What Schempp-Hirth does

Schempp-Hirth is a German manufacturer of high-performance sailplanes (gliders), founded in 1935 and headquartered in Kirchheim unter Teck, with operations also conducted through Schempp-Hirth Service GmbH at Nabern/Teck Airport. The company produces four core aircraft families — the single-seat Ventus and Discus-2 (18m) lines and the two-seat Arcus and Duo Discus lines — each available in multiple configurations including pure glider (S), turbo sustainer (T), self-launch (M), and Front Electric Sustainer (FES) variants. Underlying technologies include carbon fiber composite construction, advanced aerodynamic design, electric and 2-stroke turbo sustainer propulsion systems, water ballast systems, and winglet retrofits. The company holds EASA Part 21G Production (DE.21G.0022) and Combined Airworthiness Organisation (DE.CAO.0102) certifications, authorizing it to manufacture and provide continuing airworthiness support for its aircraft.

Schempp-Hirth generates revenue through four streams: one-time sales of new high-performance gliders (quote-based pricing), a global online spare parts shop carrying 12,500+ part references and 359+ catalog products, technical services and maintenance through its service subsidiary, and retrofit solutions (winglets, electronic upgrades, performance improvements) for the existing installed fleet. Distribution is executed through an international dealer network spanning 40+ countries supplemented by direct factory service. Marketing relies heavily on competition results as performance proof points — Schempp-Hirth aircraft have won the FAI World Gliding Championships, British Championships, and Hahnweide Competition in recent seasons — alongside the company website, online shop, and earned media coverage.

The company serves three primary customer segments: competition pilots who demand maximum aerodynamic performance; gliding clubs that need versatile, durable aircraft for training and shared operations; and private/recreational pilots who own or co-own gliders for personal soaring and cross-country flying. Ownership is concentrated in the Holighaus family, with Tilo Holighaus serving as Managing Director. The company is privately held, has no external investors or public funding rounds disclosed, and employs between 51 and 100 people.

Name

Schempp-Hirth

Legal name

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH

Website

https://www.schempp-hirth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Schempp-Hirth is a German manufacturer of high-performance sailplanes (gliders) founded in 1935, producing single-seat and two-seat composite gliders with electric, turbo, and self-launch variants for competition pilots, gliding clubs, and private pilots across 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailplane and Glider Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Glider & Sailplane Manufacturing (IMABAAAG)

Keywords

• Sailplane manufacturing
• High-performance gliders
• Composite aircraft construction
• Electric sustainer systems
• Gliding competition aircraft

Headquarters

HQ city

Kirchheim Unter Teck

HQ country

Germany

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. Glider Sales: Sale of new high-performance sailplanes including single-seaters (Ventus, Discus-2) and two-seaters (Arcus, Duo Discus) in various configurations (pure glider, turbo, FES, self-launch).
2. Spare Parts and Accessories: Online shop with over 12,500 spare part references and accessories including hardware, cockpit components, wings, tails, engines, controls, and consumables.
3. Technical Services: Customer service, technical support, and maintenance services through Schempp-Hirth Service GmbH at Nabern/Teck Airport location.
4. Retrofit Solutions: Retrofit solutions including winglets, electronic systems, and performance upgrades for existing aircraft.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Schempp-Hirth manufactures high-performance sailplanes (gliders) in single-seat and two-seat configurations, available in pure, turbo, Front Electric Sustainer (FES), and self-launch variants across the Ventus, Discus-2, Arcus, and Duo Discus families. The company also operates an online spare parts shop with over 12,500 references and provides retrofit solutions and technical services for existing aircraft through its Schempp-Hirth Service GmbH subsidiary.

Product overview

Schempp-Hirth is a German manufacturer of high-performance gliders offering a comprehensive portfolio of single-seat and two-seat sailplanes. The product line includes four core glider families: the Ventus (single-seater available in pure, turbo, FES electric, and self-launch variants), Discus-2 (18m single-seater with standard, electric FES, and turbo options), Arcus (two-seater benchmark in 20m class available in pure, turbo-retriever, and self-launch versions), and Duo Discus (two-seater family with XL and turbo XLT variants). Beyond aircraft, the company provides an online spare parts shop with over 12,500 references for maintenance, retrofit solutions for performance upgrades, and technical support through a customer portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ventus (single-seater glider family) Single-seat high-performance glider offering exceptional flight experience with direct handling and agility. Available in multiple variants (S, T, F, M/Neo) to match pilot preferences for pure gliding, turbo-retriever, electric FES, or self-launch operation. Includes the Ventus E electric-powered version and Ventus 3 MP performance variant.
• Discus-2 (18m single-seater glider family) 18m single-seat glider combining agile handling with high-end glide performance. Available as standard (Discus-2c), with Front Electric Sustainer propulsion (Discus-2cFES), or with turbo engine sustainer (Discus-2cT). Suitable for competition pilots and club operations.
• Arcus (two-seater glider family) High-performance two-seater glider with 20m wingspan that has redefined the performance standard in the two-seater class. Available in pure (S), turbo (T), and self-launch (M) variants for club competitions, private record flights, and safari adventures.
• Duo Discus (two-seater glider family) Two-seater glider family offering easy handling and excellent performance for shared flying in clubs, syndicates, and families. Available in Duo Discus XL and the turbo-powered Duo Discus XLT variant which eliminates outlanding concerns while preserving handling qualities.
• Spare Parts Online Shop Comprehensive online shop offering over 12,500 spare part references for Schempp-Hirth gliders, including cockpit, wing, landing gear, tail, engine, controls, and hardware components. Includes EASA Form 1 and Certificate of Conformity documentation as applicable. Ships globally with VAT handling for EU business customers.
• Retrofit Solutions Retrofit options and upgrades for existing aircraft including MM3 winglets for the Discus-2 series and water ballast system improvements, extending the performance and value of older gliders.
• Technical and Maintenance Services Customer service, technical support, and maintenance services delivered through Schempp-Hirth Service GmbH at the Nabern/Teck Airport facility, including spare parts ordering and technical assistance for registered aircraft owners.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PayPalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary payment processor for online shop transactions in all countries where PayPal is available. Offers guest checkout with bank transfer or credit card options.
• Sofort GmbH (Klarna)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayment service provider for instant bank transfer purchases, enabling customers without PayPal to pay directly from their bank account.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: German manufacturer of high-performance sailplanes (ASK series, ASW, ASH) directly competing with Schempp-Hirth in competition and club glider classes. Closest direct competitor in the same German engineering tradition.
• DG Flugzeugbau: German manufacturer of LS (racing) and high-performance gliders; acquired the Rolladen-Schneider brand. Direct head-to-head competitor in the open-class and 15m competition glider segments.
• Jonker Sailplanes: South African manufacturer of composite self-launching and FES-equipped high-performance sailplanes (JS, JJ series). Comparable product overlap with Schempp-Hirth's FES and self-launch variants.
• Glasflügel: German heritage sailplane manufacturer (resurrected brand) producing high-performance composite gliders in direct product overlap with Schempp-Hirth's Discus and Ventus class offerings.

Emerging players

• Stemme AG: German manufacturer of motorized sailplanes and high-altitude platform aircraft. Competes in a related niche — motor-glider/electric self-launcher space — with overlap to Schempp-Hirth's self-launch (M) variants.
• Lange Aviation: German manufacturer of the Antares electric self-launching glider. Overlaps with Schempp-Hirth on the electrification trend in high-performance sailplanes.
• Alisport Srl: Italian light aircraft and motorglider manufacturer (Silent, Silent Electro). Overlaps with Schempp-Hirth on self-launching motor-gliders and emerging electric propulsion for sailplanes.

Broad incumbents

• Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Slovenian light and electric aircraft manufacturer (now part of Textron). Competes adjacently through electric Velis Electro and Taurus self-launching motor-glider, overlapping with Schempp-Hirth's electric (FES/Ventus E) roadmap.
• Grob Aircraft: German manufacturer of training and composite aircraft. Comparable as a German composite aerospace manufacturer serving adjacent markets (training, special mission), with similar EASA-21 certification profile.

Regional players

• ICP (Industria de Composites y Precisión): Spanish sailplane manufacturer producing the Ventus-2-class Ventura gliders. Comparable product offering with regional (Iberian/Latin American) market emphasis.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schempp-hirth-flugzeugbau-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Schempp-Hirth