DESMA
DESMA manufactures injection molding machines, molds, cold runner systems and turnkey automation for elastomer (rubber and silicone) producers, serving automotive, energy, infrastructure and medical customers worldwide through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany, Slovakia, the USA, India and China.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1966
- HeadquartersFridingen, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DESMA does
DESMA (legally Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH) is a German manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, founded in 1966 and headquartered in Fridingen an der Donau. The company builds vertical and horizontal injection molding machines (S3, SIGMA, ALPHA, COMPACT series plus the newer SEALMASTER 300+, REFERENCE 300+ and SIGMA F-Series lines), complemented by cold runner systems (CRB), its patented ZeroWaste ITM temperature-controlled injection pots, in-house mold making (including the North American Manufacturing Center in Hebron, Kentucky), and turnkey automation cells. Proprietary technology components include FIFO injection units, DRC 1020/2020/2030 TBM control systems, ServoGear hydraulics and the SmartConnect 4.U. Industry 4.0 platform.
The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales supported by project engineering teams and a global network of wholly-owned production, sales and service subsidiaries in Germany, Slovakia (Považská Bystrica), the USA (Hebron, KY), India (Ahmedabad) and China (Wuxi), plus local service points in additional countries. Revenue is generated from hardware sales of machines, molds and cold runner systems, automation solutions, and a services stream spanning SmartService (remote diagnostics, spare parts), conversions/retrofits, DESMACADEMY training and webinars; pricing is project-based and not publicly disclosed. The installed base serves elastomer manufacturers across automotive/rubber-to-metal bonding, energy distribution and renewable energy, infrastructure (including EV charging), medical technology, and household appliance sectors.
DESMA has been part of the Technology Division of Salzgitter AG, a publicly listed German steel and technology group, since 2007, and operates with reportedly high decision-making autonomy under that ownership. The business is described in its own materials as the world's leading manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, with 500+ employees worldwide and ongoing investment in product line renewal (2025 K-fair launches), portfolio expansion via the June 2023 acquisition of Berger Bürstmaschinenbau, and coordinated global procurement across its four-country manufacturing footprint.
DESMA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DESMA
- Legal name
- Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH
- Website
- https://desma.biz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1966
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- DESMA manufactures injection molding machines, molds, cold runner systems and turnkey automation for elastomer (rubber and silicone) producers, serving automotive, energy, infrastructure and medical customers worldwide through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany, Slovakia, the USA, India and China.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DESMA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Injection Molding Machinery
- NAICS
- Industrial Mold Manufacturing (333511)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Thermoforming Tooling, Mold & Die Manufacturing (IMANAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Custom Injection Molding & Contract Manufacturing (Job Shops/CMs) (IMANAFAJ)
Keywords
Where DESMA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fridingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
DESMA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Injection Molding Machines: Sale of vertical and horizontal injection molding machines for elastomer processing including S3, Alpha, Sigma, Compact, and Benchmark series with clamping forces from 250 kN to 6,300 kN.
- Molds and Cold Runner Systems: Design, engineering and manufacturing of molds and cold runner systems for elastomer injection molding, including CRB systems and ITM technology.
- Automation Systems: Custom automation solutions including robot applications for new plants and retrofits, complete turnkey production lines.
- Services and Support: SmartService including global service structure, remote diagnostics, training (DESMACADAMY), webinars, conversions and retrofits, spare parts supply.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
DESMA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DESMA manufactures horizontal and vertical injection molding machines engineered for processing elastomers, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone compounds. The company supplies complete production systems incorporating automation and mold transfer technology to industrial manufacturers producing molded rubber and silicone components.
Product overview
DESMA is the world's leading manufacturer of injection molding machines for the elastomer industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized as an integrated production ecosystem. The core offering includes vertical and horizontal injection molding machines (S3/SIGMA/ALPHA/COMPACT series, REFERENCE, SEALMASTER) complemented by cold runner systems (CRB, FlowControl, ITM, ZeroWaste ITM), mold making services, and automation solutions. The product line is supported by digital products including SmartConnect 4.U., SmartService with remote diagnostics (Remos, Smart Wall, Smart Connect), and training services through DESMACADEMY. Key technology components include FIFO injection technology, DRC control systems, and ServoGear hydraulics. DESMA provides complete turnkey production solutions from single-source project engineering through to process optimization and plant modernization services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Horizontal Injection Molding Machines Horizontal-axis injection molding machines engineered for processing rubber and silicone elastomers into molded parts, supplied to industrial manufacturers across automotive, medical, and consumer goods sectors.
- Vertical Injection Molding Machines Vertical-axis injection molding machines for insert molding and complex elastomer component manufacturing, serving producers of parts with metal or plastic inserts.
- Mold Transfer and Automation Systems Integrated mold transfer, part handling, and production automation systems for elastomer molding lines, supporting throughput and labor efficiency in molding cells.
- Service, Spare Parts and Training After-sales service, maintenance, spare parts supply, and operator training programs supporting installed DESMA injection molding equipment.
Companies that use DESMA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DESMA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
DESMA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- PrimatecnicaminorItalian partner for Innovation Days events. DESMA showcased the SEALMASTER300+ horizontal injection molding machine at Primatecnica's facility in Italy.
- Berger Bürstmaschinenbau GmbH & Co. KGminorDESMA Elastomertechnik took over the business activities of Berger Bürstmaschinenbau in June 2023, expanding its product and service portfolio.
- KYFAME (Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education)minorDESMA USA sponsors a student in the KYFAME program, helping continue their college education while providing hands-on experience through a part-time job. The student shadows technicians and assembly employees to learn about hydraulics, electrical circuitry and injection molding.
- YUVA (Non-profit Organization)minorDESMA India has a close relationship with YUVA non-profit organization. Together they have sustainably improved conditions at the Kathwada School as part of social responsibility initiatives.
- VDMA (Mechanical and Plant Engineering)minorMember of VDMA which ensures exchange of knowledge within the industry and provides forum for standardization of new applications.
- DKG (Deutsche Kautschukgesellschaft)minorMember of DKG for exchange of knowledge within the rubber industry and standardization activities.
- University Stuttgart - Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT)minorAcademic partnership for research and knowledge exchange in plastics technology.
- Deutsches Institut für Kautschuktechnologie (DIK)minorPartnership with German Institute for Rubber Technology for research collaboration.
- KGK RubberpointminorPress partner for international industry communication and information dissemination.
- GAK - Gummi Fasern Kunststoffe (Gupta Verlag)minorTrade press partner for rubber, fibers and plastics industry coverage.
- Isgatec - Dichten. Kleben. PolymerminorPress partner for sealing, bonding and polymer industry information.
- RFP - Rubber Fibres Plastic InternationalminorInternational trade press partner for rubber, fibers and plastics.
- L'Industria della GommaminorItalian trade press partner for rubber industry.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DESMA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- KraussMaffei: KraussMaffei is a large German manufacturer of injection molding machinery, including rubber injection molding machines, as part of a broader machinery portfolio — a broad incumbent serving similar elastomer and broader plastics customers.
- Wittmann Battenfeld: Wittmann Battenfeld is a major injection molding OEM (now also the parent of Maplan) with broader thermoplastics focus but rubber injection molding offerings — competing for elastomer accounts through its Maplan subsidiary and adjacent product lines.
- Milacron (Hillenbrand): Milacron, now part of Hillenbrand, is a US-based manufacturer of plastics processing machinery including injection molding equipment and rubber and silicone processing technology — a broad incumbent serving similar end markets through its broader machinery portfolio.
- Arburg: Arburg is a leading German manufacturer of injection molding machines with a broad thermoplastics focus. While primarily thermoplastics, its presence in mid-volume industrial OEMs competes for capex mindshare with DESMA at elastomer processors.
- Engel Austria: Engel is a major global injection molding machine manufacturer with a broader thermoplastics focus but also serves elastomers and rubbers. Its scale and global service footprint make it the dominant incumbent in the wider injection-molding market where DESMA competes for capital allocations.
- Sumitomo (SHI) Demag: Sumitomo (SHI) Demag is a Japanese-German joint venture producing injection molding machines for plastics and elastomers. Its global electric and hybrid machine offerings overlap with industrial rubber processing customers that DESMA also serves.
Emerging players
- Haitian International: Haitian International is the world's largest injection molding machine maker by volume, based in China. As an emerging low-cost competitor expanding its elastomer and rubber machine offerings, it represents a long-term price-pressure risk to DESMA in cost-sensitive segments.
Direct peers
- Maplan: Maplan (now part of the Wittmann Group) manufactures rubber and silicone injection molding machines for elastomer processors, directly competing with DESMA in vertical and horizontal rubber injection molding, particularly in mid-clamping-force segments.
- REP International: REP International is a French specialist manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines and presses serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial elastomer applications — directly comparable to DESMA's elastomer injection molding machines.
- LWB Steinl: LWB Steinl is a German manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines focused on elastomer processing, competing head-to-head with DESMA in the German-speaking market for rubber and silicone injection molding equipment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DESMA social profiles
Digital presenceDESMA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
DESMA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DESMA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DESMA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
DESMA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DESMA 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 DESMA
What does DESMA do?
DESMA manufactures horizontal and vertical injection molding machines engineered for processing elastomers, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone compounds. The company supplies complete production systems incorporating automation and mold transfer technology to industrial manufacturers producing molded rubber and silicone components.
Is DESMA a public or private company?
DESMA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was DESMA founded?
DESMA was founded in 1966. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is DESMA based?
DESMA is headquartered in Fridingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does DESMA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Injection Molding Machines are the primary driver. The others are molds and Cold Runner Systems, automation Systems and services and Support.
Who are DESMA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are KraussMaffei, Wittmann Battenfeld, Milacron (Hillenbrand), Arburg, Engel Austria and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag. Haitian International is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Maplan, REP International and LWB Steinl.
Does DESMA have an API?
No public API is recorded for DESMA.
What industry is DESMA in?
DESMA's product category is Industrial Injection Molding Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAHAJ, Thermoforming Tooling, Mold & Die Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMANAFAJ, Custom Injection Molding & Contract Manufacturing (Job Shops/CMs). Its NAICS code is 333511 and its SIC code is 3559.