What Kocher does

Kocher Gesellschaft für Industrieautomation und Software mbH is a German industrial automation systems integrator founded in 1985 by Elisabeth Kocher, Gerhard Kocher, and Albert Somweber, and now led in its second generation by Managing Director Elisabeth Kocher. The company delivers end-to-end automation services — system analysis, requirements engineering, hardware/software project planning, PLC programming, control cabinet manufacturing, electromechanical assembly, electrical installation, virtual commissioning, documentation, and post-commissioning training — with deep specialization in body-in-white automotive production, robotics integration (KUKA KR C4/C5, ABB IRC5, FANUC), and PLC platforms (Siemens S7-300/400/1500, Beckhoff, B&R) programmed to IEC 61131-3 standards. Its proprietary central AGVS/FTS control system, in-house virtual commissioning capability, and 5,000+ completed projects across 17,500 installed control systems in 40+ countries constitute the core technical asset base.

The business operates from three German locations: the Ismaning/Munich headquarters, a Leipzig branch office, and a wholly-owned subsidiary S.K.H. Schaltanlagenbau und Industriemontage GmbH in Bruckmühl that handles control cabinet construction and industrial assembly. Revenue is generated through project-based, quote-driven B2B contracts with enterprise customers — primarily blue-chip automotive OEMs (BMW across multiple plants, AUDI, Porsche, Daimler/Mercedes, Lamborghini, VW, MAN) and tier-1 automation suppliers (KUKA, Siemens, Dürr, FFT, Magna) — with secondary exposure to aerospace (Rolls-Royce), pharmaceutical (HERMES Arzneimittel), testing/measurement (HORIBA), and municipal infrastructure. The company holds DIN ISO 9001 quality certification and TISAX information security accreditation under VDA ISA, both prerequisites for confidential automotive work. Approximately 70 employees serve a globally growing customer base via direct enterprise field sales, with no external PE or VC ownership disclosed.

Name

Kocher

Legal name

Kocher Gesellschaft für Industrieautomation und Software mbH

Website

https://kocher.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kocher GmbH is a German industrial automation systems integrator (~70 employees, 3 sites) specializing in PLC programming, robotics integration, control cabinet manufacturing, and virtual commissioning for automotive OEMs (BMW, AUDI, Porsche, Daimler) and tier-1 suppliers across 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Services

NAICS

Machinery Manufacturing (333), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL), I&C / Controls & Automation Commissioning (DCS/PLC/SCADA) (EUAEAJAD)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• PLC programming
• Robotics integration
• Factory automation
• Control engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Industrial Automation Services: Project-based engineering services for industrial automation, including system analysis, hardware/software project planning, PLC programming, control cabinet manufacturing, assembly, electrical installation, commissioning, and optimization. Revenue generated through direct customer contracts for automotive and industrial manufacturing projects.
2. Virtual Commissioning: Virtual commissioning services using digital twins to test control programs before physical installation, reducing production downtime and project risk for customers.
3. Training and Consulting: Customer training, consulting, and ongoing support services for control technology operations and optimization.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kocher GmbH provides end-to-end industrial automation engineering services including PLC programming (Siemens S7 series), control system design, robotics integration (KUKA, ABB, FANUC), virtual commissioning via digital twins, and switch control cabinet manufacturing. The company delivers complete solutions from system analysis and requirements engineering through hardware/software project planning, electromechanical manufacturing, assembly, electrical installation, and final commissioning for major automotive manufacturers and industrial companies.

Product overview

Kocher GmbH is an industrial automation company offering a comprehensive portfolio of services rather than a single software product. The core offering consists of seven main service pillars: System Analysis/Consulting, Requirements Engineering (Lastenheft/Spezifikation/Pflichtenheft), Hardware/Software Project Planning, Manufacturing/Assembly/Electrical Installation, Virtual Commissioning and Optimization (VIBN), Documentation, and Training/Consulting/Support. These services are delivered through specialized solutions including PLC Programming (SPS-Programmierung), Industrial Robotics Integration (Robotik in der Fertigung), Factory Automation (Fabrikautomation), Retrofit/Modernization, Predictive Maintenance, Electromechanical Manufacturing, AGVS/FTS Systems, and Field Robotics Integration. The company primarily serves the automotive industry with body-in-white manufacturing solutions and operates as a systems integrator using Siemens S7, WinCC, Zenon, and various industrial robot platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• System Analysis and Consulting
• Requirements Engineering
• Hardware/Software Project Planning
• Control Cabinet Manufacturing and Assembly
• Virtual Commissioning and Optimization
• PLC Programming (SPS-Programmierung)
• Industrial Robotics Integration
• Factory Automation Solutions
• Retrofit and Modernization
• AGVS/FTS Systems
• Training, Consulting, and Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ projects completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SDW Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald – LV Bayern e.V.minorOthersKocher participates in reforestation campaigns with the Protective Association German Forest (Bavaria State Association). The company planted 1,000 beech trees as part of environmental commitment to sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.
• S.K.H. Schaltanlagenbau und Industriemontage GmbHcoreOthers100% owned subsidiary of Kocher located in Bruckmühl. Specializes in control cabinet construction (Schaltschrankbau) and industrial assembly services. Complements Kocher's automation services with manufacturing capabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EDAG Group: Engineering services provider for the global automotive industry, with overlap in production system integration and Industry 4.0 work. Larger scale than Kocher but competes for similar German OEM wallet share.
• Hema Industrial Automation: German industrial automation specialist offering PLC programming, robotics integration and control cabinet manufacturing. Closely comparable mid-sized Mittelstand integrator competing for similar German industrial customers.
• FFT GmbH: German-based systems integrator delivering production systems and automation for automotive OEMs. Directly comparable to Kocher in body-in-white and assembly line integration, and even appears as a Kocher customer reference.
• MOLL Automatisierung: German industrial automation solutions provider serving manufacturing customers. Listed as a Kocher customer but operates in the same German Mittelstand automation integrator segment.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation: Global automation and robotics provider offering both products and integration services. A Kocher technology partner (IRC5 robots) and an indirect competitor as it expands automation services.
• Beckhoff Automation: German PC-based control and automation vendor whose platforms (and increasingly solutions) compete in the same space where Kocher delivers PLC programming and integration.
• Yaskawa Europe (Motoman): Industrial robot and motion control vendor offering integration services to automotive and industrial customers across Europe, partially overlapping with Kocher's robotics integration scope.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Industrial automation incumbent providing PLCs, SCADA, digital twin and increasingly direct integration services. Competes with Kocher as both a vendor and an integrator in automotive and industrial markets.
• Dürr AG: Global leader in paint shop and final assembly automation with deep automotive OEM relationships. Competes with Kocher for production automation work but operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
• KUKA AG: Major industrial robot OEM (now owned by Midea) that increasingly bundles direct integration services. Both a Kocher technology partner/customer and an indirect competitor as it moves downstream into systems integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kocher-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kocher