DESMA

What DESMA does

DESMA, legally Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH, is a German-engineered manufacturer of rubber and silicone injection molding machines, molds, cold runner systems, and automation cells, founded in 1965 and headquartered in Fridingen, Germany. The company operates globally through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Slovakia, India, China, and the United States, with DESMA USA, Inc. (Hebron, Kentucky) serving as the North American headquarters since the 1990s. DESMA's product portfolio spans vertical and horizontal injection molding machines (Alpha, Sigma, and Benchmark/968 series up to 13,500 kN clamping force), the in-house North American Manufacturing Center (NAMC) for precision tooling, proprietary FlowControl, PressureSense, and ZeroWaste ITM waste-reduction technologies, and the SmartConnect 4.U digital platform for remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and QR/RFID-based traceability. The company monetizes through capital equipment sales, tooling and cold runner systems, turnkey automation cells integrating ABB and Fanuc robots, spare parts, refurbishment services (e.g., the Oil TEE Unit Refurbishment Program), and recurring digital subscriptions, with pricing primarily quote-based for major equipment.

DESMA serves manufacturers across seven principal verticals—automotive (primary), pharmaceutical and medical, mining, electrical power, government and defense, energy oil and gas, and white goods—via an enterprise direct-sales motion, dedicated regional sales engineers in the US and Mexico, and channel distribution of Wickert Hydraulic Presses. Customer evidence includes Hultec (25 of 51 machines DESMA, partnership since 1994), Precision Associates (expanded from 1 to 9 machines since 2018), ASC/Ashtabula Rubber (4 machines at 40% capacity uplift), and PIAMSA (multi-year machine ramp from 2022), with quantified outcomes such as 4x throughput, half the labor cost, scrap reduction from 3-4 lbs to 1-1.5 lbs, and cycle time cuts from 30 to 10 minutes. Strategic differentiation rests on vertical integration (machine, mold, runner, automation from a single supplier), 40+ year co-development with ABB Robotics (1,700+ robots deployed), granted patents on core process technologies, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and a 3,600 sq ft demonstration laboratory enabling process development and customer trials. The 2023 acquisition of Berger Bürstmaschinenbau expanded automation capability, and parent Salzgitter AG has publicly signaled intent to grow the Technology business unit housing DESMA.

Name

DESMA

Legal name

Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH

Website

https://desma-usa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DESMA is a German-engineered, globally operating manufacturer of rubber and silicone injection molding machines, in-house tooling, and automation systems serving manufacturers across automotive, pharmaceutical, electrical, defense, oil and gas, and industrial verticals through its North American headquarters and NAMC tooling center.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Union

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Rubber Injection Molding Machines: Sale of German-engineered vertical and horizontal injection molding machines including Alpha, Sigma, and Benchmark series
2. Tooling and Molds: Design, manufacture, and sale of precision tooling and molds through North American Manufacturing Center (NAMC)
3. Cold Runner Systems: Sale of cold runner blocks including PressureSense and FlowControl systems for waste reduction
4. Spare Parts: Sale of spare parts including injection screws and barrels, hydraulic pumps and valves, pressure sensors, seals, fittings and wear items
5. Service and Support: Technical service, remote diagnostics via REMOS and SmartConnect, and customer care center support
6. Machine Rebuilding and Retrofits: Rebuilding of machinery and control system retrofits for legacy DESMA machine support, including Oil TEE Unit refurbishment program
7. Turnkey Systems: Complete turnkey solutions including tooling, automation, robotics integration, and vision inspection systems
8. Digital Services: Remote connectivity, production monitoring, and SmartConnect platform subscriptions for machine networking

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DESMA designs, manufactures, and services German-engineered rubber and silicone injection molding machines, in-house tooling and cold runner systems, integrated automation cells, and a digital services platform (SmartConnect 4.U) for manufacturers across automotive, medical, defense, energy, electrical power, and industrial sectors. Through the North American Manufacturing Center (NAMC) in Hebron, KY, DESMA USA delivers vertically integrated machinery, molds, automation, and remote diagnostics as a complete systems provider.

Product overview

DESMA is a complete systems provider for rubber and silicone injection molding, offering a vertically integrated portfolio centered on German-engineered injection molding machines combined with in-house tooling, automation solutions, and digital services. The core product line includes vertical machines (968 series), horizontal machines, and the Alpha/Sigma value series, which serve as the foundation for production. Supporting this, DESMA provides proprietary technologies including PressureSense valve gate control, FlowControl cold runner systems, and ZeroWaste ITM systems for material efficiency. The digital ecosystem includes SmartConnect 4.U for remote diagnostics and monitoring, SmartTrace for production traceability via QR/RFID, SmartRemain for preventative maintenance, and Smart Training for e-learning. Engineering services encompass project engineering for turnkey solutions, a demonstration laboratory for process development, and customer training programs. The North American Manufacturing Center (NAMC) provides in-house mold manufacturing capabilities, completing the vertical integration from machine to mold to automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DESMA Alpha: Machine series featuring various features and enhancements for automated production, available in 100, 250, 300, and 400 ton size ranges.
• DESMA Sigma
• DESMA Benchmark
• NAMC (North American Manufacturing Center)
• SmartConnect 4.U
• DESMA FlexCell
• PressureSense
• FlowControl
• ZeroWaste (ITM)
• SmartRemain
• SmartTrace
• EcoSilence
• ServoGear
• EnergyControl+

Products and services

• Vertical Injection Molding Machines Vertical injection molding machines with vertical clamping units and horizontal injection units at the parting line, suitable for rubber-to-metal bonding and complex sealing applications across multiple industries. Includes Benchmark 968 series with clamping forces from 250 to 13,500 kN.
• Horizontal Injection Molding Machines Horizontal injection molding machines designed for various elastomer processing applications, including stator injection and large-scale production requirements.
• Special Series Machines Specialized injection molding machines for specific applications including pharmaceutical/medical, defense, and industrial uses with options such as servo hydraulics and vacuum systems.
• Alpha Series Machines Alpha series injection molding machines in various tonnage ranges (100-400 ton), featuring servo hydraulics and optional configurations like silicone stuffers and shuttle kits for automotive and industrial applications.
• Sigma Series Machines Value series injection molding machines available in 250 or 400 ton size ranges, featuring silicone stuffers, front and rear shuttle kits, and proven FIFO injection for exhaust hangers and engine mounts.
• Benchmark Series Machines (968 Series) Benchmark series large-format machines (968.250 through 968.1350 ZO) with maximum clamping forces up to 13,500 kN for infrastructure, oil & gas, and large-scale industrial sealing applications.
• Rebuilt & Used Machinery Refurbished DESMA machines and control system retrofits providing legacy support for existing DESMA equipment in the field with extended service life.
• North American Manufacturing Center (NAMC) Tooling In-house mold manufacturing center in Hebron, KY equipped with five CNC vertical milling centers (including 5-axis mills), turning centers, and surface grinders for precision tooling production and assembly.
• Cold Runner Block (CRB) Systems Waste reduction systems including standard cold runner blocks and valve gate technologies for material efficiency in elastomer injection molding.
• DESMA FlexCell Automation Automation solution integrating industrial robots (ABB, Fanuc), vision inspection (Keyence), and insert loading with the DESMA machine control system and QuickLock mold latching for rapid mold changeover and error-proof production cells.
• Turnkey System Solutions Complete turnkey solutions including tooling, automation, robotics integration (ABB, Fanuc), and vision inspection (Keyence) systems, developed by the domestic Project Engineering team guided by the German factory for automation cells.
• SmartConnect 4.U Digital Platform Digital services platform enabling remote diagnostics, production monitoring, data collection, online collaboration with documentation sharing, and white board messaging, accessible via mobile device with SmartApp for machine networking.
• Project Engineering Services Turnkey solution development including tooling and cold runner designs, brush systems, de-molding stations, and process-oriented automation from design concept through production.
• Oil TEE Unit Refurbishment Program Temperature control unit refurbishment service at $3,699 per unit with 1-week turnaround, including replacement of H2O valve, heat exchanger, heater, and pump/motor with 6-month warranty; multi-unit volume discounts available.
• Demonstration Laboratory Services 3,600 sq ft climate-controlled laboratory in Hebron, KY with 50-630 US ton injection molding machines for process development, material analysis, and equipment runoff with DESMA engineering support.
• Training and Online Education Structured training in machine maintenance, process technology, and electronics/hydraulics available in Spanish and English, including virtual training options, on-site installation support, and Smart Training web-based e-learning platform.
• Wickert Hydraulic Presses Distribution Distribution of Wickert Hydraulic Presses compression and transfer machinery in North America, complementing DESMA's product portfolio; partnership established in 2007.
• Spare Parts Supply Sale of spare parts including injection screws and barrels, hydraulic pumps and valves, pressure sensors, seals, fittings, and wear items, maintained at the Customer Care Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% increase in production capacity
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature17 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wickert Hydraulic PressescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2007DESMA USA and Wickert relationship was forged in 2007 to provide compression machinery options. Wickert sales in North America represent several million dollars. DESMA USA is the North American representative for Wickert Hydraulic Presses, a German-based compression/transfer machinery company. Standard components are shared between machines, with parts readily available from DESMA's spare parts inventory.
• ABB RoboticscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1982DESMA and ABB Robotics have been collaborating for over 40 years to automate shoe production. More than 1,700 ABB robots are now deployed in DESMA systems worldwide. ABB robots enable precision tolerances of 0.1 inches, flexibility for size switching, and improved workplace safety by automating hazardous substance exposure. This partnership enables profitable production in high-wage countries.
• University of CincinnatiminorOthersDESMA offers Co-Op opportunities with the University of Cincinnati for students majoring in Engineering or STEM-related curriculums. The demonstration laboratory is overseen with input from university partnerships.
• University of KentuckyminorOthersDESMA offers Co-Op opportunities with the University of Kentucky for students majoring in Engineering or STEM-related curriculums.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Engel Austria: Engel produces elastomer injection molding machines alongside its broader plastics machinery portfolio, directly overlapping with DESMA's rubber/silicone injection molding focus for automotive and industrial rubber part production.
• KraussMaffei: KraussMaffei produces rubber injection molding machines (e.g., GX series) and turnkey systems comparable to DESMA's offerings, serving automotive, industrial, and molded rubber part manufacturers globally.
• Wittmann Battenfeld: Wittmann Battenfeld offers elastomer injection molding machines as part of its broader plastics processing equipment portfolio, competing with DESMA in rubber/silicone machine sales and integrated automation cells.
• Maplan (Maplan GmbH): Austrian manufacturer of rubber and silicone injection molding machines, directly competing with DESMA in elastomer processing equipment for automotive seals, vibration mounts, and industrial rubber components across European and North American markets.
• Arburg: Arburg manufactures injection molding machines including elastomer-capable Allrounder series, competing with DESMA in precision injection molding for rubber, silicone, and LSR applications across medical, automotive, and technical rubber parts.
• Wickert Hydraulic Presses: Wickert manufactures hydraulic compression and transfer presses for rubber/silicone molding. Notably, DESMA USA is the North American representative for Wickert, making them both partners and adjacent competitors in elastomer processing equipment.
• REP International (French: REP International): REP International is a French-based direct competitor to DESMA, manufacturing injection molding machines for rubber and silicone elastomers. Both serve automotive, sealing, and industrial rubber part manufacturers with comparable vertical/horizontal machine architectures.

Broad incumbents

• Toshiba Machine (Shibaura Machine): Shibaura Machine (formerly Toshiba Machine) produces injection molding machines including elastomer-capable models as part of a broader industrial machinery portfolio, competing with DESMA in rubber/silicone molding while serving plastics, die-casting, and other industrial markets.

Emerging players

• LWB Steinl (Langer & Söhne): German manufacturer of vertical rubber injection molding machines competing with DESMA in elastomer processing. A more specialized/niche player focused primarily on rubber molding equipment.

Regional players

• Sanyu (Japan) / Sanyu Industry: Japanese manufacturer of rubber injection molding machines serving primarily Asian markets with growing North American presence, competing with DESMA in elastomer processing equipment for automotive sealing applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/desma-usa-inc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 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 DESMA