What Koster & Co. does

Köster & Co. GmbH (KÖCO) is a German manufacturer of stud welding technology founded in 1952 and headquartered in Ennepetal, Germany. The company operates as a portfolio company of the publicly listed German mid-market industrial holding INDUS AG. KÖCO designs, manufactures, and distributes stud welding machines (ELOTOP+ series: Grizzly, Tiger, Fox, Racoon; ELOFIX 8), stud welding guns (CONTROL KE 22 and 26), welding studs as consumables (Ø 2–25 mm), and the StudCalc Pro design software. Its underlying technology spans four stud welding methods — ceramic ferrule (drawn arc), short-cycle, tip ignition (capacitor discharge), and shielding gas — supported by proprietary microprocessor-controlled constant current regulation, electronic lift control, and integrated process control with CSV data logging. The company holds key regulatory certifications including European Technical Assessment ETA-03/0039, CE 2323-CPR-0026, general building authority approval K 800, EN 1090-2:2018, ISO 9001:2015, and CSA Standard W59-2018.

KÖCO serves enterprise customers across steel and composite construction (its primary vertical, including shear connectors in bridges, parking garages, and industrial buildings), mechanical engineering, automotive/vehicle manufacturing, shipbuilding and power plant, and refractory technology. The company monetizes through direct hardware sales of equipment and consumables, plus service packages offering warranty extensions up to 60 months, calibration, repair (for equipment up to 20 years old), rental, and training/seminars. Distribution is direct: DACH sales from Ennepetal HQ, Czech market and main bolt production from Köster CZ s.r.o. in Zacler, and — following the January 2025 HBS Group acquisition — North American sales via Sunbelt Stud Welding Inc. and HBS Studwelding Inc., with the HBS brand retained as a sister company in Dachau. Marketing combines trade show presence (SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN 2025 with 37,000+ visitors from 100 nations), a multilingual blog and knowledge center, LinkedIn, YouTube, email/newsletter, and direct sales engagement. The company's stated market positioning is 'general market leader in stud welding technology' in Germany.

Name

Koster & Co.

Legal name

Köster & Co. GmbH

Website

https://koeco.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Köster & Co. (KÖCO) is a German manufacturer, founded 1952 and owned by INDUS AG, specializing in stud welding machines, welding guns, studs, and design software for industrial customers in construction, mechanical engineering, automotive, shipbuilding, and refractory technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Welding Equipment

NAICS

Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing (332722), All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (333248)

SIC

Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding, Joining & Soldering Equipment (Arc, Resistance, Friction, Brazing) (IMAHADAH)

Keywords

• Stud welding machines
• Welding stud fasteners
• Industrial welding equipment
• Composite construction welding
• Welding consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Ennepetal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Stud Welding Equipment Sales: KÖCO designs, manufactures, and distributes stud welding machines (ELOTOP+, ELOFIX series), welding guns (CONTROL KE series), and accessories. These are sold as capital equipment to industrial customers in steel construction, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. The company offers trade-in programs (e.g., 15% trade-in bonus plus 10% discount on parts) to incentivize fleet renewal.
2. Welding Studs and Cold-Formed Parts: KÖCO produces, modulates, and develops welding studs of all types (Ø 2–25 mm) and cold-formed parts. Studs include head bolts with European Technical Assessment ETA-03/0039. Products sold as consumables alongside equipment.
3. Service Packages: KÖCO offers tiered service packages including warranty extension (up to 60 months), free calibrations, loaner equipment, and in-house training. These are bundled or standalone service offerings for existing equipment owners.
4. Calibration, Repair, and Maintenance: The service portal provides calibration, repair, and maintenance services for KÖCO welding equipment, including devices up to 20 years old. Rental equipment is also available.
5. Training and Seminars: KÖCO offers training sessions and seminars on stud welding technology, accessible through the service portal, as part of its customer support and education offering.
6. StudCalc Pro Design Software: KÖCO provides StudCalc Pro software for designing welded head bolts to Eurocode 4. Revenue model for software is not explicitly disclosed but likely included as a complementary tool or licensed utility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KÖCO designs, manufactures, and sells stud welding machines (ELOTOP+ and ELOFIX series), stud welding guns (CONTROL KE series), welding studs and cold-formed parts, and complementary design software (StudCalc Pro) for industrial fastening applications. The company also offers lifecycle services including calibration, repair, maintenance, training, warranty extensions, and rental equipment for existing customers.

Product overview

KÖCO provides a comprehensive stud welding technology portfolio centered on the ELOTOP+ series of four stud welding machines (Grizzly, Tiger, Fox, Racoon) ranging from compact (85 kg) to heavy industrial (490 kg) models, complemented by the compact ELOFIX 8 and CONTROL KE welding gun series (KE 22, KE 26). The product ecosystem includes welding studs as consumables, StudCalc design software, and service packages including warranty extensions, calibration, and training. The company operates in drawn arc, short-cycle, shielding gas, and tip ignition stud welding technologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HBS: Stud welding equipment brand covering drawn arc and capacitor discharge solutions for industrial and automated series processes, headquartered in Dachau, Germany, retained after KÖCO's acquisition of the HBS Group.

Products and services

• ELOTOP+ 25 Grizzly The flagship high-power model of the ELOTOP+ series, designed for the toughest industrial stud welding applications. Welding range Ø 6-25 mm (ceramic ring), current adjustment 300-2600 A, digital gun interface, USB port for data transfer, expandable with LTE or automation interfaces, and comprehensive CSV storage for process data.
• ELOTOP+ 25 Tiger High-performance stud welding machine with microprocessor-controlled constant current regulation. Welding range Ø 6-25 mm, current adjustment 300-2600 A, IP23 protection class, storage function for process data and error logs. Designed for large stud diameters and demanding welding tasks.
• ELOTOP+ 22 Fox Agile all-rounder with compact design and extended functionality. Welding range Ø 6-22 mm (ceramic ring), current adjustment 300-2000 A, optional integrated shielding gas equipment, process control with detailed parameter analysis, storage for up to 20 parameter sets.
• ELOTOP+ 13 Racoon The most compact model in the ELOTOP+ series for precise welding with small to medium stud diameters. Welding range Ø 3-14 mm (ceramic ring), Ø 3-10 mm (short-cycle), current adjustment 150-1000 A, integrated shielding gas equipment, 20 parameter set memory. Weight approx. 85 kg. Achieves up to 50 studs/min at 3.5 mm.
• ELOFIX 8 Compact and powerful stud welding machine for professional use, successor to the ELOTOP 510. Welding range 3-8 mm, current up to 450 A, time adjustment 20-460 ms. Features microprocessor control, self-diagnostic functions, optional shielding gas equipment, IP23 protection, robust powder-coated steel housing. Dimensions 375 x 220 x 360 mm, weight approx. 25 kg.
• CONTROL KE 22 Stud welding gun with electronic lift control and process control for gas-shielded stud welding. Welding range Ø 3-16 mm. Features adjustable damping, glass fibre-reinforced polyamide housing (1.5 kg without cable), electronic lift with machine-based storage, and complete process control through lift transmission.
• CONTROL KE 26 High-power stud welding gun for large diameter studs (Ø 22-25 mm). Features electronic lift control and process control, optimized for SD 25mm head bolts, TD through-deck welding technology, and long head bolts. Robust construction with glass fibre-reinforced polyamide housing.
• KÖCO Welding Studs KÖCO produces, modulates, and develops welding studs of all kinds in diameters from 2-25 mm, including head bolts with European Technical Assessment ETA-03/0039. Studs are available for ceramic ferrule, short-cycle, shielding gas, and tip ignition processes. Includes head bolts for composite steel-concrete construction per EN ISO 13918.
• StudCalc Pro Design Software Calculation and design software for steel components with welded KÖCO head bolts per current regulations (Eurocode 4). Designed for design engineers working with composite constructions and stud welding applications.
• BRUNO Automated Stud Welding Robot KÖCO's first automatic stud welding robot, designed to be easy to handle, variable-programmable and controllable, and flexible for use with various studs. Compatible with all KÖCO stud welding equipment.
• KÖCO Service Packages Bookable service packages for KÖCO welding equipment, including warranty extension up to 60 months, free calibrations, loaner devices, and in-house training. Service portal also provides repair and maintenance for equipment up to 20 years old, plus rental equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Welding times as short as 1–3 ms (tip ignition) and up to 3,000 ms (drawn arc, ceramic ring) enable high-speed manufacturing cycles.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HBS Group (HBS Welding Systems GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KÖCO completed the strategic acquisition of the HBS Group on January 1, 2025. HBS Welding Systems GmbH was established in Dachau as a sister company of KÖCO, maintaining the HBS brand. The acquisition expands KÖCO's equipment manufacturing expertise and international market presence, particularly adding drawn arc and capacitor discharge options for industrial, automated series processes. HBS also brings US subsidiaries Sunbelt Stud Welding Inc. and HBS Studwelding Inc. to the group.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP (Rostock)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKÖCO collaborated with Fraunhofer IGP and the Institute of Materials Engineering on research project 'IGF 19.210 BG' for underwater stud welding with ceramic ring technology, expanding the application possibilities of stud welding technology.
• CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKÖCO obtained the STUD BASE QUALIFICATION per Appendix H of CSA Standard W59-2018 through CSA Group, validating KÖCO's studs for use in Canadian welding standards. Valid 2023–2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Image Industries: US-based manufacturer of stud welding equipment, welding studs, and accessories serving construction, automotive, and industrial markets. Directly comparable in product mix (machines, studs, tooling) and customer overlap with KÖCO, particularly relevant to the post-HBS US footprint.
• Taylor Studwelding Systems: UK-based specialist in stud welding equipment, studs, and CNC stud welding cells. Comparable niche specialist with similar focus on quality-controlled stud welding for construction, rail, and industrial applications.
• Bolte GmbH: German-based stud welding equipment and consumables manufacturer. Direct domestic peer to KÖCO with overlapping product portfolio (stud welding machines, guns, studs) and a focus on European construction and industrial customers.
• Nelson Stud Welding: Largest direct global competitor in stud welding equipment, studs, and accessories, now part of Stanley Black & Decker's Industrial Tools & Solutions segment. Closest analog to KÖCO in product breadth (drawn arc, capacitor discharge, short cycle) and end-market coverage (construction, automotive, shipbuilding).
• HBS Bolzenschweiß-Systeme (now part of KÖCO Group): German stud welding equipment specialist focused on drawn arc and capacitor discharge solutions for industrial and automated series processes, headquartered in Dachau. Acquired by KÖCO in January 2025; remains a direct comparable in stud welding equipment before integration completes.
• Tru-Weld Equipment: US manufacturer of stud welding equipment and studs (drawn arc, capacitor discharge, short cycle). Comparable mid-sized specialist competing in similar construction, manufacturing, and refractory end markets.
• Midwest Fasteners: Manufacturer and distributor of welding studs, fasteners, and stud welding equipment, serving similar construction and industrial customers in North America. Comparable consumable/machine mix to KÖCO, particularly relevant as KÖCO builds out its US channel via Sunbelt and HBS Studwelding.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Electric Holdings: Largest global arc welding and cutting products company, with deep presence in automotive, construction, and fabrication. Overlaps with KÖCO in welding equipment/codes/standards expertise; a potential long-term bundling or competitive threat in stud welding.
• ESAB Corporation: Global welding and cutting equipment incumbent with broad product portfolio across arc welding, automation, and filler metals. Overlaps with KÖCO in welding equipment and consumables but at much larger scale; could compete on bundling stud welding into broader welding packages.

Emerging players

• KUKA (robotic welding cells): German-headquartered robotics and automation incumbent whose robotic welding cells increasingly include stud welding applications. Relevant to KÖCO as both a potential automation partner and competitive force, especially for BRUNO-type automated stud welding cells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BolzenschweisstechnikDe/playlists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koeco
• Facebookfacebook.com/koster.cz

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Koster & Co.