What EAE does

EAE Engineering Automation Electronics GmbH, founded in 1962 by Richard Ewert in Ahrensburg, Germany, is a specialized industrial automation company focused on the global newspaper printing industry. EAE develops and delivers mission-critical software platforms, camera-based vision systems, and control hardware for web offset newspaper printing presses, with products spanning press control consoles (EAE Desk 7 — the 7th generation console featuring touch operation, curved 4K monitors, and motorized height adjustment), press planning and presetting software (EAE Print/PrintPP), plant-wide management execution systems (EAE V.I.P., EAE Maintain), reel logistics and paper stock management (EAE MaFlow, EAE ReelData), and drive controls. Since the April 2014 acquisition by Q.I. Press Controls, EAE operates as part of the QIPC-EAE group, combining its automation and control software with QIPC's IDS-3D camera-based optical measurement and mRC-3D cut-off register control systems. The integrated platform is deployed across 550+ newspaper printing sites worldwide, producing 125+ million newspapers per day.

The company monetizes through four primary revenue streams: one-time project-based license revenue for control and automation installations, recurring software license and upgrade revenue (EAE Print, V.I.P., Maintain updates), managed service revenue through the EAE Care Protection multi-year service agreement model with 24/7 hotline and remote diagnostics, and large multi-phase retrofit project revenue. Pricing is quote-based and project-specific, with sales executed via a global network of exclusive regional agents supplemented by direct enterprise sales from the Ahrensburg headquarters and regional offices in India (Ahmedabad), the Netherlands (Oosterhout), Spain (Zaragoza), and the United States (Marietta, GA). In 2018, EAE Solutions was established to extend the company's software-driven control and vision technology into sortation control and automation for high-performance intralogistics via the Flow.Control platform. The combined entity serves enterprise newspaper publishers and contract printers globally, with primary end-markets in Germany, Italy, the Nordics, the UK, India, the Americas, and select emerging markets. In March 2026, Holland Capital invested in QIPC-EAE to support further growth, coinciding with Tom van Holten's appointment as Group CEO as founders Erik van Holten and Menno Jansen transitioned to strategic advisory roles.

Name

EAE

Legal name

EAE Engineering Automation Electronics GmbH

Website

https://eae.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

EAE Engineering Automation Electronics GmbH is a leading German supplier of press control consoles, automation software, and quality management systems for web offset newspaper printing, serving 550+ printing sites worldwide as part of the QIPC-EAE group with intralogistics expansion via EAE Solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ahrensburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Press Control & Automation Systems: EAE generates revenue primarily from the sale of control, automation, and software solutions for newspaper printing presses. This includes control consoles (EAE Desk 7), press control retrofits, drive controls, and planning/presetting software. Revenue is project-based with significant custom integration work per press installation.
2. Software Licenses and Upgrades: Ongoing revenue from software updates, operating system upgrades, and version updates (e.g., EAE Print, EAE V.I.P., EAE Maintain) for existing installations. Customers also purchase hardware upgrades for console PCs and operating system modernisations.
3. Service and Support Contracts: EAE Care Protection is an extended service and support contract model offering multi-year production reliability with a fixed, manageable service budget. Includes 24/7 hotline support, on-site engineering, and remote diagnostics through a global service network.
4. Retrofit Projects: Major retrofit projects for existing press installations, modernising control systems, drive controls, automation, and integrating Q.I. Press Controls optical measurement systems. These are typically large, multi-phase capital projects (e.g., Mediaprint Vienna being the largest retrofit project to date).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EAE develops, manufactures, and integrates control consoles, automation software, and production management systems for web offset newspaper (and selected magazine and gravure) printing presses. Its portfolio spans press control consoles (EAE Desk 7), plant-wide execution systems (EAE V.I.P.), press planning and presetting (EAE Print/PrintPP), reel and paper logistics (EAE MaFlow, EAE Reeldata), and maintenance management (EAE Maintain), delivered through custom retrofit projects and supported by the EAE Care Protection service programme.

Product overview

EAE is a leading supplier of controls, automation solutions, and software for the printing industry. The product portfolio consists of a modular, integrated software platform spanning from prepress to mailroom for newspaper, magazine, and gravure/packing printing. The core offerings are organized into four product categories: (1) Press Control systems including EAE Desk 7 control console, EAE Control, EAE Info, and EAE Riga for press monitoring and automation; (2) Plant Management solutions including EAE V.I.P. (comprehensive production planning, statistics, and quality management) and EAE Maintain (maintenance and service management); (3) Reel Management systems including EAE MaFlow (automated reel transport logistics) and EAE Reeldata (paper stock and storage management); and (4) Planning & Presettings including EAE Print/EAE PrintPP (production planning and presetting), EAE Print Image, and EAE Softproof. Additional products include Reelstand retrofit solutions and Control & Drive systems. The QIPC-EAE joint venture (formed 2014) combines EAE's automation and control software with Q.I. Press Controls' optical measurement and control systems for a comprehensive press automation solution. EAE solutions are used in over 550 newspaper printing sites worldwide, producing more than 125 million newspapers per day.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EAE Desk 7: 7th generation control console technology with touch operation, high-resolution curved monitor, and optimized ergonomics for newspaper press control
• EAE V.I.P. (Visual Intelligent Plant)
• EAE MaFlow
• EAE ReelData
• EAE Maintain
• EAE Solutions
• EAE Print / EAE PrintPP
• EAE Control
• EAE Info
• Performance Package

Products and services

• EAE Desk 7 Control Console 7th generation press control console for newspaper (and magazine/gravure) web offset presses, featuring touch-screen operation, high-resolution curved 4K 55" monitors, tempered glass lotus-effect surface, motorized height adjustment, integrated ink zone keyboard, and Windows 10 OS; enables control of multiple press sections from a single desk or mobile platform. Sold as part of press control and retrofit projects.
• EAE Control Press control system for managing newspaper printing operations and automation workflows, forming the core control layer of EAE's press automation platform. Sold as part of press control and retrofit projects.
• EAE Info Information and reporting system for press operations and production tracking, providing real-time visibility into press status, production metrics, and operational data for newspaper printers.
• EAE Print / EAE PrintPP Press planning and presetting software for newspaper printing workflows, handling production planning, presetting, tracing, and reporting; combined with Print Image and Softproof modules it provides end-to-end print preparation. Sold as a standalone software product and as part of retrofit projects.
• EAE V.I.P. (Visual Intelligent Plant) Printing-company-wide management execution system that plans and visualises the total newspaper printing production process from prepress through press to postpress. Combines modules for planning (V.I.P. dispo), reporting (V.I.P. statistic), insert management (V.I.P. Mail), cost control, personnel planning, and quality management in a unified user interface.
• EAE Maintain Structural service and maintenance tool for all operational systems on a printing press. Protects against unplanned downtime by keeping operational systems in optimum condition, records maintenance measures as ad hoc orders, streamlines inventory management, and simplifies order processing through a material management module.
• EAE MaFlow Automated reel transport logistics system that optimises the material flow in a printing house, from unloading trucks through reel preparation and intermediate short-term storage to loading reels onto reel stands.
• EAE Reeldata Paper stock and storage management system for newspaper printing plants that administers paper consumption and paper reel logistics, providing overview and optimisation of paper storage capacities, reel consumption, and purchasing of materials.
• Reelstand Retrofit Retrofit solution for reelstand modernisation offering higher production safety and availability using the newest technology while maintaining technical standards; typically delivered as part of larger press control and drive retrofit projects.
• Control & Drive Drive control system for press towers, reelstands, and infeeds enabling modernisation of existing press installations; delivered as part of comprehensive retrofit projects for newspaper, magazine, and gravure web offset presses.
• EAE Care Protection Service Agreement Extended service and support contract offering multi-year production reliability with a fixed, manageable service budget, including 24/7 hotline support, on-site engineering, and remote diagnostics through EAE's global service network. Sold as a multi-year managed service contract to existing and new press automation customers.
• EAE Press Control and Automation Retrofit Projects Custom multi-phase capital projects that modernise control systems, drive controls, automation, and integrate Q.I. Press Controls optical measurement systems into existing web offset newspaper press installations. Typically large, multi-year engagements such as the Mediaprint Vienna project (the largest retrofit to date). Sold as project-based professional services.
• EAE Solutions Flow.Control Sortation and Intralogistics Automation Software-driven control platform (Flow.Control) with in-house vision technology, combined with robust mechanical sorting equipment, to deliver complete turnkey sortation solutions for high-performance intralogistics environments. Established as a dedicated division in 2018, extending EAE's press automation expertise into sortation control and industrial automation.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 125 million newspapers per day are produced using EAE's control systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Koenig & Bauer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020QIPC-EAE and Koenig & Bauer announced a long-term cooperation in October 2020, initially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The partnership positions the combined entity as a one-stop provider for press automation and quality control. Koenig & Bauer is a major press manufacturer and EAE retrofits its automation and control systems onto KBA presses (e.g., KBA Commander, KBA Colora, KBA Comet).
• Q.I. Press Controls (QIPC)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2014Q.I. Press Controls acquired EAE in April 2014, forming QIPC-EAE. QIPC is the number one supplier of innovative, high-quality optical measurement and control systems, while EAE is the leading supplier of control, automation, and software solutions for the printing industry. The joint-venture delivers total solutions for web offset presses from prepress to mailroom. QIPC's camera-based vision systems (IDS-3D, mRC-3D) integrate with EAE's press control consoles and automation software, providing complementary products from a single supplier.
• GMDE s.r.l.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGMDE, headquartered in Agrate Brianza (Milan), Italy, represents EAE in the entire Italian graphical market. GMDE has been agent for Q.I. Press Controls since 2008 and was appointed for EAE after the QIPC-EAE merger. Managing Director Carlo Caporizzi describes EAE's solutions as providing very good results with efficient adjustment to presses and improved work process efficiency for customers.
• Print2FinishcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrint2Finish, headquartered in Yardley, PA, USA, represents EAE in America (USA, Central America, Colombia, Panama). The company has been agent for Q.I. Press Controls for 12 years and was appointed for EAE after the acquisition. Vice-President Juan Echavarria notes that EAE's customer contact style matches their preferred way of operating, with emphasis on getting automation systems up and running quickly and ensuring the press meets customer expectations.
• TechniwebcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechniweb, headquartered in Vitry sur Seine, France, represents EAE in the French graphical market. Previously agent for Q.I. Press Controls since 2010. Owner Pierre Borot notes the addition of EAE allows them to offer complete package deals to French customers, with the long project development cycles in newspaper manufacturing well-suited to the addition.
• EAE Solutions (Intralogistics Division)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAE Solutions was established in 2018 as an expansion of EAE's software-driven control systems and vision technology into sortation control and automation for high-performance intralogistic environments. EAE Solutions evolved from a software specialist into a full system integrator delivering complete, turnkey sortation solutions, with the Flow.Control platform and in-house vision technology as core offerings.
• JS Graphic HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJS Graphic House, based in Kungsbacka, Sweden, represents QIPC-EAE in Sweden and Denmark. Managing Director Jarl Söderqvist has extensive knowledge of the Swedish and Danish market from years in the printing industry. The agency was instrumental in securing the Pressgrannar AB order (first IDS-3D installation in Sweden).
• Getter GraphicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGetter Graphics, based in Ramat-Gan, Israel, represents EAE in the Israeli market. Contact: Mr. Guy Mor.
• NBES Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNBES Ltd., based in York, United Kingdom, represents EAE in the UK market. Contact: Mr. Neil Barber.
• Grafmat Usluge d.o.o.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrafmat Usluge, based in Zagreb, Croatia, represents EAE in Croatia and Slovenia. Described as a fast and flexible young company with industry know-how.
• Rotografix Ges.m.b.H.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRotografix, based in Belgrade, Serbia, represents EAE in the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia). Has over 30 years of experience in the graphical industry.
• Maryna S.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaryna S.A., based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, represents EAE in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Has over 30 years of experience in the printing industry with expertise in newspaper and printing plants.
• Ferrostaal VietnamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFerrostaal Vietnam, based in Ho Chi Minh City, represents EAE in Vietnam. Part of the Ferrostaal Group providing technology-independent multi-vendor industrial services.
• Pande Tech Trade Co, Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPande Tech Trade Co. Ltd., based in Beijing, China, represents QIPC-EAE in China. Previously represented Q.I. Press Controls. Managing Director Dr. Oujia Pan.
• The Siebold CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Siebold Company (TSC) is the authorised agency of QIPC-EAE in the United States, Caribbean, and Canada. Praised for its technical knowledge and state-of-the-art register control systems.
• Grafi-Tec ASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrafi-Tec AS, based in Dilling, Norway, represents EAE in Norway. Contact: Mr. Kjeld Haugesten.
• Superfine Print & Pack Pvt LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSuperfine Print & Pack Pvt Ltd, based in New Delhi, India, represents EAE in India. Contact: Mr. Deepak Nargis.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Koenig & Bauer: Major press OEM (KBA Commander, Colora, Comet) and 2020 strategic partner of EAE for DACH region. Competes as a vertically integrated press manufacturer that may bundle its own automation, but also routes retrofit business to EAE.
• B&R Industrial Automation (ABB): Machine automation specialist (now part of ABB) offering PLC, motion control, and HMI solutions used in printing and packaging machinery, providing alternative control platforms to EAE.
• Rockwell Automation: Major industrial automation and information provider whose Allen-Bradley and FactoryTalk platforms are alternative control stacks for industrial press automation projects worldwide.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen: Large press and postpress equipment manufacturer. While primarily sheetfed/commercial, its Prinect workflow software and services compete with EAE's plant management offerings in adjacent printing segments.
• Siemens Industrial Automation: Global industrial automation incumbent (SIMATIC, TIA Portal) whose PLC and drive control platforms underpin many printing press control systems, competing for the drive and control layer of EAE's offerings.
• Beckhoff Automation: German PC-based control and automation specialist offering EtherCAT-based control platforms used widely in industrial machinery including printing. Competes for the underlying control architecture layer in press automation.
• Manroland Goss: Global web offset press manufacturer serving newspaper and commercial printers. Competes with EAE indirectly as a press OEM that can offer integrated automation and retrofit programs to its own installed base.

Emerging players

• WIFAG: Swiss newspaper press manufacturer and automation specialist whose WIFAG presses are referenced by EAE customers (e.g., Pressedruck Potsdam) as compatible platforms for EAE retrofits, making it both a partner and adjacent competitor.

Direct peers

• Q.I. Press Controls: Q.I. Press Controls is now EAE's parent/sister company following the 2014 acquisition, but prior to merger was a direct peer in newspaper press optical measurement and register control (IDS-3D, mRC-3D). Today the two entities operate as one combined QIPC-EAE platform.
• BST eltromat: German-based supplier of web guidance, video web inspection, color measurement, and register control for the printing industry, directly competing with Q.I. Press Controls (and by extension EAE) in camera-based quality control for newspaper presses.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRPXVxKm-pzKTbSdmhYJuSg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9217967

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 EAE