Capelec
Capelec is a French manufacturer, founded in 1989, that designs and produces automotive measurement and control equipment (emissions analyzers, headlamp testers, brake testers, particle counters) for technical inspection centers and repair workshops, distributing through subsidiaries and a network spanning 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersMontpellier, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Capelec does
Capelec is a French manufacturer of automotive measurement and control equipment for vehicle technical inspection and repair workshops, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Montpellier. The company designs and produces a complete portfolio of instruments spanning emissions analysis (multi-gas analyzers, smoke meters, particle counters, OBD readers, tachometers), headlight testing (mechanical to CCD-camera and robotic testers), ground-connection testing (roller brake testers, suspension and play detectors, side-slip plates, decelerometers), noise measurement, and speed measurement for L-category vehicles. Equipment is sold both as standalone units and integrated into complete inspection lanes (CAP20000) or mobile inspection platforms (CAP CHRONO 10510). Core proprietary technology includes the Extended Diffusion Charging approach used in the CAP3070 particle counter (approved by NMI-METAS-PTB across multiple EU countries) and the PEGASOR nanoparticle monitoring platform acquired in 2021.
The company sells primarily to periodic technical inspection (PTI) centers, repair workshops, and vehicle certification bodies, with named enterprise customers including DEKRA, TÜV Rheinland, Applus, SGS, VICOM, Securitest, and Autosécurité. Capelec operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct sales for key enterprise accounts with an approved distributor and maintainer network spanning more than 50 countries. Wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany (Capelec Deutschland GmbH) and India (Capelec India Private Limited) anchor regional coverage, alongside the PEGASOR Oy engineering subsidiary in Tampere, Finland. The business model rests on hardware sales supplemented by maintenance contracts, training, and software support delivered through the approved maintainer network and an online support portal.
Capelec invests approximately 10% of revenue into R&D (with 20% of staff in R&D roles) and targets three new products per year from its Montpellier design office. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, holds multiple national type approvals (UTAC, DVSA, METAS, PTB), and is an active member of CITA, EGEA, FIEV/GIEG, ASA, and GEA industry bodies. In October 2025, Capelec opened its capital to CICLAD, a French private equity fund, to accelerate growth and international development.
Capelec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capelec
- Legal name
- Capelec
- Website
- https://capelec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Capelec is a French manufacturer, founded in 1989, that designs and produces automotive measurement and control equipment (emissions analyzers, headlamp testers, brake testers, particle counters) for technical inspection centers and repair workshops, distributing through subsidiaries and a network spanning 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capelec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Test and Inspection Equipment
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) & Stack Testing (EUAHADAA), Stack/Source Emissions Testing & CEMS Support (EUAHACAB)
Keywords
Where Capelec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montpellier
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Capelec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technical Inspection Equipment Sales: Sale of measurement and control equipment for vehicle technical inspection including gas analyzers, smoke meters, particle counters, headlamp testers, brake testers, suspension testers, and complete inspection lines for PTI centers and workshops.
- Maintenance and Support Services: Preventive and corrective maintenance services through an approved network of qualified maintainers covering all of France and DOM-TOM territories, with training and hotline support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Equipment sales for PTI centers and workshops |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Capelec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capelec designs and manufactures automotive measurement and control equipment for vehicle technical inspection centers and repair workshops. The portfolio covers emissions analyzers (gas, smoke, particle counters), headlamp testers, roller brake testers, suspension and side slip testers, sound level meters, EOBD readers, and speed measurement devices, supplied as standalone units or integrated into complete and mobile inspection lines.
Product overview
Capelec is a manufacturer of automotive measurement and control equipment based in southern France (Montpellier), operating since 1989. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of specialized equipment for vehicle technical inspection (PTI/PTW), repair workshops, and air quality monitoring. The product portfolio centers on five core measurement categories: (1) Emissions testing including combined gas analyzers and smoke meters (CAP3201/3500/3600 series), particle counters (CAP3070), tachometers, and OBD readers; (2) Headlight testing from mechanical testers (CAP2100) through electronic photodiode (CAP2500), camera-based systems (CAP2600/2700), to robotic automated testers (CAP2900); (3) Ground connection testing via roller brake testers, suspension testers, play detectors, and side slip testers for light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and two-wheelers; (4) Noise level measurement with sound level meters (CAP5700 series); and (5) Speed measurement devices (CAP9610). Products are sold as standalone units or integrated into complete inspection lines (CAP20000) or mobile inspection platforms (CAP CHRONO 10510). The 2021 acquisition of PEGASOR expanded capabilities into air quality monitoring and nanoparticle measurement technology. Equipment serves diverse vehicle categories including light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, 2 and 3-wheelers, and off-road/industrial vehicles. Manufacturing is ISO 9001:2015 certified and takes place in southern France.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PEGASOR: Air quality monitoring and nanoparticle measurement technology brand under Capelec Group
- Capelec Group
Products and services
- CAP3070 Particle Counter
Quantifiable outcome
- CAP3070 particle counter approved in multiple European countries with NMI-METAS-PTB certification
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Capelec
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Capelec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Capelec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PEGASORcorePEGASOR Oy (Tampere, Finland) was acquired and integrated in 2021 to consolidate Capelec's dual expertise in mobility inspection and air quality monitoring. PEGASOR's recognized nanoparticle measurement expertise opens diversification into air quality surveillance and mobile inspection markets.
- CITA InternationalcoreCapelec is an active member of CITA, the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee - an independent, transnational organization dedicated to improving road safety and environmental protection through best practices development and international standards.
- FIEV / GIEGcoreMember of FIEV (Fédération des Industries des Equipements pour Véhicules) and GIEG (Groupe des Industries d'Equipements de Garage) - professional organizations representing garage and technical inspection equipment manufacturers.
- IFPENminorResearch partnerships with IFPEN (Institut Français du Pétrole et des Energies Nouvelles) for investigating future technologies in depollution, engine management, lighting, and safety.
- Carlos III University MadridminorAcademic research partnership with Carlos III University in Madrid for technology investigation and development related to vehicle inspection and future mobility.
- EGEA European Garage Equipment AssociationcoreActive member of EGEA, the European Garage Equipment Association, contributing to industry discussions and best practices development.
- ASA VerbandcoreMember of ASA Verband, the German automotive equipment association, participating in international conferences and studies on mobility.
- GEA Garage Equipment AssociationcoreMember of GEA, the UK-based Garage Equipment Association, contributing to industry standards and best practices.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Capelec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SICK AG: SICK is a large industrial sensor and emissions monitoring specialist whose process gas analyzers and emission monitoring systems are used in automotive applications and environmental compliance — adjacent to Capelec's emissions and PEGASOR air-quality products.
- SPX Technologies (OTC / Service Solutions): SPX's service solutions business (OTC, Robinair) provides emissions testing, diagnostic, and workshop equipment for the vehicle inspection aftermarket, with broader portfolio scope but overlapping emissions/diagnostic categories.
- Robert Bosch (Automotive Service Solutions): Bosch's Automotive Service division offers a broad portfolio of vehicle testing, diagnostic, and workshop equipment (including the Beissbarth line) and competes with Capelec as a deep-pocketed incumbent with global service infrastructure.
Emerging players
- TSI Incorporated: TSI manufactures particle counters and aerosol instrumentation used in emissions research, vehicle certification, and air quality — a more research-grade competitor to Pegasor's nanoparticle measurement technology within the Capelec Group.
Direct peers
- Hella Gutmann Solutions: Hella Gutmann provides automotive diagnostic and emissions testing equipment (mega macs, exhaust gas testers) for independent workshops, competing with Capelec in workshop-grade diagnostic and emissions measurement.
- MAHA Maschinenbau Haldenwang: MAHA is a German manufacturer of vehicle test and inspection equipment (roller brake testers, play detectors, headlamp testers, emissions analyzers) directly competing with Capelec across the same PTI product categories and serving the same European inspection-center customers.
- Beissbarth (Bosch Service Solutions): Beissbarth specializes in headlight testing, wheel alignment, and brake test equipment for workshops and PTI centers — the same headlamp-tester category where Capelec's CAP2100/2500/2600/2700/2900 family competes.
- AVL DiTEST: AVL DiTEST is an Austrian maker of exhaust gas analysis, emissions testing, and ADAS calibration equipment for vehicle inspection and workshops, overlapping directly with Capelec's gas-analyzer and smoke-meter portfolio.
- Texa S.p.A. Texa produces exhaust gas analyzers, smoke meters, and multi-brand diagnostic tools for workshops and PTI centers across Europe, providing a closely comparable offering to Capelec's emissions and diagnostic product lines.
Regional players
- Tecnomotor (Grupo Tecnomotor): Tecnomotor is a Brazilian manufacturer of emissions analyzers, opacimeters, and diagnostic tools primarily serving the South American PTI and workshop market — comparable technology portfolio to Capelec but focused on a different geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Capelec social profiles
Digital presenceCapelec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Capelec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capelec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Capelec subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Capelec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capelec 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 Capelec
What does Capelec do?
Capelec designs and manufactures automotive measurement and control equipment for vehicle technical inspection centers and repair workshops. The portfolio covers emissions analyzers (gas, smoke, particle counters), headlamp testers, roller brake testers, suspension and side slip testers, sound level meters, EOBD readers, and speed measurement devices, supplied as standalone units or integrated into complete and mobile inspection lines.
Is Capelec a public or private company?
Capelec is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Capelec founded?
Capelec was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Capelec based?
Capelec is headquartered in Montpellier, France, in the Europe region.
How does Capelec make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Technical Inspection Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Support Services.
Who are Capelec's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SICK AG, SPX Technologies (OTC / Service Solutions) and Robert Bosch (Automotive Service Solutions). TSI Incorporated is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Hella Gutmann Solutions, MAHA Maschinenbau Haldenwang, Beissbarth (Bosch Service Solutions), AVL DiTEST and Texa S.p.A.. Tecnomotor (Grupo Tecnomotor) is listed as a regional player.
Does Capelec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capelec.
What industry is Capelec in?
Capelec's product category is Automotive Test and Inspection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAE, Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity), with a secondary code of EUAHADAA, Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) & Stack Testing. Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3823.