What Eckold does

Eckold (legal entity: ECKOLD technics GmbH & Co. KG) is a family-owned German manufacturer of precision machines and tools for sheet metal working, headquartered in St. Andreasberg in the Harz region. Founded in 1936 by Walter Eckold — who previously invented the "one-man riveting" technique at Junkers aircraft manufacturer — the company designs and builds equipment for four core technologies: clinching (mechanical interlocking of sheet metal without fasteners or heat, pioneered by Eckold in 1981), self-piercing riveting, chipless cold forming, and punching/embossing. The product portfolio spans heavy industrial Kraftformer hydraulic machines (KF 675 Magnum, KF 800, KF 470, KF 340), manual and pneumatic Handformer tools, stationary and robotic clinching systems (MCD, MZD, DFG, MFG series), a servo-motorised self-piercing riveting system, interchangeable forming tools, the TeachCap robot teach-in system, and customised solutions.

Eckold sells capital equipment and consumable tooling primarily through a direct enterprise field-sales motion targeting automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Bosch, KUKA, Comau, Miele), with additional reach into aerospace, HVAC, shipbuilding, electrical infrastructure, roofing/trades, and educational customers. The company operates wholly-owned subsidiaries in Switzerland (1957), Hungary (2017), and the USA (2019), with sales offices in the UK, France, Czech Republic, and Japan, and reports product deployment across more than 100 countries. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of machines and tools, with supplementary recurring streams from spare parts, training services, digital remote maintenance (priced at €99 setup + €105/hour), on-site maintenance contracts, and a financing partnership with Würth Leasing.

The company remains privately held under family ownership (Patric Daske and Annegret Eckold), holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and VDA 6.4 certifications, and has invested in a new technology centre completed in 2020 at its St. Andreasberg headquarters. The firm has no disclosed external investors, no M&A history, and no public financial reporting.

Name

Eckold

Legal name

ECKOLD technics GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://eckold.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Eckold is a German family-owned manufacturer of precision machines and tools for sheet metal clinching, self-piercing riveting, forming, and punching, supplying automotive OEMs, industrial tier-1 suppliers, and adjacent industries in more than 100 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Sheet Metal Working Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)

Keywords

• Sheet metal machinery
• Clinching equipment
• Self-piercing riveting
• Metal forming machines
• Industrial joining technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Sankt Andreasberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Machinery Sales: Sale of stationary and portable forming machines, clinching systems, punching equipment, and self-piercing riveting machines. Product range includes Kraftformer (KF series), Handformer (HF series), Clinch systems (MCD, MZD, DFG, MFG series), and special/customised machines.
2. Forming Tools and Dies: Sale of interchangeable forming tools for Kraftformer and Handformer machines. Tool types include shrinking, stretching, flattening, doming, planishing, reforming, and straightening tools.
3. Remote Maintenance Services: Digital remote maintenance service for troubleshooting and support. Priced at €99 setup fee plus €105/hour during business hours, with surcharges outside hours.
4. On-site Maintenance Contracts: Annual maintenance services performed by ECKOLD service team at customer premises, including travel time, labor, and accommodation costs.
5. Spare Parts: Replacement parts and wear parts for all ECKOLD machines, available for ordering via service team.
6. Training Services: Customer training programs on ECKOLD technologies including clinching, punching, forming, and self-piercing riveting. Conducted on-site or at ECKOLD headquarters with maximum 8 participants.
7. Financing Services: Partnership with Würth Leasing offering tailored financing models for ECKOLD machine purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Eckold designs and manufactures industrial machines for chipless cold forming and joining of sheet metal and profiles, including clinching systems, self-piercing riveting machines, hydraulic Kraftformer forming machines, and manual Handformer tools. The portfolio also includes interchangeable forming tools, TeachCap robot teach-in technology, remote maintenance services, training, and certified pre-owned machines, primarily serving automotive, aerospace, HVAC, and metalworking industries.

Product overview

ECKOLD is a precision sheet metal processing equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of machines, manual tools, and technologies for clinching, punching, self-piercing riveting, and forming of sheet metal and profiles. The product range centers on two main equipment families: Kraftformer and Handformer machines for forming operations (KF 675 Magnum, KF 470 Medium, KF 340, KF 324, KF 800, KF 170 PD, HF 100, HF 100 PA, HZ 52, GL 2, MF 800, MF 500), and stationary clinching machines for joining applications (MCD 30/50 AH, MZD 25/3 PH, MCD 30/5 PH, MZD 45/35 P, MZD 60/6, DFG 450/50 PH, MFG 500/150 H, MFG 500/150 E). These core machine lines are supported by complementary technologies including embossing, seaming, wheel well flanging, extrusion embossing, and press-fitting systems. The product portfolio also includes servo motor-driven self-piercing riveting systems, interchangeable forming tools, robot teach-in technology (TeachCap), digital remote maintenance services, training programs, and certified pre-owned machines. ECKOLD serves customers in automotive, aerospace, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, and general sheet metal fabrication industries across more than 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kraftformer: A core product line of ECKOLD forming machines for sheet metal and profile forming
• Handformer
• TeachCap

Products and services

• KF 675 Magnum Kraftformer Large-format hydraulic forming machine for professional sheet metal fabrication with extensive tool compatibility, for industrial customers.
• KF 470 Medium Kraftformer Mid-range hydraulic forming machine for versatile sheet metal processing applications.
• KF 340 Kraftformer Compact hydraulic forming machine for smaller-scale sheet metal forming tasks.
• KF 324 Kraftformer Entry-level hydraulic forming machine for sheet metal forming operations.
• KF 800 Kraftformer Extra-large hydraulic forming machine for heavy-duty sheet metal fabrication.
• KF 170 PD Kraftformer Compact portable forming machine for on-site sheet metal work and repairs.
• MCD 30/50 AH Clinching Machine Standard stationary clinching machine for automated sheet metal joining.
• MZD 25/3 PH Clinching Machine Standard clinching machine for medium-duty sheet metal joining applications.
• MZD 45/35 P Clinching Machine Heavy-duty clinching machine for large-scale sheet metal joining.
• MZD 60/6 Clinching Machine High-capacity clinching machine for industrial sheet metal fabrication.
• MFG 500/150 H Clinching Machine Hydraulic clinching machine for heavy industrial applications.
• MFG 500/150 E Clinching Machine Electrically-driven clinching machine for energy-efficient operations.
• Servo Motor-driven Self-piercing Riveting System Advanced servo-controlled self-piercing riveting technology for high-precision, high-speed sheet metal joining.
• HF 100 Handformer Hand-operated forming tool for manual sheet metal shaping, stretching, and shrinking.
• MF 800 Wheeling Machine Large rolling machine for continuous sheet metal stretching and forming operations.
• Digital Remote Maintenance Remote diagnostic and maintenance service that allows ECKOLD technicians to troubleshoot and resolve machine issues without on-site visits; priced at €99 setup fee plus €105 per started hour during business hours.
• Training Services Professional training programs for operators, maintenance technicians, and experts covering clinching, punching, forming, and self-piercing riveting technologies; conducted on-site or at ECKOLD headquarters with a maximum of 8 participants.
• Used Machines Refurbished and ECKOLD-certified pre-owned machines including Kraftformer units, standard clinching equipment, and mobile pliers.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 400 apprentices trained in various professions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Studio1 Kommunikation GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal agency responsible for layout, development, and technical implementation of ECKOLD website.
• TU ClausthalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch cooperation with Technical University of Clausthal; mentioned in customer logos and press coverage including joint initiatives in 2017.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Böllhoff Group: German family-owned fastening and joining technology manufacturer offering clinching, self-piercing riveting, and riveting systems for automotive and industrial customers — directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to Eckold.
• BalTec (Kistler Group): Swiss-headquartered joining technology specialist offering self-piercing riveting, clinching, and force-monitoring systems; competes with Eckold in precision mechanical joining for automotive.
• Tox Pressotechnik: German manufacturer of press-fit and joining machines, including clinching and forming equipment for automotive and industrial applications — directly competes with Eckold in joining technology.
• Pressta Eisele: German precision sawing and joining equipment manufacturer serving metal fabrication industries; comparable mid-sized Mittelstand profile and customer overlap.
• Rädlinger ZSK: German manufacturer of joining machines including self-piercing riveting and clinching systems for automotive, comparable in size and product scope to Eckold.
• Atlas Copco (Henrob / Tucker): Atlas Copco's Henrob and Tucker brands are global leaders in self-piercing riveting (SPR) and clinching systems for automotive body-in-white assembly, competing head-to-head with Eckold's SPR/clinching lines.

Broad incumbents

• Schuler Group: Global leader in metal forming presses and automation serving automotive and manufacturing industries; overlaps with Eckold in press-based sheet metal forming, though Schuler focuses on larger stamping press lines.
• TRUMPF: Major German machine tool manufacturer offering sheet metal processing (laser cutting, punching, bending) — adjacent category competing for similar sheet-metal-fabrication customer wallet share.
• Bystronic: Swiss sheet metal processing equipment manufacturer providing laser cutting, bending, and automation solutions — comparable customer base but different technology focus (cutting vs. joining/forming).

Others

• EFB (Europäische Forschungsgesellschaft für Blechverarbeitung): European Research Association for Sheet Metal Working, which awarded Eckold its Innovation Seal of Quality; represents the broader industry ecosystem and research partners relevant to Eckold's technology roadmap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2jNVC9YwKcQW_IECg_f-5A
• Facebookfacebook.com/Eckold-GmbH-Co-KG-712878255433772
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eckold-st-andreasberg/?viewAsMember=true

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Eckold