What Telestar does

Telestar S.r.l. (trading as Telestar Automation) is an Italian industrial automation distributor founded in 1989 and headquartered in Vaprio d'Agogna (Novara province), with a secondary branch in Serravalle Scrivia. The company is privately held as an S.r.l. under sole director Giovanni Storti and operates with a staff in the 11–50 range. Telestar is the official Italian channel for more than 40 international automation brands — TR Electronic, Kinco, Berghof, Helmholz, Elite Robots, Fairino, VEICHI, ACD Elektronik, CAPTRON, Qlight, Lütze, IntervalZero, CODRA, Schildknecht, and others — and organizes its portfolio into six categories: encoders (including SIL2/SIL3 safety encoders and magnetostrictive linear transducers), PLC/HMI and motion control (Kinco PLC+HMI, Berghof compact and display controllers, VEICHI vector inverters), collaborative robots (Elite Robots CS-series and Fairino FR-series cobots), industrial PCs and embedded systems (IntervalZero RTX64, KINGSTAR and MaxRT PC-based motion platforms, Nodka and JHCTECH Panel PCs), industrial networking (Helmholz NAT/firewall and cabinet monitoring, Schildknecht wireless PROFINET, CODRA Panorama SCADA/MES, Tosi TosiControl OT management), and components (CAPTRON capacitive sensors, Qlight signal towers, Sälzer cam switches, Lütze AirSTREAM cabinet wiring).

The company's go-to-market is multi-channel: a direct technical sales force with regional representatives, a network of regional distributors and system-integrator partners, an owned e-commerce shop (shop.telestar-automation.it), and a video-consultation service with internal experts. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Telestar is ISO 9001:2015 certified (CSQ/IQNET, renewed May 2025) and emphasizes certified products (SIL3/PLe, ATEX, IECEx, CE/UL) for safety-critical and harsh-environment applications. Primary customers are Italian OEM manufacturers and system integrators building automated machinery and production systems; secondary use cases span logistics/AGV, food & beverage, water treatment, maritime/offshore, smart building, and transportation infrastructure. A reference installation includes 170 TR Electronic SIL3/PLe safety encoders on Allseas' Pioneering Spirit vessel for topsides and jacket lift monitoring.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware distribution and resale of partner-brand components and subsystems, supplemented by professional services — pre-sales technical consulting, application-development support, commissioning assistance, post-sale technical support, and professional training delivered at Telestar headquarters. The business model is essentially that of a value-added technical distributor: Telestar does not manufacture proprietary hardware but earns margin on multi-brand product resale, locks in customers via certified-product depth and pre-/post-sales technical service, and captures incremental services revenue from training and application engineering. The portfolio has been expanding up the stack from discrete components toward PC-based motion control (IntervalZero), SCADA/MES (CODRA), OT/cloud fleet management (Tosi), and collaborative robotics (Elite Robots, Fairino), with active partnerships signed in 2025–2026 and annual exhibition presence at SPS Italia.

Name

Telestar

Legal name

TELESTAR S.R.L.

Website

https://telestar-automation.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Telestar is an Italian industrial automation distributor, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Vaprio d'Agogna, that serves as the official Italian channel for 40+ international brands spanning encoders, PLC/HMI, cobots, industrial PCs, networking, and components for OEM manufacturers and system integrators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vaprio D'agogna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution and Sales: Sale of industrial automation components and systems including encoders, PLCs, HMIs, motion control devices, collaborative robots, industrial PCs, networking equipment, and ancillary components. Products sourced from international brand partners and sold to Italian OEM manufacturers and system integrators.
2. Technical Support and Consulting Services: Pre-sales technical consulting, application development support, commissioning assistance, and post-sale technical support services provided by qualified internal staff and certified partner specialists.
3. Professional Training: Training programs organized at Telestar headquarters to transfer product knowledge and technical competencies to end users of products and services.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Telestar is an Italian industrial automation distributor that sells and integrates components, subsystems, and high-tech automation systems from over 40 international brand partners to OEM manufacturers and system integrators in Italy. The portfolio spans encoders, PLC/HMI/motion control, collaborative robots, industrial PCs and embedded systems, industrial networking, and signalling/switching components. The company supplements product distribution with qualified pre-sales technical consulting, product configuration services, application development support, commissioning assistance, and professional training programs.

Product overview

Telestar Automation is an Italian industrial automation distributor founded in 1989, offering a broad portfolio of components, subsystems, and systems from international brand partners. The portfolio is organized into six product categories: Encoders (from TR Electronic — safety SIL2/SIL3, miniaturised 36mm, magnetostrictive linear transducers), PLC/HMI/Motion Control (Kinco PLC+HMI MK series, Berghof B-FORTIS compact controllers and B-PRIMIS display controllers, Veichi AC310 inverters), Cobots (Elite Robots CS series arms with integrated controllers, Fairino FR series), Industrial PC and Embedded Systems (IntervalZero RTX64 real-time extension, KINGSTAR and MaxRT motion control platforms), Networking (Helmholz WALL IE NAT gateways, Cabinet Guard monitoring, Schildknecht DATAEAGLE 4000 wireless PROFINET, CODRA Panorama Suite SCADA/MES, Tosi TosiControl cloud OT management), and Components (CAPTRON CANEO capacitive pushbuttons, Qlight signal towers and beacons, Sälzer rotary cam switches, Lütze AirSTREAM cabinet wiring systems). Products are distributed through Telestar's own technical sales force and online shop, supported by pre/post-sale technical consulting, on-site commissioning, and professional training services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Safety Encoders SIL2/SIL3 (TR Electronic) Safety encoders certified SIL3/PLe for position and speed monitoring in shared human-machine environments, available in 58mm and 75mm housings with dual optical/magnetic sensing and PROFIsafe interfaces. Sold to OEM manufacturers and system integrators for safety-critical applications.
• Magnetostrictive Linear Transducers on Aluminium Profile (TR Electronic) Magnetostrictive linear transducers on aluminium profile, available with analogue, SSI, Profibus, CANopen, EtherCAT, Ethernet IP, Powerlink, SERCOS III, and IO-Link interfaces. Used for linear position measurement in industrial automation applications.
• Miniaturized Incremental and Absolute Encoders Series 36 (TR Electronic) Miniaturised absolute and incremental encoders in 36mm housing, offering up to 18-bit optical resolution and magnetic sensing, with SSI, CANopen, analogue, and DRIVE-CLiQ interfaces. Designed for compact automation applications.
• PLC+HMI MK Series (Kinco) Economical PLC with integrated HMI panel in 7" and 4.3" formats, featuring Ethernet port, embedded VPN for remote assistance, VNC protocol, expandable I/O via KS series modules, and Modbus RTU support. Targets compact machinery automation.
• B-FORTIS Compact Controllers (Berghof) Fanless compact PLC controllers based on ARM Cortex A9 800MHz, programmable via CODESYS IEC61131, available in CC-Lite, CC-Slim, and CC-Prime tiers with integrated EtherCAT, CAN, RS232/RS485, digital and analogue I/O, and up to 1 GB RAM.
• B-PRIMIS Display Controllers (Berghof) PLC controllers with built-in resistive or multi-touch capacitive display (4.3" to 15.6"), based on ARM Cortex A9 dual-core up to 800MHz, supporting EtherCAT Master, CANopen, Web Visu, and optional AI acceleration via Raspberry Pi CM4 module.
• AC310 Series Inverters (Veichi) High-performance vector inverter for asynchronous and synchronous motors, with 'book-type' space-saving design, built-in STO safety function, fieldbus expansion slots (EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet IP, Modbus TCP, CANopen, Profibus), and power ratings up to 1000 kW.
• Elite Robots CS Series Cobot Arms (Elite Robots) Next-generation collaborative robot arms (CS63, CS66, CS612, CS620, CS625) with payloads from 3 to 25 kg, reach from 624 to 1,800 mm, IP65/IP68 protection, integrated industrial controller with PROFINET/Ethernet IP/Modbus TCP, and built-in SIL2/PLd safety.
• Fairino FR Series Cobots (Fairino) Collaborative robot series (FR3, FR5, FR10, FR16, FR20, FR30) with full-metal structure, payloads from 3 to 30 kg, zero license-cost software, SDK and API included, compatible with PLC/MES/IT-OT systems.
• M2Smart HMI10 Wireless (ACD Elektronik) Mobile industrial HMI terminal with 10.1" capacitive touchscreen, Bluetooth wireless safety transmission for emergency stop and 3-level enabling switch, WLAN for operational data, Android Industrial+ environment, and TÜV safety certification.
• M2Smart HMI5 (ACD Elektronik) Handheld industrial HMI with integrated wireless safety buttons (emergency stop and 3-level enabling switch), Bluetooth 'functionally safe' radio connection to M2Smart Gateway, for mobile machine and plant control.
• KINGSTAR (IntervalZero) Open software platform running on RTX64 for PC-based PAC Motion control with sub-millisecond cycle time, EtherCAT Master, PLC-Open compliant motion library, programmable in C/C++ with Visual Studio or IEC-61131-3 with LogicLab, with GigE Vision camera support and OPC UA server.
• RTX64 (IntervalZero) Hard real-time extension for Windows that transforms the OS into an RTOS, with deterministic scheduler at 128 fixed priorities, direct hardware access (I/O ports, PCI, MSI), optimised TCP/IP stack, and support for mono and multi-processor architectures up to 64 cores.
• MaxRT (IntervalZero) Unified real-time software suite combining RTX64 and KINGSTAR capabilities into three versions — MaxRT wRTOS (Windows RTOS), MaxRT eRTOS (standalone SMP RTOS), and MaxRT vRTOS (real-time hypervisor) — supporting EtherCAT, OPC UA, and TSN industrial standards.
• WALL IE Industrial NAT Gateway and Firewall (Helmholz) Industrial NAT gateway and firewall for protecting automation networks, operating in NAT and Bridge modes with advanced packet filtering, web-based management, DIN rail mounting, and integration with PROFINET/CAN networks.
• Cabinet Guard (Helmholz) Compact monitoring system for electrical cabinet conditions including temperature, humidity, air pressure, vibration, and door status, configurable via web interface with MQTT and ModbusTCP data transmission and SD card logging.
• DATAEAGLE 4000 Wireless PROFINET (Schildknecht) Industrial wireless radio system for transparent PROFINET, PROFIsafe, EtherNet/IP, and CIPsafety transmission with plug-and-play setup, patented data pre-processing, range up to 3 km, and IP20 to IP65 models.
• Panorama Suite (CODRA) Modular SCADA/MES software platform comprising Panorama E2 (real-time supervision and control), Panorama COM (data collection from PLCs, IoT, and remote systems), and Panorama H2 (historians, reporting, and analytics), supporting OPC UA and Web Services for enterprise integration.
• Tosi Control (Tosi) Cloud-based OT operations console for centralised fleet visibility, asset management, real-time monitoring, and alerts across Tosi gateway devices, with SSO integration (Microsoft, Google, Okta), REST API for event integration, and zero-trust security architecture.
• Electronic Acoustic Alarms and Signal Lights (Qlight) Electronic acoustic alarms up to 115 dB and LED/Xenon signalling lights with various configurations, ATEX models for explosive atmospheres, and maritime/certified versions.
• SSL Series Outdoor Traffic Light Signals (Qlight) Outdoor traffic light signals for container handlers, port loading equipment, and outdoor conveyors, with aluminium housing, polycarbonate lens, IP68 protection, available in 1–4 sector configurations with LED colours including Red, Amber, Green, and Blue.
• Modular Signal Light Towers (Qlight) Modular signal light towers in diameters 25–80 mm, available in monochromatic LED or RGB multicolour versions, with Ethernet, USB, wireless, or wired connectivity, and CE/UL certifications.
• CANEO Series 10 Capacitive Pushbutton (CAPTRON) Capacitive HMI pushbutton with IO-Link configuration of sensitivity, actuation type, timing, and colour across 16 million options, available in Standard, Stainless Steel, and Hygienic housing variants for food, pharma, logistics, and industrial HMI applications.
• CANEO Series 4x Capacitive Touch Switch (CAPTRON) Capacitive touch switch series with configurable LED ring illumination (up to 16 million colours), integrated 7-segment display, zero actuation force, over 100 million switching cycles, and IP69K protection for HMI, automation, robotics, and building technology applications.
• Rotary Cam Switches (Sälzer) Rotary cam switches for main and auxiliary circuits supporting up to 24 contacts, with switching angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90° and up to 12 switching positions, designed for ON-OFF, step, code, and motor switching in industrial machinery applications.
• AirSTREAM Cabinet Wiring System (Lütze) Intelligent electrical cabinet wiring system integrating cable duct into aluminium frame, enabling front-side installation, optimised cooling airflow, and up to 30% space savings compared to conventional solutions.
• Technical Pre-Sales Consulting and Post-Sales Support Qualified technical pre-sales consulting (including video consultation with product specialists), application development support, commissioning assistance, and post-sale technical support delivered by internal staff and certified partner specialists to OEM manufacturers and system integrators.
• Professional Training Programs Training programs organized at Telestar headquarters in Vaprio d'Agogna to transfer product knowledge and technical competencies to end users of distributed products and services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products certified for safety applications (SIL2/SIL3, PLe) for use in shared human-machine environments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TR ElectroniccoreTechnology or IntegrationTR Electronic is a German manufacturer specializing in absolute and incremental encoders, safety encoders (SIL2/SIL3, PLe), magnetostrictive linear transducers, and laser systems. Telestar is the official Italian distributor, providing integration support for revamping projects, new production lines, robotic systems, and special machines.
• Kinco AutomationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKinco, founded in 1996, is an international leader in industrial automation solutions including HMIs, PLCs, and inverters. Telestar distributes Kinco products in Italy, offering compact, affordable, and readily available PLC+HMI integrated solutions.
• Berghof AutomationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBerghof has over 40 years of experience in German industrial automation, producing modular PLCs, industrial PCs, and test systems. Telestar distributes Berghof products including B-FORTIS compact controllers and B-PRIMIS display controllers in Italy.
• HelmholzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman company specializing in industrial communication components focusing on industrial Ethernet, decentralized I/O modules, and connectivity gateways. Products include PROFINET switches, WALL-IE NAT firewalls, and CABINET Guard monitoring devices.
• Tosi (ex Tosibox)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTosi (formerly Tosibox) is a global pioneer in connecting, protecting, and controlling OT networks since 2011. TosiControl platform provides centralized fleet visibility, asset inventory, real-time monitoring, and SSO integration for enterprise identity providers.
• Elite RobotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanish company founded in 2016 developing collaborative robot arms and automation solutions. Elite Robots cobots offer high performance, flexibility, and rapid integration with payloads up to 25kg and reach up to 1,900mm. Telestar is the official Italian distributor.
• FairinocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFairino is a leading brand in collaborative robotics and industrial automation distributed by Telestar in Italy. Full-metal structure robots with industrial performance, no hidden license costs, and complete SDKs for developers. Up to 5x more cost-effective than traditional cobots.
• VEICHIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational brand leader in industrial motion control with complete range of inverters, servo drives, brushless motors, HMIs, and PLCs. VEICHI solutions ensure precise motion control in high-productivity plants and high-performance machinery.
• Elco Automation Industrie GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman specialist in robust components for demanding applications including encoders, I/O systems, and cabling. Symbol of European excellence in automation, with products for harsh industrial environments.
• ACD ElektronikcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading electronics industrial group providing portable devices for logistics, industry, and retail, mobile applications, control panels, EMS services, and device assembly. Products include M2Smart HMI5 and HMI10 wireless mobile terminals with safety buttons.
• CAPTRONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman company leading in capacitive sensor production and intelligent solutions for human-machine interaction. CAPTRON develops advanced components for industrial, robotic, and safety applications in demanding environments, including IO-Link enabled capacitive buttons.
• QlightcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial automation signal lighting and acoustic systems. Products include signal towers, sirens, and LED devices for assembly lines, logistics areas, and ATEX environments with IECEx, ATEX, and KCs certifications.
• LützecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternationally recognized brand for contribution to efficiency and reliability of industrial automation systems. Specialized in electrical cabinet wiring systems and intelligent climate control solutions. AirSTREAM system saves up to 30% space in control cabinets.
• IntervalZerocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoftware house specializing in real-time solutions for Microsoft Windows. RTX64 technology transforms Windows into a real-time operating system. KINGSTAR platform provides complete PC-based motion control, machine vision, and PLC control.
• CODRAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench company specializing in industrial automation software and plant supervision since 1986. Develops SCADA, MES platforms, and data monitoring tools for energy, manufacturing, transportation, smart building, water, and critical infrastructure sectors.
• Schildknecht AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeader in industrial wireless systems since 1981. Specializes in radio systems for data transmission in complex environments with the DATAEAGLE family. Products support PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, PROFsafe, and CIPsafety protocols with ranges up to 3km.
• NodkacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShanghai-based manufacturer founded in 2001, ISO9001, CE, FCC, BIS, and CCC certified. Specializes in industrial computers, Panel PCs, and fanless touch monitors. Among leading Chinese players in industrial embedded systems.
• SälzercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRotary cam switches for main and auxiliary circuits supporting up to 24 contacts. Applications include ON-OFF switches, changeover, multi-step, code, ring, instrument, or motor switches for machine tools, automation, electrical installations, and control systems.
• esdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1984, specializing in industrial device and system design based on communication protocols (CAN, CANopen, J1939, DeviceNet, Profibus, EtherCAT, PROFINET IO, Ethernet IP, Modbus-TCP), embedded and real-time operating systems, and custom hardware development.
• IrontechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial automation partner offering solutions for motion control and industrial computing applications.
• JHCTECHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial PC and embedded systems manufacturer for automation applications.
• MeshmerizeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMesh networking technology provider for industrial wireless connectivity applications.
• Koenig-PAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial automation components and systems provider.
• NovakonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomation technology solutions provider for industrial applications.
• OdotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial I/O and connectivity solutions provider distributed in Italy by Telestar.
• Red LionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial networking and communication solutions provider for automation applications.
• RenuminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial automation components provider.
• SynapticonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMotion control and robotics technology provider.
• Tri-TronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectronic components provider for industrial automation.
• InHand NetworksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial IoT and networking solutions provider for connectivity in automation applications.
• INSYS icomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial communication and networking solutions provider.
• HELU ex SangelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial cabling and connectivity solutions provider.
• EtherWANminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial Ethernet networking equipment provider for automation applications.
• Celduc RelaisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRelay and switching solutions provider for industrial applications.
• Di-soricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSensor technology provider for industrial automation applications.
• ElestaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectronic components provider for automation systems.
• KochminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial automation components provider.
• ADS-TEC Industrial ITminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial IT and embedded computing solutions provider for automation applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Distrelec: European industrial automation and electronics distributor (now part of RS Group) operating across multiple European countries with a focus on industrial customers. Direct competitor to Telestar in industrial automation distribution, with overlapping vendor brands and customer segments.
• Conrad Electronic: European multi-channel distributor of electronic components, industrial automation, and technical supplies serving B2B and B2C customers across DACH and broader Europe. Direct peer to Telestar in industrial automation distribution, with stronger e-commerce platform and broader catalog.
• Würth Elektronik: German-based manufacturer and distributor of electronic components and industrial automation solutions with broad European reach. Comparable to Telestar in industrial automation component portfolio, though Würth operates as both manufacturer and distributor with significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Wago: German manufacturer of interconnection, automation, and interface products (PLC, I/O systems, power supplies) with global direct sales. Comparable to Telestar as a major industrial automation brand; competes with Telestar's distributed brand portfolio in customer mindshare.
• Sonepar: Global B2B electrical, industrial automation, and energy distribution group with operations across 40+ countries. Adjacent peer to Telestar in industrial distribution with broader geographic reach and category mix spanning electrical, lighting, and automation.
• Rexel: Global electrical distribution group serving industrial, commercial, and residential customers across Europe, North America, and APAC. Adjacent peer to Telestar in industrial distribution, with electrical and automation product overlap but primarily serving electrical contractors rather than industrial automation OEMs.
• Farnell (element14): Multi-channel distributor of electronic components, industrial automation, and MRO products across Europe, the Americas, and APAC. Directly comparable to Telestar's industrial automation component distribution model, with deeper catalog breadth and stronger digital platform.
• RS Group: Global multi-brand industrial product and electronics distributor (RS Components, RS Pro, Allied Electronics, RS Integrated Supply) serving design, maintenance, and operations with millions of SKUs. Comparable to Telestar as a value-added distributor of industrial automation and electronic components, but at far greater scale and with multinational reach.
• Phoenix Contact: Global manufacturer of industrial automation, interconnection, and interface solutions (PLCs, I/O, networking, safety). Comparable to Telestar as a major industrial automation brand whose products Telestar distributes; Phoenix Contact often operates its own direct sales alongside distribution partners.

Others

• Helmholz: German manufacturer of industrial communication and networking products (PROFINET switches, firewalls, gateways) distributed in Italy by Telestar. Listed as a peer because it is a key represented brand; not a direct competitor but a strategic partner whose mandate to Telestar is core to the company's networking portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/telestar_autom
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUrTbsQLGy9otvVyzGf845A
• Facebookfacebook.com/telestar.automation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/telestar-srl

Compliance3 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 Telestar