PWB encoders

What PWB encoders does

PWB encoders GmbH is a privately held German precision manufacturer founded in 2009 and headquartered in Eisenach, Thuringia. The company designs, produces, and supplies miniature rotary encoders, linear encoders, timing discs, timing scales, and kit encoder systems for industrial OEMs. Under the leadership of General Manager Gerhard Vock and a team of 11-50 employees, PWB operates from its Eisenach headquarters, an R&D site in Berkatal, and is constructing a new ~2,200 m² Innovation Centre in Krauthausen with ISO 6-9 cleanroom zones scheduled for end-2026 completion.

The company's technology stack spans optical, magnetic, and inductive encoder technologies. Core proprietary capabilities include in-house photolithographic processes achieving structure resolutions down to 5 µm, patented mini encoder designs enabling motion control in system sizes starting from approximately 10 mm, and an exclusive Makrolon (polycarbonate) timing disc line with resolutions up to 1270 lpi and tolerances under one micron. The November 2025 launch of the InCo series introduced a new generation of inductive encoders (InCo 30 incremental, InCo 64 absolute SSI, InCo 75 analog sin/cos) that are insensitive to magnetic fields, contamination-resistant, and wear-free. PWB holds several patents on encoder designs and protected engineering processes.

The company operates a dual revenue model combining standard hardware sales (with same-day 24h delivery within Germany for stock items such as the ME16 series starting at €44.25) and quote-based custom development/OEM projects typically structured as multi-year engagements. Go-to-market is sales-led enterprise field sales through a German-based direct team (Sales Manager Mario Oberländer, Key Account Manager Marc Schaffer) supplemented by an international network of regional sales partners in Denmark, France, Spain, Turkey, China, South Korea, Israel, Taiwan, Italy, and Poland. Named customers span robotics (maxon motor, Taurob), medical technology (Roche Diagnostics, Leica Microsystems CMS), motor manufacturing (Engel, Bühler Motor), precision measurement (Mahr), and industrial automation.

Name

PWB encoders

Legal name

PWB encoders GmbH

Website

https://pwb-encoders.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PWB encoders GmbH manufactures miniature rotary and linear encoders, timing discs, and timing scales for industrial OEMs in robotics, medical technology, automotive, and optoelectronics, distributed via direct sales and an international partner network across Europe and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Industrial Encoders and Motion Control Sensors

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Motor Encoders, Feedback & Condition Monitoring (Encoders, Vibration, Predictive) (IMAGACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG), Sensors & Feedback Devices (Pressure, Flow, Position, Encoders, Transducers) (IMAHAGAK)

Keywords

• Miniature rotary encoders
• Linear encoder systems
• Timing discs codewheels
• Motion control sensors
• Optoelectronic encoders

Headquarters

HQ city

Eisenach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Encoder Products Sales: Direct sales of rotary encoders, linear encoders, timing discs, timing scales, and kit encoder systems to industrial customers. Products are available for prototypes, short-run series, and mass production. 24h delivery service available for standard products within Germany.
2. Custom Development Projects: Individualized solutions and development projects for clients based on their specific technical requirements. Company provides comprehensive solutions with research, development, optimization, and production within their scope.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PWB encoders develops, produces, and supplies miniature rotary encoders (hollow shaft and solid shaft), linear encoders, kit encoder systems, timing discs (Makrolon polycarbonate and film-based), and timing scales for precise motion control. The company provides both catalog-standard encoders (with 24h delivery in Germany) and custom/OEM encoder solutions developed in collaboration with industrial customers in robotics, automotive, medical technology, and optoelectronics.

Product overview

PWB encoders is a manufacturer of miniature rotary and linear encoders offering a comprehensive portfolio of precision motion control products. The product lineup includes hollow shaft encoders (AE 30, AEM 30, ASA 42 Y01, ME/MEC series), shaft encoders (GEO24, MEHR 25, MES 25), kit encoder systems (AS 25/50, EBG Head, ABG Head, WEM 20, IMEA 64), and linear encoders (ABG Head, EBG Head, EBS Head, IMEA, PALM Head). Complementary components include Makrolon polycarbonate timing discs, film timing discs, and encoder scales/timing scales. The company also recently launched the InCo series featuring innovative inductive encoder technology. All products are developed and manufactured in-house with capabilities spanning optical and magnetic sensing technologies, both incremental and absolute position measurement modes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hollow Shaft Encoders (AE 30, AEM 30, ME 16, ME 22, MEC 22, MEHR 25, MEM series) Miniature hollow shaft rotary encoders providing high-precision motion control in compact form factors for industrial OEM applications including robotics, automation, motor manufacturing, and medical equipment.
• Shaft Encoders (GEO24, MEHR 25 K/S, MES 25, ME 22 S) High-precision shaft encoders with optical and magnetic incremental sensing for reliable motion control in tight spaces, used in industrial automation, drive systems, and motor encoder applications.
• Kit Encoder Systems (AS 25, AS 50, ASA 25, EBG Head, ABG Head, WEM 20, IMEA 64) Optical and magnetic kit encoder systems offering absolute and incremental position sensing for motor and motion control applications, allowing motor and equipment manufacturers to integrate the read head and code disc/scale separately.
• Linear Encoders (ABG Head, EBG Head, EBS Head, IMEA, PALM Head) Optical and magnetic linear encoders for precise linear position measurement with incremental and absolute sensing capabilities; patented PWB constructions support reliability and precision in compact designs.
• Makrolon Timing Discs (Polycarbonate) High-precision Makrolon (polycarbonate) timing discs with resolutions up to 1270 lpi and sub-micron bar-window tolerances, manufactured in cleanroom conditions for sensor and motion control applications.
• Film Timing Discs Transmissive and reflective film-based timing discs on photosensitive polyester with resolutions up to 1270 lpi and tolerances of less than one micron for encoder and motion control applications.
• Encoder Scales / Timing Scales (Taktlineale) Transparent and reflective timing scales on film with resolutions up to 1,000 lpi, available in custom sizes up to 800mm length, for linear measurement applications.
• ASA 42 Y01 Hollow Shaft Encoder Magnetic absolute singleturn hollow shaft encoder with 58mm outer diameter, 4–8/11mm motor shaft, 18-bit resolution, IP68 protection, operating temperature -20°C to +85°C, designed for harsh industrial environments and motor integration.
• InCo Series Inductive Encoders (InCo 30, InCo 64, InCo 75) New generation of inductive encoders insensitive to magnetic fields, resistant to dirt and moisture, and wear-free. The series includes InCo 30 (compact incremental, ABI interface, up to 8000 ppr), InCo 64 (absolute with SSI, 20-bit resolution), and InCo 75 (analogue sin/cos, bearingless with large hollow shaft). Designed for demanding industrial applications including robotics and automation.
• IMEA 64 Magnetic Multiturn Encoder Magnetic multiturn encoder offering up to 42-bit resolution with battery-free position storage for up to 18 years, featuring high mounting tolerances and differential signal processing for industrial motor and motion control applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Resolutions of up to 1270 lpi for timing discs with tolerances of less than one micron for bar-window ratio
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered regional.

• Gearcentralen Micmot (GCM A/S)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Denmark covering the Nordic market. Located at Redstedsgade 15, 6400 Sønderborg. Provides local support for rotary encoder systems and accessories.
• ICA Systèmes MotionregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for France. Company expanded sales division in France in 2024. Located at 26, rue du Maréchal Foch, 67500 Haguenau.
• Fegemu Automatismos S.L.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Spain. Located at Parque Empresarial Zuatzu, Edificio Igeldo, 2008 San Sebastian.
• ensatekregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Turkey. Contact: Mr. Faruk Cim, located at Cevizli Mah., Mustafa Kemal Cad., Hukukcular Towers Sit., A Blok Apt. No: 66/A, 34865 Kartal / Istanbul.
• Escap Motion Control Technology Co.LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for China. Located at Room 401, Hehuan building, A1 Block, Dongjiaotou Industrial Estate, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City.
• SEINFLEX CO. LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for South Korea. Located at 68 Anyangcheondong-ro, Anyang-si, Dongan-gu 14042.
• WeSense Motion LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Israel. Located at 5 Irus St, Afula, Israel.
• Seikiko Co., Ltd. / Kaltec international Co., LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Taiwan. Located at 7FL. No.6-10, Sec.2, Shuang Shi Rd., Panchiao, Taipei, Taiwan 220, R.O.C.
• Servotecnica SparegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Italy. Located at Via E. Majorana, 4, 20834 - Nova Milanese (MB).
• TERMregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Poland. Located at ul. Opolska 22/8, 41-500 Chorzów.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pwb-encoders

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 PWB encoders