe Automation of AGVs Safety solutions for automated guided vehicles including safe motion monitoring and collision avoidance.
• Burner Management Systems Burner management systems for safe control of combustion processes in industrial heating applications.
• Identification and Access Management (I.A.M.) Comprehensive safety and security system combining Identification and Access Management for employee protection, productivity, and data security.
• Industrial Security Industrial security solutions including risk reduction strategies, secure product lifecycle management, cyber security products, and zones and conduits security strategy services.
• Machinery Safety Consulting and Risk Assessment Services Professional services including machinery safety consulting, risk assessment, safety concept and design, system implementation, validation, and international compliance services for industrial manufacturers.
• Training and CMSE Certification Programme Training courses on machinery safety, industrial security, and product applications, including the CMSE (Certified Machinery Safety Expert) qualification delivered in partnership with TÜV NORD.

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• Pilz FranceregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPilz France located in Schiltigheim serves France and French-speaking regions including Algeria, providing local sales, technical support, and customer service.
• TÜV NORDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CMSE - Certified Machinery Safety Expert qualification programme. TÜV NORD partners with Pilz to deliver four-day training courses covering machinery safety comprehensively through five modules.
• EPLANcoreTechnology or IntegrationEPLAN Partner Network membership providing integration and compatibility with EPLAN software solutions for engineering automation
• System PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal network of system partners providing integrated solutions and specialized applications across different markets
• Authorized DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of authorized distributors maintaining large stock of Pilz components ensuring fast availability and immediate delivery with extensive logistics experience
• Adir Control Ltd.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner representing Pilz in Israel, located at 5 Mazal Eliezer St., 75070 Rishon Le-Zion, providing sales and technical support
• Tetra Engineering ConsultancyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner representing Pilz in Bahrain and UAE region, located in Abu Dhabi
• Kempston Controls LLCregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Pilz products in UAE, located in Dubai with warehouse and logistics capabilities
• 3E's - Egyptian Establishment for Electromechanical Supplies Co.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner representing Pilz in Egypt, located in Cairo providing electromechanical supplies and technical support
• ARIA TechnologiesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner representing Pilz in Egypt, located in New Cairo industrial zone providing automation solutions

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SICK AG: German manufacturer of industrial sensors and safety solutions including safety light curtains, laser scanners, and safety controllers. Directly comparable to Pilz as both specialize in machinery safety products for industrial automation customers with overlapping sensor portfolios.
• Banner Engineering: US-based industrial automation company specializing in safety light curtains, safety controllers, and machine safeguarding. Comparable to Pilz's sensor and small-controller product lines for discrete-manufacturing safety applications.
• Schmersal Group: German family-owned safety technology specialist offering safety switches, safety relays, and machine guarding solutions. Closely comparable to Pilz's safety relay modules (PNOZ, myPNOZ) and switch product lines, serving the same machinery safety OEMs and end users.
• Pepperl+Fuchs: German manufacturer of industrial sensors, intrinsically safe equipment, and explosion protection solutions. Comparable to Pilz in factory-automation sensors and functional-safety components, especially in process and hazardous-environment applications.

Broad incumbents

• Keyence Corporation: Japanese high-margin sensor and machine-vision specialist with safety light curtains and safety sensors in portfolio. Comparable to Pilz's sensor technology business but distributes through a direct-sales model across a broader sensing footprint.
• ABB Ltd. Global automation and robotics incumbent with a safety products portfolio including Jokab Safety. Comparable to Pilz in machine safety while also providing broader motion, robotics, and process automation capabilities.
• Rockwell Automation: US-based major automation incumbent offering safety products (guardlogix, safety relays) within its integrated control and information platform. Comparable through Allen-Bradley safety offerings that compete with Pilz at the enterprise-controller level.
• Omron Corporation: Japanese multinational offering industrial automation components including safety sensors, safety relays, and controllers alongside broader PLC and motion portfolios. Comparable via its safety product family while operating as a broader automation incumbent.
• Phoenix Contact: German family-owned industrial connectivity, interface, and automation company whose safety relay and PLC offerings compete directly with Pilz's PNOZ and PSS 4000 lines. Comparable as a privately held mid-market German automation specialist.
• Siemens AG: German industrial conglomerate whose DI division offers SIMATIC safety PLCs and SIRIUS safety components alongside full factory-automation stacks. Comparable to Pilz at the safety-controller level, but as part of a much broader automation platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PilzINT
• Facebookfacebook.com/pilzINT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pilz
• Xx.com/Pilz_ES_PT

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 Pilz