elspec
elspec is a German family-owned manufacturer founded in 1982 specializing in high-frequency RF coaxial cables, connectors, and cryogenic cable systems serving CERN/DESY scientific research, quantum computing, 5G/6G telecom, MRI/medical imaging, and aerospace and defense customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersGeretsried, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What elspec does
el-spec GmbH (elspec) is a German family-owned manufacturer of high-frequency (RF) coaxial cables, connectors, cable assemblies, and cryogenic cable systems, founded in 1982 by Hans Weber in Geretsried-Gelting, Bavaria. The company's product portfolio spans Semi Rigid (0.1–110 GHz), Flexible, Conformable, and Low Loss coaxial cables; connectors including SMA, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, 2.92mm, N-type, TNC, SMP-Mini/GPPO, and 1.0mm series; and cryogenic cables including the CryoFlex sub-brand engineered for quantum computing applications at millikelvin temperatures. Non-magnetic variants serve MRI and quantum-sensitive environments. elspec operates a joint laboratory with DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron), established in 2014 at the DESY Innovation Village, providing proprietary cable characterization across S-parameters, shielding, thermal, mechanical, cryogenic, and magnetic properties.
The company monetizes through direct B2B hardware sales with a quote-based pricing model and a €1,000 minimum order value, supplemented by professional services revenue from DESY joint laboratory testing. GTM is sales-led via website inquiry forms, email, and phone, with active content marketing through technical whitepapers, e-books, and a YouTube channel. Customers span scientific research (CERN, DESY), telecommunications (5G/6G), medical imaging (MRI), aerospace and defense (military radar, air force, navy), quantum computing research institutions, and molecular/materials research organizations. ISO 9001:2015 certified, the firm is privately held with no external institutional investors and is undergoing generational leadership succession with Maximilian Weber positioned as the next-generation CEO after Thomas Weber's tenure.
elspec firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- elspec
- Legal name
- el-spec GmbH Electronic-Vertrieb
- Website
- https://elspecgroup.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- elspec is a German family-owned manufacturer founded in 1982 specializing in high-frequency RF coaxial cables, connectors, and cryogenic cable systems serving CERN/DESY scientific research, quantum computing, 5G/6G telecom, MRI/medical imaging, and aerospace and defense customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
elspec industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RF Coaxial Cable Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Electronic Connector Manufacturing (334417), Communication and Energy Wire and Cable Manufacturing (33592), Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing (335929)
- SIC
- Electronic Connectors (3678), Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coaxial, RF & Specialty Signal Cable (IMADAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cryogenic Wiring, Interconnects & RF Cabling (HDAGABAE), RF & Microwave Connectors and Coaxial Assemblies (HDAHAOAD), Cable Assemblies & Wire Harnesses (HDAHAOAB)
Keywords
Where elspec is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geretsried
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
elspec business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- RF Cable Sales: Sale of RF coaxial cables, connectors, cable assemblies, and cryogenic cables. Products are available in standard configurations and as custom solutions. Minimum order value of €1,000 net applies.
- Joint Laboratory Testing Services: Testing and characterization services for RF cables through the DESY joint laboratory, covering S-parameters, shielding properties, thermal properties, mechanical properties, cryogenic properties, and magnetic properties.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard product orders with minimum order value |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
elspec product offering
Product offeringCore offering
elspec manufactures high-frequency RF coaxial cables (Semi Rigid, Flexible, Conformable, Low Loss variants supporting 0.1–110 GHz), RF connectors (SMA, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, 2.92mm, N-type, TNC, SMP-Mini/GPPO, 1.0mm series, with non-magnetic options), cryogenic coaxial cables for extreme low-temperature environments including flexible CryoFlex models for quantum computing, and pre-assembled microwave cable assemblies up to 110 GHz. The company also operates a joint laboratory with DESY for cable characterization and testing.
Product overview
elspec is a German family-owned company specializing in high-frequency (RF) technology since 1982. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of RF products including coaxial cables (Semi Rigid, Flexible, Conformable, Low Loss), RF connectors (SMA, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, 2.92mm, N-type, TNC, SMP-Mini, 1.0mm series), cryogenic cables (semi-rigid and flexible including CryoFlex brand), and RF cable assemblies. The product range supports frequencies from DC to 110 GHz. elspec also provides joint laboratory services with DESY for cable testing and characterization, along with knowledge resources (whitepapers and e-books) sharing RF expertise accumulated over 40 years.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CryoFlex: Flexible cryogenic RF cable product line designed for quantum precision at cryogenic temperatures, including models MK5005, MK5001, and Stormflex047NM, supporting use down to the millikelvin range.
- Low Loss
Products and services
- RF Coaxial Cables High-frequency coaxial cables for signal transmission, including Semi Rigid, Flexible, Conformable, and Low Loss variants supporting frequencies up to 110 GHz. Sold to enterprise customers building telecommunications, test and measurement, and RF systems.
- RF Connectors High-frequency RF connectors supporting frequencies from DC to 110 GHz, including SMA, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, 2.92mm, N-type, TNC, SMP-Mini/GPPO, and 1.0mm series, with non-magnetic options for MRI and quantum applications. For RF system integrators and OEMs.
- Cryogenic Coaxial Cables Specialized cables for extremely low temperature environments, including semi-rigid stainless steel, NbTi, and SS-SSSP variants, designed for quantum computing and scientific research applications. For cryogenic system integrators and research institutions.
- RF Cable Assemblies Pre-assembled microwave cable assemblies for high-frequency applications up to 110 GHz, designed for telecommunications, radar, satellite communications, measurement equipment, and military systems. For RF system integrators and OEM customers.
- CryoFlex Flexible Cryogenic Cables Flexible cryogenic coaxial cable series (MK5005, MK5001, Stormflex047NM) engineered for quantum precision at cryogenic temperatures down to the millikelvin range, featuring non-magnetic properties for quantum computing applications. For quantum computing researchers and cryogenic system builders.
- Low Loss Cables Low loss coaxial cables engineered for minimal attenuation and maximum reliability, supporting frequencies up to 110 GHz with excellent phase stability for demanding test environments and advanced RF systems. For RF test labs and advanced system builders.
- DESY Joint Laboratory Testing Services Joint laboratory service with DESY providing comprehensive cable characterization including S-parameters, shielding, thermal, mechanical, cryogenic, and magnetic property measurements. Sold to RF system builders and research institutions requiring detailed cable validation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cables support frequencies up to 110 GHz
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use elspec
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
elspec technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
elspec partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron)coreelspec GmbH and DESY jointly operate a laboratory at the DESY Innovation Village for quality assurance and development of high-quality RF cables. The partnership provides comprehensive cable characterization services including S-parameters, shielding properties (transfer impedance and screening attenuation), thermal properties, mechanical properties, cryogenic properties, and magnetic property measurements. This enables customers to select the right cable based on reliable measurements and eliminates costly testing phases.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
elspec competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Maury Microwave: Manufacturer of RF/microwave test & measurement instrumentation, cable assemblies and calibration components — comparable niche player in high-frequency test cables and laboratory interconnection.
Direct peers
- Junkosha: Japanese specialist in high-performance coaxial and cryogenic cables (including for quantum and semiconductor applications) — closely comparable in cryogenic cable expertise targeting quantum computing and scientific instrumentation.
- Radiall: French manufacturer of RF coaxial connectors, cable assemblies and microwave components for aerospace, defense, instrumentation, and telecom — directly overlaps elspec's connector and assembly lines.
- Times Microwave Systems: US-based specialist in RF coax cable assemblies and high-frequency interconnect for defense, aerospace and telecom — directly comparable in cable-assemblies and low-loss coax product categories.
- Huber+Suhner: Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of RF coax cables, connectors (SMA, N-type, etc.) and cable assemblies for telecom, defense, and test & measurement — directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to elspec.
- Pasternack (Infinite Electronics): US distributor/manufacturer of RF coax cables, connectors, adapters and cryogenic/low-loss assemblies serving test & measurement, defense and telecom — competes with elspec across standard and custom RF interconnect SKUs.
- Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik: German manufacturer of RF coaxial connectors, cable assemblies and test & measurement interconnects serving telecom, automotive, aerospace and quantum/scientific customers — closest geographic and product peer to elspec.
- CryoCoax (CME Group): UK/US manufacturer of cryogenic coaxial cables and connectors for quantum computing, dilution refrigerators and low-temperature physics — most direct competitor in elspec's CryoFlex/cryogenic cable niche.
Broad incumbents
- Samtec: US manufacturer of high-speed board-to-board and RF interconnect systems including precision cable assemblies for test & measurement and 6G/mmWave applications — broader portfolio incumbent touching elspec's assembly and connector markets.
- W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore): Large diversified materials science company with a well-established RF/microwave cable assembly and aerospace interconnect business — larger incumbent competing across elspec's higher-frequency cable assembly segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
elspec social profiles
Digital presenceelspec compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
elspec financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
elspec leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
elspec funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
elspec 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 elspec
What does elspec do?
elspec manufactures high-frequency RF coaxial cables (Semi Rigid, Flexible, Conformable, Low Loss variants supporting 0.1–110 GHz), RF connectors (SMA, 2.4mm, 1.85mm, 2.92mm, N-type, TNC, SMP-Mini/GPPO, 1.0mm series, with non-magnetic options), cryogenic coaxial cables for extreme low-temperature environments including flexible CryoFlex models for quantum computing, and pre-assembled microwave cable assemblies up to 110 GHz. The company also operates a joint laboratory with DESY for cable characterization and testing.
Is elspec a public or private company?
elspec is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was elspec founded?
elspec was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is elspec based?
elspec is headquartered in Geretsried, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does elspec make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. RF Cable Sales are the primary driver. The others are joint Laboratory Testing Services.
Who are elspec's main competitors?
Maury Microwave is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Junkosha, Radiall, Times Microwave Systems, Huber+Suhner, Pasternack (Infinite Electronics), Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik and CryoCoax (CME Group). Broad incumbents are Samtec and W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore).
Does elspec have an API?
No public API is recorded for elspec.
What industry is elspec in?
elspec's product category is RF Coaxial Cable Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAMAE, Coaxial, RF & Specialty Signal Cable, with a secondary code of HDAGABAE, Cryogenic Wiring, Interconnects & RF Cabling. Its NAICS code is 334417 and its SIC code is 3678.