Imbach Solutions in Metal

What Imbach Solutions in Metal does

Imbach & Cie. AG, operating under the brand 'Imbach Solutions in Metal', is a Swiss family-owned contract manufacturer of forged and machined metal components, founded in 1889 and headquartered in Nebikon, Canton of Lucerne. The company operates a single integrated production site with approximately 90 employees and runs six core manufacturing technologies: open-die forging (Freiformschmieden), ring rolling (Ringwalzen) on a radial-axial machine capable of rings up to 3500mm diameter, closed-die forging (Gesenkschmieden), mechanical CNC machining (including 5-axis centers in the NEXIS facility), assembly of complete sub-assemblies, and additive manufacturing (SLM for metals, FDM for plastics). Its largest asset is a 3000-tonne hydraulic multifunctional open-die forging press commissioned in 2013, described as the largest of its kind in Switzerland. The company is EN 9100:2018 certified for aerospace quality management.

The business model is project-based B2B custom manufacturing sold directly to enterprise and government customers through named account managers and a Head of Sales & Customer Relations. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with revenue tied to long-cycle industrial programs in aerospace (Pilatus Aircraft, Swedish Space Corporation), big-science research (CERN, with a 23+ year relationship), scientific instruments (Bruker BioSpin), vacuum and semiconductor (VAT Vakuumventile), packaging machinery (Bobst, Ferrum), turbines (Franke Industrie, Voith), and high-performance alloys (Haynes International). GTM is enterprise field sales supplemented by trade-show presence (BSBF 2022, Alu-Tag) and customer engagement programs. The company is in its fifth generation of family ownership; Dr. Sandra Imbach serves as CEO and Dr. Hans Rudolf Imbach as Chairman, with a family charter and Imbach Holding AG established in 2018 to formalize succession and long-term continuity. Material expertise spans titanium, nickel-base alloys (Hastelloy/Haynes), maraging and stainless steels (316L, 17-4PH), aluminum alloys (AlSi10Mg, EN AW-6082), and specialty steels including antimagnetic and Alstom grades, positioning the firm as a niche supplier for difficult-to-form, safety-critical components rather than a high-volume commodity producer.

Name

Imbach Solutions in Metal

Legal name

Imbach & Cie. AG

Website

https://imbach.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Imbach & Cie. AG is a Swiss family-owned, fifth-generation contract manufacturer of custom forged and machined metal components for aerospace, big-science research, and industrial customers, operating an integrated forging, ring-rolling, CNC machining, assembly, and additive manufacturing facility in Nebikon, Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nebikon

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Metal Components Manufacturing: B2B custom manufacturing of forged and machined metal components. The company produces components from design through to assembly-ready parts, serving industrial customers with complex requirements. Revenue is generated through project-based orders, with repeat business from long-term customer relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Imbach & Cie AG is a Swiss family-owned manufacturer of custom metal components, offering an integrated portfolio spanning open-die forging, ring rolling, closed-die forging, CNC mechanical machining, assembly, and additive manufacturing (3D printing with SLM/FDM). The company produces forged and machined parts from advanced materials such as titanium, nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, and aluminum for industrial customers in aerospace, research, packaging machinery, and energy sectors.

Product overview

Imbach & Cie AG is a Swiss family-owned metalworking company founded in 1889, offering a comprehensive suite of manufacturing technologies as an integrated portfolio. The core offering centers on six manufacturing technologies: Freiformschmieden (open-die forging), Ringwalzen (ring rolling), Gesenkschmieden (closed-die forging), Mechanische Bearbeitung (mechanical machining), Montage (assembly), and Additive Fertigung (3D printing/additive manufacturing). These technologies are complemented by consulting services (Beratung & Lösungsentwicklung), materials expertise (Werkstoffe), and quality/testing services (Qualität & Prüfverfahren). The company serves demanding industrial sectors including aerospace (CERN, Pilatus Aircraft, Swedish Space Corporation), research (Bruker), packaging (Bobst, Ferrum), energy technology (Voith, VAT Vakuumventile), and industrial manufacturing, providing components from design consultation through to ready-to-install assemblies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freiformschmieden (Open-Die Forging) Open-die forging process enabling nearly unlimited shaping possibilities for small batch sizes or prototypes, providing efficient material forming, material savings, and high mechanical requirements for industrial customers.
• Ringwalzen (Ring Rolling) Combined with open-die forging process to produce seamless rings with minimal raw material allowances and tight tolerances, offering high material savings and superior material structure and strength for industrial applications.
• Gesenkschmieden (Closed-Die Forging) Tool-bound forming process for near-net-shape production of heavily stressed serial components, providing high productivity and maximum strength suitable for series with high quality requirements.
• Mechanische Bearbeitung (Mechanical Machining) Pre- and finish-machining of components with highest quality and precision requirements using conventional and modern CNC turning/milling centers, with turning diameters up to 2400mm and piece weights up to 3000kg.
• Montage (Assembly) Complete assemblies from a single source for sustainable optimization of process chains, ensuring quality and availability, with maximum component diameter of 1450mm and piece weights up to 4000kg.
• Additive Fertigung (3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing) Future-oriented spatial design of functional components using SLM (Selective Laser Melting) for metals and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) for plastics, enabling complex geometries directly from CAD files for prototypes and small series production.
• Beratung & Lösungsentwicklung (Consulting & Solution Development) Customized solutions from a single source, incorporating manufacturing know-how from the earliest stages of solution development, including product and process optimization, engineering and consulting from concept to ready-to-install components.
• Qualität & Prüfverfahren (Quality & Testing) Comprehensive quality assurance including ultrasonic testing (UT), penetrant testing (PT), material testing consultation, precision metrology, and certification services according to aerospace standards (EN 9100:2018).

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy efficiency improved by 12% in recent months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Swissmem EnergiekampagneminorOthers · 1 January 2023Swissmem's energy campaign supporting member companies in improving energy efficiency and achieving CO2-neutral production. Imbach participates with concrete measures.
• Solar-Village Nebikon Partners (Grob AG, Egli-Mühlen AG, Galliker Transport AG)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborative sustainability initiative with local Nebikon family businesses for solar energy production through photovoltaic installations. Joint project supporting Swiss Net Zero 2050 goals.
• SwissmemcoreOthersIndustry association for Swiss machinery, electrical, and metal industries. Imbach is a member benefiting from industry representation, networking, and collective initiatives including the Swissmem Energy Campaign for sustainability.
• Swiss Aerospace ClustercoreOthersIndustry network for Swiss aerospace, satellite navigation, and supplier industry. Provides knowledge and technology transfer opportunities within the aerospace sector.
• Switzerland Global EnterprisecoreOthersSwiss export promotion organization helping Swiss companies with internationalization, export, import, and investment support through global network of consultants.
• Schweiz. Verband der Industrieschmieden (SVIS)coreOthersSwiss Association of Industrial Forges - industry association preserving and promoting common interests of member forging companies.
• Industrieverband Massivumformung e.V.minorOthersGerman industry association for bulk forming (forging) industry. Germany is the technology leader in this sector and Imbach participates for technology exchange.
• TCN (Turbine Components Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Swiss companies offering integrated solutions from a single source for turbine and aerospace applications. Includes Franke Industrie AG, Haynes International AG, Listemann AG, and Imbach.
• TGM Lightweight Solutions GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consulting company specializing in lightweight design, FE-optimization, and technical weight management for transportation industries.
• Region Luzern WestminorOthersRegional development organization for economic development in Western Lucerne region.
• Wirtschaftsförderung LuzernminorOthersPublic-private partnership for economic development in Lucerne, involving canton, municipalities, and 150+ network partners.
• EnAW (Energie-Agentur der Wirtschaft)minorOthersEnergy Agency for Swiss industry providing energy management services and CO2 reduction support.
• zentralschweiz innovativminorOthersInnovation promotion program for Central Switzerland supporting companies in developing new products, services, and process improvements.
• IHZ (Industrie- und Handelskammer Zentralschweiz)minorOthersChamber of commerce for Central Switzerland, founded 1889, representing business interests and providing export and information services.
• SMZ (Verband Schweizer Metall Zulieferer)minorOthersAssociation representing Swiss metal supplier industry interests since 1993, promoting experience exchange and technology transfer.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Schuler Group: German global leader in press manufacturing and forging technology, also operating a forging services business. Comparable end-market exposure (automotive, aerospace) but primarily a press OEM and large-scale serial forger rather than a small-batch custom shop.
• voestalpine: Austrian steel and technology group with a Special Steel division producing high-performance forged and rolled products for aerospace, automotive, and energy. Broader incumbent offering integrated steelmaking, forging, and machining across a much larger footprint than Imbach.

Direct peers

• Forgital Italy: Italian large ring-rolling and open-die forging producer serving aerospace, energy, and industrial markets. Highly comparable in large-dimension seamless ring rolling and forged rings for bearings, turbines, and aerospace structural applications.
• Leistritz: German precision forging and machining group with open-die, ring-rolling, and turbine-component capabilities serving aerospace, energy, and industrial customers. Closely comparable to Imbach in multimaterial expertise, tight-tolerance forged/machined components, and European industrial customer base.
• Hammerwerk Fridingen: German drop-forging shop producing forged and machined components for industrial and commercial vehicle applications. Comparable in small-to-medium-series forging, multimaterial expertise, and European industrial customer base.
• Leiber Group: German drop-forging specialist producing complex steel and aluminum forged parts for automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers. Comparable in closed-die and small-series forging of difficult materials with similar European industrial customer profile.
• Doncasters Group: UK-based precision castings and forgings supplier focused on aerospace, defense, and industrial gas turbines. Comparable in serving safety-critical aerospace and turbine OEMs with qualified, fully machined components and similar EN 9100-driven quality regimes.
• Ovako: Swedish specialty steel producer with integrated forging for bearing, transmission, and demanding industrial applications. Comparable in Nordic-European steel metallurgy, ring and bar forging, and serving fatigue-critical components for OEM customers.

Others

• SMS group: German plant engineering and metals-processing equipment supplier serving steel and non-ferrous metals producers. Adjacent rather than directly comparable: SMS sells the capital equipment that underpins forging operations like Imbach's 3000-tonne press and ring-rolling facilities.
• Bodycote: UK-based provider of heat treatment and metal joining services to aerospace, automotive, and industrial OEMs. Not a direct forging competitor but a critical ecosystem partner whose services complement Imbach's in-house forging, machining, and NDT capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLoq5vkrREnkfLgUKk0_86g
• Facebookfacebook.com/ImbachCie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imbach-cie-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/imbach_cie_ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Imbach Solutions in Metal