Flexlog
Flexlog GmbH, a 2012 KIT spin-off based in Karlsruhe, develops decentralized conveyor control hardware, the HORIZON IIoT platform, and ORBIT sensors for enterprise and SME intralogistics operators across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersKarlsruhe, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Flexlog does
Flexlog GmbH, founded in August 2012 as a spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), develops material flow concepts and decentralized conveyor control technology for the intralogistics market. The company sells a vertically integrated stack: the ORBIT sensor platform (G and I variants) for environmental and orientation data capture, the flexbox family of field bus modules (black, orange, blue, green, and the configurable flexbox 2.0) supporting ProfiNet, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT, a proprietary AML-based material flow computer with CQRS architecture and blockchain-traced event replay, and the HORIZON IIoT platform with native iOS app for plant visualization, process optimization, and ticket/maintenance workflows. Additional products include industrial switches (mswitch), WLAN modules (SPACE), conveyor sub-systems (Gridsorter, Flexförderer, 3D-Shuttle control), and the PalletSequencer crane-controlled pallet warehouse system.
The company pursues an enterprise B2B sales motion, combining direct field sales with regular trade show presence at LogiMAT (Stuttgart) and SPS (Nuremberg), where it co-exhibits with its subsidiary Carrybots GmbH. Revenue derives from a mix of hardware product sales (flexbox controllers, ORBIT sensors, switches, WLAN modules), software/IIoT platform subscriptions (HORIZON), and customized system solutions. Reported end customers include Bosch (Automotive Aftermarket logistics center in Karlsruhe, using HORIZON as 'OneVisu@KA'), SEW (shuttle and material flow computer deployments), and celebrate company (conveyor expansion projects). The Herbie AGV product line was spun into the 2021 Carrybots joint venture with the Schubert Group, while a partnership with Servus Intralogistics integrates flexbox control into the ARC autonomous transport robot.
The firm is privately held with no external funding rounds disclosed; ownership remains with the founders and management (Dr. Thomas Stoll, Marcel Meckes). It is co-developing AI-based control architectures with KIT, Hochschule Mannheim, GEBHARDT Fördertechnik, and Things Alive Robotics under the Baden-Württemberg 'KI für KMU' program, and is participating in the 'Safety with and for AI' innovation competition for hazard detection in intralogistics environments. Operational scale is modest at 11-50 employees, with the company formalizing internal software developer training through an apprenticeship program established in October 2018.
Flexlog firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Flexlog
- Legal name
- flexlog GmbH
- Website
- https://flexlog.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Flexlog GmbH, a 2012 KIT spin-off based in Karlsruhe, develops decentralized conveyor control hardware, the HORIZON IIoT platform, and ORBIT sensors for enterprise and SME intralogistics operators across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Flexlog industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intralogistics Control Hardware and Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Edge Control & IIoT Gateways (Edge PLCs, Data Acquisition, MQTT/OPC UA) (IMAGABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Server Management, Orchestration & BMC/Remote Admin Systems (HDACABAK), Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK)
Keywords
Where Flexlog is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Karlsruhe
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Flexlog business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Products: Sale of proprietary hardware including flexbox field bus modules (black, orange, green, blue), ORBIT sensor platforms (G and I variants), industrial switches (mswitch), and WLAN modules (SPACE). Revenue from one-time hardware product sales with modular add-on capabilities.
- Software / IIoT Platform Subscriptions: HORIZON IIoT platform and visualization software, potentially as recurring licenses or subscriptions. Material flow computer software sold as part of system packages.
- Customized System Solutions: Customized control solutions (kundenspezifische Lösungen) for specific customer requirements, likely sold as project-based professional services or one-time system configurations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Flexlog product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Flexlog develops and sells decentralized control hardware (the flexbox family of Profinet/EtherNet/IP-capable field bus modules) and the HORIZON modular IIoT platform for visualization and process optimization, along with the ORBIT sensor platform, industrial switches (mswitch), WLAN modules (SPACE) and a Material Flow Computer with proprietary deadlock/livelock avoidance routing for conveyor systems and intralogistics facilities. The company targets enterprise intralogistics operators and SME manufacturers through direct B2B sales and trade fair channels.
Product overview
Flexlog is a Karlsruhe-based company offering a comprehensive intralogistics solution portfolio centered around decentralized control concepts for conveyor technology. The core offering consists of the HORIZON IIoT platform for visualization and process optimization, complemented by the flexbox family of configurable field bus modules (black, orange, blue, green, and 2.0) ranging from simple I/O modules to fully decentralized material flow computers. The ORBIT sensor platform (G and I) provides environmental data acquisition and absolute orientation measurement for IIoT applications. Additional products include material flow computers with advanced routing and deadlock avoidance, industrial switches, WLAN modules, and conveyor technologies like Gridsorter and 3D-Shuttle control. The company also developed the Herbie AGV system, now managed by subsidiary Carrybots GmbH. Products support industrial protocols including Profinet, Ethernet/IP, and Ethercat, with MQTT for cloud connectivity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HORIZON: Modular and scalable IIoT platform for intralogistics system visualization and optimization
- ORBIT
- flexbox
- Herbie
Products and services
- HORIZON IIoT Platform Modular and scalable IIoT platform for intralogistics systems providing visualization, process optimization, and team support, with an associated native iOS app with push notifications.
- flexbox black I/O module for field connection of motor rollers and sensors in industrial conveyor applications.
- flexbox orange Industry 4.0 module for controlling motorized rollers, sensors, and external devices with advanced connectivity.
- flexbox blue Module for field connection of 400V drives and bus-compatible motor rollers.
- flexbox green Fully decentralized material flow computer with integrated visualization for conveyor systems.
- flexbox 2.0 Next generation configurable flexbox with modular system allowing users to choose functions, protocols and connections; supports up to 4 motor rollers and 8 sensors, 24V/48V and 400V drives in mixed operation, with Profinet, Ethernet/IP, and EtherCAT protocols.
- ORBIT G Base sensor for IIoT applications measuring environmental data (air pressure, temperature, humidity) and absolute 3-axis orientation, with web-based configuration, MQTT support, integrated Ethernet switch, and decentralized data evaluation.
- ORBIT I External sensor complementing ORBIT G for hard-to-reach locations, measuring absolute 3-axis orientation and angular acceleration and connecting via Ethernet switch.
- Material Flow Computer Modular material flow computer with efficient transport route calculation, online deadlock and livelock avoidance for complex and novel material flow systems, featuring AML plant layout description, Command & Event Manager with CQRS, and standard interfaces to hardware such as shuttle, lifts, and continuous conveyors.
- Herbie Automated Guided Vehicle Driverless transport system (AGV) that is affordable, flexible and easy to commission; further developed and marketed by Carrybots GmbH joint venture.
- mswitch Industrial Switches Reliable industrial network switches for acquisition of all relevant measurement data especially in field and industrial environments.
- SPACE WLAN Modules Wireless modules for quick and easy networking of systems and field components via radio connection, eliminating complex cabling and long lines.
- Flexconveyor Flexible conveyor system as part of flextechnology solutions for intralogistics applications.
- Gridsorter Grid sorting system as part of flextechnology solutions for flexible conveyor applications.
- 3D-Shuttle Control Control system for 3D shuttle storage systems with advanced routing capabilities.
- Decentralized Transfer Point Decentralized transfer point for optimal and safe connection of AGV fleets to conventional conveyor technology.
- Customized Control Solutions Customized control solutions (kundenspezifische Lösungen) for specific customer intralogistics requirements, sold as project-based professional services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Low error and failure rates
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Flexlog
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Flexlog technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
Flexlog partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism Baden-WürttembergminorGovernment ministry funding flexlog's participation in the AI safety innovation competition 'Safety with and for AI', supporting development of automated monitoring solutions using AI for hazard detection in intralogistics environments.
- next intralogistics GmbHminorImplementation partner for conveyor system expansion projects. Collaborated with flexlog on successful commissioning at celebrate company, handling system expansion and material flow adjustments.
- Carrybots GmbHcoreJoint venture between flexlog GmbH and Gerhard Schubert GmbH (Schubert Group) for the development and marketing of the Herbie automated guided vehicle system. Dr. Thomas Stoll and Marcel Meckes serve as managing directors. flexlog holds joint ownership alongside Schubert Group.
- InnokrancoreR&D partner in the PalletSequencer research project for crane-controlled automated pallet warehouse development. Collaboration with Innokran and KIT's Institute for Materials Handling and Logistics was critical for project success.
- Servus Intralogistics GmbHcoreIntegration of flexlog's decentralized flexbox control into Servus Intralogistics' autonomous transport robot ARC, creating a seamless fusion of conveyor and AGV technologies. Partners described as 'perfect interaction of two systems'.
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)coreR&D collaboration on AI-based control architecture for networked flexible material flow systems as part of Baden-Württemberg Ministry innovation competition 'KI für KMU'. Also collaborated on PalletSequencer research project with KIT's Institute for Materials Handling and Logistics. Company originated as KIT spin-off in 2012.
- Hochschule Mannheim (HSM) - Faculty of Information TechnologycoreAcademic research partner in AI-based control architecture project for networked flexible material flow systems, collaborating alongside KIT, GEBHARDT Fördertechnik, and Things Alive Robotics.
- GEBHARDT Fördertechnik GmbHcoreIndustry partner in the AI-based control architecture research project for networked flexible material flow systems, alongside KIT, HSM Mannheim, and Things Alive Robotics.
- Things Alive Robotics GmbHcoreIndustry partner in the AI-based control architecture research project for networked flexible material flow systems, alongside KIT, HSM Mannheim, and GEBHARDT Fördertechnik.
- Institute for Integrated Production Hannover (IPH)minorResearch collaboration on ZIM project for plug and play concept development for the Herbie transport assistant, approved at end of 2018.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Flexlog competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Turck: Industrial sensor, connectivity, and fieldbus I/O vendor; comparable to ORBIT sensor platform and flexbox I/O modules within intralogistics/installation environments.
- Beckhoff Automation: Established German PC-based control and EtherCAT pioneer; provides industrial controllers (CX series), I/O modules, and TwinCAT software that compete with Flexlog's flexbox family for conveyor and material flow control, but across a much broader customer base and portfolio.
- ifm electronic: Large German manufacturer of industrial sensors (position, vibration, environmental) and IO-Link/AS-i systems used in conveyor and material-handling applications, comparable to Flexlog's ORBIT and connected I/O.
- Phoenix Contact: Major supplier of industrial connection, automation, and I/O solutions, including fieldbus/Profinet components that overlap with the flexbox I/O and field bus module product line.
- Swisslog: Major intralogistics and warehouse automation integrator (part of KUKA) using conveyors, shuttles, and AGVs; comparable as a customer-segment overlap for warehouse operators seeking HORIZON-class visualization and control.
- WAGO Kontakttechnik: Established player in decentralized automation with WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM and PFC controllers targeting fieldbus-based conveyor and process applications, directly comparable to flexbox modules.
- Siemens Digital Industries: Global industrial automation incumbent offering SIMATIC PLCs and SCALANCE networking used for conveyor and material flow control; Flexbox competes for the same decentralized/edge control niches in German manufacturing.
Direct peers
- Servus Intralogistics: Intralogistics automation provider whose ARC autonomous transport robot integrates directly with Flexlog's flexbox decentralized control. Operates in the same German DACH intralogistics market with overlapping AGV/conveyor focus.
- GEBHARDT Fördertechnik: German intralogistics systems provider and partner in Flexlog's AI-based control architecture project; comparable in conveyor/warehouse solutions and overlaps as both partner and adjacent intralogistics competitor.
Emerging players
- Innokran: Crane manufacturer that partnered with Flexlog on the PalletSequencer automated pallet warehouse project; adjacent competitor in crane-controlled storage with overlapping IIoT/controll integration needs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Flexlog social profiles
Digital presenceFlexlog financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Flexlog leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Flexlog subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Flexlog funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Flexlog 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 Flexlog
What does Flexlog do?
Flexlog develops and sells decentralized control hardware (the flexbox family of Profinet/EtherNet/IP-capable field bus modules) and the HORIZON modular IIoT platform for visualization and process optimization, along with the ORBIT sensor platform, industrial switches (mswitch), WLAN modules (SPACE) and a Material Flow Computer with proprietary deadlock/livelock avoidance routing for conveyor systems and intralogistics facilities. The company targets enterprise intralogistics operators and SME manufacturers through direct B2B sales and trade fair channels.
Is Flexlog a public or private company?
Flexlog is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Flexlog founded?
Flexlog was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Flexlog based?
Flexlog is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Flexlog make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are software / IIoT Platform Subscriptions and customized System Solutions.
Who are Flexlog's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Turck, Beckhoff Automation, ifm electronic, Phoenix Contact, Swisslog, WAGO Kontakttechnik and Siemens Digital Industries. Direct peers are Servus Intralogistics and GEBHARDT Fördertechnik. Innokran is listed as an emerging player.
Does Flexlog have an API?
No public API is recorded for Flexlog.
What industry is Flexlog in?
Flexlog's product category is Intralogistics Control Hardware and Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGABAI, Industrial Edge Control & IIoT Gateways (Edge PLCs, Data Acquisition, MQTT/OPC UA), with a secondary code of HDACABAK, Server Management, Orchestration & BMC/Remote Admin Systems. Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 3576.