EHS Switzerland AG

What EHS Switzerland AG does

EHS Switzerland AG, now operating as Sonepar Suisse AG / Sonepar Industry Solutions following a 2024 rebranding, is a Swiss B2B distributor of industrial electrical components and automation products headquartered in Hitzkirch, Canton of Lucerne. Founded in 1964, the company distributes a comprehensive product portfolio spanning over 15 categories including transformers (including its own EHS BSEco energy-efficient brand), contactors, motor and power protection systems, frequency converters and soft starters, sensors and safety equipment (Omron F3SG safety light curtains, Sick safety laser scanners), PLC/HMI systems, servo systems, vision products, power supplies, and enclosures. Core manufacturer partnerships include Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley), Omron Electronics AG, and Sick AG, with the company operating as a distribution channel for these tier-1 industrial automation vendors.

The company operates a 24/7 B2B e-commerce platform (ehs.ch) with next-day delivery for orders placed before 4 PM on weekdays, same-day warehouse pickup at the Hitzkirch facility, and Open Catalog Interface (OCI) integration for SAP and other ERP systems serving enterprise procurement workflows. Registration is restricted to Switzerland-based businesses, indicating a domestic-focused operation within the broader Sonepar global distribution network. Technical services complement product sales, including maintenance, repair, commissioning, hazard prevention, and custom configuration/engraving services. The company holds ISO 9001 quality management certification.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales (product distribution) supplemented by professional services, with pricing in Swiss Francs across a unit-based model offering free standard delivery and tiered pallet delivery fees. The customer base is horizontal, serving Swiss industrial companies (manufacturing and production requiring automation and electrical components) and electrical contractors (installation and control cabinet construction), with pain points addressed including reliable component supply, technical consultation, fast delivery to minimize production downtime, and safety compliance. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonepar, a global electrical distribution conglomerate, with Raphael Maier serving as CEO.

Name

EHS Switzerland AG

Legal name

Sonepar Suisse AG

Website

https://ehs.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EHS Switzerland AG (now Sonepar Suisse AG) is a Swiss B2B distributor of industrial electrical components and automation products, serving domestic manufacturing companies and electrical contractors through an e-commerce platform with manufacturer partnerships including Rockwell Automation, Omron, and Sick AG.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Electrical Distribution

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Process Control & Automation Electronics Manufacturing Services (PLCs, I/O, DCS/SCADA hardware) (IMAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Embedded & HMI Electronics Manufacturing (Industrial PCs, HMIs, Panel PCs) (IMAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Industrial automation components
• Electrical distribution services
• Transformer manufacturing
• Control panel components
• Safety sensor solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Hitzkirch

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of industrial electrical components and automation products. Products are sold primarily through the e-commerce platform with prices in CHF. The company offers next-day delivery for in-stock items and pickup options at their Hitzkirch warehouse.
2. Services: Additional revenue streams include technical services such as maintenance, repair, commissioning, and custom configuration/gravure services for industrial automation products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

EHS Switzerland AG is a Swiss B2B distributor of industrial electrical components and automation products. The company sells transformers (including its proprietary EHS BSEco energy-efficient line), contactors, motor protection devices, frequency converters, soft starters, sensors, safety equipment, power supplies, PLC/HMI systems, servo systems, and vision products from manufacturers such as Rockwell Automation, Omron, and Sick AG. It complements distribution with maintenance, repair, commissioning, and custom configuration services, supported by a 24/7 e-commerce platform with next-day delivery and OCI/SAP ERP integration for Swiss enterprise customers.

Product overview

EHS Switzerland AG (now operating as Sonepar Suisse AG / Sonepar Industry Solutions) is a leading Swiss distributor of electrical components and industrial automation solutions. The company operates a comprehensive B2B e-commerce platform offering over 15 major product categories including transformers (own-brand EHS BSEco series), contactors, motor protection systems, frequency converters and soft starters, safety equipment (including OMRON F3SG safety light curtains and SICK safety laser scanners), sensors, power supplies, PLC/HMI systems, servo systems, and vision systems. The product portfolio is structured as a unified online shop platform with extensive product categories and sub-categories, complemented by technical services including maintenance, repair, commissioning, and custom configurations. The company serves industrial customers throughout Switzerland with next-day delivery capabilities and OCI/SAP ERP integration for streamlined procurement workflows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EHS BSEco Transformers Energy-efficient single-phase isolation transformers designed for the Swiss market, supporting energy efficiency goals with low power loss characteristics. Proprietary brand offering up to 99% efficiency.
• Contactors Power contactors including miniature contactors, semiconductor contactors, power contactors, and safety contactors for switching high-power loads such as three-phase motors and heating elements.
• Transformers Single-phase and three-phase transformers including standard models, special transformers, and accessories for voltage conversion in industrial applications.
• Transformer, Power and Motor Protection Comprehensive protection solutions including power system switches, motor protection relays, motor protection circuit breakers, and frequency converter/starter protection circuit breakers.
• Frequency Converters and Soft Starters Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and soft starters including starter solutions, reform units for frequency converters, and associated accessories for motor control.
• Command and Signaling Devices Pilot lights, selector and key switches, mushroom head and emergency stop pushbuttons, pushbuttons, pendant control enclosures, LED modules, contact elements, warning lights and sirens.
• Control Switches and Load Switches Control switches and load disconnect switches up to 125A and 1250A for industrial switching applications.
• Relays Electromechanical relays (including plug-in relays 1-4 pole), semiconductor relays, time relays, signal converters and monitoring relays, and accessories.
• Residual Current, Line and NH Protection Residual current protection, circuit breakers, electronic circuit protection, and NH fuse technology for comprehensive electrical safety.
• Sensors and Safety Equipment Photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, light curtains, magnetic cylinder sensors, encoders, fiber optic amplifiers; safety products include safety light curtains, safety laser scanners, safety sensors, safety door switches, emergency stop devices, safety interlocks, and safety PLCs.
• Power Supply and UPS Switching power supplies including installation distributors, flush-mount, control cabinet power supplies, perforated sheet metal enclosures, LED power supplies, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
• Enclosures, Control Cabinets and Climate Control Enclosures, control cabinets, and HVAC solutions including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for electrical enclosures.
• Connection Systems Terminal blocks and busbar systems for electrical connections in industrial applications.
• EMC and Power Quality

Quantifiable outcome

• Transformers can achieve up to 99% efficiency with proper selection of high-quality cores and copper windings

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley)coreTechnology or IntegrationRockwell Automation is a key partner supplying industrial automation products including power contactors (100-E series), safety contactors, soft starters (150-C series), motor protection circuit breakers, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). EHS Switzerland distributes Allen-Bradley branded products through their online shop.
• Omron Electronics AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationOmron is a strategic partner providing sensors and safety equipment including E3AS sensor family, F3SG safety light curtains, OS32C safety laser scanners, and safety controllers. EHS offers Omron product configuration tools including the F3SG-SR/PG configurator.
• Sick AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationSick AG supplies safety products including MICS3 safety laser scanners and M4000 multi-beam safety light curtains. EHS distributes Sick safety sensors and safety light curtains through their e-commerce platform.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Helukabel: Helukabel is a European cable and connection technology manufacturer-distributor serving the German-speaking industrial market. Overlaps with EHS on connection systems and serves similar industrial automation customers, though cables are not EHS's primary focus.
• Conrad Electronic Schweiz: Conrad Electronic operates a Swiss storefront distributing electronic and automation components to B2B and prosumer customers. Comparable catalog breadth in sensors, switches, and connection systems, but with a broader prosumer tilt than EHS's purely industrial focus.

Direct peers

• Distrelec (RS Group): Distrelec, now part of RS Group, is a pan-European catalog and e-commerce distributor of industrial automation, electronic components, and accessories. It overlaps with EHS on sensors, relays, contactors, and PLC accessories, and serves Switzerland with a comparable B2B e-commerce motion.
• Farnell / element14: Farnell (Premier Farnell / element14) distributes electronic components, industrial sensors, and automation products to engineers and B2B customers across Europe. Comparable multi-manufacturer catalog and online self-serve procurement model targeting industrial and OEM buyers in Switzerland.
• RS Components Switzerland: RS Components operates a Swiss storefront distributing industrial-grade electronic and automation components, including PLCs, sensors, contactors, and safety products. Highly comparable product mix and digital-procurement positioning to EHS Switzerland, with a multi-brand catalog model.
• Rexel Suisse: Rexel's Swiss subsidiary is the closest direct competitor to EHS Switzerland AG, distributing industrial electrical equipment, automation components, and energy-efficiency solutions to Swiss industrial customers through both field sales and digital channels. Same B2B focus, similar product categories (transformers, motor control, automation), and same Swiss domestic-only market.
• Bürklin Elektronik: Bürklin is a German-based specialty distributor of electronic and electromechanical components targeting German-speaking B2B customers. Overlapping product categories (relays, switches, sensors, connection technology) and similar high-service mid-market distribution motion.

Broad incumbents

• Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is a global manufacturer of industrial electrical and electronic components (terminal blocks, controllers, I/O, surge protection) that increasingly sells direct via its own e-commerce channels and field engineering. Comparable technology domain to EHS, but as an OEM-direct competitor.
• Weidmüller: Weidmüller manufactures industrial connectivity, electronics, and automation products (terminal blocks, relays, power supplies) and distributes through both direct sales and channel partners in Switzerland and the DACH region. Directly comparable industrial customer base.
• Wago: Wago manufactures interconnection and automation technology (terminal blocks, I/O systems, controllers) and sells both direct and through industrial distributors in Switzerland. Sells into the same end-customer applications as EHS, with overlapping SKU categories like connection systems and PLC-adjacent components.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ehstechnik.ch

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 EHS Switzerland AG