What eks does

eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG is a German family-owned industrial fiber optic networking company founded in 1931 as 'Albert Engel' and headquartered in Wenden-Hillmicke, Germany. The firm has specialized in fiber optic cable systems since 1986 and operates today as a third-generation family business under CEO Ralph Engel, structured as a GmbH & Co. KG with approximately 35 employees. Its product portfolio spans active and passive fiber optic components — media converters (e-light series), I/O converters (io-light, 20 models), optical bypass systems (x-light), industrial Ethernet switches, splice boxes (FIMP series), Ethernet extenders, industrial VPN routers, the e-mode configuration and management software platform, the s-live portable remote-diagnostic video system, the PE-LIGHT smart city pole system, and the TSN Analyzer diagnostic device — alongside customized engineering services built on a 'Best-in-class' principle.

The company sells primarily to industrial automation, energy (solar and wind parks), security/surveillance, explosion-protection, and smart city infrastructure customers, with applications requiring electromagnetic-immunity, long-distance transmission up to 100 km, and network redundancy through optical bypass. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of fiber optic components, customized engineering services, and software bundled with hardware; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines direct sales via key account managers with a curated worldwide distributor network covering Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Finland, Turkey, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, India, the USA, and South Africa, supplemented by an active trade show presence at events such as SPS Nuremberg, Hannover Messe, Security Essen, and intersec Dubai. Notable named relationships and customers include Mobotix, etic Telecom, EMG Automation (70-year partnership), and ILS, with ISO 9001:2015 certification underpinning quality operations.

Name

eks

Legal name

eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://eks-engel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG is a third-generation German family-owned manufacturer of industrial fiber optic networking hardware, software, and customized engineering solutions, serving industrial automation, energy, security, and smart city customers across 15+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fiber Optic Networking Equipment

NAICS

Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Ethernet Media Conversion & Extenders (Copper/Fiber/SFP) (HDAFAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Active Optical Cables (AOC) & Optical Interconnects (HDAFAEAG), Industrial IoT/Edge Electronics Manufacturing (Gateways, Edge Controllers) (IMAGAGAC), Industrial Networking & Communication Electronics Manufacturing (Ethernet switches, Fieldbus, Wireless) (IMAGAGAE), Data, Communications & Fiber Optic Cable (IMADAMAD)

Keywords

• Industrial fiber optics
• Fiber optic media converters
• Industrial ethernet networking
• Optical bypass systems
• Smart city networking hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Wenden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Network Technology Hardware: Sale of active and passive fiber optic components including media converters, switches, interface converters, bypass systems, splice boxes, routers, and accessories. Primarily one-time hardware sales with potential for recurring maintenance/service revenue.
2. Customized Engineering Solutions: Tailored engineering services and customized product solutions based on the 'Best-in-class' principle. Includes development, testing, and simulation services.
3. e-mode Software Platform: Software platform for network configuration and management. Bundled with hardware solutions.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

eks designs, manufactures and sells industrial fiber optic networking hardware and accessories (media converters, optical bypass, I/O converters, Ethernet switches, splice boxes, routers, extenders, power supplies) for industrial automation, energy, explosion protection, security and smart city applications. The portfolio is bundled with the proprietary e-mode management software and complemented by customized engineering services and the s-live remote diagnostic streaming system.

Product overview

eks Engel FOS GmbH & Co. KG is a German family-owned company (founded 1931, fiber optic focus since 1986) providing industrial networking and fiber optic systems. The product portfolio consists of: (1) e-light Series media converters for industrial Ethernet fiber conversion; (2) x-light Optical Bypass for network redundancy; (3) io-light Series I/O converters for analog/digital signal transmission; (4) Industrial Ethernet Switches (managed and unmanaged) in EL100/EL1100/EL1000/2MA series; (5) Interface products supporting ProfiBus, CAN, Modbus, RS232, TTY fieldbus protocols; (6) FIMP Series splice boxes (passive fiber management); (7) Router and Ethernet Extender products (XELAN, XSLAN, IPL); (8) EKS-IRP power supplies; (9) e-mode modular software platform for configuration, analysis, and maintenance; (10) s-live portable remote diagnostic system with video streaming; (11) PE-LIGHT smart city systems for pole installation; (12) TSN Analyzer diagnostic device for Time-Sensitive Networking; and (13) Customized Solutions engineering services. These products serve industrial automation, energy (solar/wind), explosion protection, security, building, and information technology sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• e-mode: Innovative software platform that works with eks hardware for configuration, analysis, and maintenance management. Accessible via desktop, smartphone, tablet, SNMP, web interface, or Command-Line Interface (JavaScript/HTML5).
• io-light
• x-light
• e-light
• s-live
• PE-LIGHT

Products and services

• e-light Series Media Converters Compact and robust industrial media converters for Ethernet-over-fiber in harsh environments, supporting all fiber types via Bi-Di technology; includes e-light S, e-light XS, e-light XS-GP (Gigabit PoE) and e-light 2MA managed variants.
• x-light Optical Bypass Optical bypass solution that keeps ring/line topology networks operational when multiple errors occur simultaneously, providing fail-safe data communication in industrial fiber networks.
• io-light Series I/O Converters DIN-rail mountable I/O converters enabling bidirectional transfer of analog and digital signals over fiber optic cables, available in 20 different models varying by connection technology, fiber type and signal type for use in controlling drives and lighting.
• e-mode Software Platform Modular JavaScript/HTML5-based software platform for configuration, analysis and maintenance of eks hardware, accessible via desktop, smartphone, tablet, web interface, SNMP or Command-Line Interface.
• Fieldbus Interface Converters Interface converters supporting Profibus, CAN, Modbus, Modnet, RS232 and TTY fieldbus protocols over fiber, featuring robust powder-coated housings for extreme environments and high-temperature operation.
• FIMP Series Splice Boxes Robust industrial splice boxes for fiber optic cable distribution, fully pre-equipped for splicing with simple installation, including hybrid versions combining copper and fiber; FIMP-M features a guided insertion system (FIMP-M-2).
• Industrial Ethernet Switches (EL100, EL1100, EL1000, 2MA, EL100-5 series) Managed and unmanaged industrial Ethernet switches with copper and fiber optic ports, supporting various protocols and fiber types for distances up to 30 km, including the compact EL100-5 series for control cabinets.
• XELAN and XSLAN Ethernet Extenders Ethernet extender products (XELAN and XSLAN) for extending network connectivity over copper lines beyond standard cable distance limits.
• IPL Industrial VPN Router Industrial VPN router enabling secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity in industrial environments.
• RAS Remote Maintenance System Remote maintenance system for industrial equipment and facilities enabling off-site service.
• EKS-IRP Power Supplies (EKS-IRP-10/20/40) Switch-mode DIN-rail mountable power supplies with wide 85-264 VAC input and stable 24 VDC output, available in EKS-IRP-10, EKS-IRP-20 and EKS-IRP-40 models with different output currents in compact polyamide housings.
• Fiber Optic Cable Accessories Universal DIN rail carriers, simplex/duplex/breakout cables, rodent-resistant loose tube cables and 19-inch racks for fiber optic installations.
• s-live Portable Remote Diagnostic System Portable remote diagnostic system that splits and transmits data via Internet, WLAN, UMTS and LTE for real-time video streaming to a server, includes web-based support platform and SIP audio communication for on-site / external expert support.
• PE-LIGHT Smart City Pole System (PE-LIGHT, PE-LIGHT-2) Ultra-compact, modular, multifunctional pole-mounted system with a managed 4-port Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ switch (60 W per port, 120 W total) and optical Gigabit uplinks for connecting IP cameras, weather stations, traffic displays and access points in smart city and smart lighting deployments.
• TSN Analyzer Diagnostic device for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) networks used in project planning, commissioning, maintenance and continuous monitoring; awarded 2nd place in Computer & Automation reader's choice Product of the Year in Communication and Networking.
• Customized Solutions Engineering Service Engineering services for customized fiber optic and industrial networking solutions based on the Best-in-class principle, covering project flow, development, testing and simulation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distances up to 100 km can be bridged with fiber optic technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FOM University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation with FOM (University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management) for academic partnerships and potential research collaborations.
• University of SiegenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research collaboration and knowledge exchange with the University of Siegen.
• Chamber of Industry and Commerce SiegenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional business association partnership supporting industry collaboration and professional development.
• Employers' Association OlpeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employers' association membership supporting business interests and networking in the Olpe region.
• Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational business association membership representing SME interests.
• etic TelecomcoreTechnology or Integrationetic Telecom develops safe, simple and robust products for connecting industrial machines and systems. Their products complement eks products and services perfectly. Presented together at SPS 2019 trade fair.
• EMG AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner70-year partnership spanning three generations. eks uses EMG's renowned training workshop for trainee education. Close cooperation dating back to the early days of both companies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Moxa: Moxa is a global provider of industrial networking, computing, and automation solutions including managed switches, media converters, and serial-to-Ethernet gateways — directly overlapping with eks's fiber optic media converter and industrial Ethernet product portfolio for industrial automation customers.
• Westermo: Westermo (an Ependion company) specializes in industrial data communications for extreme environments, offering managed Ethernet switches, media converters, and routers for rail, energy, and industrial markets — overlapping with eks's industrial networking focus on harsh, mission-critical deployments.
• Hirschmann (Belden): Hirschmann, a Belden brand, is a leading manufacturer of industrial Ethernet switches, media converters, and rugged networking hardware for factory automation, energy, and transportation — directly competing with eks's e-light, x-light, and Industrial Ethernet switch lines for the same industrial OT customers.

Broad incumbents

• Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is a large German manufacturer of industrial connectivity, automation, and surge protection including Ethernet switches and industrial media converters; competes broadly with eks in DIN-rail industrial networking, especially in factory automation and energy markets.
• Weidmüller: Weidmüller is a major German industrial connectivity and electronics supplier offering Ethernet switches, media converters, and signal conditioners for industrial automation and process industries; overlaps with eks on fiber optic and Ethernet-based industrial networking solutions.
• Siemens (Industrial Communication): Siemens offers Scalance industrial Ethernet switches, Profibus/Profinet interfaces, and rugged networking devices through its Digital Industries business; a broad incumbent that competes with eks in factory automation and energy networking as part of a much larger automation portfolio.
• Advantech: Advantech provides industrial Ethernet switches, media converters, and edge computing platforms for IoT and industrial automation; a broad incumbent competing with eks in industrial networking while bringing greater scale and broader IoT/edge compute offerings.
• GarrettCom / Belden (Industrial): GarrettCom (Belden) offers hardened Ethernet switches, media converters, and network management software for industrial and utility-grade networks; comparable positioning to eks in the fiber optic media converter and managed switch category for energy and industrial markets.
• Cisco (Industrial IoT): Cisco's Industrial IoT networking portfolio (IE-series switches, industrial routers) competes in the same industrial Ethernet and rugged networking category as eks, but as part of a vast enterprise networking portfolio rather than a specialized fiber optic focus.

Emerging players

• Signify (Smart City / LED Lighting): Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) is a global leader in connected LED street lighting and SmartCity systems intersecting with eks's PE-LIGHT pole-mounted smart city networking solution, making it an adjacent competitor in the SmartCity lighting/infrastructure adjacency rather than core industrial networking.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/eksEngel
• Facebookfacebook.com/Eks-Engel-FOS-GmbH-Co-KG-1593035034308566
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eks-engel-gmbh-&-co-kg
• Instagraminstagram.com/eksengelfos
• Xx.com/eksengel

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 eks