What LCA Automation does

LCA Automation AG, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Küssnacht am Rigi, Switzerland, designs and builds custom factory automation systems, including special machines, automated assembly lines, test benches, forming machines, and CNC machining portals. Its portfolio also includes a proprietary 3D concrete printing portal and the LCA-NGP software platform built on the PackML industry standard, which enables flexible deployment across automated assembly lines, manual test benches, and CNC-controlled additive manufacturing. The company integrates best-of-breed components from Beckhoff, Siemens, ABB, Stäubli, Fanuc, Cognex, and Keyence, and operates from three wholly owned locations in Switzerland, China (Shanghai, since 2012), and Mexico (Puebla, since 2015). It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and serves automotive suppliers, medical device manufacturers, food processors, public transportation operators, aviation, and construction/building technology clients, with named logos including thyssenkrupp Presta AG, Victorinox AG, Sika AG, Pikus 3D, and Affentranger Bau AG.

LCA generates revenue primarily through project-based, one-time sales of custom-engineered turnkey systems, supplemented by recurring aftermarket services such as service contracts, spare parts, maintenance, modernization/retrofit, and training. Sales are executed through direct enterprise engagement: feasibility studies, concept development, engineering, manufacturing, and commissioning delivered as a general contractor. Following SHL Medical AG's acquisition of 100% of LCA's shares on June 29, 2023, the company was integrated into SHL Advantec AG on November 21, 2024, positioning it within a broader tooling-and-automation platform serving healthcare and adjacent industries. In June 2025, Luca Offenhäusser became General Manager, succeeding founder Christoph Rennhard, who moved to SHL Advantec as VP of Automation Technology and Innovation.

Name

LCA Automation

Legal name

LCA Automation AG

Website

https://lca.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

LCA Automation AG is a Swiss industrial automation integrator, founded in 1972, that designs and builds custom assembly lines, test benches, special machines, and 3D concrete printing portals for automotive, medical device, food, transportation, and construction customers. Now a wholly owned subsidiary of SHL Advantec (part of SHL Medical), it operates from Switzerland, China, and Mexico with 70+ employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (333248)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Packaging Machinery Parts, Tooling & Changeover Kits (IMAHAOAO)

Keywords

• Custom industrial automation
• Special purpose machines
• Automated assembly lines
• Industrial test benches
• Factory automation systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Kussnacht Am Rigi

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Machine Sales: Design, development, and construction of custom-built special machines, assembly lines, test benches, forming machines, and machining portals. Delivered as turnkey systems to customers serving key markets worldwide.
2. Aftermarket Services: Service contracts, spare parts supply, repairs, maintenance, modernization/retrofit solutions, and training for operators and maintenance personnel. These services provide recurring revenue relationships with existing customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LCA Automation AG designs, engineers, and builds custom special-purpose machines (Sondermaschinen), automated assembly lines (Montageanlagen), and test benches (Prüfstände) as turnkey factory automation systems for industrial customers worldwide. The company also develops and sells 3D concrete printing portals and the proprietary LCA-NGP software platform. Acting as a general contractor, LCA delivers complete production lines integrating mechanical, electrical, and software engineering, plus aftermarket service, spare parts, maintenance, modernization, and operator training.

Product overview

LCA Automation AG offers a comprehensive portfolio of custom-built machines and automation solutions for factory automation and process technology. The core offering consists of Custom Built Machines (Sondermaschinen) for forming, assembly, and machining applications, Assembly Lines (Montageanlagen) including rotary transfer systems and interlinked assembly lines, Test Benches (Prüfstände) for systematic control and qualification of components, and proprietary Software Solutions including the LCA-NGP (New Generation Platform) based on PackML standard. The company serves automotive suppliers, construction/building technology, medical devices, food industry, public transportation, and aviation sectors. Services include engineering, repairs, maintenance contracts, modernization/retrofit, and training. Since 2023, the company is part of SHL Advantec (subsidiary of SHL Medical).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LCA-NGP (New Generation Platform): Proprietary software platform based on PackML from OMAC, enabling flexible use across various architectures and application areas for factory automation.

Products and services

• Custom Built Machines (Sondermaschinen) Custom-built machines for forming, assembly, and machining applications, including electric and hydraulic presses, CNC-controlled machining portals, and robotic assembly systems, delivered to industrial customers across automotive, medical, food, aviation, and construction sectors.
• Assembly Lines (Montageanlagen) Automated assembly lines including interlinked assembly lines for automated and manual processes and rotary transfer systems (Rundtaktanlagen) for high-volume production with short cycle times, delivered with full data tracking and HMI integration to OEMs across multiple industries.
• Test Benches (Prüfstände) Test systems for systematic control, further development, and qualification of components, assemblies, and systems, integrating hardware, software, and HMI components for safety-critical and high-precision industrial applications.
• 3D Concrete Printer (3D Betondrucker) Portal-style 3D concrete printing system capable of producing meter-sized, highly precise, and repeatable concrete objects. Print area 5.0m x 3.8m x 3.5m with layer heights of 10-15mm. Features multi-component system with controllable dosing, adjustable fiber content, and multiple color options for construction, gardening, design, and architecture applications.
• LCA-NGP (New Generation Platform) Software Proprietary software platform based on the PackML industry standard from OMAC, enabling flexible deployment across various automation architectures including fully automated assembly lines with batch size one, manually operated test benches, and CNC-controlled additive manufacturing. Features a web-based HMI for monitoring via laptop or tablet.
• Service and Maintenance Comprehensive aftermarket services including real-time repairs, spare parts management, maintenance contracts, modernization/retrofit solutions, operator training, and remote support via VPN, providing recurring revenue relationships with existing customers.
• Engineering Services Technical services including feasibility studies, concept development, visualization, calculations, electrical planning, and control systems engineering for automation projects, provided as a standalone offering or as the front-end of custom machine delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• High availability and reliability of automation systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SHL Advantec AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2024LCA became part of SHL Advantec on November 21, 2024. SHL Advantec, a subsidiary of SHL Medical, provides tooling and automation solutions for healthcare and other industries. LCA is now part of a larger group including SMC Mould Innovation (Switzerland) and Superior Tooling (USA).
• Sika AGmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Industry partner for 3D concrete printer development. Sika teams up with LCA as industry partner to push construction and development of 3D concrete printing technology, contributing expertise in concrete technology and mix design.
• BeckhoffcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing PLC systems, XTS and XPlanar transport systems, TwinCAT Vision, and CNC kernel software. LCA is a Beckhoff Solution Provider. Daily business uses Beckhoff control systems for automation projects.
• SiemensmajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing industrial automation systems. LCA uses Siemens TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) for PLC and HMI programming in various projects.
• thyssenkrupp Presta AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership since the 1980s, delivering assembly lines and test benches for steering systems. Partnership continues today with LCA supplying equipment to automotive supplier factories.
• ABBmajorTechnology or IntegrationRobot supplier for automation projects. LCA integrates ABB robots for flexible handling, heavy part manipulation, and process media application.
• StäublimajorTechnology or IntegrationRobot supplier for automation solutions. LCA uses Stäubli robots for various automation applications.
• FanucmajorTechnology or IntegrationRobot supplier. LCA integrates Fanuc robots for automation projects requiring flexible and fast handling solutions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dürr AG: German mid-sized industrial automation and custom machinery group with comparable B2B project-based model. Serves automotive, woodworking, and industrial customers with custom production lines and is a natural European comparator for LCA's turnkey automation business.
• Mikron Group: Swiss-based manufacturer of custom automation and machining solutions serving automotive, medical, and consumer goods. Direct regional peer given Swiss origin, similar mid-market custom-automation positioning, and overlapping end markets.
• ATS Automation Tooling Systems: Canadian custom automation integrator delivering turnkey factory automation systems to similar end markets (medical devices, automotive, food/beverage). Closest publicly listed pure-play comparable to LCA's project-based custom-engineering model.
• GROB-WERKE: German family-owned custom automation specialist supplying assembly lines and machining systems primarily to automotive tier-1s. Comparable in scale and customer profile to LCA's automotive heritage (e.g., thyssenkrupp Presta relationship).

Broad incumbents

• Stäubli: Swiss-headquartered mechatronics and robotics group; LCA integrates Stäubli robots. Stäubli's broader automation, connector, and textile businesses position it as a wider peer for a Swiss automation specialist.
• FANUC: Global robotics and CNC incumbent supplying automation components and integrated solutions. Comparable on the controls/robotics layer that LCA integrates into its custom machines.
• ABB Robotics: Global industrial automation giant supplying robots, controllers, and integrated systems. While LCA is also a customer/integrator of ABB robots, ABB's broader portfolio competes for turnkey assembly-line mandates.
• KUKA AG: Global automation and robotics incumbent offering assembly-line and custom-system capabilities across automotive and industrial customers. Represents the large-scale integrator benchmark that competes with LCA on turnkey factory automation.
• Beckhoff Automation: German PC-based control and automation technology vendor; LCA is a Beckhoff Solution Provider. Beckhoff's broader integration services and XTS/XPlanar platforms overlap with portions of LCA's offering.
• Bosch Rexroth: Global drive and assembly technology supplier offering factory automation components and integrated assembly solutions. Competes with LCA on automotive assembly-line and tightening/press applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 LCA Automation