Wickert Hydraulic Presses

What Wickert Hydraulic Presses does

Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH, operating as Wickert Hydraulic Presses, is a 125-year-old German family-owned manufacturer of customized hydraulic press systems headquartered in Landau in der Pfalz. Founded in 1901 by Jakob Wickert as a producer of wine and fruit presses, the company has evolved into a specialist supplier of hydraulic presses for the rubber/elastomer, composite, plastics, powder metallurgy, heat treatment/hardening, grinding wheel, and friction lining industries, with additional offerings in ballistic composite plates, battery housing composites, and turnkey plant systems. The company operates approximately 3,000 sqm of assembly space across five halls with 50-ton crane capacity, expanded through a €5.4 million new production hall investment completed in 2020, and maintains full in-house capability spanning mechanical machining, hydraulics, control cabinet construction, and software development.

The core product portfolio comprises ten press categories — rubber, composite, plastics, powder, hardening, grinding wheel, friction lining, special applications, laboratory, and short-delivery/used presses — supplemented by turnkey plant integration with guide systems, robot cells, and washing/cooling subsystems. Proprietary process technologies include heating plate manufacturing with in-house deep-hole drilling, thermodiffusion bonding of polymeric substrates, RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) for composite leaf springs, and a hybrid heating system operating up to 425°C. The revenue model combines one-time sales of custom-engineered presses (lot size 1) with recurring aftermarket services spanning spare parts, preventive maintenance and UVV safety inspections, remote diagnostics via VPN-connected Wickert Diagnostic Center, retrofits (including CE re-marking), and complete relocation assistance.

Wickert sells primarily through an enterprise direct sales motion led by named key account managers (Marc Jordan, Steve Büchner, Mathias Kiefer, Florian Seither), supplemented by trade fair presence at K Messe, JEC World, CAMX, Härtereikongress, ITHEC, and JEC Forum events, and by a network of regional channel partners covering North America (DESMA USA), UK (MAPLAN UK), Italy (ST.A.TE Technologies), Hungary, Israel, Poland, and Northern Germany. The company serves global enterprise customers in diversified end markets, with the 2023 delivery of four 10,000-ton presses to Mexico representing the largest single order in company history.

Name

Wickert Hydraulic Presses

Legal name

Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH

Website

https://wickert-presstech.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH is a 125-year-old German family-owned manufacturer of customized hydraulic press systems serving rubber, composites, plastics, powder metallurgy, heat treatment, and specialty industrial customers worldwide through direct enterprise sales and an international channel partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Landau In Der Pfalz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Hydraulic Press Systems: Design, manufacture, and sale of customized hydraulic press systems including turnkey plant solutions. Presses are built to customer specifications with various automation levels, heating systems, and process capabilities.
2. Aftermarket Services: Maintenance, spare parts, retrofitting, remote maintenance, and relocation services for hydraulic press systems. Service contracts and on-demand maintenance for maximizing plant availability.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wickert Maschinenbau GmbH designs, manufactures, and services customized hydraulic press systems for rubber vulcanization, composite material production, plastics processing, powder metallurgy, and heat treatment/hardening applications. The company delivers turnkey plant solutions by integrating its presses with guide systems, robot cells, washing and cooling systems for fully automated production lines. Beyond capital equipment, Wickert offers lifecycle services including spare parts supply, preventive maintenance and UVV inspections, remote diagnostics via VPN-connected Diagnostic Center, retrofits (PLC, control cabinet, hydraulics, CE marking), and full relocation assistance.

Product overview

WICKERT Maschinenbau GmbH is a German industrial hydraulic press manufacturer with over 125 years of experience, offering a comprehensive portfolio of hydraulic press systems for diverse industries including rubber/elastomer processing, composites (automotive, ballistic protection), plastics, powder metallurgy, heat treatment/hardening, grinding wheels, and friction linings. The product portfolio consists of 10 core press categories: Rubber Presses, Composite Presses, Plastics Presses, Powder Presses, Hardening Presses, Grinding Wheel Presses, Friction Lining Presses, Special/Custom Applications, Laboratory Presses, and Short-Delivery/Used Presses. Beyond individual presses, WICKERT delivers turnkey plant systems integrating presses with automation components such as guide systems, robot cells, and washing/cooling systems. The company provides comprehensive lifecycle services including spare parts, preventive maintenance, remote diagnostics via VPN-connected diagnostic centers, retrofitting with modern controls and CE marking, and full relocation assistance. WICKERT operates as a specialist B2B manufacturer with complete in-house production capability spanning mechanical machining, hydraulics, control cabinet construction, and software development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rubber Presses (Elastomer Pressen) Hydraulic presses for rubber processing, including vulcanizing presses for the elastomer industry, used to manufacture automotive parts, seals, and industrial rubber products.
• Composite Presses Press systems for manufacturing composite materials, including applications for automotive battery housings, ballistic protection, and structural components.
• Plastics Presses (Kunststoffe) Hydraulic press systems for plastics processing and forming applications, including fully automated systems for PE/PP semi-finished sheet production.
• Powder Presses (Pulverpressen) Press systems for powder metallurgy and powder compaction/forming applications.
• Hardening Presses (Härtepressen) Heat treatment and hardening press systems including fixture hardening for industrial applications.
• Grinding Wheel Presses (Schleifscheibenpressen) Specialized press systems for manufacturing grinding wheels and abrasive tools.
• Friction Lining Presses (Reibbelagpressen) Press systems for manufacturing friction linings and brake materials.
• Special Applications (Sondermaschinenbau) Custom-designed press systems tailored to specific customer requirements and unique industrial applications.
• Laboratory Presses (Laborpressen) Compact press systems for laboratory testing, research, and small-scale production applications.
• Presses with Short Delivery Time / Used Presses Standard presses available for quick delivery and pre-owned/used hydraulic press equipment.
• Spare Parts Service (Ersatzteileservice) Original spare parts supply for WICKERT presses and systems.
• Maintenance and UVV Inspection (Wartung und UVV-Prüfung) Preventive maintenance, safety inspections per German industrial safety regulations (BetrSichV), and quality assurance measures including parallelism tests and pressure/temperature calibration.
• Remote Maintenance / Remote Service (Fernwartung) Worldwide remote diagnostic and troubleshooting service via encrypted VPN tunnel connection between press and Wickert Diagnostic Center, including operator guidance and process optimization.
• Retrofitting (Retrofit) Modernization and upgrading services including PLC replacement, control cabinet renewal, hydraulics renewal, visualization renewal, and process data acquisition, with optional safety retrofit including CE marking.
• Relocation Assistance (Standortverlagerung) Complete relocation services including safe dismantling, transport, and recommissioning of press systems, with optional on-site training covering safety instructions, operator training, and occupational safety briefings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings and reduced cycle times for PE/PP semi-finished sheet production
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DESMA USA, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive sales and service representation for USA, Canada, and Mexico markets. Contact: Marc Vonderlage, located in Hebron, KY 41048.
• MAPLAN U.K. DivisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representation in England with John Gray as Managing Director. Located at Waterwells Business Park, Gloucester.
• ST.A.TE Technologies srlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales and service representation in Italy. Contact: Francesco Valsecchi, located in Calvenzano (Bergamo).
• Fitfeet Kft.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representation in Hungary. Contact: Boldizsar Zakarias, Budapest.
• IBW - Industrieberatung für WärmebehandlungstechnikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial consulting partner for heat treatment technology in Northern Germany. Contact: Dr. Ing. Olaf Irretier, Kleve.
• T.S.F.I. Techn. Services for IndustriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnical services representation in Israel. Contact: Moshe Goldberg, Kiryat Motzkin.
• FOKA Engineering Global Heat Treatment NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal heat treatment network representation in Poland. Contact: Karol A. Forycki.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dieffenbacher GmbH: German Mittelstand manufacturer of press systems for composites, wood-based panels, and forming applications. Closest peer to Wickert in terms of German industrial press heritage, composites focus (especially automotive and battery housing applications), and customer overlap in the European Mittelstand customer base.
• MAPLAN GmbH: Austrian specialist manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines and elastomer processing equipment. Direct peer in the rubber/elastomer vulcanizing press segment, sharing customer base and process technology with Wickert's elastomer press line.
• Wabash MPI: US-based manufacturer of hydraulic presses for composites, plastics, rubber, and laboratory applications. Comparable in offering custom hydraulic press systems serving similar end markets (composites, plastics, rubber molding) as Wickert.
• Beckwood Press Company: US manufacturer of custom hydraulic presses for forging, molding, and forming applications. Direct comparable in the niche custom hydraulic press segment with similar lot-size-one manufacturing approach and focus on tailored industrial solutions.
• Macrodyne Hydraulic Presses: Canadian designer and builder of custom hydraulic presses for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. Closely comparable in scale, customization philosophy, and customer base to Wickert, particularly in composites and automotive stamping.
• Greenerd Press & Machine Company: US manufacturer of hydraulic presses (C-frame, H-frame, four-post, and custom configurations) for industrial forming and molding. Comparable niche custom press manufacturer serving similar small-to-mid industrial customer profiles.
• French Oil Mill Machinery Co. US manufacturer of hydraulic presses for rubber molding, plastics, composites, and powder compaction. Comparable specialized press manufacturer serving overlapping industrial customer verticals with Wickert.

Broad incumbents

• Schuler Group (ANDRITZ Schuler): World-leading German press manufacturer serving automotive, metal forming, and industrial customers; part of the ANDRITZ Group. Far larger scale than Wickert with global service network, but competes in similar hydraulic press categories for automotive and industrial customers.
• SMS group GmbH: German global leader in metallurgical plant engineering and metal forming equipment. Far larger than Wickert but competes in adjacent industrial press categories including hydraulic forming presses for metalworking customers.
• Komatsu Ltd. Japanese multinational industrial machinery manufacturer with significant hydraulic press capabilities serving automotive stamping and industrial forming. Much larger scale and broader product portfolio but overlaps with Wickert in large-format hydraulic press applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Wickert Hydraulic Presses