What Zimmerli does

Zimmerli Engineering AG is a privately held Swiss B2B sales and management consulting firm founded in 2003 by Thomas Zimmerli in Wolfhausen, Switzerland. The firm specializes in transformation programs that help organizations shift from product-based selling to solution- and system-based business models, with a particular focus on Industry 4.0 and IoT contexts. Target clients are enterprise sales organizations in verticals such as industrial automation, IT/software, medical technology, automotive, and digital solutions — companies whose offerings have become too complex for traditional transactional selling and require systematic, cross-departmental sales processes.

The company's core offering is a catalog of 20+ structured consulting programs spanning four categories: Strategic Programs (Sales-DNA 4.0, Consultative Selling, Scrum-it! agile sales, Challenger Sale, Key Account Management, Sales Excellence), Coaching Programs (for managers and senior sales leaders), Tactical Programs (Winning Sales Negotiations, Winning Sales Presentations), and Certification Programs (an 18-month Selling 4.0 for Engineers track and project management certification). Delivery combines on-site workshops, a proprietary e-learning platform with pre-workshop analysis tools and video content, one-on-one coaching, and software tools for sales project analysis. The underlying methodology integrates customer-centric business model optimization with agile-inspired frameworks (Scrum, Kanban, Design Thinking) adapted specifically for complex B2B sales cycles.

Revenue is generated primarily through customized professional services engagements with engagement-based, quote-only pricing, supplemented by subscription-style e-learning content access and multi-year certification programs. The firm operates a lean model with Thomas Zimmerli personally conducting key programs and a global network of freelance professionals supporting delivery. Distribution is direct enterprise consulting with thought-leadership marketing through LinkedIn, the Industry of Things publication, a Xing community, and downloadable case studies. Notable partnerships include BWI Zürich (an ETH Zürich spin-off) for project management methodology and academic research collaboration.

Name

Zimmerli

Legal name

Zimmerli Engineering AG

Website

https://zimmerli-consulting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zimmerli is a Swiss B2B consulting firm that helps industrial, IT, and technology companies transform from product selling to solution and system selling, with a focus on Industry 4.0 and IoT. Founded in 2003, it delivers structured sales transformation programs, certifications, and coaching to enterprise clients globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sales and Management Consulting

NAICS

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Marketing Consulting Services (541613)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Customer, Marketing & Sales Consulting (BPAHACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

CRM Strategy & Consulting (BPAFAFAA), B2B / Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Strategy Consulting (MPAAAFAM)

Keywords

• B2b sales consulting
• Management consulting
• Sales transformation
• Industry 4.0 consulting
• Key account management

Headquarters

HQ city

Hombrechtikon

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Strategic Consulting Programs: Customized optimization programs delivered through structured workshops, coaching, and follow-up engagements. Programs span multiple levels (Entry, Professional, Advanced, Excellence) with modular content. Revenue is generated through engagement fees based on program scope and duration, typically involving management workshops, team workshops, and follow-up sessions.
2. E-Learning and Digital Learning: Digital learning products including pre-workshop preparation modules, video content, webinars, and customer-specific e-learnings. Revenue derived from licensing and access fees as part of comprehensive program packages.
3. Certification Programs: Structured certification tracks (Selling 4.0 for Engineers, Key Account Management) spanning 1.5 years with multiple modules, assessments, and practical examinations leading to company-specific certifications.
4. Implementation Services: External support services for implementing optimization program insights, including development of management systems with KPIs, CRM optimization, business process reengineering, and project management support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zimmerli is a B2B sales and management consulting firm that delivers customized optimization programs for organizations transforming from product-based to solution-and-system-based business models, particularly in Industry 4.0 and IoT contexts. The firm offers a portfolio of 20+ structured programs (strategic, coaching, tactical, and certification) covering sales process optimization, key account management, consultative selling, agile project sales, CRM implementation, and service excellence, delivered through e-learning, workshops, software tools, and coaching sessions.

Product overview

Zimmerli is a B2B sales and management consulting firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of strategic consulting programs, coaching services, and certification courses. The core offering consists of 20+ structured consulting programs organized into four categories: Strategic Programs (including Competitive Sales-DNA 4.0, Consultative Selling, Scrum-it!, Challenger Sale, Key Account Management, Sales Excellence), Coaching Programs (Sales Process Coaching, Führungskräfte Coaching), Tactical Programs (Winning Sales Negotiations, Winning Sales Presentations), and Certification Programs (Selling 4.0 for Engineers, Projektmanagement). Programs are delivered through modular formats combining e-learning, in-person workshops, software tools, videos, webinars, coaching, and certification tracks. Programs are customizable and scalable from Entry through Professional, Advanced, and Excellence levels. The firm specializes in transformation from product-based to solution/system-based business models in Industry 4.0/IoT contexts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Competitive Sales – Sales-DNA 4.0 Strategic diagnostic program analyzing the competitive positioning of a B2B sales organization through interviews, win/loss analyses, and process assessments, producing an objective Sales-DNA evaluation compared against industry benchmarks and competitors. For enterprise sales leaders.
• Akquisition 4.0 / UpSelling / Cross Selling Structured program teaching proactive acquisition methodologies for generating sales opportunities through multi-channel communication mixes (web, social networks, direct engagement), including metric frameworks for annual goal achievement and systematic prospecting. For B2B sales organizations.
• Consultative Selling / Agiler Projektvertrieb Systematic selling methodology for complex B2B solutions and systems/Industry 4.0/IoT sales. Teaches consultative approaches including customer value chain analysis, business case development, and cross-functional sales processes. Delivered via e-learning, workshops, software, videos, and certification.
• Scrum-it! – Agile Methoden für den Projektvertrieb Adapts agile methodologies from software development (Scrum, Kanban, Design Thinking, Lean) to the sales process. Includes sprint reviews, win/loss analyses, and retrospectives to increase closure rates. For project-based B2B sales organizations.
• Challenger Sale – Strategische Verkaufsmethoden Training on multiple strategic sales methodologies including Challenger, Relationship, Worker, Problem Solver, and Lonely Wolf approaches. Teaches situational application of different strategies based on customer type and sales context.
• Excellence im Key Account Management Certificate program for systematic key account development combining proactive acquisition, consultative selling, and key account management methodologies within a multi-channel sales context. For sales leaders and account managers.
• Sales Excellence Multi-level optimization program for sales process quality, progressing from Level 1 (non-competitive) through Level 4 (world-class performance). Includes structured sales processes, metrics, error tracking, and continuous improvement through three implementation steps.
• Selling 4.0 for Engineers 18-month development and coaching program for sales engineers in B2B business. Includes assessment center, e-learning, 8 modules totaling 20 days, practical implementation, certification exam, and diploma.
• Winning Sales Negotiations Professional negotiation training based on Harvard Principled Negotiation method. Develops behavioral and communication skills for offer preparation, presentation, negotiation, and price renegotiation phases.
• CRM Implementation Program Change management and CRM implementation support focusing on sales process optimization, user acceptance, and effective roll-out. Includes business process reengineering and IT system mapping.
• Service Excellence Program for successful service sales along the product lifecycle. Addresses customer-oriented service orientation, IoT/Industry 4.0 service innovation, service portfolio development, pricing, and sales/service synchronization.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BWI Zürich (ETH Zürich spin-off)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on project management topics for sales organizations. BWI Zürich, an ETH Zürich spin-off, provides project management training programs in partnership with Zimmerli. The partnership integrates PM methodologies with sales process optimization programs.
• ETH Zürich (BWI partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership through BWI (Business Engineering Institute) at ETH Zürich. ETH provides research support and academic credibility for the 'Study on Success Drivers in the Sales Department' conducted as part of a thesis at the Chair of Technology and Innovation Management.
• Global Freelance Consultant NetworkminorOthersNetwork of freelance professionals engaged to deliver consulting programs. Partners receive only client-submitted documents without additional personal data. All partners are bound to confidentiality regarding personal data.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zimmerli-consulting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Zimmerli