Steineke

What Steineke does

Steineke GmbH is a privately held German engineering and software firm headquartered in Hannover, founded in 1994 by Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Hans-Hennig Steineke. The company specializes in optimizing and safeguarding highly complex automation projects, with products and services applied during both the introduction phase and ongoing operation of production facilities. Its core software offering is the Steineke Toolbox 4.0, a platform that uses software robots (softbots) operating as individual units or as swarm clusters to transform large operational datasets into 'smart data' granules for automated insights and reactions. The technological foundation spans artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, data mining, smart data processing, and digital twin technologies.

The service portfolio complements this software stack with high-precision measurement and calibration work, including 3D laser scanning using the Leica RTC360, base measurement and parameter optimization for industrial robots, AR/VR-supported data visualization, and production start-up support (Anlaufabsicherung) covering cell calibration, assembly control, and conformity testing. Revenue is generated through a mix of custom software development projects, standard software products licensed for data mining and data-quality use cases, and technical consulting services — all delivered via direct enterprise sales to automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Customer logos include Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Ford, KUKA, Siemens, ThyssenKrupp, FFT, CATL, IKEA, and Airbus. The group operates alongside affiliated companies InPro electric, InPro engineering, and Reisdorfer engineering, extending the multi-disciplinary coverage of automotive production start-up and adjacent non-automotive automation projects. Geographic reach spans ten countries across Europe, North America, and South America/Asia, although Germany remains the primary market and the company is founder-controlled with around twenty employees.

Name

Steineke

Legal name

Steineke GmbH

Website

https://steineke.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steineke GmbH is a German engineering and software firm specializing in automation optimization, AI-driven Smart Data processing, robot calibration, 3D scanning, and AR/VR visualization for automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Software

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAEAKAF

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) & Hyperautomation Platforms

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Enterprise Platforms & Databases/Enterprise Application Development Platforms (Low-Code/No-Code & PaaS)

SECONDARYHDAEANAA

End-to-End Enterprise AI Platforms (MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Enterprise Platforms & Databases/Artificial Intelligence Platforms for Enterprise

SECONDARYHDAEAHAF

Digital Process Automation (DPA) & Orchestration Suites

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Enterprise Platforms & Databases/Business Process Management (BPM), Workflow & Automation Platforms

SECONDARYBPAEAHAF

AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/Data, Analytics & AI Services

Keywords

• Industrial automation software
• Smart data processing
• Robot calibration services
• Automotive manufacturing software
• Digital twin solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Burgdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software development projects: Custom software development tailored to customer requirements in automation, data analysis platforms, and data interfaces.
2. Software products: Standard software solutions specializing in data mining, data quality in automation technology, and Smart Data processing.
3. Technical consulting services: On-site services including measurement, coordination, data checking, cell calibration, assembly control, integration management, and conformity testing for automotive production start-ups.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Steineke develops and delivers software products and specialized technical services that optimize and safeguard highly complex automation projects, primarily in automotive manufacturing. Its proprietary Steineke Toolbox 4.0 platform uses software robots (softbots) for Smart Data processing in body shop environments, and is complemented by services including 3D laser scanning, base measurement for robot calibration, AR/VR data visualization, digital twin creation, and production start-up support.

Product overview

Steineke offers a comprehensive portfolio of software solutions and services for the automotive and manufacturing industries. The core product is the Steineke Toolbox 4.0, which provides software robots (softbots) for Smart Data processing and analysis. This platform is complemented by specialized services including 3D Laser Scanning, Base Measurement, AR/VR Data Visualization, Start-up Support, and Digital Twin creation. The company also provides custom software development and standard software products for data mining and automation quality. These offerings work together to support, secure, and optimize automation projects during vehicle production start-up and plant operation, with a focus on data traceability, data feedback, and data mining.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Steineke Toolbox 4.0 A proprietary software platform using software robots (softbots) for Smart Data processing in body shop environments, enabling users to reduce planning and programming costs and increase existing capacities through automated data analysis. Softbots operate as individual units or swarm clusters to generate insights and react to findings.
• Smart Data Solutions Transforms big data into 'smart data' through granulation, allowing automated processing based on relevance. Uses swarm or cluster-active softbots for independent insight generation and automated reactions in automation environments.
• 3D Laser Scanning Service High-precision 3D laser scanning service using the Leica RTC360 scanner to generate millions of XYZ points defining the exact position and shape of scanned objects and environments, producing detailed point clouds and high-resolution images for planning and implementation.
• Base Measurement Precision measurement and analysis service for industrial robot positioning optimization, including on-site measurement, data analysis, parameter optimization, and continuous monitoring for reliable and efficient automation.
• AR and VR Data Visualization Augmented and virtual reality solutions for analyzing complex data accessibly, integrating AR glasses to supplement real environments with information visualized in real time, including needs analysis, data integration, virtual environment development, and training.
• Start-up Support (Anlaufabsicherung) Customized on-site services for smooth production start-up, including cell calibration, assembly control, interface management, robot program import, integration management, and conformity testing for automotive manufacturers.
• Digital Twin (Digitaler Prozesszwilling) Creation of a digital process twin serving as the foundation for Steineke's services, producing the information needed to bring projects to target, often transferred to the plant operator after commissioning.
• Software Projects (Custom Development) Customized individual software development on customer order, including process automation applications, data analysis platforms, and data interfaces tailored to specific business needs.
• Standard Software Products Standard software solutions specializing in data mining and data quality in automation technology, enabling extraction of valuable insights from large datasets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customers save time and money - measurably, reproducibly and sustainably
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• InPro electric GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading provider of highly developed electrical engineering services in an international environment. Focus on production and manufacturing automation with over 400 employees in Germany and 600 employees abroad. Affiliated company within the Steineke group network. Serves automotive industry in body construction, battery cleaning, final assembly, conveyor technology, logistics and non-automotive sectors.
• InPro engineering GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal expert for mechatronic services and engineering in production automation. With over 70 own employees, applies expertise specifically in automotive industry in body construction, battery production, final assembly, conveyor technology, logistics and non-automotive sectors. Affiliated company within the Steineke group network.
• Reisdorfer engineering GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert in mechanical engineering and simulation. Focus on development of customized solutions based on state-of-the-art simulation and engineering technology. Affiliated company within the Steineke group network.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics: Global industrial robotics and automation supplier with its own software/data stack for automotive cells. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the automotive automation stack alongside Steineke's robotics analytics.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Global industrial automation and digital industries software provider (SIMATIC, MindSphere). A broad incumbent whose manufacturing execution and digital-twin platforms compete in the same customer conversations Steineke has around plant automation and data analytics.
• KUKA: Major robotics and automation solutions provider with deep automotive customer base. Works alongside Steineke at customers but is a broad incumbent with its own software/analytics portfolio.
• Bosch Manufacturing Solutions: Global industrial supplier offering factory automation, assembly and connected manufacturing solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent with deep automotive OEM relationships overlapping Steineke's customer base.

Direct peers

• Comau: Automotive manufacturing solutions provider offering body shop engineering, robotics and digital tools. Directly competes with Steineke in automotive production start-up and digital factory enablement.
• STRAMA-MPS: German provider of special-purpose machinery and automation systems for automotive production. Directly comparable niche specialist serving the same German auto OEM ecosystem.
• GROB Group: German manufacturer of special machinery and automation systems primarily serving automotive OEMs and suppliers. Comparable as a Germany-based automotive automation specialist with similar customer base.
• Tebis AG: German software vendor specializing in CAD/CAM, simulation and manufacturing process automation, primarily for automotive and tooling customers. Directly comparable as a German software specialist serving manufacturing automation.
• EDAG Engineering & Design: German engineering services provider specializing in automotive production systems, body construction and digital factory solutions. Directly comparable to Steineke as both deliver software/engineering services to OEMs on body-shop and automation projects.
• FFT (now part of EDAG): Producer of production systems and body-shop solutions for automotive OEMs, now under EDAG. Closely comparable to Steineke as both deliver body construction and production automation services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steineke-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Steineke