What FRIES Kunststofftechnik does

FRIES Kunststofftechnik GmbH is a third-generation Austrian family-owned plastics processor, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Sulz, Vorarlberg, operating exclusively from a single production site that processes approximately 5,000 tonnes of plastic annually. The company sells across four business segments: UN-certified industrial packaging (cans, buckets, canisters and drums for dangerous goods, food and ESD applications); gastronomy systems including the FRIES Rack System of modular dishwasher baskets and reusable tableware for hospitality and events; industrial workpiece carriers and cleaning baskets under the tech-rack, techtray and variogrid brands for precision manufacturing; and custom technical moulded parts manufactured via extrusion blow moulding (since 1957) and injection moulding (since 1954). Proprietary technology includes the FRIES Wanddicken Scanning (FWS) inline wall-thickness measurement system, the FRIES Comp21/22 material compound, PA-GV glass-fibre reinforced polyamide, and the patented Clix-Rack 600 honeycomb partitioning system.

FRIES holds a dense stack of certifications — UN dangerous goods approval, ISO 9001 (since 1994), NSF (2018), Halal (2017) and ISCC plus (2023) — that gate regulated end-markets in chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food. Its wholly-owned Cup Concept subsidiary (acquired 100% in 2018, originating from a 2010 investment) operates reusable cup managed services spanning production, logistics, washing and redistribution, with dedicated entities in Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark and a 40% Benelux joint venture structure. Notable enterprise customers span Marriott, Knorr Bremse, Hofer+Co, Protos Integral, Schneeberger AG, Dr. Fohn/Ecovent and Estrel Berlin, with distribution partners covering Scandinavia, Iberia, Italy, the UK and the US.

The revenue model is predominantly B2B hardware sales across the four segments, supplemented by Cup Concept managed-services revenue from reusable cup logistics. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, active participation in leading European trade fairs (FachPack, parts2clean, Intergastra, Internorga, Sirha Lyon, Gastmesse Salzburg) and a multilingual seven-language corporate website. Disclosed FY2023 group revenue was €41 million, with 85% of products exported to customers in more than 50 countries. Strategic expansion is underway via France (2025) and Denmark (2024) market entries and a 4,500 m² office and production building at Sulz (groundbreaking March 2026).

Name

FRIES Kunststofftechnik

Legal name

FRIES Kunststofftechnik GmbH

Website

https://fries-kt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1896

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FRIES Kunststofftechnik GmbH is a third-generation Austrian family-owned plastics manufacturer producing UN-certified industrial packaging, gastronomy rack systems, industrial workpiece carriers, and custom moulded parts for industrial manufacturers, hospitality operators, and event services across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sulz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plastic product sales – industrial packaging: Sale of plastic industrial packaging (UN-approved jerricans, canisters, pails, drums, cans) for dangerous goods, food-compliant, and electrically dissipative applications. Revenue is one-time transactional per unit, supplemented by repeat orders from industrial customers.
2. Plastic product sales – gastronomy systems: Sale and distribution of modular dishwasher rack systems (glass racks, basic racks, cup racks, tray racks, cutlery baskets) and reusable tableware to the hospitality and event industries.
3. Plastic product sales – industrial baskets / workpiece carriers: Sale of tech-rack, techtray, and variogrid workpiece carrier and cleaning basket systems for industrial parts cleaning, transport, and storage.
4. Technical moulded parts – custom injection/blow moulded components: Custom-designed technical plastic components manufactured via extrusion blow moulding or injection moulding for customers in automotive, medical technology, and precision engineering sectors.
5. Cup Concept reusable cup systems – logistics and washing services: Cup Concept subsidiary (Sexau, Germany) handles full-service reusable cup logistics: production, distribution, collection, washing, and redistribution. This includes complete logistics services from delivery through washing for event and hospitality customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

FRIES Kunststofftechnik manufactures plastic products at its Sulz, Austria facility using extrusion blow moulding and injection moulding. Its core offerings are organised into four business segments: UN-approved industrial packaging (jerricans, canisters, pails, drums), modular Gastronomie-Systeme dishwasher rack systems and reusable tableware for hospitality and events, tech-rack/techtray workpiece carriers and cleaning baskets for industrial parts manufacturing, and custom technical moulded parts. Through its wholly-owned Cup Concept subsidiary, FRIES also provides full-service reusable cup logistics including production, distribution, washing, and redistribution for the European events sector.

Product overview

FRIES Kunststofftechnik GmbH is a third-generation family business specializing in plastic processing, offering four core product lines: (1) Industrial Packaging including Dosen (cans), Eimer (buckets), SLT Kanister and Kanister (canisters), and Fässer (barrels) with UN approval for dangerous goods, food conformity, and electrical conductivity; (2) Gastronomie-Systeme / FRIES Rack System - modular dishwasher basket systems for gastronomy including Gläserkörbe, Tellerkörbe, Grundkörbe, Tassenkörbe, and Mehrweggeschirr (reusable tableware); (3) Werkstückträger und Industriekörbe / tech-rack System - all-in-one industrial baskets and workpiece carriers (techtray, tech-rack variogrid, tech-rack custom/custom+, tech-rack) for transport, storage, and cleaning of sensitive components; (4) Technische Formteile - custom technical molded parts using extrusion blow molding and injection molding. The company produces exclusively at its Sulz, Austria headquarters, processes approximately 5,000 tons of plastic annually, and exports 85% of products to over 50 countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cup Concept: Subsidiary focusing on reusable cup solutions for events, including washing, logistics and distribution services
• tech-rack
• techtray
• FRIES Rack System
• SLT Kanister
• ARENA CUP
• Clix-Rack

Products and services

• Industrieverpackungen (Industrial Packaging)
• Gastronomie-Systeme / FRIES Rack System
• Werkstückträger und Industriekörbe (tech-rack / techtray Industrial Baskets)
• Technische Formteile (Technical Molded Parts)
• Cup Concept Mehrwegsysteme (Reusable Cup Solutions)

Quantifiable outcome

• Space utilisation increased by ~30% with Clix-Rack 600 compared to conventional solutions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TGM – Versuchsanstalt für mechanisch-technische MaterialprüfungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting and inspection institution for mechanical and technical materials testing, including plastics and environmental technology. Provides ongoing technical validation and scientific backing for FRIES product development.
• OFI – Prüf-, Inspektions- und ZertifizierungsstellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting, inspection and certification body for food, hazardous goods and medical packaging. OFI awarded FRIES the ACR Prize 2011 for barrier plastic containers and the H.F. Mark Medal to Thomas Rhomberg (2019). Long-standing technical partnership.
• IFA Tulln – Institut für NaturstofftechnikcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute for Natural Substance Technology at BOKU Vienna. Develops materials and technologies using natural raw materials, supporting FRIES in sustainable materials development.
• HTL Bregenz – Kunststofftechnik FachrichtungminorOthersTechnical secondary school with plastics technology, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering tracks. Supports talent pipeline and student engagement for FRIES.
• FCIO – Fachverband der Chemischen Industrie ÖsterreichsminorOthersTrade association representing the Austrian chemical industry. FRIES maintains membership as part of its industry network and regulatory engagement.
• AKGGS – Arbeitskreis Gewerbliches GeschirrspülenminorOthersWorking group for commercial dishwashing. Develops and provides practice-relevant information for the commercial dishwashing sector – directly relevant to FRIES Rack System product range.
• F.I.T. – Fachverband Industrielle TeilereinigungminorOthersTrade association representing the industrial parts cleaning sector. FRIES participates as a manufacturer of workpiece carriers and cleaning baskets for this industry.
• VpackminorOthersPackaging industry network focused on positioning members as attractive employers, increasing customer value and exploring new markets.
• WIGE Vorderland – Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft VorderlandminorOthersEconomic community operating in the interest of the Vorderland region (Austria) for the benefit of local business and the economy. FRIES is based in the Sulz/Vorderland area.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Recup: German reusable cup deposit system offering pooled reusable cup solutions for events and gastronomy across Germany. Emerging direct competitor to FRIES's Cup Concept subsidiary in the rapidly growing reusable cup market driven by EU single-use plastics regulations.

Direct peers

• Greif, Inc. US-based global manufacturer of industrial packaging including plastic drums, jerricans, and IBCs serving chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals. Directly comparable to FRIES Industrial Packaging segment with UN-approved plastic containers for dangerous goods.
• Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA: Major German manufacturer of industrial plastic packaging including IBCs, drums, and jerricans for chemicals, food, and hazardous goods. Directly competes with FRIES Industrial Packaging segment across UN-approved jerricans, canisters, and drums for dangerous-goods applications.
• Rieber GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of gastronomy systems including food transport containers, dishwashing baskets, and professional kitchen equipment. Direct peer to FRIES in gastronomy dishwasher systems and food transport container segments.
• Hupfer Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of professional kitchen equipment including dishwasher baskets, dish storage, and distribution systems for hospitality. Direct competitor in FRIES's core gastronomy dishwasher rack segment serving hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and stadiums.
• Schoeller Allibert: Dutch manufacturer of reusable plastic containers, returnable transport packaging, and bulk containers for industrial supply chains. Comparable to FRIES's reusable industrial packaging (Clix-Rack 600) and tech-rack workpiece carrier systems.
• B.PRO (Blanco Professional): German professional kitchen equipment manufacturer offering dishwasher rack systems, gastronomy container solutions, and food transport systems. Directly comparable to FRIES Gastronomie-Systeme product line including FRIES Rack System and dishwasher baskets for hotels and catering.
• Cambro Manufacturing: US manufacturer of commercial kitchenware, food storage, and foodservice equipment including dishwashing racks. Directly comparable to FRIES Gastronomie-Systeme segment (FRIES Rack System) with a broader global foodservice equipment portfolio.
• AUER Packaging GmbH: German manufacturer of plastic stackable containers, transport boxes, and reusable storage systems for industrial applications. Comparable to FRIES in reusable plastic transport packaging, stackable container systems, and the broader B2B plastics space.

Broad incumbents

• Mauser Packaging Solutions: Global industrial packaging manufacturer offering IBCs, drums, jerricans, and reconditioning services across chemicals, food, and pharma. Broad incumbent serving the same customer base as FRIES Industrial Packaging but with significantly larger portfolio and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fries-kunststofftechnik-gmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/FRIESKunststofftechnik

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 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 FRIES Kunststofftechnik