Airsoft

What Airsoft does

Airsoft srl is an Italian B2B industrial distributor and system integrator specializing in vacuum and pneumatic technology for industrial automation. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Cervarese Santa Croce (Province of Padua, Veneto), the company acts as a sales agent and distributor for world-leading brands including PIAB, Tawi, Elmo Rietschle, SMC, Comau, Avac, Famatec, Vesta Automation, and Lipro, supplying cylinders, valves, air treatment units, vacuum pumps, ejectors, grippers, and lifting equipment to Italian manufacturing and logistics clients.

The company operates two lines of activity. The first is standard distribution of partner-brand components such as PIAB VL tube lifters and KVG vacuum grippers, SMC pneumatic components, and Vesta Automation cylinders and valves (including ATEX-compliant variants). The second is custom-engineered integration, exemplified by mobile-base vacuum lifters built around the PIAB TPH series, KVG gripper configurations tailored for marble and cardboard applications, and cantilever-arm tube lifter installations inside CNC machine cabins. Airsoft also operates an Ergonomica division that analyzes and reconfigures manual processing cycles for ergonomic compliance using OSHA, NIOSH, and EAWS indexing methods, integrating Tawi smart lifting systems, Comau MATE exoskeletons, and Famatec manipulators.

The business model is sales-led B2B distribution and custom system integration within a single country (Italy). Revenue is generated through hardware sales of components and systems and through one-time engineering of bespoke installations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Airsoft srl is subject to the direction and coordination of its parent, Axel Johnson International AB, a Swedish diversified industrial group headquartered in Stockholm. The company has a stated headcount of 1-10 employees and no disclosed capital raises, acquisitions, or M&A activity.

Name

Airsoft

Legal name

Airsoft srl

Website

https://airsoft.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Airsoft srl is an Italian B2B distributor and system integrator of vacuum and pneumatic technology for industrial automation, serving Italian manufacturing and logistics clients with components from brands such as PIAB, SMC, Tawi, and Comau, plus bespoke ergonomic and material handling solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment & Vacuum Technology Distribution

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

Keywords

• Vacuum technology distribution
• Pneumatic components supply
• Industrial automation systems
• Ergonomic material handling
• Vacuum gripper integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Croce

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pneumatic component distribution: Distribution of pneumatic components for industrial automation including cylinders, valves, air treatment units, fittings, and accessories from brand partners.
2. Vacuum technology systems: Supply of vacuum-based material handling systems including vacuum grippers, lifters, and integrated solutions for manufacturing and logistics applications.
3. Ergonomic handling solutions: Specialized division providing ergonomic material handling solutions including vacuum lifters, manipulators, and custom systems for manual load handling optimization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Airsoft is a B2B distributor and systems integrator of vacuum and pneumatic technology components for industrial automation. It supplies distributed products from global brands (PIAB vacuum lifters and grippers, Tawi smart lifting solutions, Elmo Rietschle blowers, SMC and Vesta Automation pneumatic components, Avac vacuum ejectors) and engineers custom integration solutions such as mobile-base TPH vacuum lifters and KVG grippers mounted on Cartesian manipulators. Through its Ergonomica division, it also delivers ergonomic material handling consulting and equipment (Tawi, Comau MATE exoskeleton, Famatec manipulators) following OSHA, NIOSH, and EAWS international standards.

Product overview

Airsoft is a distributor and integrator of vacuum and pneumatic technology components for industrial automation. The company operates two main product lines: (1) distributed vacuum and pneumatic components from partner brands including PIAB vacuum lifters and grippers, ELMO RIETSCHLE blowers, SMC and VESTA AUTOMATION pneumatic components, and AVAC vacuum ejectors; and (2) custom-engineered solutions such as the mobile-base vacuum lifter system integrating PIAB TPH series lifters into bespoke mobile structures. Airsoft also maintains an Ergonomics division focused on manual load handling optimization using international indexing methods (OSHA, NIOSH, EAWS), representing Tawi, Comau, and Famatec for ergonomic lifting equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ergonomica: Division focused on analyzing and proposing changes to manual processing cycles to make them easier for operators, in compliance with international standards and indexing methods OSHA, NIOSH, EAWS.

Products and services

• Sollevatore a tubo PIAB serie VL (PIAB VL Tube Lifter) PIAB vacuum tube lifter for handling plastic sheets (POM) with maximum lifting capacity of 200 kg, integrated aluminum rail system, and remote on/off control. Integrated by Airsoft into CNC machine cabins with cantilever arm for external material retrieval.
• KVG Vacuum Gripper (KENOS/PIAB) Vacuum gripper system from KENOS/PIAB for automated material handling, with custom configurations available for marble slab nesting and cardboard packaging manipulation applications. Distributed and integrated by Airsoft.
• Sollevatore a vuoto TPH su base mobile (Custom TPH Mobile-Base Vacuum Lifter) Custom-engineered integration by Airsoft of a PIAB TPH series vacuum lifter into a bespoke mobile structure for operation in confined spaces such as container interiors. Features carbon fiber support arm, electrically adjustable telescopic column, and safety limit switches; 40 kg handling capacity.
• KVG su manipolatore cartesiano ad alta frequenza (KVG on High-Frequency Cartesian Manipulator) KENOS/PIAB KVG vacuum grippers installed on a high-frequency Cartesian manipulator for cardboard packaging handling, powered by Elmo Rietschle dual-stage blowers with inverter control. Distributed and integrated by Airsoft.
• Ergonomica Division — Ergonomic Material Handling Solutions & Consulting Specialized Airsoft division offering ergonomic material handling solutions and consulting, distributing Tawi vacuum lifters, Comau MATE exoskeletons, and Famatec manipulators, with assessments performed using OSHA, NIOSH, and EAWS international indexing methods to optimize manual load handling and operator health.
• SMC Pneumatic Components Distribution Distribution of SMC's full pneumatic component portfolio (cylinders, electric actuators, valves, air treatment, sensors, vacuum products, tubes and fittings — 12,000 base products and 700,000+ variants) to Italian industrial customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manual load handling improvements with international standard compliance (OSHA, NIOSH, EAWS)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tawi ABcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020Tawi is a global provider of smart lifting solutions including vacuum lifters, mobile vacuum lifters, crane systems, hoists and gripper accessories. Part of PIAB AB group since 2020. Airsoft distributes and integrates Tawi ergonomic lifting products for Italian manufacturing clients.
• Elmo RietschlecoreTechnology or IntegrationElmo Rietschle, part of Gardner Denver, produces vacuum pumps, blowers and low-pressure industrial solutions. Products include lobe blowers, liquid ring pumps, claw pumps, and side channel blowers. Used in Airsoft's custom vacuum gripper applications for vacuum generation.
• SMCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMC is a world leader in pneumatic component manufacturing with 12,000 base products and over 700,000 variants covering cylinders, electric actuators, valves, air treatment, sensors, vacuum products, tubes and fittings. Airsoft distributes SMC products in Italy.
• Vesta AutomationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVesta Automation produces pneumatic cylinders, valves, solenoid valves, air treatment units, and linear guide systems for 30 years. ISO 9001 certified. Airsoft distributes Vesta products including ATEX-compliant components.
• PIAB ABcoreTechnology or IntegrationPIAB is a pioneer in vacuum technology since 1951, inventor of multistage ejector in 1972. Products include vacuum cups, pumps, Kenos gripper systems and advanced gripping solutions. PIAB owns Tawi since 2020. Airsoft is a key distributor of PIAB vacuum technology in Italy.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PIAB: PIAB is a Swedish vacuum technology pioneer (founded 1951) manufacturing vacuum pumps, cups, Kenos gripper systems and ergonomic lifting products (including Tawi). It is both an Airsoft supplier and a direct competitor in vacuum-based material handling solutions across Europe.
• Tawi AB: Tawi is a Swedish manufacturer of ergonomic smart lifting solutions including vacuum lifters, mobile lifters, cranes and hoists, and is part of the PIAB group since 2020. Tawi is a Core partner distributed by Airsoft in Italy and competes directly in ergonomic handling applications.
• Coval Vacuum Technology: Coval is a French manufacturer of vacuum pumps, grippers and integrated vacuum handling systems. It targets the same industrial automation and packaging customers as Airsoft, offering directly competing components and custom-engineered solutions across Europe.
• Zimmer Group: Zimmer Group is a German manufacturer of grippers, industrial damping, and ergonomic handling technology. Its vacuum and mechanical gripping portfolio overlaps with Airsoft's custom-engineered material handling offering for manufacturing and logistics users.
• Schmalz: Schmalz is a German-based global leader in vacuum automation, producing vacuum components, grippers, and ergonomic handling systems for industrial customers. It is the closest pure-play direct competitor to Airsoft's vacuum technology distribution and integration business, serving similar manufacturing and logistics end-markets.
• Destaco: Destaco is a US-headquartered specialist in clamping, gripping, and material handling solutions for industrial automation. Its vacuum gripper and end-effector portfolio overlaps with Airsoft's custom-configured KVG-style systems for packaging and surface handling.
• FIPA: FIPA is a German specialist in vacuum grippers, suction cups, and end-of-arm tooling for industrial automation. It sells through distributors and competes head-to-head with Airsoft in custom-configured vacuum gripping applications such as packaging and surface handling.

Broad incumbents

• Festo: Festo is a German global incumbent in pneumatic and electric automation technology with an extensive component catalog. It competes broadly with Airsoft's pneumatic distribution line and increasingly with vacuum-based handling subsystems sold through its own direct channels.
• SMC Corporation: SMC is a Japanese global leader in pneumatic components (12,000 base products, 700,000+ variants) covering cylinders, valves, air treatment and vacuum products. It is both a Core supplier to Airsoft and a broad incumbent competing for the same Italian industrial customer spend.

Emerging players

• OnRobot: OnRobot is a Danish emerging player offering a unified platform of vacuum grippers, force/torque sensors and collaborative application tools. It targets the same end-of-arm tooling and material handling use cases that Airsoft addresses, typically through direct sales to automation integrators.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airsoft-srl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Airsoft