Trelco AG

What Trelco AG does

Trelco AG is a Swiss family-owned technical distribution and service company headquartered in Muhen, Canton Aargau, founded in 1973. The company operates two core verticals: Bahntechnik (rail technology) supplying vehicle components (wheelsets, couplings, buffers, springs, compressed air tanks, brakes, fasteners) and infrastructure (switches, rail fastening materials, guidance systems, level crossing systems, buffer stops, cable channels); and Industrietechnik (industrial technology) providing drive technology (gearboxes, positioning systems, couplings, freewheels, tensioning sets), electrical technology (control relays, sensors, transformers, chokes, network monitoring relays), and lubrication technology (lubricants and electromechanical dispensers such as MEMOLUB). Trelco also operates a Serviceleistungen arm offering installation, maintenance, repair, and commissioning as an authorized service partner for Voith and HANNING & KAHL, plus a logistics operation built around a 2,000 m² high-bay warehouse with 2,160 pallet spaces supporting consignment stock, kitting, and custom manufacturing.

The company functions as the exclusive Swiss representative for a portfolio of European manufacturers including Voith (automatic couplers), HANNING & KAHL (signaling/switch technology, 55-year partnership), ZIEHL (network monitoring relays), RAWIE (buffer stops), halstrup-walcher (positioning systems, 20-year partnership), and DT (Czech switch manufacturer). Products are sold via a direct sales team with Key Account Managers and Product Managers, supported by industry event participation (Innotrans, SINDEX, SPS) and trade association membership (Swissrail, VöV, VAP). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Revenue mechanics span product distribution (one-time sales of imported European technology), authorized service and maintenance contracts (recurring installed-base work), and logistics services (storage, labeling, kitting). The customer base is concentrated in Swiss enterprise and public-sector buyers including SBB Cargo, BLS AG, Bernmobil, Limmattalbahn AG, Walo Bertschinger AG, Eniwa AG, and Rotzinger AG. The company is privately held by the Gerhard family, with second-generation owner/CEO Ronny Gerhard having taken over from his father Paul Gerhard in 2019. Trelco holds ISO 9001:2015 (since 2012), EcoVadis, and ECM DVO 2019/779 certifications, and operates exclusively within Switzerland with no disclosed international expansion.

Name

Trelco AG

Legal name

Trelco AG

Website

https://trelco.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trelco AG is a Swiss family-owned distributor and authorized service partner specializing in railway technology components, industrial drive and electrical technology, and lubrication systems, serving Swiss enterprise and public-sector customers in the rail, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Muhen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of railway components (switches, couplers, buffers, brakes), industrial drive technology, electrical technology, and lubrication products. The company acts as a Swiss representative for European technology manufacturers.
2. Service and Maintenance: Comprehensive service offerings including installation, maintenance, repair, and commissioning of railway systems, switchgear, and industrial equipment. Authorized service partner for HANNING & KAHL and VOITH.
3. Logistics Solutions: Customized storage solutions on over 2000 m2 with 2160 pallet spaces in high-bay warehouse, product labeling, kit assembly, and consignment warehouse services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Trelco AG is a Swiss trading and service company that distributes railway technology components (vehicle components such as couplings, buffers, springs, brakes, and infrastructure such as switches, buffer stops, cable ducts) and industrial technology products (drive technology, electrical relays/sensors/transformers, lubrication systems). The company serves as the exclusive Swiss representative for several European manufacturers including HANNING & KAHL, Voith, ZIEHL, halstrup-walcher, and RAWIE, complemented by installation, maintenance, repair, and logistics services from its headquarters in Muhen.

Product overview

Trelco AG is a Swiss trading company with over 50 years of experience serving the railway and industrial technology sectors. The company operates three main product categories: Railway Technology (Bahntechnik) covering vehicle components (wheelsets, couplings, buffers, springs, brakes) and infrastructure (switch technology, rail materials, guidance systems); Industrial Technology encompassing drive technology (gearboxes, positioning systems, couplings, freewheels), electrical technology (control relays, sensors, transformers, chokes), and lubrication technology (lubricants, electromechanical dispensers like MEMOLUB); and Services including logistics (2000m² warehouse with 2160 pallet spaces) and assembly/maintenance/repair services. Trelco serves as authorized service partner for HANNING & KAHL, Voith, and RAWIE, distributing European technology products in Switzerland with technical consulting, logistics, and after-sales support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Railway Vehicle Components (Fahrzeugkomponenten) Portfolio of railway vehicle components including wheelsets, couplings, buffers, springs, compressed air containers, fasteners, and brakes for rail vehicle builders and operators.
• Railway Infrastructure (Infrastruktur) Railway infrastructure products including switch technology, rail fastening materials, guidance systems, level crossing and track drainage plates, buffer stops (RAWIE), and cable ducts for rail infrastructure projects.
• Drive Technology (Antriebstechnik) Industrial drive technology including gearboxes, positioning systems, couplings, freewheels and backstops, tensioning sets, shaft couplings, and remote operation/pedal controls.
• Electrical Technology (Elektrotechnik) Electrical technology products including control relays, sensors, transformers, chokes, and measurement devices for industrial power supply and automation applications.
• Lubrication Technology (Schmiertechnik) Lubrication technology including lubricants, lubricating oils and greases, cooling lubricants, separating agents, and electromechanical lubricant dispensers (MEMOLUB).
• MEMOLUB HPS Electromechanical Lubricant Dispenser Electromechanical lubricant dispenser for automated machinery lubrication, with supply pressure up to 25 bar, operating temperatures from -25°C to +50°C, available in 120ml, 240ml, and 480ml sizes.
• ZIEHL UFR 1001E Network Monitoring Relay Network protection relay that monitors voltage and frequency in three-phase and single-phase networks to ensure optimal protection and reliable operation of photovoltaic installations and power grids.
• ZIEHL Universal-Relais UR840IP Web-capable threshold relay with Ethernet interface and eight inputs for temperature sensors or analog signals, featuring TCP/IP browser control and Modbus RTU RS485 interface.
• ZIEHL EFR4002IP Energy Flow Relay Energy flow relay monitoring power flow between consumer and public grid, with VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11 certification for photovoltaic installations.
• ZIEHL STWA1H Current Transformer AC current transformer with RS485 interface for Modbus RTU protocol communication, suitable for DIN rail mounting with 35mm width.
• ZIEHL TR640IP/TR660IP Temperature Relays Temperature relays for transformer and motor protection, supporting up to six sensors monitoring up to 7 limit values, with Ethernet interface, Modbus TCP, LCD display, and temperature rise rate monitoring.
• ZIEHL STWA4MH AC Current Converter Contactless AC current measurement converter via Modbus RTU over RS485, measuring AC currents from 0 to 60A.
• PSW Positioning System Modular positioning system for conveyor belt tension control with IP68 protection class for food production environments, enabling automatic belt tension adjustment and constant belt edge control.
• Transformers & Chokes Single-phase and three-phase transformers, autotransformers, voltage stabilizers, inrush current limiters, and chokes for industrial power supply applications.
• Industrial Couplings (Kupplungen) Industrial couplings including distance couplings, elastomer couplings, metal bellows couplings, miniature couplings, and safety couplings for torque transmission.
• Logistics Services Individual logistics solutions including 2,000 m² warehouse with 2,160 pallet spaces, product labeling, kit assembly, custom half-finished product manufacturing, and consignment warehouse services for railway and industrial customers.
• Assembly, Maintenance & Repair Services Full-service offerings including installation, maintenance, repair, and commissioning of railway switch drives and control systems, Voith vehicle technology, and RAWIE buffer stops. Authorized service partner for HANNING & KAHL and Voith.

Quantifiable outcome

• 270,000 kWh solar energy produced annually - equivalent to ~60 households
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HANNING & KAHL GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 201955-year partnership with Trelco as the Swiss representative for HANNING & KAHL products including signaling technology and brake systems. Since November 2019, Trelco is also an authorized service partner for HANNING & KAHL infrastructure products. Trelco provides installation, maintenance, and commissioning services for switch drives and controls in Switzerland.
• VoithcoreTechnology or Integration · 6 May 2019Trelco serves as Voith's authorized service partner in Switzerland for automatic couplers. The company accompanied the SBB Cargo project that equipped 100 goods wagons and 25 locomotives with automatic Voith couplers since May 2019, contributing to more efficient and safer railway freight transport. Trelco also provides ongoing maintenance services for Voith equipment.
• ZIEHL industrie-elektronik GmbH + Co KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationTrelco distributes ZIEHL products in Switzerland including network monitoring relays (UFR 1001E), temperature relays (TR640IP, TR660IP), current transformers (STWA series), universal relays (UR840IP), and energy flow relays. These products are used for power grid protection, motor protection, and industrial automation applications.
• Brünig Dampfbahn (BDB)minorOthersTrelco sponsors the Brünig Steam Railway association, supporting the preservation of historical steam locomotives and carriages as part of cultural heritage and Swiss railway tradition.
• Sinisha Lüscher-BoakyeminorOthersSince 2025, Trelco sponsors young Schwing (traditional Swiss wrestling) talent Sinisha Lüscher-Boakye from Muhen. The partnership was renewed for the 2026 season. Sinisha achieved 'Eidgenosse' status by earning a wreath at the 2025 Federal Schwing and Alpine Festival.
• Swissrail Industry AssociationcoreOthersTrelco joined Swissrail as official member in December 2022. Swissrail is the association of Swiss industry companies in rail-bound transport. Benefits include networking events, workshops, access to information platforms, and staying current with industry developments.
• Energie SchweizminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrelco references Energie Schweiz resources for solar self-consumption optimization, aligning with company sustainability initiatives and solar energy products.
• Limmattalbahn AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrelco supplies complete switch technology for the Limmattalbahn project, responsible for planning, delivery, and commissioning. Working with Walo Bertschinger AG as general contractor and VBZ/AVA as transport operators.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Ltd: Swiss-Swedish industrial automation, electrification, and rail equipment giant with a major Swiss footprint. Comparable broad incumbent operating across Trelco's industrial and rail electrical/drivetrain adjacencies with overlapping customers in Swiss industry.
• Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA: Global rail and industrial technology manufacturer whose products Trelco distributes and services in Switzerland (authorized service partner for Voith automatic couplers deployed at SBB Cargo). Comparable as the underlying OEM shaping much of Trelco's rail revenue.
• WAGO Kontakttechnik SE & Co. KG: German manufacturer of electrical interconnection and automation products with established Swiss distribution. Comparable as a key supplier category for which Trelco acts in a similar go-to-market role (industrial electrical components for rail and manufacturing customers).
• HANNING & KAHL GmbH & Co. KG: German rail switch and signaling systems manufacturer for whom Trelco is the 55-year Swiss representative and authorized service partner. Comparable as the OEM whose product line drives a large share of Trelco's rail infrastructure revenue.

Direct peers

• Bachofen AG: Swiss industrial automation and drive technology distributor headquartered in Uster, serving Swiss manufacturers with European OEM brands. Directly comparable to Trelco as a Swiss technical distributor with representation agreements, project consulting, and after-sales service for industrial components.
• Baumer Group: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of sensors, encoders, and vision technology for industrial and railway applications. Comparable Swiss B2B industrial technology company serving overlapping rail and general industrial customer base with deep direct sales and service coverage.
• MCI Technology GmbH: German industrial automation distributor and engineering company serving manufacturing and process industries. Similar GTM to Trelco in distributing and integrating industrial components (drives, sensors, controls) from leading European manufacturers with technical consulting.
• Spohn + Burkhardt GmbH & Co. KG: Manufacturer of industrial control devices (foot pedals, hand controllers, joysticks) and rail signaling controls. Comparable to Trelco's portfolio of relays, sensors, and rail control technology with overlapping customers in rail and process industries.

Regional players

• Stäubli International AG: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of industrial connectors, robotics, and textile machinery. Comparable as a Swiss-rooted industrial B2B technology company with rail adjacency and a high-touch direct sales and service model in Switzerland and adjacent markets.

Others

• Bonfiglioli Riduttori S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of gearboxes, drive systems, and related industrial components. Comparable as a principal supplier in the same product category (industrial drive technology) that Trelco distributes and integrates for Swiss manufacturers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInch.linkedin.com/company/trelco

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Trelco AG