Buhler and Sell Electric Motors

What Buhler and Sell Electric Motors does

Bühler & Sell Elektromotoren GmbH is a German electrical-engineering company founded in 1911, headquartered in the Rhine-Main area and operating with approximately 30 employees as a privately held GmbH. The company sells, repairs and maintains electric motors, gearboxes and related drive components, and has held a multi-decade partnership with Danfoss — currently as an Advanced DrivePro Partner and Premium Member — through which it distributes and services Danfoss VLT frequency inverters under extended warranty terms. The company maintains its own winding workshop, holds inventory of legacy replacement parts, and operates a 24-hour on-site service capability covering motor diagnostics including vibration measurement, BAKER surge testing and thermal imaging.

The business serves a diversified set of end markets in and around the Rhine-Main region, including building-services and facility management, industrial manufacturing, data centers, healthcare, water and energy utilities, and the food industry. Named customers include WISAG, ZDF, Honeywell and Klimabau, alongside unnamed data center operators, indicating engagement with mid-sized and enterprise accounts rather than a long tail of small buyers. Revenue is generated through a combination of equipment resale, certified repair services, preventive-maintenance contracts and emergency callout work, with the Danfoss distribution relationship providing both product margin and service-revenue uplift.

Following a 2017 management buyout by long-term employees Bianca Vodopija and Marc Jost, with Frank Hill retained as advisory board chairman, the company has continued to operate as a regional specialist. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward the data center vertical — including a scheduled Datacenter Day event in October 2025 — while maintaining participation in the ISH building-services trade fair and broadening the product catalogue to include gearboxes, sensors and accessories. The company does not disclose revenue publicly and shows no evidence of proprietary AI/ML capability, positioning it as a stable, service-led MRO and distribution business rather than a technology platform.

Name

Buhler and Sell Electric Motors

Legal name

Bühler & Sell Elektromotoren GmbH

Website

https://buehler-sell.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bühler & Sell Elektromotoren GmbH is a 110+ year-old Rhine-Main-based specialist that sells, repairs and maintains electric motors and Danfoss drives for facility management, industrial, data center, healthcare and utility customers, employing around 30 people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Offenbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electric Motor Sales: Sale of IEC standard motors from own warehouse, special motors, pumps, fans, gear motors, and accessories. Delivery via own fleet when needed.
2. Repair and Maintenance Services: In-shop repair and maintenance of electric motors, pumps, fans, generators, and drive systems. Includes complete overhauls with rewinding, bearing replacement, and testing.
3. On-Site Service: Field service including mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, bearing replacement, belt/coupling systems, laser alignment, and commissioning at customer sites throughout Rhine-Main region.
4. Danfoss/Vacon Products: Sale of Danfoss and Vacon frequency converters, soft starters, filters and accessories. As Danfoss Systempartner and DrivePro partner providing premium products and services.
5. Retrofit Projects: Modernization projects replacing outdated equipment with energy-efficient drives. Energy efficiency analysis from power transmission through drive to energy supply.
6. Annual Maintenance Contracts: Ongoing maintenance and inspection services for customer plants including annual maintenance schedules and inspections.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bühler & Sell Elektromotoren GmbH sells, repairs, maintains, and consults on electric motors and complete drive technology. The company distributes IEC standard motors, Danfoss and Vacon frequency converters, pumps, fans, gearboxes, and belt drive systems, while providing in-house motor rewinding, workshop overhauls, on-site field service, retrofit projects, and Danfoss DrivePro lifecycle services. Customers are primarily industrial, building technology, and data center operators in the Rhine-Main region of Germany.

Product overview

Bühler & Sell Elektromotoren GmbH is a specialized provider of electric drive technology serving the Rhein-Main region since 1911. Its product portfolio centers on IEC standard electric motors, Danfoss and Vacon variable frequency drives (VFD), soft starters, gearboxes, pumps, fans, and belt drive systems, all supplied through its own stock and a partner network. Services include qualified drive technology consulting, workshop-based repair and complete overhaul (including rewinding) for motors, gearboxes, pumps, and fans, and on-site maintenance and commissioning across building technology and industrial applications. The company also operates as a Certified DrivePro Service Partner offering Danfoss lifecycle services including startup, preventive maintenance, remote expert support, exchange, and retrofit for frequency converters. A retrofit service enables customers to modernize aging plants with energy-efficient modern drives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IEC Standard Electric Motors (Elektromotoren / IEC-Normmotoren) Sale of IEC standard electric motors from own stock, plus special motors, DC motors, servo motors, and PM motors. Delivery via own fleet. Targeted at industrial customers, building technology operators, and facility managers.
• Danfoss and Vacon Frequency Converters Supplier and system partner for Danfoss and Vacon variable frequency drives (VFDs), soft starters, filters, and accessories for motor speed control and energy efficiency in industrial, HVAC, water, and data center applications.
• Gear Motors and Gearboxes (Getriebemotoren und Getriebe) Supply of gear motors and gearboxes through partner network for industrial power transmission applications.
• Pumps and Pump Technology (Pumpen und Pumpentechnik) Supply of centrifugal pumps, pressure boosting systems, and accessories via partner network for water, HVAC, and industrial process applications.
• Fans and Ventilator Technology (Lüfter- und Ventilatortechnik) Supply of fans and ventilators through partner network for building ventilation and industrial air-handling applications.
• Drive Belt Systems and Accessories (Antriebsriemensysteme und Zubehör) Supply of V-belt, flat belt, and toothed belt drive systems with pulleys and accessories for industrial power transmission.
• Sensors and Industrial Automation (Sensorik und Industrieautomatik) Industrial sensors and automation components for monitoring and controlling drive systems.
• Drive Technology Consulting (Beratung Antriebstechnik) Qualified specialist consulting across all areas of drive technology — from data acquisition and measures assessment, through quotation and project execution, to annual maintenance and inspections. Targeted at industrial and building-technology customers.
• Workshop Repair Services (Werkstatt Instandsetzung) Full workshop-based repair including complete overhaul with rewinding for three-phase motors, DC motors, gearboxes, pumps, fans, and special machines. Includes own winding shop, mechanical workshop, sandblasting, cleaning, painting, VDE testing, and balancing.
• On-Site Service (Vor-Ort-Service Antriebstechnik) On-site repair, maintenance, and commissioning services for electric motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes, and belt drive systems at customer facilities across the Rhine-Main region. Includes laser alignment, vibration measurement, and dynamic balancing. 24/7 hotline available for emergencies.
• Danfoss DrivePro Life Cycle Services Danfoss DrivePro lifecycle services delivered through Bühler & Sell as Certified DrivePro Service Partner, including startup, preventive maintenance, remote expert support, exchange, retrofit, spare parts, site assessment, and extended warranty for Danfoss frequency converters.
• Retrofit Services (Retrofit) Retrofit services for aging plants and machines where spare part availability is no longer available. Covers energy efficiency upgrades from power transmission through drive to energy supply, with the application viewed end-to-end.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimizes machine downtime to minimum through skilled workforce and rapid response
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Danfoss DrivePro NetworkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Certified as fourth DrivePro Servicepartner in Germany in 2018. Provides exclusive DrivePro services including Start-up, Preventive Maintenance, Exchange, Remote Expert Support, Retrofit, Spare Parts, Extended Warranty, Site Assessment, and Life Cycle Services for Danfoss frequency converters.
• DanfosscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2004Partnership since 2004 as Danfoss Systempartner for Hessen. Elevated to Advanced DrivePro Partner in 2019 and Premium Member in 2020. Provides exclusive access to Danfoss DrivePro services including Start-up, Preventive Maintenance, Remote Expert Support, Retrofit planning, and spare parts. Close cooperation with Danfoss specialists and service technicians enables fast response times through short distances to facilities.
• RKW HessenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuccession consulting partner that supported ownership transition from Frank Hill to Bianca Vodopija and Marc Jost in 2017. Project leader Armin Domesle handled consulting and funding support.
• Partner Companies (Water and Ventilation Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner companies in water technology and ventilation technology that support expanded field service and workshop services. Enable comprehensive solutions for water/wastewater and industrial ventilation applications.
• Frank HillminorOthersFormer owner and managing partner who sold company to employees in 2017. Remains as advisory board chairman supporting new management.
• Michael ButteminorOthersFinancial advisor who had been consulting Bühler & Sell for years in controlling and finance. Supported succession planning and company valuation. Advises new management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• KEB Automation: German drive and automation technology manufacturer headquartered in Barntrup, Germany. Competes in frequency converter and drive technology space with comparable industrial focus, though primarily a manufacturer rather than service partner.

Direct peers

• ATB Antriebstechnik: German electric motor service and repair specialist with workshops across Germany. Directly comparable regional motor repair service business serving industrial customers.
• Lammers Motoren: German motor service and repair company offering electric motor rewinding, drive technology, and maintenance services for industrial customers, with comparable product/service mix.
• Vogel Antriebstechnik: Electric motor repair and drive technology service provider in Germany. Offers workshop-based motor rewinding, on-site service, and drive systems comparable to Bühler & Sell's core offering.
• ELIN Motoren: Austrian/German electric motor manufacturer and service provider specializing in motor rewinding, repair, and drive technology. Closely comparable mid-sized motor service business with industrial focus.

Others

• Danfoss Drives: Primary technology partner and supplier to Bühler & Sell rather than a direct competitor. As the OEM whose products Bühler & Sell distributes and services, Danfoss defines the partnership economics and program structure that underpins Bühler & Sell's drive services business.

Broad incumbents

• Schneider Electric (Drives Business): Global industrial automation provider with frequency converter portfolio (Altivar) competing with Danfoss products Bühler & Sell distributes. Serves similar industrial customers with broader automation offering.
• Innomotics (Siemens Motors): Large-scale global motor manufacturer (spun out of Siemens) offering complete motor portfolio including services. Competes with Bühler & Sell for large industrial customers but at significantly greater scale.
• WEG Germany: Brazilian multinational motor and drive manufacturer with significant German presence through distributors and service partners. Competes with overlapping product portfolio of motors and frequency converters.
• ABB Motion: Global leader in motors, generators, and drives. Operates large service network across Europe including motor repair workshops, competing for the same industrial customer base but at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/buehlerundsell

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Buhler and Sell Electric Motors