Pilsen

What Pilsen does

Pilsen, Inc. (operating as Pilsen Imports and Pilsen Machine Systems) is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based specialized distributor of large CNC machine tools, founded in 1993. The company is the authorized US representative for five European premier manufacturers — TOSHULIN (vertical turning centers), TOS KURIM (horizontal boring mills and gantry machines), CKD BLANSKO (large vertical turning lathes), SMT (floor type horizontal boring mills and lathes, founded 1911 in Pilzen, Czech Republic), and REIDEN Technik (universal and 5-axis machining centers). Pilsen exclusively targets enterprises requiring machining of large, heavy, or complex parts, with equipment rated to handle workpieces up to 704,000 lbs and diameters up to 630 inches, including hydrostatic bearing options for super heavy-duty applications.

The company's product portfolio spans five core categories: vertical turning/boring machines, horizontal boring mills, vertical gantry machines, 5-axis and universal machining centers, and horizontal lathes. Notable technical features include hydrostatic bearing technology, live milling and drilling spindles integrated into VTL machines, and Industry 4.0 capabilities for real-time machine monitoring and mobile communication. The technology stack is essentially the OEM equipment Pilsen distributes — Pilsen adds value through configuration consultation, application engineering, installation, and lifecycle support rather than in-house product development.

Pilsen operates a direct enterprise field sales model with consultative selling, quote-based pricing, and 24/7 service support including overnight parts delivery. Revenue is generated through capital equipment sales (hardware) and a recurring service stream (installation, training, maintenance, repair). The company employs 11-50 people and serves a vertically segmented customer base across aerospace, power generation, oil/gas/mining, special alloy machining, railroad wheels, foundry, and tire manufacturing — with named customers including Liebherr Mining, Forgital, Excel Foundry, Cooper Tires, and an unnamed steam turbine OEM. The company is privately held, incorporated in Ohio, with no disclosed external funding.

Name

Pilsen

Legal name

Pilsen, Inc.

Website

https://pilsenimports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pilsen Imports is a Cincinnati-based US distributor of large CNC machine tools, representing five European manufacturers (TOSHULIN, TOS KURIM, CKD BLANSKO, SMT, REIDEN). It serves industrial enterprises in aerospace, mining, power generation, and heavy manufacturing requiring large part machining solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNC Machine Tools

NAICS

Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)

Keywords

• CNC machine tools
• Large part machining
• Vertical turning machines
• Horizontal boring mills
• Industrial machinery distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CNC Machine Tool Sales: Sale of large CNC milling and turning machine tools from partner manufacturers including TOSHULIN, TOS KURIM, CKD BLANSKO, SMT, and REIDEN. Equipment includes vertical turning centers, horizontal boring mills, gantry machines, 5-axis machining centers, and horizontal lathes.
2. Service and Maintenance: Maintenance and repair services, installation, operator training, and parts supply for CNC machines. 24/7 customer support with overnight parts delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pilsen is a U.S. distributor of large CNC machine tools, offering vertical turning/boring machines, horizontal boring mills, vertical gantry machines, 5-axis universal machining centers, and horizontal lathes sourced from European manufacturers TOSHULIN, TOS KURIM, CKD BLANSKO, SMT, and REIDEN Technik. The company also delivers installation, operator training, maintenance, repair, and overnight parts supply services throughout the operational lifecycle of the machines it sells.

Product overview

Pilsen is a CNC machine tool distributor offering a portfolio of large part machining solutions. Their core product line includes Vertical Turning/Boring Machines, Horizontal Boring Mills, Vertical Gantry Machines, 5-Axis & Universal Machining Centers, and Horizontal Lathes. They represent multiple partner brands: TOSHULIN (vertical turning centers), TOS KURIM (horizontal boring mills and gantry machines), CKD BLANSKO (large VTLs including SKD, SKDY, SKJ series), SMT (large floor type HBMs and horizontal lathes), and REIDEN (universal/5-axis machining centers). Services include maintenance & repair, parts supply with overnight delivery, and installation & training. The company focuses exclusively on large and complex machining requirements with equipment capable of handling workpieces up to 704,000 lbs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vertical Turning/Boring Machines Large CNC vertical turning and boring machines for heavy-duty machining of large workpieces, available with hydrostatic bearing options for workpieces up to 704,000 lbs, sold to industrial manufacturers requiring large diameter turning.
• Horizontal Boring Mills
• Vertical Gantry Machines
• 5-Axis & Universal Machining Centers
• Horizontal Lathes
• TOSHULIN BASICTURN 1250-3 Vertical Turning Center Vertical turning center (BASICTURN 1250-3) available for quick delivery, sold to industrial manufacturers needing faster access to a vertical turning lathe for large part machining.
• CKD SKDY Vertical Turning Lathe Vertical turning and boring lathe with gantry Y axis movement and hydrostatic bearing for workpiece weights up to 704,000 lbs, sold to industrial manufacturers requiring Y-axis capability on heavy vertical turning operations.
• CKD SKJ Open Side Vertical Turning Lathe
• Maintenance & Repair Service
• Repair Parts Supply Spare parts for CNC machines with overnight delivery to maintain continuous operation, sold to owners of CNC machines supplied by Pilsen.
• Installation & Training

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TOSHULINcoreTechnology or IntegrationTOSHULIN is a premier manufacturer of Vertical Turning Centers. Pilsen is the authorized representative for TOSHULIN products, offering vertical turning and boring machines for large part machining applications.
• TOS KURIMcoreTechnology or IntegrationTOS KURIM is a leading manufacturer of Horizontal Boring Mills and Vertical Gantry Machines. Pilsen distributes their floor type boring mills and traveling gantry machines for large part machining.
• CKD BLANSKOcoreTechnology or IntegrationCKD BLANSKO (also referred to as CKD BLANSCO) manufactures Large Vertical Turning Lathes. Pilsen represents CKD BLANSKO products including SKD, SKDY, and SKJ series machines capable of handling workpieces up to 630 inches diameter.
• SMTcoreTechnology or IntegrationSMT (founded 1911 in Pilzen, Czech Republic) produces Large Floor Type Horizontal Boring Mills and Horizontal Lathes. Pilsen is the U.S. distributor for SMT products, offering both Linear Guide and Hydrostatic machines.
• REIDEN TechnikcoreTechnology or IntegrationREIDEN Technik manufactures Universal and 5-Axis Machining Centers. Pilsen distributes REIDEN products including RX10, RX12, RX14, and RX18 5-axis machining centers for complex machining applications.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DMG Mori: DMG Mori is one of the world's largest CNC machine tool manufacturers, with a direct US sales and service operation. Its large-format 5-axis and turning centers compete for the same aerospace and heavy-industrial customer wallet as Pilsen's principals.
• Haas Automation: Haas Automation is the largest US-based CNC machine tool builder, selling a broad portfolio of verticals, horizontals, and rotary machines through its own direct and dealer network. It is a broad incumbent whose horizontal-line machines occasionally overlap Pilsen's large-part focus at the lower end.
• Mazak: Mazak (Yamazaki Mazak) is a global CNC machine tool manufacturer with a strong US direct-sales and dealer network. Its large vertical machining centers and 5-axis machines compete for the heavy-duty machining work that Pilsen services via its partner brands.
• Okuma America Corporation: Okuma is a major Japanese CNC machine tool builder with an established US subsidiary. It sells large-format turning, milling, and multitasking machines directly to heavy-industrial customers — overlapping with Pilsen's target accounts in aerospace, energy, and mining.

Direct peers

• Industrial Tooling House (ITH): ITH is a specialist US distributor of large machine tools and fabrication equipment, with a similar consultative sales motion targeting heavy-industrial customers. It is a direct comparable in distribution model and end-market focus.
• Methods Machine Tools: Methods Machine Tools is a leading US distributor of CNC machine tools, offering a multi-brand portfolio to industrial manufacturers. It competes directly with Pilsen for large-machine sales and aftermarket service in overlapping aerospace, automotive, and heavy industrial end markets.
• Gosiger: Gosiger is a US-based CNC machine tool distributor and automation integrator serving large manufacturers. Like Pilsen, it combines capital equipment sales with installation, training, and service, making it a close direct comparable for enterprise sales-led distribution of machine tools.
• Kingsbury (Heidenhain reseller / machine tool distributor): Kingsbury is a long-standing European machine tool distributor with a US footprint, representing multiple European brands. It mirrors Pilsen's model of bringing European-built large CNC machines into the North American market via specialist sales and lifecycle support.

Emerging players

• TOS Varnsdorf: TOS Varnsdorf is a Czech manufacturer of large horizontal boring mills and floor-type machining centers — directly adjacent to Pilsen's partner TOS KURIM. It sells both through distributors and directly into North America, partially overlapping Pilsen's product category.
• Hwacheon North America: Hwacheon is a Korean CNC machine tool builder selling large turning and machining centers in the US via its own subsidiary. Its heavy-duty lathes and vertical turning lathes overlap with Pilsen's TOSHULIN and CKD BLANSKO product range.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PilsenImports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pilsen-imports-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Pilsen