LARsys-Automation

What LARsys-Automation does

LARsys-Automation GmbH is an Austrian, owner-managed engineering firm founded in 2003 in Hochburg-Ach, Upper Austria, that designs and manufactures custom embedded control systems, HMI devices, and industrial communication products for machinery and plant builders. Its technical stack is built around ARM-based processors (Cortex-A8, Cortex-M3, ARM9), a proprietary slim Embedded-OS and RT-Linux platform, and CODESYS IEC 61131-3 integration, with broad support for industrial fieldbus and Ethernet protocols including CAN, CANopen, Profibus, ProfiNet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, Powerlink, BACnet, and MODBUS. Product lines include the Touch PLC (TP101) and KEYPAD family of control units, mobile handhelds such as the dataTRONIC, and a set of communication and diagnostic products (USB-to-CAN, CAN Repeater, Profibus/Profinet gateways, LARsms 340 SMS module, and the LARcan CAN protocol analyzer).

The company's revenue model is anchored in customer-specific automation solutions, which account for approximately 75% of revenue and span concept, circuit design, firmware, prototyping, and in-house series production at the Hochburg-Ach facility. The remaining revenue is generated through R&D and engineering services and the sale of communication and diagnostic products. All sales are direct, quote-based, and targeted at enterprise industrial customers in the DACH region, with named reference customers including Siemens, Krones, AMAG Austria Metall, B&R, SSI SCHÄFER, Starlinger, and DS AUTOMOTION. In 2023, LARsys expanded via the acquisition of a majority stake in ViCOS GmbH (Salzburg), bringing combined headcount to approximately 50 employees, and the firm holds ISO 9001:2015 certification since 2017.

Name

LARsys-Automation

Legal name

LARsys-Automation GmbH

Website

https://larsys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LARsys-Automation GmbH is an Austrian owner-managed firm that designs and manufactures custom embedded control systems, HMI devices, and industrial communication products for DACH machine and plant builders, with 75% of revenue from bespoke automation solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Industrial I/O, Signal Conditioning & Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) (IMAGABAD)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• Embedded control systems
• CAN bus diagnostics
• Fieldbus gateways
• Custom HMI devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Hochburg-ach

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Solutions: Development and manufacturing of customer-specific automation solutions represents the primary revenue stream, accounting for 75% of company revenue. Services span from circuit design through prototyping to series production, all delivered from the Hochburg-Ach facility.
2. R&D and Engineering Services: Research and development services including circuit design, firmware and software programming, prototype development, and test equipment construction. Embedded-Linux systems, motor controls, and power electronics development.
3. Communication and Diagnostic Products: Sale of communication modules (CAN Repeater, USB to CAN, Profinet/Profibus gateways), SMS solutions (LARsms 340), and diagnostic tools including the LARcan CAN analyzer software and hardware.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LARsys-Automation GmbH develops and manufactures customer-specific hardware and software solutions for industrial control systems, including Touch PLCs/HMI devices (TP101, KEYPAD series, dataTRONIC), CAN-based communication modules (USB to CAN Interface, CAN Repeater, Profibus/Profinet Gateways, LARsms 340), and the LARcan CAN protocol analyzer diagnostic tool. 75% of revenue comes from bespoke embedded automation solutions developed from concept through prototyping to series production.

Product overview

LARsys-Automation is a custom hardware and software solutions provider for control systems. The product portfolio consists of three main categories: (1) Touch PLCs and HMI devices including the TP101 touch PLC with 5.7" TFT display and Cortex A8 processor, and multiple KEYPAD variants (KP00x, KP10T, KP10x) offering key-based and touchscreen control options, plus the mobile dataTRONIC handheld; (2) Communication modules including USB to CAN Interface, CAN Repeater, Gateway Profibus (GW01100), Gateway Profinet (GW12200), and LARsms 340 for SMS functionality; and (3) Diagnostic tools with the LARcan CAN protocol analyser. The company also develops custom embedded hardware and software solutions using technologies including Embedded-OS, RT-Linux, CODESYS (IEC61131-3), ARM processors (Cortex-A8/A9, ARM9, Cortex-M3), and industrial communication protocols (CAN, CANopen, Profibus, Profinet, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LARcan: CAN protocol analyzer for configuring, analyzing and diagnosing CAN networks, with integrated telegram interpreters for CAN Layer 2, CANopen and DeviceNET protocols.
• USB to CAN Interface
• LARsys Gateway Profinet
• LARsys Gateway Profibus
• LARsys CAN Repeater
• LARsms 340
• Touch-PLC / TP101
• KEYPAD KP Series
• dataTRONIC

Products and services

• Touch PLC (TP101) Touch PLC with 5.7" TFT display and Cortex A8 processor for vertical and horizontal installation, featuring 4 configurable short-stroke keys and industrial connectivity (Ethernet, USB, CAN, RS232, RS485) for industrial automation customers.
• KEYPAD KP00x Fieldbus-independent keypad with 32 RGB short-stroke keys, 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs onboard, available with Profinet/CANopen master, Ethernet/IP/CANopen master, or CANopen slave interfaces for machine control.
• KEYPAD KP10T Robust control unit with 2-line LCD display, integrated fieldbus connection and onboard IOs supporting Profibus DP or Ethernet (TCP/IP) connectivity for controlling machines and systems.
• KEYPAD KP10x Keypad designed for standard 80x80mm aluminium profile, featuring 9 RGB-backlit short-stroke keys and integrated fieldbus connection with onboard DI/DOs.
• dataTRONIC Mobile handheld control unit originally developed for Starlinger with 2 function keys, 5 navigation keys, 3-inch OLED colour display, rubberised housing, SD card storage and IrDa, RS232, USB interfaces with optional Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and CANopen expansions.
• LARcan CAN Protocol Analyzer CAN protocol analyser for configuring, analysing and diagnosing CAN networks, running under MS Windows with integrated telegram interpreters for CAN Layer 2, CANopen and DeviceNET, monitoring mode and active CAN node simulation, distributed as personalised licence (single-user, 5-user, company licence).
• LARsys USB to CAN Interface USB to CAN interface for analysing CAN networks with robust plastic housing, 2 galvanically separated CAN interfaces, 2 digital outputs (0.5A/24V DC), integrated uSD card (min 4GB), 10 status LEDs, IP20 protection, and standalone data logger capability with 24V DC supply.
• LARsys CAN Repeater CAN Repeater for safe potential separation between 2 CAN network segments with galvanic isolation of both bus segments and supply voltage, automatic segment disconnection on defect, DC 9-35V power supply and -20C to +70C operating temperature.
• LARsys Gateway Profibus (GW01100) Gateway for flexible fieldbus coupling between CANopen and Profibus-DP, supporting up to 1 Mbit/s (CAN) and 12 Mbit/s (PROFIBUS-DP) with transparent bidirectional data forwarding, GSD file configuration, CE and UL certified.
• LARsys Gateway Profinet (GW12200) Fieldbus coupler between CAN bus and ProfiNet-IRT with transparent bidirectional data forwarding, supporting up to 1 Mbit/s (CAN) and 100 Mbit/s (ProfiNet), 2 RJ45 connectors for daisy chain topology, and CSV file configuration.
• LARsms 340 SMS send/receive module for SIMATIC S7-300 CPU that enables sending and receiving Short Messages (up to 160 characters) via included Siemens MD720 GSM modem, with GSM library and SIMATIC CP340 communication processor.
• Custom Automation Solutions Customer-specific embedded hardware and software automation solutions covering circuit design, firmware and software programming, prototype development, test equipment construction, embedded-Linux systems, motor controls and power electronics development, from concept through series production.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% of company revenue from custom automation solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ViCOS GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLARsys acquired a significant business share in ViCOS GmbH, marking an important strategic milestone for both companies. The partnership combines strengths and significantly expands capacities. Klaus Lanner, owner and CEO of LARsys, was appointed as additional managing director of ViCOS alongside Wolfgang Klier. ViCOS operates from Salzburg (Eugen-Müller Str. 14, A-5020) and specializes in innovative electronics. The combined entity operates with approximately 50 highly qualified employees.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens AG (Industrial Automation): Siemens is a LARsys customer for specialized automation components but its SIMATIC PLC, HMI and SCADA portfolio is the dominant incumbent in the same factory-automation market. Comparison is on PLC/control-system design, HMI development and fieldbus integration, where LARsys offers complementary or substitute capabilities.
• ifm electronic: ifm electronic is a German sensor and industrial automation supplier with significant investment in IO-Link, AS-i and fieldbus connectivity for factory automation. Comparable on the industrial communication and diagnostic/monitoring layer that LARsys targets with its CAN analysis and gateway products.
• Turck: Turck is a German industrial automation specialist producing fieldbus I/O blocks, sensors and connectivity for Profibus, Profinet, EtherCAT and CANopen. Overlaps LARsys on industrial communication hardware and decentralized I/O for harsh industrial environments.
• Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff is a leading German manufacturer of PC-based control, PLCs, I/O and motion systems built around the EtherCAT protocol that LARsys helps integrate. Although far larger, Beckhoff competes for the same industrial automation customers LARsys targets and overlaps on CODESYS-compatible controllers and HMI/control hardware.
• B&R Industrial Automation (ABB): B&R (acquired by ABB) is a leading Austrian/German supplier of PLCs, HMIs, motion control and decentralized I/O, and is both a LARsys customer (for control-system components) and a competitor for the same embedded automation niches. Comparable on machine-control, custom-panel and decentralized I/O dimensions.
• Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is a global industrial automation and connectivity specialist producing PLCs (Axioline), I/O systems and fieldbus gateways supporting Profinet, Profibus, EtherCAT and CANopen. LARsys competes for similar machine-builder and system-integrator budgets with custom hardware that often sits alongside or substitutes for Phoenix Contact components.
• WAGO Kontakttechnik: WAGO is an established German manufacturer of programmable controllers (WAGO PFC200), fieldbus I/O systems and industrial connectivity for CAN, Profibus and Profinet - directly overlapping LARsys's PLC and fieldbus gateway offerings. WAGO's IEC 61131-3 programming model matches LARsys's CODESYS-based environment.

Direct peers

• HMS Networks: HMS Networks is the leading independent vendor of industrial communication gateways (Anybus, Ixxat) bridging CAN, Profibus, Profinet, EtherCAT and other fieldbuses - the same product category LARsys serves with its Gateway Profibus/Profinet and CAN Repeater lines. Both firms target machine builders needing transparent protocol bridging, though HMS is much larger and globally distributed.
• Helmholz GmbH & Co. KG: Helmholz is a German mid-sized specialist focused on fieldbus couplers, IO systems, and PLC-adjacent components for Profibus, Profinet and EtherCAT - directly comparable to LARsys's gateway, repeater and controller portfolio in scale and specialty positioning. Both serve machine builders and plant integrators requiring cross-protocol connectivity.

Emerging players

• Insevis GmbH: Insevis is a small German vendor of compact CODESYS-based PLCs and HMIs (S7-3x0, Invevis panels) for machine builders. Closely comparable to LARsys in size, CODESYS-centric stack and DACH-focused custom/specialty positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/larsys-automation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 LARsys-Automation