Alfra
Alfra is a German manufacturer of hydraulic, mechanical, and magnetic metalworking tools serving industrial fabricators in switchgear manufacturing, steel construction, and magnetic lifting across 120+ countries, operating as a subsidiary of Rittal Automation Systems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1913
- HeadquartersHockenheim, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alfra does
Alfra is a German manufacturer of specialized metalworking tools and machines, headquartered in Hockenheim with additional production in Stahnsdorf and direct sales offices in the Netherlands and Singapore. Founded in 1913 in Dresden and relocated after World War II, the company has operated for more than a century in industrial fabrication tooling. Its product portfolio spans three franchises: control cabinet and switchgear manufacturing tools (hydraulic punching, cutting, and cable processing equipment, including the 1978-acquired Greenlee product line), steel and metal construction tools, and permanent magnetic lifting technology built on its patented TML/TMC magnet technology. Other patented platforms include the TriCut split punch and ROTABEST hole punch systems.
The company sells primarily through a dealer network covering more than 120 countries, supplemented by direct sales offices in Europe and Asia-Pacific. End customers are industrial fabricators — switchgear builders, control cabinet OEMs, steel construction companies, and industrial lifting operators — who use Alfra tools on production lines and job sites. Pricing is project- and tool-based (capital equipment plus consumables such as dies and punches), with dealer-led distribution providing localized service and inventory.
Since 2022 Alfra has operated as a subsidiary of Rittal Automation Systems within the Friedhelm Loh Group, giving it access to the parent's industrial-automation customer base and capital for product expansion. Recent product activity includes the cordless Akku-Compact Flex platform, which extends the company's core hydraulic punching and cutting line into portable, battery-powered applications for on-site use.
Alfra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alfra
- Legal name
- Alfra GmbH
- Website
- https://alfra.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1913
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Alfra is a German manufacturer of hydraulic, mechanical, and magnetic metalworking tools serving industrial fabricators in switchgear manufacturing, steel construction, and magnetic lifting across 120+ countries, operating as a subsidiary of Rittal Automation Systems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Alfra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hockenheim
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Alfra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Power Tools and Machines: Alfra develops, manufactures, and sells electromechanical tools and machines for punching and drilling in metal fabrication, control cabinet construction, and metalworking industries. Revenue is generated through direct product sales and via a worldwide dealer/distributor network in over 100 countries.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Alfra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alfra develops, manufactures, and sells electromechanical tools and machines for punching and drilling metal in thicknesses from 0.8 mm to over 100 mm, serving control cabinet and switchgear construction, steel and metal fabrication, and ferromagnetic lifting and positioning applications. Its portfolio spans sheet metal punches, hydraulic hand and stationary punches, magnetic drill stands, carbide and HSS hole saws, step drills, reciprocating saw blades, and permanent-magnet lifting and welding-positioning tools. Revenue is generated through direct product sales and a worldwide dealer network in more than 100 countries.
Product overview
Alfra develops and manufactures industrial power tools and machines across three product pillars: control cabinet and switchgear solutions, steel and metal fabrication tools, and magnetic lifting technology. The control cabinet pillar includes sheet metal punches (round, square, rectangular, and special shapes) paired with hydraulic hand punches and stationary presses; the steel/metal pillar covers hydraulic hole punches, electric hydraulic pumps, magnetic drill stands, carbide and HSS bi-metal hole saws, step drills, and reciprocating saw blades; the lifting/magnet pillar features permanent lifting magnets for flat and round steel, magnetic welding angles, and magnetic chip removal tools. Alfra's TML (Thin Material Lifting) and TMC (Thin Material Clamping) patented magnet technologies enable lifting from material thicknesses as low as 1 mm. The company operates under Rittal Automation Systems (RAS) within the Friedhelm Loh Group.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ALFRA Blechlocher® FormCut® Square and rectangular sheet metal punch for heavy-duty electrical connections, with side punch-part ejection preventing waste-piece jamming. Sized 12.7–138.0 mm for steel sheets 1.75–3.0 mm thick. Sold to control cabinet and switchgear manufacturers.
- ALFRA Blechlocher® MonoCut® Round sheet metal punch for diameters up to 180 mm on steel sheet up to 3.0 mm thick, with ball-bearing tension screw for up to 30% force savings.
- Spalt-Blechlocher TriCut® Triple-splitter round sheet metal punch that divides the waste piece into three parts to prevent die jamming, providing burr-free cuts on steel sheet up to 3.0 mm thick.
- Spalt-Blechlocher TriCut+® Enhanced triple-splitter punch for stainless steel applications, punching stainless steel up to 2.5 mm thick as well as standard steel.
- ALFRA Blechlocher® FormCut+® Square and rectangular sheet metal punch suitable for both steel and stainless steel, with side punch-part ejection. Sizes 12.7–138.0 mm.
- ALFRA Blechlocher® – Sanitär Specialist punch for stainless steel sinks, punching holes 28.3–37.0 mm diameter, operated with a wrench.
- ALFRA Blechlocher® – Sub-Min-D Specialist punch for 9 to 50-pin connector openings with torsion-proof axles and side ejection of waste pieces.
- ALFRA Blechlocher® – Sonderformen Custom-form sheet metal punches for special projects including anti-rotation lugs, flattened sides, and profile cylinder dimensions, in round, square, and rectangular shapes.
- ALFRA Compact® Hydraulic Hand Punch Base-model hydraulic hand punch delivering 75 kN punching force at 1.45 kg weight, with hydraulic pump function and overpressure valve for effortless full-power operation.
- CompactCombi® Hydraulic Hand Punch 90 Hydraulic hand punch with 90-degree swivel head for positioning in small or already-fitted control cabinets, providing 75 kN force at 1.75 kg weight.
- Compact Flex® Hand Hydraulic Punch Flexible hydraulic hand punch with 60 cm high-pressure hydraulic hose for punching near edges and in tight spaces; 75 kN force at 2 kg in pull direction.
- Akku-Compact Flex® Cordless Hydraulic Punch Cordless hydraulic punch weighing 2.5 kg with 75 kN force at 680 bar; battery recharges in 30 minutes, soft-touch grips, and pressure sensor with auto punch-through detection.
- ALFRA PRESS AP 250 Stationary Punch Stationary punch for control cabinet processing without pre-drilling, with 250 mm reach, 46 kN force at 600 bar, for steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic.
- ALFRA PRESS AP 400 Stationary Punch Heavy-duty stationary punch with 400 mm reach, 220 kg weight, and 46 kN force at 600 bar, for cabinet depths up to 400 mm.
- ALFRA Press APS 70 Hydraulic Punch Hydraulic punch for heavy metal plates and T-beams up to 13 mm thick, with 70 mm jaw depth, 30-ton force, and 700 bar pressure.
- ALFRA Press APS 120 Hydraulic Punch Heavy-duty hydraulic punch for metal plates and T-beams up to 16 mm thick, with 110 mm jaw depth, 44-ton force, and 700 bar pressure.
- ALFRA AHP-M Electric Hydraulic Pump Electric hydraulic pump with 700 bar pressure, 1.0 l/min delivery, 1.1 kW power at 7 A, 67 dB(A). Compatible with APS 70 and APS 120 punches.
- ALFRA AHP-L Electric Hydraulic Pump Electric hydraulic pump with 700 bar, 1.7 l/min delivery, 2.2 kW at 12 A, integrated fan for hot environments, 67 dB(A).
- ALFRA Universal-Magnetbohrständer SP-V Magnetic Drill Stand Universal magnetic drill stand weighing 6.8 kg with TML-technology permanent magnet fixing drill machines on ferromagnetic metal from 2 mm thickness; accepts various drills via Eurobund and variable holders.
- Hand-Lasthebemagnet TMH 50 R Lifting Magnet Manual lifting magnet for round steel and curved surfaces (25–200 mm diameters); 50 kg capacity, 270 kg breakaway from 6 mm steel, 1 mm minimum material, TiN-coated, 1.6 kg.
- Lasthebemagnet TML 90 R Permanent Lifting Magnet Permanent lifting magnet for round steel (25–200 mm); 90 kg capacity, 270 kg breakaway (3:1 safety factor) from 6 mm steel, TML patented technology for 1 mm minimum thickness, 1.8 kg.
- Lasthebemagnet TML 400 R Heavy-Duty Permanent Lifting Magnet Heavy-duty permanent lifting magnet for round steel 50–400 mm diameter; 400 kg capacity, 1200 kg breakaway from 15 mm steel, 360-degree swivel and rotating load ring, one-hand operation, TiN coating, 8.2 kg.
- Variabler Schweißwinkel TMA 600 Welding Angle Variable welding angle adjustable 0–90 degrees using two TMC 300 holding magnets (300 kg adhesive force each from 6 mm material); quick-release clamps, scale markings, TiN coating, 2.7 kg.
- Spänebesen Magnetic Sweeping Broom Magnetic sweeping broom with 400 mm width and 9 kg ferromagnetic pickup capacity, 1.6 kg weight, telescopic handle up to 1.50 m.
- Magnet-Späneheber Magnetic Chip Remover Magnetic chip remover with stainless steel round rod, release scraper with injury protection, slim design for confined spaces; 0.6 kg.
- ALFRA HM-Lochsägen Carbide-Tipped Hole Saws Carbide-tipped hole saws for stainless steel, unalloyed steel, aluminum, and plastics; resharpable with replaceable individual teeth; available in Flachschnitt, Lange Ausführung, MBS-Light, and MBS-Pro variants.
- ALFRA HSS-Bi-Metall-Lochsägen Hole Saws HSS bi-metal hole saws with combination teeth for unalloyed steel, stainless steel up to 3 mm, non-ferrous metals, plastics, gypsum, fibreboard, and plywood.
- Original Milford Säbelsägeblätter Reciprocating Saw Blades Original Milford reciprocating saw blades, exclusively distributed by Alfra, for copper, aluminum, brass cables, stainless steel, cast iron, plastics, and wood with nails.
- ALFRA Mehrstufen-Bohrer (Step Drills) Step drill line including AMS (general engineering), SVB (control cabinet manufacturing, 10 mm shank), and DKS 40 (M10–M40 metric); performs centering, pilot drilling, reaming, and deburring on material up to 4 mm thick.
Quantifiable outcome
- Kugellager-Zugschrauben sorgen für bis zu 30 % Kraftersparnis (ball-bearing tension screws provide up to 30% force savings)
Companies that use Alfra
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Alfra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Alfra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and regional.
- Rittal Automation Systems (RAS)coreSince 2022, Alfra has been part of Rittal Automation Systems (RAS) under the umbrella of the Friedhelm Loh Group. This enables Alfra to serve both customers needing hand tools and control cabinet builders on the threshold of automation as an ideal complement to the RAS product portfolio. Over 100 years of tool-building experience flows into RAS's offerings.
- Greenlee Tool GmbH (acquired)minorIn 1978, Alfra acquired Greenlee Tool GmbH in Hanau, adding sheet metal punches and processing devices for control cabinet and switchgear manufacturing to its product program — now one of the main focuses of its tool manufacturing.
- ALFRA Nederland (REKO)regionalALFRA Nederland, operating as REKO, serves as the Dutch sales and distribution partner for Alfra products in the control cabinet and electrical segment, located at Delta Industrieweg 36, 3251 LX Stellendam, Netherlands.
- ALFRA South-East Asia Sales OfficeregionalALFRA South-East Asia Sales Office based in Singapore serves the Southeast Asian market, operated by Ultrasons at 14 Kwong Min Road, SG-628715 Singapore.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Alfra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nitto Kohki: Japanese manufacturer of magnetic base drills, pneumatic tools, and linear pumps. Direct competitor to Alfra in magnetic drilling machines, particularly in industrial and steel construction applications across Asia and globally.
- CS Unitec: US-based manufacturer of magnetic drills, metalworking saws, and industrial power tools. Comparable to Alfra's core drilling and metal cutting product lines, particularly serving North American and European industrial markets.
- Metabo: German power tool manufacturer with strong presence in metalworking tools, drilling, and cutting applications. Overlaps with Alfra in professional metal fabrication tools and shares German manufacturing heritage and global distribution.
- Fein: German power tool manufacturer specializing in metalworking, including magnetic drills and sheet metal processing. Competes with Alfra in core drilling and metal fabrication tools, serving similar industrial and trades customers globally.
- BDS Maschinen: German manufacturer of magnetic core drilling machines and metal cutting tools. Directly comparable to Alfra's ROTABEST magnetic drill line and core drilling products, serving overlapping metalworking and steel construction customers in the DACH region.
Broad incumbents
- Makita: Japanese power tool manufacturer with extensive metalworking drill and cutting tool offerings. Competes with Alfra in core drilling and metal cutting categories but as part of a global multi-category tool platform.
- Greenlee (Emerson): US-based tool brand owned by Emerson, specializing in electrical and plumbing tools. Notably, Alfra acquired the German arm of Greenlee in 1978 and the two brands have historical overlap in control cabinet and switchgear tools.
- Bosch Power Tools: Division of Bosch offering a broad portfolio of professional power tools including metalworking drills and saws. Competes with Alfra across multiple categories but as part of a much wider tool portfolio rather than specializing in metalworking.
- Milwaukee Tool: US-based professional power tool brand owned by Techtronic Industries with M18 cordless platform leadership. Competes with Alfra in metalworking and drilling applications but as part of a broad professional tool portfolio.
- Hilti: Liechtenstein-based manufacturer of construction tools and direct fastening systems. Overlaps with Alfra in steel construction punching and drilling applications but serves a much broader construction customer base globally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alfra social profiles
Digital presenceAlfra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alfra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Alfra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alfra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alfra
What does Alfra do?
Alfra develops, manufactures, and sells electromechanical tools and machines for punching and drilling metal in thicknesses from 0.8 mm to over 100 mm, serving control cabinet and switchgear construction, steel and metal fabrication, and ferromagnetic lifting and positioning applications. Its portfolio spans sheet metal punches, hydraulic hand and stationary punches, magnetic drill stands, carbide and HSS hole saws, step drills, reciprocating saw blades, and permanent-magnet lifting and welding-positioning tools. Revenue is generated through direct product sales and a worldwide dealer network in more than 100 countries.
Is Alfra a public or private company?
Alfra is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Alfra founded?
Alfra was founded in 1913. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Alfra based?
Alfra is headquartered in Hockenheim, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Alfra make money?
One revenue line is on record: power Tools and Machines.
Who are Alfra's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nitto Kohki, CS Unitec, Metabo, Fein and BDS Maschinen. Broad incumbents are Makita, Greenlee (Emerson), Bosch Power Tools, Milwaukee Tool and Hilti.
Does Alfra have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alfra.