hl-studios

What hl-studios does

hl-studios GmbH is a German B2B communications agency headquartered in Erlangen that specializes in industrial and technical communication for large enterprise clients. Its core offering is an integrated service portfolio spanning communication strategy, CGI and 3D animation, virtual production (via its proprietary Hybrid Studio), film production, corporate events, trade shows, and sales enablement, delivered primarily to industrial corporates such as Siemens (across multiple divisions including Digital Industries, Mobility, Global Business Services, and Siemensstadt 2.0), Schaeffler (Industrial and Automotive Aftermarket), Playmobil, and CORE Energy Recovery.

The firm's technical platform centers on its Hybrid Studio, a virtual production environment that combines real-world filming with real-time digital 3D augmentation. hl-studios is identified as one of the first agencies in Bavaria to deploy this approach, and the platform is backed by recognized in-house R&D activity (BSFZ-Siegel 2022). Recent AI exploration, including Predictive Performance Analysis and Generative AI for video, is positioned as an extension of the existing CGI and production stack rather than a standalone AI product. Execution quality has been externally validated through BrandEx Gold 2024 (Best Conference) and BrandEx Silver 2024 (Best Execution Events) for the Siemens GBS "Be a game changer" conference, alongside multi-country activations such as a 71-stop Schaeffler Showtruck across 15 European countries and the Schaeffler Optime Live roadshow.

Revenue is generated on a project-based professional-services model, with work acquired through direct enterprise sales, client referrals, and industry events. The firm is privately held (legal form GmbH) under Managing Director Alfons Loos, with Jürgen Hinterleithner identified as CEO in the leadership table. Founded in 1991, hl-studios operates with a headcount of 51-100 employees and serves primarily European markets including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Name

hl-studios

Legal name

hl-studios GmbH

Website

https://hl-studios.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

hl-studios is a German B2B communications agency specializing in industrial and technical communication, serving enterprise clients such as Siemens, Schaeffler, and Playmobil with integrated services spanning strategy, CGI, proprietary virtual production (Hybrid Studio), film, and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B Marketing & Industrial Communications Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM)

Keywords

• Industrial communication services
• B2b marketing agency
• Virtual production studio
• Trade show events
• Corporate communications strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Erlangen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Communications Services: Project-based professional services for B2B and industrial communications, including strategy, creative development, content production, and event management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

hl-studios is a full-service B2B and industrial communications agency that delivers strategy, creative content, CGI and 3D visualization, Hybrid Studio virtual production, film production, corporate events, trade show experiences, and sales enablement for enterprise clients in manufacturing, automation, energy, and transportation. The agency combines strategic communications planning with creative execution across digital, visual, and live event channels, serving clients such as Siemens, Schaeffler, CORE Energy Recovery Solutions, and Playmobil.

Product overview

hl-studios is a full-service B2B communications agency offering an integrated portfolio of professional services spanning CGI & 3D Animation, Hybrid Studio (virtual production), Corporate Events & Trade Shows, Film Production, Sales Enablement, and Integrated Communications & Strategy. These services are combined and tailored per client project rather than delivered as a software platform, with the agency acting as a creative and strategic partner for industrial and B2B clients including Siemens, Schaeffler, and Playmobil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hybrid Studio: Virtual production studio combining real-world filming with digital/virtual environments in real-time, located in Erlangen, Germany. Described as one of the first commercial providers of this technology in Bavaria.

Products and services

• CGI & 3D Animation Photorealistic 3D visualization and animation services for industrial products, enabling visualization of inner workings, assembly processes, and unique features that conventional photography cannot capture. Targeted at enterprise industrial and B2B clients needing to communicate complex technical products.
• Hybrid Studio / Virtual Production An in-house greenscreen studio combining real human performance with digital backdrops in real time, enabling film and photo production in any location without travel. Targeted at enterprise industrial and B2B clients needing flexible, location-independent film and photo shoots.
• Corporate Events & Trade Shows Full-service event production including concept development, location sourcing, participant management, on-site coordination, and technical creation for trade fairs, conferences, and hybrid events. Targeted at enterprise industrial clients running trade show presences and corporate events.
• Film Production Advertising film production including product films, promotional videos, technical animations, explainer videos, image films, and campaign trailers, supported by editing, color grading, and sound design. Targeted at enterprise industrial and B2B clients needing visual storytelling assets.
• Sales Enablement Benefit-oriented sales materials including gamified sales apps, interactive presentations, and compact reference tools designed for portable use by sales representatives to support lead generation and customer acquisition. Targeted at industrial enterprise sales teams.
• Integrated Communications & Strategy Strategic communications services covering campaign planning, brand management, content writing, editorial services, social media, and UX design for B2B and industrial audiences. Targeted at enterprise clients needing integrated strategic communications planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• 440% increase in page views for Schaeffler Optime Ecosystem campaign
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• denkwerk: Cologne-based digital agency combining strategy, creative, and technology for major brands. Overlaps with hl-studios on digital content production and integrated B2B/B2C campaigns for German enterprise clients.
• Palmer Hargreaves: Specialist B2B marketing agency with strong industrial and technology sector focus across Germany and the UK. Comparable to hl-studios in deep industrial vertical expertise and integrated campaign delivery.
• KMS Team: Munich-based B2B communications agency owned by Deloitte, serving large industrial and technology clients with integrated strategy, content, and digital services. Most direct comparable to hl-studios in terms of German industrial B2B focus and full-service delivery.
• Hotzbrand: Munich-based B2B brand and content agency focused on technology and industrial clients. Closely comparable to hl-studios in niche specialization, size band, and full-service B2B positioning.

Regional players

• MUTABOR: Hamburg-based brand experience and design agency with strong industrial B2B portfolio (Audi, Lufthansa Technik). Comparable in combining brand strategy with experiential and visual content for industrial clients.
• LOOP: Berlin- and Vienna-based digital creative agency serving enterprise clients with content, film, and interactive experiences. Overlaps with hl-studios on digital content and CGI/digital visualization capabilities.
• Antoni: Berlin-based creative agency with strong content production capabilities including film and digital campaigns. Comparable in creative execution quality and German enterprise client base, though not industrial-specialized.

Broad incumbents

• Jung von Matt: Major German creative agency network known for content-led campaigns. Overlaps with hl-studios on creative production and brand storytelling but serves a broader industry mix beyond industrial.
• Scholz & Friends: One of Germany's largest independent creative agency groups with strong B2B and industrial portfolio. Comparable in full-service offerings and enterprise client roster, though broader and not industrial-specialized.
• Serviceplan Group: Munich-headquartered largest independent agency group in Europe, with integrated B2B and content production capabilities. Operates at much larger scale than hl-studios but competes for similar German enterprise mandates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHCoih_Q7U3imUKkIzP7g0Q
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hl-studios-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/hl_studios_gmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/hlstudios.de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 hl-studios