What START40 does

START40 (legal name: START 40 – MACHINES OUTILS) is a privately-held French industrial machinery and laser distributor headquartered in Épinal, Vosges, founded in 1994 with a continuous operational presence at the current location since 2007. The company operates two product divisions: a machine tools division covering CNC and conventional turning, milling, sawing, EDM (electrical discharge machining), and grinding equipment; and a laser division covering cutting, cleaning, marking, and welding laser systems, including proprietary S40-branded products. Start40 distributes equipment and laser sources from more than 30 international manufacturers including Colchester Harrison, Lagun, Fanuc, Mitsui Seiki, Takisawa, ABMark, Tykma Electrox, EISMO, Kondia, BOFA, and MAX photonics, and holds exclusive regional distribution rights for Colchester Harrison spare parts and machines. Beyond transactional equipment sales, the company offers Qualiopi-certified training, after-sales service, preventive maintenance, and custom laser solution engineering including bespoke dual-head configurations for specialized industrial applications.

The company generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware sales of new and pre-owned equipment, supplemented by recurring training services and after-sales maintenance contracts. Pricing is quote-based with a 30% deposit required on order confirmation per the published CGV, and no public price list exists. Distribution operates through a direct sales model anchored by the Épinal showroom and field sales team, supported by a quote-request-driven website (start40.com), video content on YouTube and TikTok, and customer testimonials. Customers span SME precision mechanics workshops, large industrial manufacturers, research institutes (CERN, ESRF Grenoble), luxury design firms (Tashi Bharucha Design), and consumer goods companies (Nestlé Waters), with more than 950 cumulative clients served worldwide.

The company is independent and founder/local-held with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent company backing, and is registered in France under SIRET 500.482.08800035. There are no subsidiaries, no public listing, and no disclosed acquisitions, investments, or leadership transitions in the source data. Recent strategic activity has been concentrated on extending the proprietary S40 laser product family and adding high-precision machine tool lines such as the MITSUI SEIKI VERTEX machining center, while maintaining the Qualiopi training and after-sales service franchise.

Name

START40

Legal name

START 40 – MACHINES OUTILS

Website

https://start40.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

START40 is a French industrial machinery and laser distributor based in Épinal, founded in 1994. It sells CNC machine tools (turning, milling, EDM, sawing, grinding) and industrial laser systems (cutting, cleaning, marking, welding) from 30+ brands, plus Qualiopi-certified training and after-sales service to industrial manufacturers and precision mechanics workshops.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Machinery Distribution

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

CNC Machining & Programming (EDAOAGAA)

Keywords

• Industrial machine tools
• CNC machining equipment
• Industrial laser systems
• Laser marking equipment
• Metalworking machinery

Headquarters

HQ city

Épinal

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Machine Tool Sales: Sale of new and used CNC and conventional machine tools including turning, milling, sawing, EDM, and grinding machines. Products sourced from 30+ manufacturer brands. Both new equipment and pre-inspected used machines are sold.
2. Industrial Laser Equipment Sales: Sale of laser equipment including cutting, cleaning, marking, and welding lasers. Products span multiple power ranges and technologies (fiber MOPA, fiber standard, UV, CO2, Gaussien, Top Hat). Includes accessories such as rotary axes, smoke extractors, and fume extraction systems.
3. Training Services: Certified Qualiopi training programs covering machine tool operation (turning, milling, EDM, grinding), CNC programming (Fanuc, Heidenhain, Fagor, Siemens), and laser equipment usage. Training is offered as a standalone service and bundled with equipment purchases.
4. After-Sales Service and Maintenance: Technical support, troubleshooting, on-site and remote assistance, spare parts supply, and preventive maintenance services for sold equipment. Includes remote and on-site diagnostic services.
5. Custom Laser Solutions: Design and implementation of bespoke laser systems tailored to specific client requirements, including custom integration with multiple laser heads for specialized applications such as perfume bottle engraving.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Start40 is a French specialist distributor of CNC machine tools (turning, milling, sawing, EDM, grinding) and industrial lasers (cutting, cleaning, marking, welding), representing 30+ manufacturer brands. It complements equipment sales with custom laser system integration, Qualiopi-certified operator training, and after-sales service and maintenance. The company also sells certified pre-owned equipment and operates its own S40-branded laser cleaning and marking product lines.

Product overview

START40 is an industrial machinery and laser technology distributor and integrator based in Épinal, France, operating since 1994/2007. The company operates two main divisions: (1) Machine Tools (machines-outils) covering turning, milling, sawing, EDM, and grinding, and (2) a dedicated Laser Division covering cutting, cleaning, marking, and welding lasers, plus custom laser solutions. The portfolio includes branded laser stations (S40, ABMARK, TYKMA ELECTROX), standalone laser sources (AB-F Halo, AB-F Intégration, AB-C CO2 series, AB-D UV, Minilase XL, Zetalase Duo/XL/XLT, ATLAS, Vereo Smart), and cleaning lasers (S40F200N 1D/2D, S40F1500N, S40 F300 N2). Machine tool brands distributed include LAGUN, COLCHESTER HARRISON, TAKISAWA, MITSUI SEIKI, EISMO, and others. The company also sells used equipment and provides training, after-sales service, and maintenance (Qualiopi certified).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNC and Conventional Turning Machines (Tournage) Sale of CNC and conventional turning machines (lathes) for cylindrical metal part machining, distributed from brands such as Colchester Harrison, Takisawa and Fagima, targeted at maintenance shops, small-batch production and industrial workshops.
• CNC and Conventional Milling Machines (Fraisage) Sale of CNC and conventional milling machines including 5-axis machining centres (e.g., Lagun EVZ630, Kondia FIVE 400) for complex part manufacturing, for industrial workshops and production companies.
• Industrial Band Saw Machines (Sciage) Sale of industrial band saw machines (e.g., EISMO AL 500 N) for cutting metal workpieces, for metal fabrication shops and industrial users.
• Electrical Discharge Machining (Électroérosion) Sale of wire EDM and drilling EDM machines for precision machining of hardened materials, for toolrooms and precision mechanics workshops.
• Precision Grinding Machines (Rectification) Sale of precision grinding machines for finishing operations achieving tight tolerances, for precision mechanics and tooling workshops.
• Industrial Fiber Laser Cutting Machines (Lasers de découpe) Sale of industrial fiber laser cutting machines for metal fabrication, including the 1300x900mm cutting machine and Mitsui Seiki Vertex high-precision cutting system, for metal workshops and industrial manufacturers.
• Industrial Laser Cleaning Systems (Lasers de nettoyage) Sale of laser cleaning systems using top-hat or Gaussian beam technology (S40F200N 1D/2D, S40F1500N, S40 F300 N2 air-cooled) to remove rust, paint, coatings and impurities without chemicals or contact, for industrial surface treatment applications.
• Industrial Laser Marking Systems (Lasers de marquage) Sale of fiber, CO2, UV and MOPA laser marking and engraving systems (S40 Station Mini/Maxi, ABMARK Station Mini/Midi/Maxi, AB-F Halo, AB-D UV, AB-C CO2, Minilase XL, Zetalase Duo/XL/XLT, ATLAS, Vereo Smart) for permanent part identification, traceability and industrial marking.
• Industrial Laser Welding Systems (Lasers de soudure) Sale of laser welding systems for precise, clean and strong metal jointing with minimal thermal distortion, for industrial production and fabrication shops.
• Custom Laser Solutions (Solutions laser sur-mesure) Bespoke laser system design and integration services including 3D modeling and specialized configurations (e.g., dual-head laser engraving systems such as perfume bottle engraving), for industrial integrators and OEMs with unique manufacturing requirements.
• Pre-owned Machine Tools and Lasers (Machines d'occasion) Sale of pre-owned machine tools and lasers (CNC lathes, machining centres, EDM, saws, laser systems) inspected and certified by Start40 technicians, at reduced prices versus new equipment, for SMEs, workshops and growing businesses.
• Training, After-Sales Service and Maintenance (Formation, SAV et maintenance) Qualiopi-certified operator training (machine tool basics, CNC programming on Fanuc/Heidenhain/Fagor/Siemens, laser operation), after-sales service, technical support and preventive maintenance for Start40-supplied equipment, offered standalone or bundled with equipment purchases.

Quantifiable outcome

• 950+ clients across the world
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Integration9 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LaguncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLagun is a key brand in Start40's machine tool portfolio. Start40 distributes Lagun products including the EVZ630 5-axis machining center, representing Lagun as a core industrial machining brand in their catalog.
• Colchester HarrisoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor of Colchester Harrison spare parts and machines in the region. Featured products include the MultiTurn 2000 lathe series. Start40 holds exclusive distribution rights for Colchester spare parts.
• FAGIMAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFAGIMA is prominently featured as a key brand in Start40's machine tool offerings, including turning and milling machines.
• FANUCcoreTechnology or IntegrationFanuc CNC systems are a core technology partner for Start40. Fanuc is listed among the supported CNC controls across the machine tool range, and Start40's technical teams have direct contact with Fanuc's technical services for installation, maintenance, and optimization.
• FANUC, HEIDENHAIN, FAGOR, SIEMENS, HURCOcoreTechnology or IntegrationThese major CNC and machine tool control manufacturers are key technology partners. Start40's technical teams specialize in Fanuc, Heidenhain, Fagor, Siemens, and Hurco CNC systems, providing installation, maintenance, and optimization services. ABMark, Tykma Electrox, and Start40 own brand laser systems are also supported.
• ABMarkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorABMark is a key brand in Start40's laser division, distributed across multiple laser product categories. Products include marking stations (Mini, Midi, Maxi), laser sources (AB-F, AB-C, AB-D UV), and integration solutions.
• TYKMA ELECTROXcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTYKMA Electrox is a key brand in Start40's laser marking division. Products distributed include Minilase XL Manual, Zetalase XL, Zetalase XLT, Zetalase Duo, ATLAS, and VEREO integration systems.
• S40coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorS40 is both a brand distributed by Start40 and the company's own brand. Products include S40 laser cleaning systems (S40F200N, S40F300 N2, S40F1500N), marking stations (Mini, Maxi), and marking accessories. Start40 also develops custom S40-based solutions.
• MITSUI SEIKIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMITSUI SEIKI is a key high-precision machine tool brand in Start40's portfolio. Start40 recently featured the MITSUI SEIKI VERTEX, a high-precision machining center designed for technical parts and demanding sectors.
• BOFAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBOFA (Donaldson BOFA) is distributed as an accessory brand for laser fume extraction. Products include the BOFA AD Oracle high-performance smoke extraction system with HEPA filtration, 99.995% particle removal at 0.3µm.
• TAKISAWAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAKISAWA is a key CNC turning machine brand distributed by Start40, featuring prominently in their product lineup with multiple product pages.
• KondiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKondia is featured as a key machining center brand in Start40's catalog, including the FIVE 400 5-axis simultaneous machining center available in used equipment listings.
• EISMOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEISMO is a key brand in Start40's sawing machine division, with products including the EISMO AL 500 N band saw.
• MAX photonicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMAX photonics is listed as a brand in Start40's laser division, distributed alongside other laser equipment manufacturers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Amada Machine Tools: Japanese major machine tool and laser cutting manufacturer. Comparable as a broad incumbent supplying bandsaw, shearing, punching, and laser cutting equipment overlapping Start40's sawing and laser divisions.
• DMG MORI: Global machine tool manufacturer (turning, milling, additive manufacturing). Comparable as a broad incumbent in Start40's CNC machine tool category with direct sales channels that overlap with Start40's distribution territory.
• TRUMPF: German global leader in industrial lasers and machine tools (laser cutting, marking, welding systems plus bending machines and additive manufacturing). Indirect competitor: large incumbent that increasingly sells direct to end users, squeezing regional distributors like Start40.
• Bystronic Laser GmbH: Swiss global manufacturer of laser cutting, bending, and automation systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same laser cutting product category that Start40 distributes, often competing with its installed base at large accounts.

Others

• DirectIndustry (VirtualExpo Group): French-headquartered B2B industrial marketplace where machinery and laser buyers compare products across suppliers. Not a competitor in sales, but an enabling channel that influences Start40's SEO/discovery and competes for buyer attention online.

Direct peers

• Methods Machine Tools: US-based supplier of CNC machine tools and metalworking equipment distributing brands such as Nakamura-Tome, Haas, and KIWA. Operates as a multi-brand specialist distributor with training and service similar to Start40's model.
• Gosiger Inc. North American distributor of CNC machine tools (e.g., Okuma, YamaSeiki) and automation solutions. Directly comparable as a regional multi-brand CNC distributor providing sales, applications engineering, and after-sales service to manufacturers.
• Yamazen Corporation: Japan-headquartered multi-brand machine tool distributor representing global brands (including Mazak, Brother, Makino). Closely comparable business model: multi-brand distributor of CNC and industrial equipment with installation, training, and after-sales support.
• Laser Cheval: French integrator specializing in laser marking, welding, and custom laser solutions. Comparable to Start40 as a domestic French competitor providing bespoke laser applications and OEM laser source integration (e.g., Tykma, Synrad).

Emerging players

• Mecanumeric: French laser cutting machine manufacturer focused on compact, entry-level fiber laser cutting systems for SMEs and education. Adjacent/partial overlap: competes in the same French laser equipment buyer segment as Start40 but on the manufacturer (rather than distributor) side.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@start.40_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/start-40-machines-outils

Compliance1 record

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 START40