What OWIS does

OWIS GmbH is a privately held German precision engineering company founded in 1980 and headquartered in Staufen im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. The company develops, manufactures, and sells optical beam handling systems and optomechanical positioning components, organized into six core product categories: beam handling systems, optomechanical components, manual positioners, motorized positioners, vacuum-compatible products (HV/UHV/XHV), and cleanroom-compatible products (ISO Class 5). Its product portfolio spans standard catalog items (LIMES linear stages with <500 nm bidirectional repeatability, LINPOS direct-drive axes, CROSS XY stages) and custom engineering solutions delivered through its OWIS Engineering division (gantry systems up to 1500 mm travel, alignment systems, optics boxes, OEM customizations).

The underlying technology stack combines preloaded ball screw and direct-drive mechanics with the proprietary OWISid identification chip for automatic parameter recognition and the OWISoft 3.1 control software supporting up to 50 axes with SDKs for C, C++, C#, and LabVIEW integration. Manufacturing is vertically integrated at the German HQ, with in-house CNC machining and ISO Class 5 cleanroom assembly enabling rapid customization and short time-to-market for OEM and application-specific work.

OWIS sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales, supplemented by regional channel partners (Konrad Technologies for Austria) and a self-service web shop (myOWIS) for standard components. Revenue derives from unit-priced standard hardware (typically EUR 2,600-16,000 per stage depending on travel and options) and quote-based custom engineering services. The customer base spans six vertical segments (image processing and metrology, analytics and biotechnology, semiconductor technology, laser processing, micropositioning, and science/research) across 35+ countries, with named installations including Fraunhofer IPM for digital-holographic 3D metrology. The company holds ISO 9001 certification (DQS/IQNet) and has no disclosed external funding, indicating organic growth funded from internal cash flow.

Name

OWIS

Legal name

OWIS GmbH

Website

https://owis.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OWIS GmbH is a privately held German precision engineering firm (founded 1980) that designs and manufactures optical beam handling systems, optomechanical components, and high-precision motorized positioners for scientific, semiconductor, laser-processing, and metrology customers across 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Optical Positioning Systems

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Motor Drive & Motion Control Electronics Manufacturing Services (VFDs, servo drives, controllers) (IMAGAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF), Industrial Electronics Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) (IMAGAGAB)

Keywords

• Precision positioning systems
• Optomechanical components
• Optical beam handling
• Motorized linear stages
• Vacuum compatible positioning

Headquarters

HQ city

Staufen Im Breisgau

HQ country

Germany

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. Standard Component Sales: Sale of standardized precision positioning systems including linear stages, XY stages, rotary stages, optomechanical components, and beam handling systems. Products are offered in various configurations with different motor types and measuring systems. Pricing varies by specification (e.g., LIMES 124N series from approximately EUR 2,600 to EUR 6,200 depending on travel range and options).
2. Custom Engineering and OEM Solutions: OWIS Engineering provides customized positioning solutions, alignment systems, portal solutions, gantry systems, and optics boxes for specific customer applications. Services include application-specific design, vacuum and cleanroom customization, and multi-axis system development.
3. Control Software: OWISoft control software provided free with compatible controllers; database updates and SDKs available for integration development. Software supports Windows operating systems and provides programming interfaces for C, Visual C++, Visual C#, and LabVIEW.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OWIS develops, manufactures, and sells precision optical beam handling systems and optomechanical components, including manual and motorized positioning stages (linear, XY, rotary, goniometer, gantry) with associated controllers and OWISoft control software. The portfolio spans standard catalog products, vacuum- and cleanroom-compatible variants, and custom-engineered OEM solutions for scientific and industrial customers in metrology, semiconductor, laser processing, biotechnology, and research applications.

Product overview

OWIS is a precision engineering company specializing in optical beam handling systems and high-precision positioning technology. The product portfolio is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered around six core product categories: (1) Strahlführungssysteme (Beam Handling Systems) - optical beam guidance components including system rails, slides, profiles, and mounting cubes; (2) Optomechanische Komponenten - precision optomechanical parts including optic holders, mirrors, filters, and adjustment stages; (3) Manuelle Positionierer - manual precision positioning stages and adjustment tools; (4) Motorisierte Positionierer - motorized linear stages, XY stages, rotary stages, and goniometers including the LIMES, LINPOS, and CROSS series; (5) Vakuumtaugliche Produkte - vacuum-compatible positioning systems for HV, UHV, and XHV applications; (6) Reinraumtaugliche Produkte - cleanroom-compatible systems for ISO Class 5 environments. The portfolio is complemented by OWIS Engineering services offering custom alignment and handling systems, optics boxes, and OEM solutions, plus OWISoft 3.1 control software with SDK integration capabilities. Recent product launches include the GANTX XYZ Gantry System and C-CROSS compact XY stage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OWIS Engineering: Custom engineering division offering customized positioning systems, OEM solutions, alignment and handling systems, optics boxes, and vacuum/cleanroom applications
• OWISoft
• LINPOS
• LIMES
• C-CROSS
• GANTX

Products and services

• Strahlführungssysteme (Beam Handling Systems)
• Optomechanische Komponenten (Optomechanical Components)
• Manuelle Positionierer (Manual Positioners)
• Motorisierte Positionierer (Motorized Positioners)
• Vakuumtaugliche Produkte (Vacuum Compatible Products)
• Reinraumtaugliche Produkte (Cleanroom Compatible Products)
• LIMES Linear Stage Series
• LINPOS Direct Drive Linear Axes
• CROSS High-Precision XY Stages
• OWISoft 3.1 Control Software
• OWIS Engineering - Alignment & Handling Systems
• OWIS Engineering - Optikboxen (Optics Boxes)
• OWIS Engineering - Customizing & OEM Solutions
• GANTX Gantry System
• C-CROSS Compact XY Stage

Quantifiable outcome

• Travel ranges up to 1500 mm with repeatability < 500 nm for large-area precision positioning
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Konrad TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Konrad Technologies serves as OWIS's official sales representative in Austria, providing local customer consultation, technical support, and tailored solutions for customers in the Austrian market. Located in Amstetten, they offer short distances and expert guidance for Austrian customers.
• Fraunhofer IPMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques (IPM) collaborated with OWIS on positioning systems for digital-holographic 3D measurement. OWIS LINPOS direct-drive linear axes are used in Fraunhofer's optical 3D measuring systems for automated positioning of components in quality inspection applications.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Newport / MKS Instruments: Newport (now part of MKS Instruments) supplies high-precision linear and rotary positioning stages, goniometers, optical mounts, and controllers; directly comparable to OWIS across photometry, laser processing, and semiconductor customers.
• Prior Scientific: Prior Scientific manufactures precision motorized XY stages, slide scanners, and controllers primarily for microscopy and life-sciences instrumentation - overlapping with OWIS's microscopy, biotechnology, and analytics customer segments.
• Thorlabs: Thorlabs is a US-based photonics and optomechanics supplier whose motorized stage, translation stage, and motion controller lines directly overlap with OWIS's LIMES, CROSS, and positioning controller offerings across research and OEM customers.
• Zaber Technologies: Zaber is a Canadian maker of motorized linear and rotary stages with integrated controllers and a software platform, directly comparable to OWIS's LIMES/CROSS motorized stages and OWISoft control software on functional capability and price points.
• Standa: Standa is a Lithuanian optical and mechanical components specialist offering motorized and manual translation stages, optical mounts, and positioning components; directly comparable to OWIS's optomechanical component line and beam-handling system.
• SmarAct: SmarAct is a German precision positioning specialist offering sub-nanometer stick-slip and linear motor stages as well as positioning controllers; directly comparable to OWIS on technology overlap (LIMES/LINPOS-class drives) and customer base in research and optics.
• Physik Instrumente (PI): PI is the global market leader in precision positioning and is the most direct comparable to OWIS - both are German-headquartered specialists in high-precision motorized stages, hexapods, nanopositioning, and controllers serving semiconductor, photonics, and research customers.
• Aerotech: Aerotech is a US-headquartered precision motion control and positioning systems manufacturer competing head-on with OWIS in linear and rotary stages, gantry systems, and controllers for industrial automation, laser processing, and metrology.

Broad incumbents

• Edmund Optics: Edmund Optics is a broad incumbent distributing optical components, mounts, and increasingly positioning systems. Overlaps with OWIS on optomechanics and beam-handling but covers a much wider catalog and does not specialize in nanometer-class motorized positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/owis-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 OWIS