Rodriguez

What Rodriguez does

Rodriguez GmbH is a German manufacturer of precision bearings and linear motion technology, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Eschweiler, Germany. The company produces thin-section bearings, turntable bearings, cross-roller bearings, slew drives, and large diameter slewing bearings under its own brand, alongside a full linear technology portfolio covering profile rail guides, linear roundrails, ballscrews, rollerscrews, linear actuators (Electrak XD up to 40 kN / 2,000 mm stroke), and 146 variants of ball transfer units loaded from 10 to 5,000 kg. The firm operates its own in-house manufacturing in Eschweiler and runs a Value Added Products (VAP) custom engineering capability that analyses entire application conditions and integrates multiple functions into single bearing assemblies to reduce part counts and tolerance stack-up; it complements proprietary lines with decades-long European distribution of Kaydon (ABB) REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM thin-section bearings, SKF high-precision bearings, and Alwayse Engineering ball transfer units.

The customer base spans machine and plant engineering as the primary segment, with documented penetration into aerospace and defense (satellite solar arrays, laser communication terminals, Eurosatory participation), medical technology (X-ray focusing, pharmaceutical packaging), semiconductor manufacturing (die-bonding machines), robotics and automation, automotive (BMW Group electric drives, commercial vehicle side curtain rollers), and specialized industrial niches (mobile crane slew rings, vertical parking systems, lighthouse restoration, stage rigging). Sales channels are direct B2B from the German headquarters, supported by a four-person sales office near Paris serving the French market, with significant presence at trade shows including Eurosatory, AMB, Hannover Messe, EMO, Agritechnica, and bauma. Pricing is quote-based across standard catalog and custom-engineered products, publicly undisclosed, and structured around one-time perpetual transactions rather than recurring service contracts.

Rodriguez is a privately held Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) with managing partner Gunther Schulz and managing director Nicole Dahlen (sales, marketing, organization), and operates with no external investment, venture, or private equity backing. Revenue is generated through custom-quoted one-time sales of standard and bespoke motion components. The company is in an active capital investment cycle, commissioning a dedicated linear technology production facility in Eschweiler in 2025 following earlier production hall construction, and hiring across technical sales, CNC machining, and project management roles.

Name

Rodriguez

Legal name

Rodriguez GmbH

Website

https://rodriguez.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rodriguez GmbH is a German manufacturer of precision bearings and linear motion components serving machine engineering, aerospace, medical, semiconductor, automotive, and robotics customers through direct B2B sales and custom-engineered Value Added Products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Bearings and Linear Motion Components

NAICS

Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing (332991), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

Ball & Roller Bearings (3562)

akta.pro primary industry

Linear Motion & Mechanical Power Transmission (Ball/roller screws, linear guides, bearings, couplings) (IMAHAGAM)

Keywords

• Precision bearings
• Linear motion systems
• Thin-section bearings
• Ballscrews and rollerscrews
• Custom engineered bearings

Headquarters

HQ city

Eschweiler

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Precision Bearing Sales: Direct sales of standard and custom precision bearings including thin-section bearings, turntable bearings, cross roller bearings, and large diameter slewing bearings for industrial applications.
2. Linear Technology Components: Sales of linear technology products including profile rail guides, ball screws, roller screws, ball transfer units, linear round rails, and linear actuators.
3. Custom Value Added Products (VAP): Custom-engineered precision bearings and linear technology solutions designed and manufactured to customer specifications for specialized applications including aerospace, medical technology, and semiconductor industries.
4. Automotive Components: Sales of automotive-specific products including side curtain/roof rollers and OCS buckle/tensioner systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Rodriguez manufactures and supplies precision bearings and linear motion components for machine and plant engineering. Core offerings include thin-section bearings, turntable bearings, cross roller bearings, slew drives, profile rail guides, ballscrews, rollerscrews, linear actuators, ball transfer units, and custom-engineered Value Added Products (VAP). The company also distributes Kaydon REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM thin-section bearings and SKF high-precision bearings.

Product overview

Rodriguez GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision bearings and linear technology products for machine and plant engineering. The core offering spans thin-section bearings (Dünnringlager) including Kaydon REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM series, turntable bearings (Kugeldrehverbindungen), cross-roller bearings, slew drives, large diameter slewing bearings, and axial-radial precision roller bearings (RTB series). The linear technology division provides profile rail guides, linear roundrails, ballscrews, rollerscrews, linear actuators, and ball transfer units (146 variants). Automotive products include side curtain rollers and OCS tensioner systems. A key differentiator is the Value Added Products (VAP) custom engineering capability that integrates multiple components into bespoke system solutions, allowing customers to reduce part counts and improve precision. Rodriguez operates its own manufacturing facilities and serves international markets including aerospace, medical technology, semiconductor, and industrial automation sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Thin-Section Bearings (Dünnringlager) Precision thin-section bearings with large bore diameter and small cross-section, offering space and weight savings of up to 80% compared to standard bearings while maintaining comparable performance. Includes Kaydon REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM series.
• Turntable Bearings (Kugeldrehverbindungen) Precision turntable bearings supporting axial, radial, and combined loads with large diameters and bores at minimal cross-sections for industrial applications. Includes RTB-Lager series (RTB-Standard, RTB-HSA, RTB-ABS, RTB-AMS variants).
• Cross Roller Bearings (Kreuzrollenlager) Precision cross-roller bearings for high-load applications requiring compact design and high rigidity.
• Slew Drives (Schwenktriebe) Robust slew drives for agricultural machinery and industrial applications with enhanced motor performance and durable construction.
• Large Diameter Slewing Bearings (Großwälzlager) Large-scale slewing bearings designed for high reliability and long service life in heavy industrial applications.
• Axial-Radial Precision Roller Bearings (RTB) RTB (Rotary Table Bearings) precision bearings with high rigidity, load capacity, and rolling accuracy for machine tool rotary and positioning units.
• Special Customized Bearings (Spezialkugellager) Custom-engineered precision bearings developed to specific customer requirements for specialized applications.
• Linear Roundrails (Rundführungen) Linear guide systems based on precision-ground shafts with linear ball bearings for smooth linear motion.
• Linear Guideways (Profilschienenführungen) Profile rail linear guides including BRXH series with optimized lubrication and sealing for machine engineering and robotics.
• Ball Transfer Units (Kugelrollen) Multi-directional ball transfer units from Alwayse Engineering for material handling, with 146 variants offering load capacities from 10 to 5,000 kg and ball diameters from 12.5 to 120 mm.
• Ballscrews (Kugelgewindetriebe) Precision ballscrews enabling precise linear movements in continuous operation for industrial applications.
• Rollerscrews (Rollengewindetriebe) Roller screw drives with high axial load capacity for press or stamping tasks and hydraulic drive replacements, featuring planetary roller and recirculating roller designs.
• Linear Actuators (Elektrohubzylinder) Electric linear actuators replacing pneumatic and hydraulic systems, with dynamic force transmission up to 40 kN, stroke lengths up to 2,000 mm, speeds from 5.8 mm/s to 2,000 mm/s, and protection classes up to IP69K.
• Linear Systems (Linearsysteme) Complete linear motion systems integrating multiple linear technology components for ready-to-install solutions.
• Side Curtain and Roof Rollers (Planen- und Verdeckroller) Specialized rollers for automotive side curtains and roofs in commercial vehicles.
• OCS Buckle Tensioners (OCS-Spanner und Gurtspanner) Buckle and belt tensioner systems for automotive applications.
• Self-Lubricating Plain Bearings (Selbstschmierende Gleitlager) Precision plain bearings with Frelon coating for maintenance-free operation, made from aluminum alloy AlMg1 SiCu with corrosion resistance for harsh environments.
• Value Added Products (VAP) - Custom Engineered Solutions Customized system solutions combining precision bearings and linear technology components, integrating additional functionalities to reduce surrounding parts, material, and tolerances. Engineered for specific application conditions including aerospace, medical, semiconductor, and robotics.
• Kaydon REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM Thin-Section Bearings (Distributed) Kaydon thin-section bearings distributed by Rodriguez, with over 250 types in REALI-SLIM series and ULTRA-SLIM series with stainless steel rings and ceramic balls (diameters 35 to 200 mm, cross-section 2.5 to 3 mm), offering up to 80% space and weight savings.
• SKF High-Precision Bearings (Distributed) SKF high-precision bearings distributed by Rodriguez for demanding industrial applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 80% space and weight savings compared to standard bearings with the REALI-SLIM thin-section bearings
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alwayse EngineeringcoreTechnology or IntegrationRodriguez distributes ball transfer units from Alwayse Engineering, a specialist in multi-directional ball systems. The partnership provides 146 different variants of ball transfer units with load capacities from 10 to 5,000 kg and ball diameters from 12.5 to 120 mm for material handling applications.
• Kaydon (subsidiary of ABB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRodriguez has distributed Kaydon thin-section bearings (REALI-SLIM and ULTRA-SLIM series) for decades. The partnership provides over 250 different thin-section bearing types known for space and weight savings of up to 80% compared to standard bearings.
• Allianz für Cybersicherheit (Germany's Cybersecurity Alliance)minorOthersRodriguez is a member of Germany's Cybersecurity Alliance (Allianz für Cybersicherheit), indicating participation in national cybersecurity initiatives and information sharing.
• SKFcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRodriguez offers SKF high-precision bearings as part of their product portfolio, expanding their precision bearing offerings for demanding industrial applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HIWIN Technologies: Specialist manufacturer of linear guideways, ballscrews, linear actuators, and precision bearings with strong presence in semiconductor, medical, and automation end-markets. Closely comparable in linear motion product mix and target customer base to Rodriguez's linear technology division.
• THK Co., Ltd. Pioneer of linear motion technology with global operations and a strong European industrial OEM channel. Directly comparable in profile rail guides, ballscrews, and LM guide products serving machine tools, robotics, and semiconductor customers.

Broad incumbents

• SKF: Global bearing and seals giant that also acts as a distribution partner to Rodriguez for high-precision bearings. Directly overlaps in precision bearings and power transmission, but operates at vastly greater scale across industrial, automotive, and aerospace end-markets.
• Schaeffler Group: Parent of INA and FAG brands, offering precision bearings, linear guides, and direct-drive technology with strong automotive and industrial OEM penetration. Highly comparable in linear motion and bearing portfolio, though at much larger scale and with broader vertical integration.
• JTEKT Corporation: Manufacturer of Koyo brand bearings, linear motion, and automotive components with European operations serving machine tool and industrial automation customers. Comparable in both bearing and linear guide portfolios targeting similar OEM channels as Rodriguez.
• NTN Corporation: Global bearing and constant-velocity joint manufacturer with established European sales and industrial precision-bearing product lines. Comparable in precision bearings for machine tools, aerospace, and heavy equipment — including slewing ring applications relevant to Rodriguez's crane and parking-system customers.
• Bosch Rexroth: Leading supplier of linear motion technology — profile rail guides, ballscrews, rollerscrews, and linear actuators — with strong factory automation and semiconductor equipment positioning. Directly overlaps Rodriguez's linear technology portfolio and competes for the same industrial OEM design-ins.
• NSK Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of ball and roller bearings, linear motion products, and automotive components with global production and strong European industrial OEM presence. Directly competes in precision bearings and linear guides across machine tool, semiconductor, and robotics applications.
• Timken Company: US-based manufacturer of bearings, gears, and power transmission products serving industrial, automotive, and aerospace markets. Comparable in engineered bearings and slewing ring solutions for heavy industrial and aerospace applications — including some overlap with Rodriguez's turntable and slewing bearing portfolio.

Emerging players

• Franke GmbH: German specialty manufacturer of thin-section and wire-race bearings for medical, semiconductor, robotics, and aerospace applications. Closely comparable as a smaller, German engineering-driven competitor targeting many of the same niche applications where Rodriguez's VAP and ULTRA-SLIM products compete.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100088956033279
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/rodriguezgmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/rodriguez_gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Rodriguez