What Alliance Concept does

Alliance Concept SAS is an Annecy-headquartered, privately held French manufacturer of vacuum technology equipment founded in 1991 and employing 48 people. The company designs, builds, and services scientific and industrial frames organized around three core technology pillars: (i) PVD thin film deposition systems — covering magnetron sputtering (DP, LINE), vacuum evaporation (EVA, MIH), cathodic arc hardcoating (HC1100/HC801), cluster tools (CT200/CLUSTERTOOL), decorative coatings (DECORA), and rolled-web deposition (WD1500); (ii) leak testing / tightness control — centered on the proprietary Modul'He modular helium/H2 tracer-gas system with the HM100 helium concentration meter and custom-built test benches; and (iii) supporting vacuum technology — plasma surface activation (P300 with combined Microwave/LF/RF excitation), ion beam polishing at nanometer resolution, and packaged high-vacuum pumping benches including residual gas analysis, helium/nitrogen conditioning, bake-out/degassing, and nitrogen inerting. The company embeds OEM-integrated characterization (ZEISS SEM with Oxford Instruments EDX, Bruker DektakXT profilometer, Keyence digital microscope) in its PVDLab & HeLab feasibility facilities.

Revenue is generated through hardware sales of standard and custom machines, multi-year service and maintenance contracts, spare parts and accessories through an online equipment store, retrofit/renovation services, and second-hand equipment resale. The go-to-market mixes direct enterprise field sales (with engineering-office involvement on custom specifications) and an exclusive distributor network spanning 12+ countries across Europe, North Africa, India, China, Israel, and the USA; marketing is layered onto trade-show participation (notably EPHJ) and the proprietary ACTE customer/partner event. End markets span aerospace and defense (Safran, Thales, ArianeGroup), automotive (Valeo, MAHLE, BorgWarner), medical and pharmaceutical, watchmaking and decorative, microelectronics, optics (CILAS, telescope optics), energy (gas meters, SF6 equipment, photovoltaic), and research institutions (CNRS, CEA, EPFL, Kavli Institute, Empa, HZB, INL, ICN2, Namlab). The company is ISO 9001-2015 certified for design, production, and maintenance, GDPR-compliant, and led by President Gaël Ducret with no disclosed external investors or parent company.

Name

Alliance Concept

Legal name

ALLIANCE CONCEPT

Website

https://alliance-concept.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

French ISO 9001-2015 certified manufacturer (48 employees, founded 1991) of custom vacuum technology equipment — PVD thin film deposition, helium leak detection, plasma treatment, and ion beam polishing — serving aerospace, automotive, medical, defense, and research sectors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Vacuum Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Deposition Equipment (CVD/PVD/ALD/Epitaxy) (HDAHAEAB), Leak Detection, Emissions & LDAR Testing (OGI, methane, fugitive emissions) (EUAEAHAL)

Keywords

• Vacuum equipment manufacturing
• Thin film deposition
• Leak testing systems
• Plasma surface treatment
• PVD coating systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Annecy

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of turnkey PVD thin film deposition machines, leak testing equipment, plasma treatment systems, and high vacuum pumping systems. Custom-built and standard machine configurations.
2. Maintenance and Service Contracts: Preventive and curative maintenance services, customer support, and after-sales service for installed equipment. Field interventions at customer sites.
3. Spare Parts and Accessories: Supply of spare parts for vacuum systems, replacement components, and accessories through equipment store platform.
4. Used/Second-hand Equipment: Sale of quality used equipment including vacuum pumps, leak detectors, and second-hand frames at attractive prices.
5. Equipment Modernization (Retrofit): Frame renovation and modernization services to upgrade existing equipment with new technology and capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Alliance Concept designs, manufactures, and services industrial vacuum technology equipment, with three core technology pillars: (1) PVD thin film deposition systems (magnetron sputtering, vacuum evaporation, cathodic arc, PECVD) for nanometer-range coatings, (2) helium and H2 tracer gas leak testing machines for tightness control, and (3) plasma surface treatment, ion beam polishing, and high vacuum pumping bench systems. The company also offers in-house feasibility testing through its PVDLab and HeLab laboratories, frame retrofit services, and an online store for spare parts and second-hand equipment.

Product overview

Alliance Concept is a manufacturer of industrial vacuum technology equipment certified ISO 9001:2015, founded in 1991 with 48 employees. The product portfolio is organized around three core technology pillars: (1) PVD Thin Films Deposition Systems — encompassing the DP, EVA, LINE, DECORA, CT/CLUSTERTOOL, MIH, and WD1500 equipment ranges for magnetron sputtering, vacuum evaporation, and cathodic arc processes; (2) Leak Testing / Tightness Control Equipment — including the Modul'He modular system, HM100 helium concentration measurer, and custom machines for industries such as automotive, aeronautics, medical, pharmaceutical, energy, defense, and electronics; and (3) Vacuum Technology Systems — covering plasma surface treatment (P300), ion beam polishing, and high vacuum pumping bench systems including residual gas analysis, neutral gas conditioning, bake-out/degassing, and nitrogen inerting. These are supported by PVDLab & HeLab feasibility testing services, frame renovation/retrofit offerings, and an Equipment Store for second-hand equipment and spare parts. The company also produces specialized Hardcoating equipment (HC1100, HC801) via cathodic arc deposition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PVD Lab: Testing laboratory for PVD thin film deposition feasibility tests and validation
• HeLab

Products and services

• PVD Thin Films Deposition Systems Industrial PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) equipment for thin films deposition using magnetron cathode sputtering, diode cathode sputtering, vacuum evaporation (Joule effect and electron gun), and PECVD technologies. Over 80% installed in clean rooms, depositing films in the nanometer range.
• Leak Testing / Tightness Control Equipment Helium and H2 tracer gas leak detection machines for industrial applications across automotive, aeronautics, medical, pharmaceutical, energy, defense, and electronics sectors. Includes global mode (vacuum chamber) and sniffing mode testing.
• Plasma Surface Treatment Equipment Cold plasma surface activation systems for cleaning, functionalizing, and activating surfaces prior to coating, painting, or bonding. Used in medical, automotive, electronics, and textile industries.
• Ion Beam Polishing Equipment Ion beam polishing systems for final optical surface polishing, reducing surface roughness to nanometer-level resolution under vacuum. Used for telescope optics and precision optical components.
• High Vacuum Pumping Bench System Packaged pumping systems including residual gas analysis (RGA), neutral gas conditioning (helium/nitrogen), bake-out/degassing, and nitrogen inerting. Used for cryostats, cold equipment, and X-ray generator tubes.
• DP Range (DP650) Sputtering Equipment Magnetron cathode sputtering thin films deposition equipment. DP650 is a sputtering equipment featuring planar magnetron cathodes for depositing metal, ceramic, oxide, and nitride thin films.
• EVA Range (EVA 760, EVA 300+) Evaporation Equipment Vacuum evaporation thin films deposition machines using Joule effect heating. The EVA range includes models such as EVA 760 and EVA 300+ for thermal evaporation of materials onto substrates.
• LINE Range (LINE440, LINE1500) Sputtering Equipment Sputtering thin films deposition frames. The LINE range includes LINE440 and LINE1500 models for PVD deposition via magnetron cathode sputtering.
• DECORA Range Decorative Coating Equipment Thin films deposition equipment for decorative coating applications. Part of the PVD product line for aesthetic and functional decorative coatings.
• CT Range (CT200, AC 450 CT) Cluster PVD Tools Cluster PVD tools (CLUSTERTOOL) for thin films synthesizing and multi-process deposition. CT200 features a vacuum transfer robot and is designed for advanced research and production applications requiring multiple deposition steps.
• MIH Range Vacuum Metallization Equipment Vacuum metallization equipment for depositing metallic coatings under vacuum. Part of the thin films deposition product family.
• WD1500 Web Deposition Equipment Rolled-films thin films sputtering machine for processing plastic or textile rolled films of a few microns to several millimeters thick. Features planar or rotatable target magnetron cathodes, with chamber diameter of 1400 mm and coating surface uniformity of ±5%.
• Modul'He Modular Leak Testing System Modular helium/hydrogen tracer gas leak testing system with over 25 years of development history. Supports single or multi-workstation configurations, manual to fully automated operation, vacuum chamber mode and sniffing mode. Equipped with ASI 20 MD detector, 10-inch touchscreen, 25 m3/h pumping, and calibrated leak of 1.4×10⁻⁷ mbar·l·s⁻¹.
• P300 Plasma Treatment Equipment Versatile cold plasma surface activation system integrating Microwave, LF (Low Frequency), and RF (Radio Frequency) excitation technologies. Chamber dimensions 300×300×300 mm, configurable pumping and gas lines. Used for surface cleaning and activation prior to coating or bonding.
• HM100 Helium Concentration Measurer Compact helium concentration meter designed and manufactured in France. Determines helium concentration in binary mixtures of helium/dry air or helium/nitrogen for helium conservation in leak testing operations, targeting users of helium leak testing equipment seeking to reduce helium consumption.
• Custom Leak Testing Machines Custom-built helium and H2 tracer gas leak testing machines, fully automated, semi-automatic, or manual test benches designed to customer specifications. Covers applications in cryostats, medical devices, gas meters, SF6 electrical equipment, fuses, pharmaceutical packaging, and more.
• Custom PVD Machines (including Hardcoating HC1100 and HC801) Custom-built PVD equipment for specific vacuum technology applications, including special configurations for Hardcoating (cathodic arc deposition) such as HC1100 and HC801 machines.
• PVDLab & HeLab Testing Services Feasibility testing and validation laboratory services using LINE 1500, EVA 760, DP650, AC 450 CT, EVA 300+, P300, and Modul'He equipment. Includes characterization methods: BRUKER Dektak XT profilometer, drop angle measurement, KEYENCE digital microscope (x20–x2000), KONIKA MINOLTA colorimeter, 4-point measurement, and SEM-EDX analysis (ZEISS MEB EV015 with Oxford Instruments EDX probe).
• Frame Renovation / Retrofit Services Renovation and retrofit services for existing PVD and thin films deposition frames, extending equipment lifespan and upgrading performance.
• Equipment Store (Second-hand Equipment & Spare Parts) Online marketplace for quality second-hand vacuum equipment including leak testing frames (Modul'He), vacuum pumps, leak detectors (helium, hydrogen) from brands such as PFEIFFER, ADIXEN, AGILENT, INFICON, and LEYBOLD, as well as spare parts for vacuum systems and VAC-C3 vacuum chambers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thin films deposited below 1 micron in nanometer range
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• VATmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024VAT is the world leader in vacuum valve manufacturing. They participated as an exhibitor at ACTE 2024 (Alliance Concept Technical Event). VAT representative Jérôme Marchal was honored for 40+ years in the vacuum industry.
• PFEIFFER VacuummajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Neighbor and historical partner of Alliance Concept. Participated as exhibitor at ACTE 2024. Provider of vacuum pumps and turbomolecular pumps integrated into Alliance Concept equipment.
• BRUKERcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Manufacturer of characterization instruments including DEKTAK XT mechanical profilometer used in Alliance Concept's PVDLab. Participated as exhibitor at ACTE 2024.
• ZEISS MicroscopycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024ZEISS supplied the MEB EVO 15 scanning electron microscope with EDX probe from Oxford Instruments, recently acquired for Alliance Concept's testing laboratory (PVDLab & HeLab).
• Oxford Instruments plccoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Supplier of EDX (energy dispersive X-ray) probe for the new ZEISS MEB EVO 15 electron microscope in Alliance Concept's laboratory.
• KEYENCEcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Provider of VHX digital microscope (x20 to x2000 magnification) used for characterization in Alliance Concept's PVDLab testing facility.
• FPT Dr. Flécher Physikalische TechnikenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Germany. Contact: Dr. Pierre Flecher, Karl-Rolle-Str. 43, 84307 Eggenfelden.
• PhotonExport / OnixmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Spain and Portugal. Contact: Ernesto Barrera (PhotonExport) / Ferran Xinxó (Onix), Barcelona area.
• COMEFmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Poland. Contact: Andrzej Wisniewski, Gdanska 2, 40-719 Katowice.
• Mi-Net Technology LtdmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for UK and Ireland. Contact: Mark Shropshire, 30 Summerleaze Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8EN.
• Multimotiv SA / Technovide ServicemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Switzerland. Contact: David Heulin (Multimotiv) / Vincent Veyrat (Technovide Service), La Chaux-de-Fonds.
• K-Tech Services / EquilabmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Tunisia. Contact: Khaled Ayadi (K-Tech), Les Berges du Lac 2, Tunis / Kamel Maalej (Equilab), Sfax.
• Beijing Xiantec TechnologymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for China. Contact: Wang Junxiang / Zhu Rong, Haidian District, Beijing 100044.
• IHE - Indo French High Tech EquipmentsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for India (thin films equipment). Contact: M.B.R. Sharma, 308 Woodrow Building, Andheri West, Mumbai 400053.
• Mikro India Private Ltd.majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for India (leak testing equipment). Contact: M. Rajesh Pawar, Narhe Industrial Estate, Pune 411041.
• B.G. Technical Support LTDmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Israel. Contact: Hezi Grossman, Mazkeret Batia 76804.
• APEX Coating SystemsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for USA. Contact: Marko Vukasinovic, 40 W Baseline Suite 202, Mesa, AZ 85210.
• Xiantech InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Russia. Contact: Christian Guittet, 15 rue Pasteur, 74960 Cran-Gevrier, France.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Angstrom Engineering: Canadian manufacturer of PVD, thermal evaporation, and sputtering systems primarily targeting R&D and small-scale production. Comparable technology focus to Alliance Concept's DP and LINE ranges with similar magnetron cathode sputtering approach.

Direct peers

• Pfeiffer Vacuum: World-leading vacuum pumps, turbomolecular pumps, and leak detection equipment manufacturer based in Germany. Both a strategic component supplier to Alliance Concept (integrated into RGA and pumping benches) and a direct competitor in vacuum systems and leak testing.
• Oerlikon Balzers: Direct competitor in PVD thin film deposition and surface treatment equipment serving automotive, decorative, aerospace and tooling applications. Operates a global service network and competes head-to-head with Alliance Concept's DP, LINE, and EVA product families.
• Inficon: Swiss/US leak detection equipment manufacturer specializing in helium sniffers, mass spectrometer leak detectors, and gas analysis. Both a supplier of Transpector RGA instruments to Alliance Concept and a direct competitor in helium leak testing.
• Leybold (Atlas Copco): German vacuum technology specialist offering vacuum pumps, leak detectors, and complete vacuum systems across industrial, scientific and coating applications. Direct overlap with Alliance Concept's pumping bench and leak testing product lines.
• Kurt J. Lesker Company: US-based vacuum equipment manufacturer and component supplier offering PVD deposition systems, vacuum chambers, and leak detection equipment. Comparable product breadth across both deposition and leak testing categories.
• VAT Group: Swiss global leader in vacuum valves, chambers, and motion components for semiconductor and industrial vacuum applications. Partnered with Alliance Concept (supplier of vacuum valves integrated into PVD systems) and competes in adjacent vacuum subsystems.
• Adixen (Pfeiffer Vacuum): Helium leak detection equipment line within Pfeiffer Vacuum, formerly Adixen, offering industrial leak testing solutions for automotive, HVAC and aerospace. Direct competition to Alliance Concept's Modul'He and custom leak testing machines.

Broad incumbents

• Bühler Group: Swiss industrial group with vacuum thin film deposition equipment operations serving optics, automotive and packaging applications. Competes with Alliance Concept in web coating (Bühler Leybold Optics) and large-area PVD systems.
• ULVAC: Japanese broad-line vacuum equipment manufacturer serving semiconductor, flat panel display, and industrial markets. Significant scale advantage and direct overlap in sputtering systems and leak detection, but with much broader product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alliance-concept-74960
• Facebookfacebook.com/Alliance-Concept-107863812675742

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Alliance Concept