Mototok

What Mototok does

Mototok International GmbH is a privately held German industrial manufacturer headquartered in Krefeld that designs and produces fully electric, towbarless, remote-controlled aircraft tugs. Its product range is organized into five series covering light helicopters (M-Series, up to 28t), business jets and MRO/FBO operations (TWIN-Series, up to 75t), widebody MRO and narrowbody pushback (SPACER Series, up to 200t), military applications including aircraft carriers and fighter aircraft (LB-Series), and low-ground-clearance helicopters (Alligator). Core technology comprises a fully hydraulic, sensor-monitored automatic nose gear loading platform, a radio remote control enabling 100% circumferential operator visibility around the aircraft, an Intelligent Nosegear Protection System (i-NPS) with programmable oversteer limits, and optional AGV autonomous motion using ground markings, barcodes, induction loops, or GPS. The TWIN-Series and SPACER-Series currently featured by British Airways, Iberia, Air France, dnata, Menzies, Joramco, and NASA, while the LB-Series is integrated into Lockheed Martin's F-35 production, Dassault's Rafale facility, and US Navy aircraft-carrier operations.

Name

Mototok

Legal name

Mototok International GmbH

Website

https://mototok.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mototok International GmbH designs and manufactures fully electric, towbarless, remote-controlled aircraft tugs (15t–200t) for commercial airlines, MRO/FBO operators, military, special forces, and aerospace OEMs worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Ground Support Equipment

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Rotorcraft Cabin Interiors & Mission Equipment (IMABABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Military Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (Light/Medium/Heavy) (IMABAJAK)

Keywords

• Electric aircraft tugs
• Towbarless ground handling
• Aircraft pushback equipment
• Remote-controlled tugs
• Aviation ground support

Headquarters

HQ city

Krefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Aircraft Tug Hardware Sales: Mototok generates revenue primarily through the sale of electric, towbarless aircraft tugs. Products range from compact M-Series (15-28t capacity) for light aircraft to large SPACER Series (up to 200t) for widebody aircraft. Each tug is a capital equipment purchase with various models and optional features.
2. Maintenance and Service: The company offers maintenance services and technical support. Warranty terms specify 6-month coverage for repairs. Service includes cloud-based remote diagnostics and on-site technician support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mototok develops and manufactures fully electric, towbarless, remote-controlled aircraft tugs for hangar maneuvering, pushback, and ground-handling operations. The product range spans five series — M-Series (up to 28 t), TWIN-Series (up to 75 t), SPACER-Series (up to 200 t for narrow-body and wide-body aircraft), LB-Series (military/naval), and Alligator-Series (low-clearance helicopters) — sold as capital equipment with optional AGV, I-NPS, explosion-proofing, and Mototok Cloud fleet management.

Product overview

Mototok offers a comprehensive portfolio of electric, towbarless, remote-controlled aircraft tugs organized into five main product series plus special solutions. The M-Series provides entry-level tugs for light aircraft up to 28 tonnes. The TWIN-Series is the flagship line for MRO/FBO operations, handling business jets and helicopters from 39 to 75 tonnes. The SPACER-Series addresses heavy MRO operations (up to 200 tonnes for wide-body aircraft) and pushback applications (up to 105 tonnes). The LB-Series is specifically engineered for military applications including naval aircraft carrier operations, fighter jets, and transport aircraft. The Alligator-Series provides ultra-low-profile tugs for helicopters with low ground clearance. Special solutions include AGV autonomous driving capability, I-NPS nose gear protection system, and explosion-proofed variants. All products share core technologies: fully electric drive, radio remote control with circumferential visibility, automatic hydraulic nose gear loading, and optional cloud connectivity for fleet management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M-Series Electric Aircraft Tugs Entry-level fully electric, towbarless aircraft tugs with remote control for light aircraft, single-engine planes, light jets, and small helicopters up to 28 tonnes (61,700 lbs). Includes M 528 (fully automatic nose wheel clamping), M 518 (semi-automatic with sequence valves), and M 515 (manual hydraulic-supported). Designed for FBOs and operators needing single-pilot, license-free aircraft handling.
• TWIN-Series Electric Aircraft Tugs Mid-range flagship product series for MRO and FBO operations, handling business jets and helicopters up to 75 tonnes (165,300 lbs). Range includes TWIN 7500 NG (75 t flagship), TWIN 7500 NG Flat (85 mm ground clearance), TWIN 6600 NG (55 t, hydraulic wheel-size adjustment), TWIN 6500 NG Flat (50 t, low profile), TWIN 3900 NG (39 t, single/double nose-wheel compatible), and T 7000 (75 t pushback-specific for Embraer E-jets and CRJs).
• SPACER Series Heavy-Duty MRO and Pushback Tugs Heavy-duty tugs for wide-body MRO operations and narrow-body pushback. SPACER 200 handles widebody aircraft up to 200 tonnes (Airbus A330/A340/A350, Boeing 757/767/777/787). SPACER 8600 MA is sized for Boeing 737/MAX in MRO facilities up to 80 tonnes. SPACER 8600 NG performs terminal pushback for narrow-body and regional aircraft up to 105 tonnes, used by British Airways at Heathrow T5.
• LB-Series Military Aircraft Tugs Military and defense product line covering fighters, helicopters, and transport aircraft. Range includes LB 9500 (C-130 Hercules up to 86 t), LB Wide 14 (wide-gear transport, 7 t nosewheel capacity), LB 7500 NG NAVY (aircraft-carrier SeaHawk operations), LB 7500 NG (75 t fighter/transport), LB 6600 NG (F-16 class up to 55 t), LB 6500 NG Flat (50 t low profile), LB 3900 NG (smaller military aircraft up to 39 t), and LB 528 (Blackhawk-class helicopters up to 28 t).
• Alligator-Series Low-Profile Helicopter Tugs Specialized helicopter tug with extremely low profile (320 mm height) for helicopters with low ground clearance due to mounted radar, FLIR systems, or skids such as AgustaWestland AW169. Handles aircraft up to 3.5 tonnes (7,700 lbs).
• Explosion-Proof Certified Tugs Specially certified Mototok tugs for use in hazardous environments where explosion-proof equipment is required, addressing defense and industrial applications with explosion risk. Sold as a separately certified configuration of the standard tug series.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% more aircraft accommodated in same hangar space
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tronair: Tronair is a broad ground support equipment manufacturer including tow bars, jacks, and tow tractors serving MRO, FBO, and military markets. It overlaps with Mototok in the tow tractor category and offers a wider product portfolio.
• Textron Ground Support Equipment: Textron operates a ground support equipment business through its TUG Technologies and Safeaero brands, providing aircraft tow tractors across commercial, business, and military segments. As a diversified industrial conglomerate, it is a broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities.

Direct peers

• Goldhofer: Goldhofer manufactures heavy-duty aircraft tow tractors (e.g., AST-2 and BISON series) for civil and military aviation, including widebody aircraft handling. It competes directly with Mototok's Spacer and LB series in MRO and defense.
• JBT AeroTech: JBT AeroTech (JBT Corporation) is a leading supplier of airport ground support equipment including aircraft tow tractors, deicers, and cargo loaders. It competes with Mototok in commercial aviation and military ground handling segments.
• Trepel Airport Equipment: Trepel (now part of JBT) is a specialist in aircraft tow tractors and cargo loaders, with strong presence at major European airports and cargo terminals. It competes with Mototok in towbarless pushback and MRO applications.
• Langa Industrial: Langa Industrial is a Spanish manufacturer of towbarless aircraft tugs for narrowbody and regional jets, with strong adoption in European airports. It is a direct competitor to Mototok's Spacer 8600 pushback product line.
• TLD (Alvest Group): TLD is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aircraft ground support equipment, including electric and diesel taxi/tow tractors, pushback tugs, and belt loaders. It directly competes with Mototok across commercial aviation, MRO, and defense ground handling.
• Eagle Tugs (Tronair): Eagle Tugs (now part of Tronair) is a US manufacturer of electric and diesel aircraft tow tugs for commercial, business, and military aviation. It competes directly with Mototok's M, TWIN, and LB product lines.
• Schopf Maschinenbau: Schopf is a German manufacturer of aircraft tow tractors and ground support equipment used by airlines, MROs, and air forces worldwide. As a German peer with comparable product range and customer profile, it is a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Safeaero: Safeaero is a Scandinavian manufacturer of compact aircraft towbarless tugs for business jets and helicopters, similar in form factor to Mototok's TWIN series. It is an emerging European competitor focused on the business aviation segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mototokgmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/MototokTugs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mototok-international-gmbh

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 Mototok