HESS Medical Technology

What HESS Medical Technology does

HESS Medizintechnik AG is a Swiss manufacturer and exclusive distributor of medical furniture headquartered in Bilten, Canton Glarus. Founded in 1946 by Walter Hess in Dübendorf and relocated to Bilten in 2007, the company designs, produces, and sells proprietary medical furniture including treatment and examination tables (MultiPro® next line, in market since 1975), patient stretchers (Orion®, launched 2022), pediatric hospital beds (Bambino next), plaster tables (EasyCast), and hospital logistics systems (MEGAdrive/MEGAprogress functional carts and cabinet systems). Production is conducted in-house at the Bilten facility, which incorporates welding, assembly, upholstery, and CNC machining capabilities and is powered by an on-site photovoltaic system that covers 100% of summer electricity needs.

The company generates revenue through a hybrid model that combines direct sales of proprietary HESS-branded hardware, exclusive Swiss distribution partnerships with international OEMs (Stryker, Greiner, SHD, Berchtold, KÖGEL, ADE, BLANCO, HORCHER), custom manufacturing services ("HESS nach Mass"), and recurring service and maintenance contracts performed under Swiss Medical Device Regulation (MepV). Its customer base spans Swiss acute-care hospitals (university hospitals, cantonal hospitals), medical and specialist practices, nursing homes, rehabilitation clinics, medical schools, and emergency services such as Rega (Swiss Air Rescue). Distribution combines a Switzerland-wide direct field-sales force with regional account managers, a physical showroom in Bilten, an e-commerce storefront (hess-med.shop) for standard products, and exclusive international distribution partners in Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the UAE.

Privately held by the Zannier family, the company has been led by CEO Walter Zannier since 2005, with Marco Zannier heading sales. Growth has been pursued through bolt-on acquisitions (Isele & Co. in 1989, LIFTAC AG in 2017, MEDAX AG in 2021), continuous product-line evolution, and the 2024 ISO 13485 certification, positioning HESS as a quality-led 'Made in Switzerland' provider of both standard and bespoke medical furniture.

Name

HESS Medical Technology

Legal name

HESS Medizintechnik AG

Website

https://hess-med.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HESS Medizintechnik AG is a privately held Swiss manufacturer and exclusive distributor of medical furniture for hospitals, practices, nursing homes, and rehabilitation clinics. It produces proprietary treatment tables, stretchers, pediatric beds, and hospital logistics systems in Bilten, Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bilten

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medical Furniture Manufacturing & Sales: Develops, produces, and sells proprietary medical furniture including treatment tables, patient stretchers, examination couches, and specialized hospital equipment under HESS brand. Products manufactured in Bilten, Switzerland. Revenue from direct sales to hospitals, clinics, and medical practices.
2. Exclusive Distribution Partnerships: Exclusive Swiss distribution partner for international medical technology brands including Stryker (stretchers, emergency transporters, OR chairs), Greiner (medical chairs and tables), SHD (modular room systems), Berchtold (OR lights and tables), and others. Revenue from product sales through these partnerships.
3. Service, Maintenance & Rental: Comprehensive after-sales service including maintenance, repairs, inspections per Medizinprodukte-Verordnung (MepV), technical training, and rental of medical devices for events, seminars, and short-term needs.
4. Custom/Tailor-Made Solutions (HESS nach Mass): Custom development and manufacturing of specialized medical furniture based on customer-specific requirements, from concept through 3D modeling/prototyping to production.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HESS Medizintechnik AG develops, manufactures, and distributes medical furniture for hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and medical practices under its own HESS brand, including examination and treatment tables (MultiPro® next), patient stretchers (Orion®), pediatric hospital beds (Bambino next), plaster tables, functional carts, and cabinet systems. The company also acts as the exclusive Swiss distributor for complementary international medical technology brands such as Stryker, Greiner, SHD, Berchtold, ADE, BLANCO, and HORCHER, and offers custom manufacturing (HESS nach Mass), maintenance, and rental services.

Product overview

HESS Medical Technology is a Swiss manufacturer of medical furniture offering a comprehensive portfolio of proprietary products combined with exclusive distribution partnerships. The core proprietary offerings include the MultiPro® next patient examination/treatment couch line (available in 6 configurations), Orion® patient stretchers, Bambino next pediatric hospital beds, EasyCast plaster tables, and MEGA-series functional carts and cabinet systems. The company distributes complementary products from Greiner (MultiLine next treatment chairs for surgery and dialysis), LIFTAC (specialized proctology/gynecology and X-ray tables), SHD (modular operating room wall systems), seca (medical scales), Metzmedic (supply systems), and VELA (mammography chairs). Services include custom manufacturing (HESS nach Mass), medical device maintenance per MepV regulations, equipment rental, and an in-house mattress/upholstery workshop. The product portfolio serves hospitals, medical practices, nursing homes, emergency departments, sterile supply, phlebology, gynecology, and rehabilitation facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MultiPro®: Product line of treatment and examination couches for hospitals, practices, and therapy
• Orion®
• EasyCast
• Bambino
• MEGAdrive
• SwissTroll®
• MultiClean®

Products and services

• MultiPro® next Treatment and Examination Tables Flagship line of examination and treatment couches developed and manufactured in Switzerland since 1975, available in multiple configurations (2, 3, 4, 5 Stabile, 6) for therapy, gynecology, phlebology, and general medical applications. Sold to hospitals, medical practices, and therapy centers.
• Orion® Patient Stretcher Patient stretcher with HPL and aluminum lying surface designed for easy cleaning, resistance to disinfectants and chemicals, and integrated robust bumpers for collision protection. Used in emergency departments, hospitals, and patient transport.
• Bambino next Children's Hospital Bed Pediatric hospital bed developed in collaboration with leading Swiss children's hospitals, fully compliant with Medical Device Regulation (MepV) and MDR with design protection. Used in pediatric wards of hospitals.
• EasyCast Plaster Casting Table Plaster casting table for plaster room applications, developed with input from Swiss casting specialists combined with latest technology. Used in hospital casting rooms and orthopedic departments.
• Variation Treatment Chair Treatment chair that transforms into a fully functional examination and treatment couch with one button press, combining versatility with sophisticated design. Developed as a custom solution for Siloah AG. Used by medical practices and specialist clinics.
• TransChair Top Patient Transport Chair Innovative patient transport chair custom-developed for Kantonsspital St. Gallen for safe and comfortable patient transport through underground logistics corridors connecting hospital buildings.
• MEGAdrive Functional Carts Mobile functional carts for medical applications including emergency, operations, examinations, and anesthesia support, designed for versatility and reliability. Used in hospitals and clinics.
• MEGAprogress Cabinet System Cabinet system for hospitals including over 1,300 units supplied and installed at Inselspital Bern for the ESF modernization by end of 2023. Used for hospital storage and OR equipment supply.
• SwissTroll® X C-Arm and X-Ray Table Radiography and C-arm compatible stretcher with fully X-ray permeable lying surface and adjustable back sections at both ends to minimize patient repositioning. Used in radiology departments, emergency rooms, and operating theaters.
• MultiLED Examination and Operating Lights LED examination and operating lights available in various models (MultiLED 9, 12, 28, 520) for wall, ceiling, and mobile mounting configurations. Used in examination rooms, operating theaters, and emergency departments.
• HESS Hygiene Tower Hygiene tower solution for medical facilities providing hand sanitizer and hygiene stations. Used in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and care facilities for infection control.
• MultiClean® Upholstery Cleaning Agent Cleaning agent specifically formulated for artificial leather upholstery on HESS medical furniture, maintaining softness while cleaning thoroughly and disinfecting.
• HESS nach Mass Custom Manufacturing Service Custom development and manufacturing service for specialized medical furniture, chrome steel furniture, and operating room furniture tailored to customer-specific requirements, from concept through 3D modeling/prototyping to production. Used by hospitals and specialist practices with unique requirements.
• Medical Device Maintenance and Inspection Service After-sales service including maintenance, repairs, technical inspections per Medizinprodukte-Verordnung (MepV), technical training, and 24/7 emergency support. Achieves a greater than 90% first-time fix rate. Serves hospitals and medical practices.
• Medical Equipment Rental Service Rental of medical devices for events, seminars, courses, congresses, training, and short-term needs. Pricing upon consultation based on product type and duration.

Quantifiable outcome

• First Time Fix Rate >90% achieved by service department
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MEDAX AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MEDAX AG merged with HESS Medizintechnik AG in 2021, strengthening product portfolio and market position in Swiss medical furniture market.
• LIFTAC AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017HESS acquired LIFTAC AG in 2017, bringing proctology and gynecology examination table expertise in-house. LIFTAC products including ProctoGyn and radiology tables now part of HESS portfolio.
• StrykercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for Stryker products including stretchers, emergency transporters, and OR chairs since 2012.
• GREINERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for Greiner medical chairs and tables (Multiline next series, CarryLine, medseat) since 2012.
• SHDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for SHD modular room systems since 2016. Includes Lindo touchscreen control panels and hospital door systems.
• BERCHTOLDmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for Berchtold OR lights and OR tables since 2009.
• KÖGELmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for KÖGEL positioning and transport systems since 2011.
• ADEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for ADE medical scales and measuring devices since 2011.
• BLANCO Medical Care SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for BLANCO medical care systems since 2005.
• HORCHER Medical SystemsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Swiss distribution partner for HORCHER medical systems since 2006.
• Kantonsspital BadencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership described as 'a partnership for a promising future.' Kantonsspital Baden pediatric ambulatory clinic equipped with HESS products including MultiPro tables.
• Universitäts-Kinderspital Zürich (Kispi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration on pediatric hospital bed development. Kispi created comprehensive specifications; HESS developed Bambino bed meeting all requirements. Ongoing production of 40 pediatric beds for Kispi.
• Universitätsspital BaselmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Skills Lab equipped with HESS simulation tables supporting medical education and emergency training.
• Swiss Air Rescue (Rega)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom Rega transport wagon developed for safe patient transfer between helicopter landing sites and hospital facilities across varying Swiss hospital environments.
• SVOMP (Schweizerischer Verband für Orthopädische Muskuloskelettale Physiotherapie)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHESS supports SVOMP as sponsor, contributing to professional development in orthopedic musculoskeletal physiotherapy in Switzerland.
• LOPS (Leadership in Operating Room Management)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHESS participates in LOPS congress (November 2026, Davos) focused on exchange between OR management leaders.
• SAMM (Schweizerische Fortbildungsveranstaltung für Manuelle Medizin)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHESS participates in SAMM congress, one of Switzerland's largest events for primary care and musculoskeletal specialties.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AGA Sanitätsartikel: German manufacturer specializing in examination tables, treatment chairs, and medical practice furniture. Closely comparable product offering to HESS's BaseLine and MultiPro lines for medical practices and clinics.
• Stiegelmeyer: German manufacturer of hospital beds, examination and treatment furniture, and patient transport solutions. Closely comparable product mix to HESS, with similar focus on premium, durable medical furniture for hospitals and care facilities.
• Merivaara: Finnish manufacturer of operating tables, examination tables, lights, and hospital furniture. Comparable product portfolio targeting European hospitals; similar scale and mid-market positioning to HESS.
• Schaerer Medical: Swiss competitor specializing in OR tables, surgical lights, and medical procedure chairs. Overlaps with HESS in treatment tables and custom medical furniture, particularly for Swiss and European hospitals.
• Promotal: French manufacturer of examination couches, treatment chairs, and medical furniture for practices and hospitals. Comparable specialty positioning with similar customer base (physician offices, clinics) and European footprint.
• Linet Group: One of Europe's largest manufacturers of hospital beds, treatment tables, stretchers, and medical furniture. Direct competitor to HESS in examination and treatment couches, with broader product breadth and international scale.
• Favero Health Projects: Italian manufacturer of hospital furniture, examination tables, and patient room solutions. Direct peer serving European hospitals with comparable product categories including stretchers and treatment furniture.
• Novak M: Slovenian manufacturer of medical furniture, treatment and examination tables, stretchers, and hospital logistics solutions. Direct peer in product categories, competing especially on price-sensitive European tenders.

Broad incumbents

• Getinge: Global medical technology company offering surgical tables, lights, OR integration, and hospital infrastructure. Overlaps with HESS in OR tables (Berchtold distributed by HESS is a Getinge brand) and broader hospital equipment.
• Stryker: Global medical technology leader with stretcher, OR chair, and patient transport portfolios. HESS is Stryker's exclusive Swiss distribution partner but competes against it in adjacent markets; both target hospitals with patient handling and OR equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hess-medizintechnik-ag
• Facebookfacebook.com/HessMedizintechnik

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 HESS Medical Technology