Wenger Automation and Engineering AG

What Wenger Automation and Engineering AG does

Wenger Automation & Engineering AG is a privately held, family-owned Swiss engineering company headquartered in Winterthur that has specialized since 1994 in the automation of machine tools, with a core focus on cylindrical grinding machines and over 300 systems installed worldwide. Its revenue mechanics rest on three pillars: (1) the sale of standardized, branded automation cells covering the cylindrical grinding workflow (WeChain 350 for shaft parts, WeFeed 100 for internal grinding, WeStep for compact loading/unloading, WeFlex for flexible changeover, WeBot 260 and WePace for robot-based loading, WeSpeed for short-cycle parts, and WeStack for high-volume pallet stacking); (2) custom-engineered gantry loaders (WeLine Top, WeLine Floor), robot systems using KUKA/Stäubli/Fanuc platforms, and bespoke special machines; and (3) recurring services including 24-hour breakdown support, preventive maintenance, upgrades/conversions of legacy equipment (e.g., Felsomat Flexbox retrofits), and contract CNC machining using DMG Mori and Urban machines.

The technical platform is anchored by WeConnect, an in-house Industry 4.0 middleware introduced in 2016 that acts as the interface between production systems and the digital world, supporting OPC UA, OPC XML-DA, Siemens S7, Fanuc FOCAS, Q-DAS, SAP, and Kibana integrations, with PKI/X.509-based security and dashboard/OEE visualization. Cells integrate process stations for tactile/air/optical metrology (accuracy up to 0.1 µm), deburring, cleaning, vision inspection (Cognex, IOSS, Keyence), laser marking (FOBA, Trumpf, Borries), and eddy-current crack testing. Go-to-market is sales-led with direct field engineers in Switzerland and a regional distributor network covering Germany (Berner+Straller, Ilg+Sulzberger, Helmuth Rauscher, Otto Warncke, FS Filter), Benelux (THO/De Ridder), and the UK (partner announced). The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified since 2008 and serves automotive and Tier-1/2 manufacturers, medical technology firms, and machine-tool OEMs including Bosch, BorgWarner, Continental, MAHLE, Magna, Sandvik, ThyssenKrupp, Studer, Kellenberger, Mägerle, HAAS, and ZEISS.

Name

Wenger Automation and Engineering AG

Legal name

Wenger Automation & Engineering AG

Website

https://wenger-ag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wenger Automation & Engineering AG is a Swiss family-owned engineering firm, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Winterthur, that designs and builds custom automation cells, gantry loaders, and robot systems for machine tools — with deep specialization in cylindrical grinding. It serves automotive, medical technology, and machine-tool OEMs via direct sales and channel partners across the DACH and Benelux regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Machine Tool Automation

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (33324)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

Keywords

• Machine tool automation
• Industrial automation cells
• Gantry loader systems
• CNC machine tending
• Industry 4.0 software

Headquarters

HQ city

Winterthur

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Automation Systems and Cells: Sale of standardized automation cells (WeStack, WeFlex, WeStep, WeBot, WePace, WeSpeed, WeFeed, WeChain) and custom gantry loaders (WeLine Top/Floor) for machine tool automation. Revenue from hardware, software integration, and commissioning.
2. Custom Machines and Robot Systems: Custom machine building and robot systems based on modular construction kit. Integration of production-related processes into systems using 6-axis robots from Kuka, Stäubli, Fanuc.
3. Contract Manufacturing (CNC Machining): CNC machining services for individual parts and small series up to 50 pieces. Includes turning, milling, and long machining up to 6 metres. Used DMG Mori NTX2000, NVX5100, and URBAN AP 6500-B machines.
4. Maintenance and Service: Customer service and maintenance including spare parts, preventive maintenance contracts, and 24-hour response for machine breakdowns in automotive industry.
5. Upgrades and Conversions: Revisions and conversions of existing automation systems, including legacy Felsomat equipment (Flexbox, Speedbox) conversions.
6. Turnkey Production Lines: Complete production line projects from concept to commissioning, including machine procurement, process development, automation, and integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wenger Automation and Engineering AG designs, manufactures, and commissions custom and standardized automation solutions for machine tools, with a core specialization in cylindrical grinding machine automation. The company sells a portfolio of modular automation cells (WeChain, WeFeed, WeStep, WeFlex, WeStack, WeBot, WePace, WeSpeed, WeStore, WeTower, WeLine), custom gantry loaders, robot systems, and the WeConnect Industry 4.0 middleware software, primarily to automotive and medical technology manufacturers.

Product overview

Wenger Automation & Engineering AG is a Swiss company specializing in machine tool automation, offering a portfolio of standardized automation cells, custom gantry loaders, robot systems, and Industry 4.0 software solutions. The core product family includes: WeChain (shaft loading), WeFeed (belt cell), WeStep (compact), WeFlex (flexible), WeStack (stacking), WeBot (robot), WePace (robot), and WeSpeed (fast cycle) automation cells; WeLine Top/Floor gantry loaders for production lines; WeTower for automated quality inspection loading ZEISS coordinate measuring machines; WeStore laser marking cells for FOBA systems; and WeConnect Industry 4.0 middleware for data collection and visualization. Additional offerings include process integration (measurement, deburring, cleaning, labeling), custom machines, turnkey production lines, upgrades/conversions, and contract manufacturing services. The company serves automotive, medical technology, and general manufacturing industries with over 300 systems sold.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WeConnect: Industry 4.0 software interface that connects production systems to the digital world, enabling data recording, graphical display, and ERP/IT system connections in OPC UA format.
• WeChain
• WeFeed
• WeStep
• WeFlex
• WeBot
• WeSpeed
• WeStack
• WeStore
• WeTower
• WeLine
• WePace

Products and services

• WeChain 350 Automation cell specifically designed for loading shaft parts clamped between centers, handling shafts up to 350mm length and 100mm diameter. Features quick-adjustment feed cycle chain with handwheel adjustment. Target customers are manufacturers of shaft components in automotive and general manufacturing sectors.
• WeFeed 100
• WeStep 650 Compact automation cell for automated loading and unloading of shaft parts up to 650mm length and chuck parts up to 260mm diameter, using chain conveyor with NC technology for pallet indexing. Targets small batch size production at lower price point.
• WeFlex Flexible automation cell available in WeFlex 600 and WeFlex 1000 models, with interchangeable gripper heads enabling rapid changeover between shaft and chuck parts. Image-guided setup wizard and pre/post-process station integration capability. Targets small batch production with frequent changeovers.
• WeStack Modular stack cell for high-volume manufacturing, pushes workpieces on pallets with floor rollers into the cell. Available in WeStack 346 and WeStack 446 variants with up to 720 workpiece autonomy. Features process integration, maintenance wizard, energy monitoring, and Industry 4.0-ready data logging. Travel speeds up to 4m/s.
• WeBot 260 Robot cell for Studer cylindrical grinding machines, featuring intuitive operation without robot knowledge required. Loads chuck parts up to 260mm and shaft parts up to 300mm. Includes 6 racks for autonomous operation, quick-change gripper system, and image-guided setup wizard using FANUC 6-axis robot.
• WePace FANUC 6-axis robot-based automation cell on rail for small to medium workpiece sizes on cylindrical grinding machines. Handles chuck parts up to 100x100mm and shaft parts up to 100x300mm. Features quick-change system, two drawers (400x600mm format) with additional SPC/NIO drawer, and image-guided changeover.
• WeSpeed Compact and fast automation cell for small parts requiring fast cycle times. Decouples machine loading from part handling for process stations enabling complex match grinding tasks. Targets high-volume small parts production.
• WeLine Top Gantry loader for high-speed linking of machine tools, suitable for machines with roof hatches. Portal speeds up to 4m/s. Integrates measuring stations for automatic dimensional corrections. Targets high-volume production lines.
• WeLine Floor Gantry loader for machine tools with keyhole solutions, linking multiple machines and processes with freedom in arrangement. Controlled via unified Siemens controller with WeConnect integration. Targets multi-machine production lines.
• WeTower Automated quality inspection system for loading ZEISS coordinate measuring machines. Features collaborative axis movements for compact floor plan and intuitive user interface for order management. Compatible with almost all ZEISS coordinate measuring machines.
• WeStore 20 Standard automation cell for FOBA M3000-P marking laser with linear kinematics for pallet feeding. Loads up to 20 pallets with different parts. Designed for medical sector with validation capability. Targets medical device manufacturers requiring UDI-compliant laser marking.
• WeStore 20r Robot-based automation cell for FOBA M3000-P marking laser using FANUC 6-axis robot for circumferential marking in lathe chuck. Multiple gripper enables two-sided marking in optimized cycle time. Validation-capable for medical sector.
• WeConnect Industry 4.0 middleware software platform serving as interface between production systems and the digital world. Collects and evaluates operating data (OEE, unit counts), process data (spindle speeds, coolant temperatures, measurement values), and fault messages. Provides OPC UA, OPC XML-DA, Siemens S7, Fanuc FOCAS, Q-DAS integration, Kibana visualization, fault analysis tools, and cryptographic security with PKI and X.509 certificates.
• Robot Systems Custom 6-axis robot systems using KUKA, Stäubli, or Fanuc robots, integrating process stations for measuring, deburring, labeling, cleaning, and capable of connecting to high-bay warehouses. Built on modular construction kit. Targets manufacturers requiring custom automation with multiple process integrations.
• Custom Machines Individually developed special machines for specific customer requirements, including cleaning system automation, laser welding automation, and automated deburring with brushes. Built on modular construction kit. Targets manufacturers with unique process automation needs.
• Turnkey Production Line Full-service production line development from concept to commissioning. Includes workpiece analysis, machine and process selection, automation concept design, and ramp-up support to OEE greater than 85%. Combines manufacturing and automation expertise in collaboration with partners.
• Upgrades and Conversions Upgrade and conversion services for existing automation systems, including legacy Felsomat Flexbox and Speedbox conversions. Software updates with WeConnect integration and Industry 4.0 interface implementation.
• Contract Manufacturing CNC machining services for individual parts and small series up to 50 pieces. Equipment includes DMG Mori NTX2000, DMG Mori NVX5100, and URBAN AP 6500-B for turning, milling, and long machining up to 6.6m. Targets manufacturers needing small batch precision parts.
• Maintenance and Service Customer service and maintenance including spare parts, preventive maintenance contracts, and 24-hour response for machine breakdowns in the automotive industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ramp up support to OEE > 85% for turnkey production lines
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 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

Integration18 records

AI capability2 records

Feature13 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fritz Studer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Long-standing partnership with Swiss cylindrical grinding machine manufacturer. Wenger is an automation partner for Studer machines, providing integrated automation solutions. Collaboration spans over 25 years, with WeFeed and other cells specifically designed for Studer internal grinding machines (e.g., S110, S121R, S122, S131R, S141R).
• KellenbergercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Partnership with Swiss grinding machine manufacturer Kellenberger for automation integration. Listed as automation partner for cylindrical grinding machines.
• MägerlecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Automation partner for Mägerle grinding machines, providing integrated automation solutions for Swiss machine tool manufacturer.
• ZEISS (Carl Zeiss)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership for coordinate measuring machines. WeTower automates loading of ZEISS CMMs. Products designed to be compatible with almost all ZEISS coordinate measuring machines.
• FOBA LasercoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnership for laser marking. WeStore automation cells specifically designed for FOBA M3000-P marking lasers. Medical-sector validation-capable solutions.
• Schweizer ProduktivitätsmanagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partnership for turnkey production line projects. Collaboration combines manufacturing and automation expertise for optimized production concepts.
• Ilg+Sulzberger GmbH (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Baden-Württemberg region in Germany. Provides local sales, support, and customer relationships for Wenger automation products.
• Berner+Straller GmbH (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, Brandenburg, Thuringia, and Bavaria regions in Germany. Multiple contacts for regional coverage.
• HELMUTH RAUSCHER Ingenieurbüro (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for North Rhine-Westphalia region in Germany.
• Otto Warncke Werksvertretungen KG (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony).
• FS Filter- und Schmierstofftechnik GmbH (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Hessen, Saarland, and Rhineland-Palatinate regions in Germany.
• THO De Ridder B.V. (Netherlands)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Netherlands market in Benelux region.
• De Ridder TDR V.B. (Belgium)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Belgium market in Benelux region.
• De Ridder TDR V.B. (Luxembourg)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Luxembourg market in Benelux region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EMAG: German machine tool manufacturer offering integrated automation and turnkey production systems for turned and ground parts. Operates in the same automotive/Tier-1 grinding and turning automation space as Wenger, with comparable end customers.
• Stäubli Robotics: Swiss-headquartered global manufacturer of 6-axis industrial robots used in machine-tool automation. Wenger lists Stäubli as one of its robot-supplier partners, but Stäubli also supplies robot cells directly to end customers, making it a partial competitor.
• KUKA: Global robotics and automation systems integrator. KUKA is a robot-supplier partner to Wenger, but also competes as a direct seller of turnkey automation cells and production lines for automotive customers — overlapping with Wenger's turnkey-line business.
• INDEX-Werke: German CNC turning machine manufacturer with its own automation and loading solutions for production cells. Competes with Wenger in supplying automated CNC turning/grinding cells to automotive suppliers.
• FANUC Robotics: Global leader in CNC controls and industrial robots. Wenger integrates FANUC 6-axis robots into its WeBot, WePace, and WeStore 20r cells, but FANUC also sells integrated robot cells and CNC automation directly to automotive/medical customers.
• Grob-Werke: German manufacturer of machining and automation systems with turnkey production line capabilities for automotive and industrial customers. Overlaps with Wenger's turnkey production line offering at a larger scale.
• Trumpf: German machine tool and laser technology leader with automated production systems and Industry 4.0 software. Wenger integrates Trumpf laser marking equipment but Trumpf also competes in adjacent automation and software solutions.

Regional players

• Liebherr-Verzahntechnik: German gear-cutting and grinding machine manufacturer offering integrated automation solutions. Adjacent competitor in the German/DACH grinding-machine automation market that overlaps with Wenger's Reishauer and cylindrical grinding cell offerings.
• Rollomatic: Swiss-based manufacturer of CNC tool grinding machines and laser cutting systems with automation capabilities. A fellow Swiss precision-automation specialist whose tool-grinding automation solutions overlap with Wenger's Swiss OEM customer base.

Direct peers

• Felsomat: German manufacturer of gantry loaders and automation systems for machine tools (Flexbox, Speedbox). Was Wenger's former Swiss sales representative from 1995 to 2011, and competes directly in the same automation-cell/gantry category serving automotive and Tier-1 customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wenger-automation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Wenger Automation and Engineering AG