EXCEN

What EXCEN does

EXCEN S.r.L. is an Italian industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1996, specializing in ATEX and IECEx explosion protection solutions for materials handling applications in hazardous environments. The company operates two complementary lines of business: converting standard industrial machines (forklifts, diesel engines, generator sets, lifting platforms, cranes, earthmoving machines) to comply with ATEX/IECEx standards for Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, Zone 22, and Category M2 environments, and designing purpose-built natively-ATEX equipment including cleaning machines, hand pallet trucks, lift tables, electrical equipment (batteries, chargers, UPS, control panels, LED safety lighting), and photovoltaic modules (30W–395W) certified for Zone 1.

EXCEN generates revenue across four streams: hardware sales of certified equipment, managed services through a rental fleet of ATEX forklifts, professional services covering worldwide technical assistance and maintenance, and professional services for safety audits and INERIS-certified ATEX training. The commercial model is quote-based and custom-engineered for each hazardous-environment application, supported by a direct enterprise field-sales motion with proprietary representation in France, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand alongside its San Donato Milanese headquarters.

EXCEN serves more than a dozen primary vertical markets — chemical, pharmaceutical, paints/inks/solvents, oil & gas, food & beverage, automotive, paper and wood, metallurgical, logistics and fuel storage, renewable energy and batteries, defense and explosives, and tunnels/mines — and holds multiple third-party certifications (ATEX 03ATEXQ419, IECEx FR/NE/QAR11.0011/10, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2023). The company is a long-standing member of international technical committees that shape ATEX/IECEx standards. Ownership remains with the Pacetti family following the January 2026 passing of founder and President Antonio Pacetti; the company has committed to continuity under its existing management team.

Name

EXCEN

Legal name

Excen S.R.L.

Website

https://excen.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

EXCEN S.r.L. is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1996 that converts and builds ATEX/IECEx-certified explosion-proof industrial equipment — forklifts, generator sets, cleaning machines, electrical and photovoltaic systems — for chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, and other hazardous-environment operators across Europe and Southeast Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Explosion Protection Equipment

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerial Work Platform & Access Equipment Vehicle Manufacturing (Boom/Scissor Lifts) (IMACAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Automotive E/E Architecture Components Manufacturing (Domain/Zonal Controllers, Gateways, Network Switches) (IMACAJAI)

Keywords

• ATEX IECEx certification
• Explosion protection equipment
• Hazardous area machinery
• Industrial machine conversion
• Forklift explosion proofing

Headquarters

HQ city

San Donato Milanese

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ATEX/IECEx Industrial Equipment Sales: Sale of converted and certified industrial machines and equipment including forklifts, diesel engines, generator sets, electrical equipment, cleaning machines, hand pallet trucks, lift tables, and photovoltaic modules for hazardous environments.
2. ATEX Equipment Rental: Short and long-term rental of ATEX forklifts including electric pallet trucks, stackers, reach trucks, and counterbalance trucks to meet customer needs during peak seasons or while waiting for new equipment.
3. Technical Support and Maintenance Services: Worldwide technical assistance including fault-finding, repair, maintenance, commissioning, and on-site installation support for ATEX and IECEx equipment.
4. Safety Audits and Training: Periodic safety audits, maintenance verification per IEC/EN 60079-17, and ATEX training courses for technicians and operators in explosive atmospheres, certified by INERIS.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EXCEN designs, converts, and manufactures ATEX and IECEx certified industrial equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The company converts electric and diesel-powered industrial machines (forklifts, lifting platforms, cranes, earthmoving machines) and produces purpose-built explosion-proof generator sets, electrical equipment, cleaning machines, hand pallet trucks, lift tables, and photovoltaic modules for hazardous-area industries. EXCEN also provides safety audits, technical training, maintenance, and equipment rental as support services.

Product overview

EXCEN is an industrial equipment manufacturer specializing in ATEX and IECEx explosion protection solutions for the materials handling industry. The company operates on a conversion and manufacturing model, converting standard industrial machines (forklifts, diesel engines, generator sets) and manufacturing purpose-built explosion-proof equipment for hazardous environments. The product portfolio consists of eight core product categories: industrial forklift trucks, diesel engines, generator sets, electrical equipment (batteries, chargers, UPS systems), professional cleaning machines, hand pallet trucks, lift tables, and photovoltaic modules. These products are complemented by four support services: safety audits, training courses, technical assistance/maintenance, and rental of ATEX forklifts. EXCEN serves diverse industries including chemical, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, oil & gas, automotive, logistics, renewable energy, defense, and mining/tunneling sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATEX and IECEx Industrial Forklift Trucks Conversion of electric and diesel-powered industrial forklift trucks, lifting platforms, cranes, and earthmoving machines for use in potentially explosive atmospheres classified as Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, Zone 22, and tunnels/mines (Category M2). Designed for industrial operators in hazardous-area industries.
• ATEX Diesel Engines Conversion of diesel engines and provision of complete power packs certified to ATEX Category 2G and 3G for Zone 1 and Zone 2 explosive atmospheres. Used for fire pumps, transfer pumps, generators, compressors, light towers, with special offshore platform versions available.
• ATEX Generator Sets (Gen-Sets) Standardized range of ATEX certified generator sets from 10 kVA to 150 kVA designed for assembly in open frames, soundproof and Heli-transport racks. Available as Category 2G and 3G, Group IIA and IIB for Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas. Used for offshore platforms, pipelines, and standby/emergency power applications.
• ATEX and IECEx Electrical Equipment Design and manufacture of explosion-proof electrical equipment including batteries, battery connectors, battery chargers, UPS systems, control panels, and enclosures for operation in harsh, aggressive environments such as offshore platforms, mines, and chemical-pharmaceutical plants.
• ATEX Professional Cleaning Machines Natively designed ATEX cleaning machines including compact ride-on scrubber dryers and ride-on sweepers. Purpose-built for explosive atmospheres rather than converted from standard machines. Combines dedicated EX-equipment with OEM components from Italian manufacturers in purpose-designed chassis.
• ATEX Hand Pallet Trucks Wide range of ATEX hand pallet trucks with capacities up to 3 tons, including stainless steel frame and pantograph lift models with manual or electric drive. Suitable for Zone 1 and Zone 21 classified areas with Group IIA/IIB gas and combustible dusts. Special versions available for hydrogen and acetylene (Group IIC), drum handling, and special dimensions.
• ATEX Lift Tables ATEX and IECEx certified scissors lift tables for safely lifting and lowering loads in explosive hazardous areas. Complete lift table assemblies including hydraulic control unit and control panel comply with ATEX Directive for Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, or Zone 22 environments.
• ATEX and IECEx Photovoltaic Modules Certified photovoltaic modules for explosive risk zones, rated for Zone 1. Available in seven formats from 30W to 395W, built with premium materials for reliable long-term energy production. Ideal for powering remote loads and supporting demanding energy needs when combined in solar systems or used with Hybrid ATEX Diesel Gen-Sets.
• Safety Audits Periodic safety audits and maintenance of industrial forklifts, diesel engines, and other ATEX equipment according to IEC/EN 60079-17 standard. Qualified and trained personnel ensure integrity and safety throughout equipment working lifetime.
• Training Courses Training and refresher courses for technicians responsible for maintenance of ATEX machines, engines, and apparatus. Instructors certified as Ism-ATEX Instructor and IECEx Competent Person. Courses held at headquarters training centre in Italy and at customer sites worldwide.
• Technical Assistance and Maintenance Worldwide field service technicians providing fault-finding, repair, maintenance, commissioning, and on-site installation support. Rental forklifts available to minimize downtime during repairs.
• Rental of ATEX Forklift Trucks Short and long-term rental fleet of ATEX forklifts including electric pallet, stackers, reach, and counterbalance trucks for ATEX classified areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products certified for Zone 1 (Category 2G), Zone 2 (Category 3G), Zone 21 (Category 2D), Zone 22 (Category 3D), and Category M2

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leading Forklift ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEXCEN collaborates with world's leading forklift manufacturers to develop explosion-proof conversion systems, enabling end-users to utilize ATEX-certified machines from trusted brands.
• Generator ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with leading generator manufacturers for ATEX-certified generator set production, designed for offshore platforms, pipelines, and industrial applications.
• Solar Power and UPS System IntegratorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with integrators of solar power and UPS systems to develop ATEX/IECEx certified photovoltaic modules and power systems for hazardous environments.
• Leading Equipment Manufacturer (Lift Tables)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with one of the world's leading equipment manufacturers for ATEX/IECEx scissors lift tables for use in explosive hazardous areas.
• Client-Partner (Interclean)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with a client for joint development and exhibition of a natively ATEX scrubber-dryer at Interclean Amsterdam 2026.
• Italian Cleaning Equipment OEM ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEXCEN combines dedicated EX-equipment with OEM components from renowned Italian manufacturers in purpose-designed chassis for ATEX cleaning machines.
• Partner Trained TechnicianscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExcen guarantees periodic audits of their own personnel and also with Excen trained technicians of their partners for safety compliance in hazardous areas.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bartec: German-headquartered manufacturer of explosion-protected electrical equipment, control panels, and engineered solutions for hazardous areas. Comparable to EXCEN across electrical apparatus and engineered ATEX systems for chemical, pharma, and oil & gas customers.
• Pepperl+Fuchs: German manufacturer of intrinsic safety barriers, explosion-protected sensors, and process automation equipment for hazardous areas. Comparable to EXCEN on hazardous-area electrical and electronic components, with broader scale and global footprint.
• Marechal Electric: French manufacturer of explosion-proof industrial plugs, sockets, and connectors certified for hazardous areas. Overlaps with EXCEN's ATEX electrical apparatus portfolio and shares the European industrial customer base.
• Cortem Group: Italian ATEX/IECEx explosion-proof equipment manufacturer producing lighting, junction boxes, control stations, and enclosures for hazardous areas. A direct country-comparable competitor addressing overlapping customer verticals (oil & gas, chemical, marine).
• Pyroban: UK-based specialist (now part of Carrier) that converts diesel and electric forklifts, engines, and materials-handling equipment for Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, and Zone 22 hazardous atmospheres. Pyroban is the closest niche overlap to EXCEN, sharing the same conversion-of-OEM-platforms business model for explosion-protected materials handling.
• Wolf Safety Lamp Company: UK-based manufacturer of explosion-protected portable and installed lighting for hazardous areas, including LED safety lighting products. Directly comparable to EXCEN's ATEX LED safety lighting (Floor Spot, Warning Lines) offerings.
• R. Stahl: Listed German specialist in explosion protection offering lighting, control panels, junction boxes, and automation for Zone 1/2/21/22. Highly comparable to EXCEN's electrical apparatus and engineered solutions portfolio, with overlapping end markets in chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas.

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Global electrification and automation major offering explosion-protected motors, drives, switchgear, and electrical apparatus through its CEAG and others. Competes with EXCEN in hazardous-area electrical equipment but operates as a broad industrial incumbent rather than an ATEX specialist.
• Eaton (Crouse-Hinds series): US-based power management major with a dedicated Crouse-Hinds series of explosion-protected enclosures, lighting, and electrical apparatus for hazardous areas. Overlaps with EXCEN's ATEX electrical and lighting portfolio but as part of a much broader industrial portfolio.

Emerging players

• Weidmüller: German industrial connectivity specialist offering ATEX-certified terminal blocks, enclosures, and electronic monitoring for hazardous areas. Partial overlap with EXCEN's electrical apparatus product line, primarily in industrial connectivity rather than materials handling conversion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 EXCEN