MBA Instruments
MBA Instruments GmbH is a German industrial measurement technology company that designs and manufactures level measurement devices for bulk solids silos and conductivity meters for mineral oil pipelines and tanks, serving process industries and aviation fuel operators globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersQuickborn, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MBA Instruments does
MBA Instruments GmbH is a German industrial measurement technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells two complementary product lines: level measurement devices for bulk solids (rotating paddle detectors MBA800 series, vibrating level switch MBA700, membrane switch MBA100) and conductivity measurement devices for mineral oils (continuous inline MLA1000 and mobile MLA900). The underlying technology is proprietary electromechanical sensing — most notably a patented stepper motor drive with integrated magnetic slip clutch for the rotating paddle family — combined with vibration and shock resistance up to 29G and ATEX/IECEx-certified explosion protection for hazardous environments. Manufacturing is centralized at the company's Quickborn facility near Hamburg with high in-house production depth and configuration-based customization for process conditions, flange sizes, materials, and certification variants.
The business model is custom-configured hardware sales to industrial B2B buyers, priced through an inquiry-based quotation process with multi-year contract cadence. Revenue streams are concentrated in level measurement instruments, conductivity measurement instruments, and custom engineering/configuration services. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with regional coverage in Germany (split East, West, North, South), complemented by an international distributor network spanning more than 40 countries inherited from the 2008 management buy-out from SICK MAIHAK GmbH. An exclusive global distribution partnership with Faudi Aviation covers the MLA900 in the aviation fuel sector, reaching 90+ countries. Marketing relies on a multilingual website with online configurator, YouTube product demonstrations, trade publications, and active participation in industry shows (SOLIDS, POWTECH, ADIPEC, Inter Airport Europe).
The customer base is distributed across process industries — bulk solids handling in food, construction, mining, and wood processing — and the aviation and oil sectors (airport operators, refineries, pipeline operators, rolling mills). The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ATEX, IECEx, and ASTM D2624 certifications, and operates as part of the SMB Group (SMB International GmbH) following its 2008 carve-out from SICK MAIHAK, preserving eighty-plus years of rotating paddle heritage traceable to the original 1939 Maihak design.
MBA Instruments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MBA Instruments
- Legal name
- MBA Instruments GmbH
- Website
- https://mba-instruments.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MBA Instruments GmbH is a German industrial measurement technology company that designs and manufactures level measurement devices for bulk solids silos and conductivity meters for mineral oil pipelines and tanks, serving process industries and aviation fuel operators globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MBA Instruments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Process Measurement Instruments
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sensors & Instrumentation Electronics Manufacturing Services (Transmitters, analyzers, industrial sensors) (IMAGAGAL)
Keywords
Where MBA Instruments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Quickborn
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
MBA Instruments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Level Measurement Instruments: Sale of measurement instruments for level measurement in bulk solids silos including rotating paddle detectors, vibrating level switches, and membrane switches. Products are customized to customer specifications including process conditions, pressure ratings, and temperature requirements.
- Conductivity Measurement Instruments: Sale of continuous and mobile conductivity measurement systems for mineral oils including kerosene, rolling oils, and hydraulic oils. MLA1000 for inline continuous measurement and MLA900 for portable field testing.
- Custom Engineering and Configuration: Customized product configuration services including parameter sets, flange sizes, materials, and explosion protection certifications tailored to specific customer applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom-configured measurement instruments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
MBA Instruments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MBA Instruments manufactures and sells process measurement instruments for industrial customers, including level measurement devices for bulk solids in silos and bunkers (rotating paddle detectors, vibrating level switches, membrane switches) and conductivity measurement devices for mineral oils in pipelines and tanks (continuous inline and mobile conductivity meters). Products are custom-configured to customer specifications for process conditions, ATEX/IECEx explosion protection, and application requirements, and are sold to enterprises in process industries, aviation, oil and gas, food, construction, and mining sectors worldwide.
Product overview
MBA Instruments offers process measurement technology with two main product lines: (1) Level measurement devices for bulk solids including the MBA800 series rotating paddle detectors (MBA800, MBA801 Halfpipe, MBA888), MBA700 vibrating level switches, and MBA100 membrane switches; and (2) Conductivity measurement devices for mineral oils including the MLA1000 continuous inline meter and MLA900 mobile meter. The products share a focus on robust industrial measurement for challenging environments with ATEX/IECEx explosion protection certifications. The company manufactures in Quickborn, Germany with high vertical integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MBA800 Series (MBA810/MBA820) Rotating Paddle Detector Digital rotating paddle level switch with patented stepper motor technology featuring adjustable torque and sensitivity. Available in ATEX-certified versions for use in explosive environments, designed for fill level monitoring in bulk solids silos.
- MBA801 Halfpipe Rotating Paddle Detector Rotating paddle detector with pivot wing design for horizontal installation in silos. The 90-degree downward-pointing paddle enables measurement in positions previously impossible, with shaft and paddle protected under a roof within the Halfpipe.
- MBA888 Rotating Paddle Detector Plug-and-play rotating paddle detector with pre-configured parameters for quick commissioning. Features wear-free drive technology, vibration insensitivity, and maintenance-free sealed housing.
- MBA700 Vibrating Level Switch Vibrating level switch with oscillating paddle for point-level detection in powdery bulk solids. Features three sensitivity levels and is suitable for extremely light materials from 10 g/l, with ATEX certification.
- MBA100 Membrane Switch Mechanical membrane limit level switch for free-flowing bulk solids. Activates with only 950 grams of pressure on the stainless steel membrane, requiring no electricity for operation. ATEX/IECEx certified with temperature resistance up to 300°C.
- MLA1000 Continuous Inline Conductivity Meter Continuous inline conductivity measurement device for light mineral oils including kerosene (Jet A-1) and rolling oil. Certified to ASTM D2624, ATEX, and IECEx standards. Used in refineries, pipeline pump stations, tank farms, and airports.
- MLA900 Mobile Conductivity Meter Mobile/portable conductivity measurement device for kerosene and aviation fuel testing. Listed in ASTM D2624, explosion-protected for field use. Distributed exclusively by Faudi Aviation for aviation customers in over 90 countries.
Quantifiable outcome
- Continuous conductivity monitoring enables precise additive dosing - 'as much as necessary, as little as possible' - reducing additive costs while maintaining safety
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use MBA Instruments
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MBA Instruments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
MBA Instruments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and flagship.
- Faudi Aviation GmbHcoreFaudi Aviation is the exclusive global distribution partner for the MLA900 mobile conductivity meter for aviation customers. The partnership enables worldwide distribution through Faudi Aviation's network covering over 90 countries, serving airports, airlines, and fuel station operators. MBA Instruments retains product development and manufacturing while Faudi Aviation handles distribution and customer relationships in the aviation sector.
- BM-technics (Bernd Müntjes)regionalRegional sales partner for West Germany covering Baden-Württemberg, Hessen, NRW, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and parts of Lower Saxony. Provides local sales contact and support for MBA Instruments products in the region.
- Sefiso GruppecoreParent company of Faudi Aviation, the Sefiso Gruppe is a globally active company supplying filtration and sensor solutions for the aviation fuel industry. The group provides the international network infrastructure supporting the Faudi Aviation distribution partnership.
- SMB GroupflagshipMBA Instruments is a member of SMB Group (SMB International GmbH), which encompasses the company. The SMB Group provides corporate structure, shared services, and is located at the same Quickborn address.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MBA Instruments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MBA Instruments social profiles
Digital presenceMBA Instruments compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
MBA Instruments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MBA Instruments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
MBA Instruments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MBA Instruments 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 MBA Instruments
What does MBA Instruments do?
MBA Instruments manufactures and sells process measurement instruments for industrial customers, including level measurement devices for bulk solids in silos and bunkers (rotating paddle detectors, vibrating level switches, membrane switches) and conductivity measurement devices for mineral oils in pipelines and tanks (continuous inline and mobile conductivity meters). Products are custom-configured to customer specifications for process conditions, ATEX/IECEx explosion protection, and application requirements, and are sold to enterprises in process industries, aviation, oil and gas, food, construction, and mining sectors worldwide.
Is MBA Instruments a public or private company?
MBA Instruments is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MBA Instruments founded?
MBA Instruments was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MBA Instruments based?
MBA Instruments is headquartered in Quickborn, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does MBA Instruments make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Level Measurement Instruments are the primary driver. The others are conductivity Measurement Instruments and custom Engineering and Configuration.
Does MBA Instruments have an API?
No public API is recorded for MBA Instruments.
What industry is MBA Instruments in?
MBA Instruments's product category is Industrial Process Measurement Instruments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAE, Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity), with a secondary code of IMAGAGAL, Sensors & Instrumentation Electronics Manufacturing Services (Transmitters, analyzers, industrial sensors). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3823.