Smartec
Smartec SA is a Swiss supplier of fiber optic sensors and reading units used to monitor deformation, strain, and temperature in bridges, dams, tunnels, pipelines, mines, and nuclear facilities. Operating since 1996/1997 as a subsidiary of Roctest Ltd., the company has completed 1,200 projects across 30 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersManno, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Smartec does
Smartec SA is a Swiss specialist in fiber optic sensing solutions for geotechnical and structural health monitoring, headquartered in Manno, Switzerland, and operating as a subsidiary of Canadian parent Roctest Ltd. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies sensors, interrogators/reading units, and supporting software used to measure deformation, strain, temperature, and displacement across critical infrastructure — bridges, dams, tunnels, pipelines, mines, LNG terminals, chemical plants, nuclear facilities, and research installations such as CERN-LHC and ITER. Its technology stack spans five fiber optic modalities: SOFO long-gage interferometric sensing, Distributed Raman (DiTemp), Distributed Brillouin (DiTeSt), Fabry-Perot sensors, and MEMS-based GEOSTRING inclinometers, complemented by the SDB Software Package and mobile (Android) applications for data acquisition and management.
The business model is enterprise B2B hardware sales with complementary services: project-based, quote-based pricing in CHF/EUR/USD, EX WORKS delivery from Manno, 30-day payment terms, a standard one-year warranty, and optional multi-year extended warranty, professional training, and commissioning services. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales from Switzerland with a global network of authorized distributors, supplemented by industry events, technical webinars, multilingual training courses, and an extensive publications library. Primary customer segments include bridges and civil infrastructure, dams and water infrastructure, tunnels and underground structures, and oil/gas/chemical pipelines, with secondary segments in LNG/cryogenic storage, chemical plants, mining, nuclear, and heritage buildings. The company reports 1,200 completed projects across 30 countries over 28 years.
Smartec is a privately held niche specialist without disclosed external funding, public listing, or active M&A activity. The company operates within a multi-division Roctest platform that also includes Telemac, FISO, and Enomfra, leveraging shared R&D and distribution across geotechnical and structural instrumentation. Recent strategic activity has centered on product line extensions (GEOSTRING IPI, SOFO Lite), software/data tooling, and entry into adjacent verticals such as aviation maintenance via the ReMAP European Project.
Smartec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smartec
- Legal name
- SMARTEC SA
- Website
- https://smartec.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Smartec SA is a Swiss supplier of fiber optic sensors and reading units used to monitor deformation, strain, and temperature in bridges, dams, tunnels, pipelines, mines, and nuclear facilities. Operating since 1996/1997 as a subsidiary of Roctest Ltd., the company has completed 1,200 projects across 30 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smartec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fiber Optic Geotechnical and Structural Monitoring Equipment
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO), Sensors, MEMS & Imaging ICs (HDAHAAAG), Environmental Sensors (Temperature/Humidity/Gas/Air Quality) (HDAHALAD)
Keywords
Where Smartec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manno
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Smartec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Fiber Optic Monitoring Equipment Sales: Sale of fiber optic sensors, interrogators, reading units, and monitoring equipment for geotechnical and structural instrumentation applications.
- Extended Product Warranty: Extended warranty services offered beyond the standard one-year warranty period for purchased products.
- Technical Services and Training: Professional services including technical training, commissioning, and installation support for geotechnical and structural instrumentation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Product Warranty |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Extended Product Warranty |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Smartec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smartec manufactures and supplies fiber optic sensors, interrogators, and reading units used for geotechnical and structural instrumentation. Its portfolio includes long-gage SOFO interferometric sensors, distributed Raman and Brillouin interrogators, Fabry-Perot sensors, and the GEOSTRING in-place MEMS inclinometer, complemented by supporting software for data acquisition and analysis. The company also delivers technical training, commissioning, and installation services for these monitoring solutions.
Product overview
Smartec offers a comprehensive portfolio of fiber optic solutions for geotechnical and structural monitoring. The core offering includes the GEOSTRING MEMS inclinometer system and DiTeSt/DiTemp reading units for distributed Brillouin and Raman sensing. The SOFO (Structural Oprimization Fiber Optics) technology platform provides long-gage fiber optic interferometric sensors, complemented by FISO Fabry-Perot sensors. Supporting software includes SDB Software Package for data acquisition and management, PROFIL Manager for inclinometer data, and mobile applications (DP BOX READER, PROFIL Reader, GTecLink). The product line supports applications across bridges, dams, tunnels, pipelines, buildings, mining, and nuclear facilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GEOSTRING – In Place MEMS Inclinometer String of closely spaced MEMS sensors designed for real-time continuous and unattended monitoring of lateral displacement of soil, rock, and structures. Sold to geotechnical and structural monitoring professionals.
- DiTeSt Dual Reading Unit
Quantifiable outcome
- 1200 successful geotechnical and structural fiber optic monitoring projects completed worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Smartec
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Smartec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Smartec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ReMAP European ProjectcoreSmartec is proud to contribute to the new ReMAP European Project, paving the way to a big step forward in European aviation maintenance. This strategic partnership involves collaboration on research and development of structural health monitoring solutions for the aviation industry.
- Roctest Ltd. (Parent Company)coreRoctest Ltd. is the parent company of Smartec. Roctest develops and manufactures geotechnical and structural instruments and soil/rock testing equipment. Smartec operates as a subsidiary providing fiber optic solutions for structural health monitoring.
- FISO, Telemac, Enomfra (Sister Companies)minorSmartec operates alongside FISO, Telemac, and Enomfra as subsidiaries under Roctest Ltd. Telemac provides geotechnical and structural instruments since 1947. Enomfra provides hydrogeological and geotechnical services including investigations, monitoring and testing.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Smartec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OSMOS Group: Specialist in structural health monitoring for bridges, buildings, and civil infrastructure using optical and fiber optic sensors plus data analytics — competing directly with Smartec's SOFO-based bridge monitoring deployments.
- Campbell Scientific: Manufacturer of data loggers and measurement systems widely used in geotechnical, structural, and environmental monitoring — sells complementary hardware and competes for the same engineering monitoring budgets as Smartec.
- Luna Innovations: U.S.-based fiber optic sensing company that designs and manufactures distributed fiber optic strain, temperature, and acoustic sensors plus interrogators for structural, pipeline, and aerospace monitoring — directly overlapping Smartec's core product categories and customer base.
- Acellent Technologies: Provider of structural health monitoring solutions for aerospace, civil, and energy infrastructure using sensor networks and diagnostic software — competes in the SHM market where Smartec positions its SOFO platform and ReMAP aviation work.
- Optics11: European fiber optic sensing specialist offering interferometric and distributed sensing systems for structural health monitoring, geotechnical, and underwater applications — a head-to-head competitor in Smartec's primary bridge/dam/tunnel monitoring niche.
- FOS&S (Fiber Optical Sensing Systems): Belgian/Dutch fiber optic sensing vendor focused on structural health monitoring and pipeline integrity, providing distributed strain and temperature sensing products that compete with Smartec's DiTeSt/DiTemp interrogators.
- Geokon: Leading U.S. manufacturer of geotechnical and structural instrumentation (inclinometers, extensometers, strain gauges, piezometers) used in dams, tunnels, and mines — competes with Smartec's GEOSTRING MEMS inclinometer and shares the same end customers.
Broad incumbents
- Kinemetrics: U.S. structural and seismic monitoring company serving dams, bridges, and critical infrastructure with strong-motion and structural monitoring systems — overlapping with Smartec's dam safety and structural health monitoring segments.
- Kistler Group: Large Swiss-headquartered industrial measurement specialist offering sensors and systems for pressure, force, strain, and acceleration — a broader incumbent that overlaps with Smartec's strain and vibration measurement use cases.
- HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær): Global test, measurement, and structural monitoring powerhouse covering sensors, data acquisition, and SHM systems — competes at the broader portfolio level with Smartec on structural and infrastructure monitoring tenders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smartec social profiles
Digital presenceSmartec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smartec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Smartec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smartec M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smartec
What does Smartec do?
Smartec manufactures and supplies fiber optic sensors, interrogators, and reading units used for geotechnical and structural instrumentation. Its portfolio includes long-gage SOFO interferometric sensors, distributed Raman and Brillouin interrogators, Fabry-Perot sensors, and the GEOSTRING in-place MEMS inclinometer, complemented by supporting software for data acquisition and analysis. The company also delivers technical training, commissioning, and installation services for these monitoring solutions.
Is Smartec a public or private company?
Smartec is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Smartec founded?
Smartec was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Smartec based?
Smartec is headquartered in Manno, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Smartec make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Fiber Optic Monitoring Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are extended Product Warranty and technical Services and Training.
Who are Smartec's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OSMOS Group, Campbell Scientific, Luna Innovations, Acellent Technologies, Optics11, FOS&S (Fiber Optical Sensing Systems) and Geokon. Broad incumbents are Kinemetrics, Kistler Group and HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær).
Does Smartec have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smartec.
What industry is Smartec in?
Smartec's product category is Fiber Optic Geotechnical and Structural Monitoring Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAO, Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration), with a secondary code of IMAGAJAO, Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors). Its NAICS code is 3345 and its SIC code is 3823.