FFT Group
FFT Group is a German B2B distributor and converter of adhesive tapes, protective films, and die-cut parts, serving industrial customers across DACH and Denmark with custom converting services and partnerships with major global tape manufacturers including 3M, tesa, Nitto, and Novacel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersStapelfeld, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FFT Group does
FFT Group (legal entity: FFT Handelsgesellschaft Ph. Schwanbeck GmbH) is a privately held German B2B specialist distributor and converter of technical adhesive tapes, temporary protective films, and custom die-cut parts. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Stapelfeld near Hamburg, the group operates four wholly owned subsidiaries across Germany (Stapelfeld, Mühlhausen), Austria (Salzburg), and Denmark (Copenhagen), serving industrial customers in DACH plus Poland and Switzerland. The company converts and distributes products from leading global manufacturers including 3M, tesa, Nitto, Novacel, Lohmann, Scapa, and Pregis, with several top-tier partner designations (3M Preferred Converter, tesa Platinum, Nitto Gold Channel, Novacel Platinum).
The technical core is custom converting — die-cutting, slitting, and cross-winding of self-adhesive materials into bespoke dimensions starting at 3mm width, with lot sizes as small as one unit. The portfolio includes proprietary product ranges sourced through partners such as Novacel OXYGEN sustainable films (up to 30% CO2 reduction via bio-based PE), Lohmann TwinMelt solvent-free adhesive tapes, and Nitto low-emission automotive tapes. Manufacturing-relevant certifications include ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental management).
The business model is sales-led B2B with quote-based pricing in EUR ex works, with pricing terms marked "freibleibend" (subject to change) and minimum-order surcharges applicable. Revenue is generated from product resale (adhesive tapes and protective films) plus converting services billed per project. The company sells exclusively to commercial customers (per §14 BGB), targeting seven primary verticals: metal processing, window/construction, automotive, furniture, printing/paper, electronics, and PCB/EMS. Distribution is direct via field sales from each subsidiary, supplemented by partner co-marketing through manufacturer websites and the company's own web presence.
FFT Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FFT Group
- Legal name
- FFT Handelsgesellschaft Ph. Schwanbeck GmbH
- Website
- https://fft-converting.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- FFT Group is a German B2B distributor and converter of adhesive tapes, protective films, and die-cut parts, serving industrial customers across DACH and Denmark with custom converting services and partnerships with major global tape manufacturers including 3M, tesa, Nitto, and Novacel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FFT Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Adhesives & Surface Protection
- NAICS
- Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)
- SIC
- Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finishing, Converting & Die-Cutting Services (IMALAKAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial Liners & Sacks (FFS, Heavy-Duty, Drum Liners) Manufacturing (IMANAEAH)
Keywords
Where FFT Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stapelfeld
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
FFT Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Adhesive Tape Products: Sale of self-adhesive tapes including single-sided and double-sided tapes, fabric tapes, duct tapes, masking tapes, and specialty adhesive products from partners (3M, tesa, Nitto, Lohmann, Scapa).
- Protective Film Products: Sale of temporary surface protection films for metal processing, laser cutting, furniture, automotive, and general industrial applications.
- Custom Converting Services: Custom converting (die-cutting, slitting, processing) of adhesive tapes and protective films to customer-specific dimensions and shapes, from lot size 1.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard industrial product pricing with quantity tolerances |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
FFT Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FFT Group is a distributor and converter of industrial adhesive tapes, temporary surface protection films, and custom die-cut parts. The company supplies converted products from major manufacturers (3M, tesa, Nitto, Novacel, Lohmann, Scapa, Pregis) and offers in-house custom converting (die-cutting, slitting, cross-winding) from lot size 1, with dimensions starting from 3mm width, to B2B industrial customers across Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland.
Product overview
FFT Group is a specialist provider of adhesive tapes, temporary protection films, and converting services operating as a converter/distributor of industrial adhesive products. The company offers a portfolio comprising three core service areas: adhesive tapes (Klebebänder), protection films (Schutzfolien), and custom converting. FFT Group distributes and converts products from major manufacturers including 3M (VHB tapes), tesa (ACXplus series), Nitto (automotive and masking tapes), Novacel (laser protection films), Pregis (Surface Guard), Scapa, and Lohmann (TwinMelt, DuploCOLL). The company operates multiple European locations in Germany, Austria, and Denmark, providing custom die-cut parts and conversion services to industrial customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adhesive Tapes (Klebebänder) Individually customized single-sided and double-sided adhesive tapes for industrial applications, including fabric tapes, duct tapes, masking tapes, and specialty adhesive products sourced from major manufacturers such as 3M, tesa, Nitto, Lohmann, and Scapa, tailored to customer-specific dimensions.
- Protective Films (Schutzfolien) Self-adhesive temporary surface protection films for protecting surfaces of all kinds during manufacturing, transport, and installation, including specialized films for metal processing, laser cutting (CO2 and fiber laser), automotive, furniture, and construction.
- Converting Services Custom conversion of adhesive tapes and protective films including die-cutting, slitting, cross-winding, and processing to customer-specific dimensions and shapes, from lot size 1 with widths starting at 3mm.
- tesa ACXplus Series
Companies that use FFT Group
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
FFT Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FFT Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- tesacoreFFT is tesa Platinum Converter Partner since 2024. For over 10 years, FFT has customized and distributed tesa fabric tapes, double-sided tapes, and ACXplus high-performance tapes for automotive and construction applications.
- NittocoreFFT is Nitto Gold Channel Partner (June 2023), with 18 years of partnership. FFT distributes full Nitto portfolio including protective films, technical tapes, Washi tapes, and Hyper Joint high-performance double-sided tapes.
- Pregis (Surface Guard)strategicFFT is official sales partner for Pregis Surface Guard surface protection films since early 2017, covering Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. Surface Guard is the largest provider of surface protection films in the USA.
- 3McoreFFT is 3M Preferred Converter since 2021, customizing and distributing 3M adhesive tapes including VHB tapes, double-sided tapes, and Scotch-Weld adhesives for industrial customers across Germany.
- NovacelcoreFFT is Novacel Platinum Partner - the only company in Germany with this highest converter honor. 30-year partnership for protective films for laser cutting, metal processing, and automotive applications. FFT supplies Novacel OXYGEN sustainable film technology.
- LohmannstrategicLohmann is a pioneer in adhesive tape technology (founded 1851) offering TwinMelt solvent-free technology and DuploCOLL foam tape lines for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications. FFT provides market access and converting services in DACH region.
- ScapaminorScapa manufactures adhesive tapes and technical bonding solutions for automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare. FFT distributes Scapa products in the German market.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
FFT Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pregis LLC: US-based protective packaging manufacturer whose Surface Guard division produces surface protection films. FFT is Pregis's official sales partner for DACH+Poland since 2017; comparable via product category overlap (industrial protective films) though Pregis operates at much larger US-anchored scale.
- Würth Group: Germany-based global leader in B2B industrial distribution including adhesives, tapes, and fasteners. Comparable to FFT in serving industrial customers with technical consumables via direct sales, but with vastly broader product range (screws, tools, chemicals) and global footprint that dwarfs FFT's specialty converting niche.
- Avery Dennison Performance Tapes: Global manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and labels serving industrial, automotive, and electronics markets. Comparable to partners like tesa/3M in product portfolio, with FFT's distribution positioning echoing Avery's converter channel strategy.
- Sika AG: Swiss-listed global specialty chemicals company with strong industrial adhesive and sealing portfolio for construction, automotive, and manufacturing. Tangentially comparable via overlap in structural bonding tape categories and DACH industrial end-markets.
- Novacel SAS: French manufacturer of surface protection films including the OXYGEN sustainable range. FFT is Novacel's only Platinum Partner in Germany; comparable as a player in the same protective film category, though Novacel is upstream manufacturer versus FFT's converter-distributor model.
- tesa SE: Beiersdorf-owned global tape manufacturer headquartered near Hamburg, Germany. Both partner and indirect competitor: FFT is a Platinum Converter Partner (since 2024), but tesa's direct industrial sales reach overlaps with FFT's end-customer relationships.
Direct peers
- Wetzel GmbH: German industrial converter / distributor of technical adhesive tapes, die-cut parts, and foam gaskets serving automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturers. Shares FFT's "specialty converting for B2B industry" profile and multi-supplier distribution model.
- Hänsel & Co. GmbH: Northern Germany-based specialist converter/distributor of adhesive tapes, technical films, and gaskets with multiple DACH locations. Most direct comparator: similar converter-distributor model, similar industrial customer verticals, similar partnership approach to major tape manufacturers.
- Klotzbach GmbH: German converter of adhesive tapes, foam parts, and sealing products with its own die-cutting capabilities. Direct overlap with FFT in custom converting for industrial customers; competes in similar DACH industrial verticals.
Regional players
- Klinger Group (Klinger Italy / Klinger Dichtungstechnik): Austrian/German industrial sealing and gasket specialist with converter capabilities serving DACH process industries. Partial overlap in industrial die-cut components and technical converting; comparable DACH distribution footprint but concentrated in fluid sealing rather than surface protection.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FFT Group social profiles
Digital presenceFFT Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
FFT Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FFT Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FFT Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
FFT Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FFT Group 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 FFT Group
What does FFT Group do?
FFT Group is a distributor and converter of industrial adhesive tapes, temporary surface protection films, and custom die-cut parts. The company supplies converted products from major manufacturers (3M, tesa, Nitto, Novacel, Lohmann, Scapa, Pregis) and offers in-house custom converting (die-cutting, slitting, cross-winding) from lot size 1, with dimensions starting from 3mm width, to B2B industrial customers across Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, and Poland.
Is FFT Group a public or private company?
FFT Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FFT Group founded?
FFT Group was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is FFT Group based?
FFT Group is headquartered in Stapelfeld, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does FFT Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Adhesive Tape Products are the primary driver. The others are protective Film Products and custom Converting Services.
Who are FFT Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pregis LLC, Würth Group, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes, Sika AG, Novacel SAS and tesa SE. Direct peers are Wetzel GmbH, Hänsel & Co. GmbH and Klotzbach GmbH. Klinger Group (Klinger Italy / Klinger Dichtungstechnik) is listed as a regional player.
Does FFT Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for FFT Group.
What industry is FFT Group in?
FFT Group's product category is Industrial Adhesives & Surface Protection. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAKAN, Finishing, Converting & Die-Cutting Services, with a secondary code of IMANAEAH, Industrial Liners & Sacks (FFS, Heavy-Duty, Drum Liners) Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 3261 and its SIC code is 3081.