What ACIMEX does

ACIMEX is a French industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1971 and headquartered in Saint-Avertin, specializing in vacuum-based heavy load handling technology. The company designs and produces custom-engineered vacuum lifters, lifting grabs, segment erectors, segment trolleys, bespoke automated machines, C-hooks, and drop tables, organized into sub-brands including Metallift (steel/metallurgy up to 30T), Concretelift (concrete prefabrication up to 40T), Tunnelift (tunnel construction), Starlift (pipes/energy), Skylift (aerospace), and Autolift (industrial automation). The underlying technology exploits atmospheric pressure: pumps create vacuum between suction cup and load, generating approximately 10 tonnes of lifting force per 1 m², enabling single-operator remote-controlled pickup in roughly a quarter-second versus several minutes for mechanical alternatives, while avoiding surface damage through rubber-cup contact.

ACIMEX operates primarily as a custom-engineered solutions business: every piece of equipment is configured to customer specifications with lead times of 8-12 weeks for standard machines and 16-18 weeks for special builds, and pricing is quote-based via [email protected]. The firm sells directly through a global sales manager network to large enterprise customers across metallurgy (Arcelor Mittal, Constellium), shipbuilding/defense (Naval Group), construction (Bouygues, Vinci, Strabag), tunnel boring (NFM Technologies, Robbins), energy/pipes (PAM/Saint-Gobain), aerospace (Bombardier, Dassault, EADS, British Airways, Air France), and harbor/maritime projects. A separate e-commerce channel (shop.acimex.net) was launched in October 2024 for spare parts, and a partner-led channel distribution (Solucion E Ingenio in Mexico; cross-selling with sister companies CBE Group and APS) supports geographic reach. ACIMEX produces approximately 150 machines per year with 950 tonnes of aggregate lifting capacity, exports 70% of revenue to 66 importing countries, and operates dual manufacturing in France and China (SHAANXI ACIMEX, since 2016).

Following its acquisition by CBE Group in 2010, ACIMEX was rolled into Construx Group on July 29, 2025 - a recognized leader in precast concrete solutions with consolidated turnover of approximately €100 million and nearly 700 employees globally - giving ACIMEX access to a broader formwork, carousel and machinery ecosystem alongside Weckenmann, APS, and CBE Group.

Name

ACIMEX

Legal name

ACIMEX

Website

https://acimex.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACIMEX is a 1971-founded French industrial equipment manufacturer that designs and builds custom vacuum-based lifting systems for heavy loads in metallurgy, tunnel construction, concrete prefabrication, aerospace, energy, and maritime infrastructure; it operates from France and China and exports 70% of revenue to 66 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Lifting Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392)

SIC

Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)

akta.pro primary industry

Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN), Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Vacuum lifting equipment
• Heavy load handling
• Industrial material handling
• Tunnel segment erectors
• Vacuum lifter manufacturer

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-avertin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Heavy Lifting Equipment Sales: Design, manufacture, and sale of custom-made vacuum lifters, hydraulic/mechanical grabs, segment erectors, segment trolleys, and bespoke automated machines for heavy load handling. Equipment capacities range from 1.5T to 40T depending on application. Turnkey solutions with commissioning included.
2. Spare Parts and Replacement Components: E-commerce sales of original ACIMEX spare parts including electrovalves, seals, filters, vacuum pumps, electrical/electronic components, vacuum components, and hydraulic components through the authorized ACIMEX e-shop.
3. Maintenance Services: Preventive maintenance contracts, on-site diagnostics, corrective maintenance, and commissioning services. Warranty services for ACIMEX products maintained with original spare parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ACIMEX designs and manufactures custom-made industrial vacuum lifting equipment and heavy load handling systems for sectors including metallurgy, concrete prefabrication, tunnel construction, aerospace, energy infrastructure, harbor construction, railways, and industrial automation. The portfolio includes vacuum lifters (palonniers), lifting grabs (pinces), segment erectors, segment trolleys, bespoke automated machines, C-hooks, and drop tables with lifting capacities from 1.5T to 40T. The company operates an integrated 3D Design Office and produces approximately 150 machines per year across manufacturing facilities in France and China, supplemented by a spare parts e-commerce channel.

Product overview

ACIMEX is a French industrial lifting equipment manufacturer (founded 1971) specializing in vacuum handling technology for heavy loads. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of lifting solutions organized into product sub-brands: Metallift (steel/metallurgy applications up to 30T), Concretelift (concrete prefabrication up to 40T), Tunnelift (tunnel construction), Starlift (pipe/energy sector), Skylift (aerospace), and Autolift (industrial automation). Core products include vacuum lifters/palonniers, lifting grabs/pinces, segment erectors, segment trolleys, bespoke machines, C-hooks, and drop tables. ACIMEX operates as part of Construx Group (acquired July 2025) following CBE Group ownership since 2010, with manufacturing facilities in France (Saint-Avertin) and China. The company produces approximately 150 machines annually with lifting capacity of 950 tonnes per year, exporting to 66 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Metallift: Vacuum lifter range for handling steel plates and sheets for the steel industry
• Starlift
• Concretelift
• Tunnelift
• Skylift
• Autolift

Products and services

• Vacuum Lifters (Palonniers) Industrial vacuum lifting devices equipped with suction cups operating on atmospheric pressure principle (10 tonnes per 1 m²) to handle concrete, steel, and PVC parts with capacities up to 40 tonnes for heavy industrial operations.
• Lifting Grabs (Pinces) Mechanical, hydraulic, and specialized grabs for gripping heavy concrete loads including segments and tetrapods. Includes mechanical storage grabs, hydraulic grabs for storage and turning, and breakwater grips for maritime and tunnel construction applications.
• Segment Erectors Tunnel segment handling devices that grip, position, and deposit standard and invert segments with 360-degree rotation and maximum load capacity of 20 tonnes. Used in Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for tunnel construction projects globally.
• Segment Trolleys Lifting trolleys for gripping, rotation, and depositing of concrete segments for tunnel construction with 90-degree rotation capability and load capacity up to 20 tonnes. CE certified for European safety standards compliance.
• Bespoke Machines (Machines Spéciales) Custom automated machines designed for production line automation. Equipped with suction cups that detect weight, diameter, and size of loads. Capable of 24/7 operation with minimal operator intervention for industrial automation customers.
• C-Hooks Handling devices for moving and stacking breakwaters. Fixed to forklift trucks, bridge cranes, or stackers. Adjustable size for different concrete block dimensions, handling 4 to 35 tonnes for maritime and construction applications.
• Drop Tables Marine equipment for handling breakwaters (TETRAPOD, ACCROPODETM, ECOPODETM, CORE-LOCTM, Xbloc). Capable of moving 80 concrete blocks of 50 tonnes each per day. Fixed to excavators or cable cranes for port and dam construction projects.
• Metallift Vacuum lifters dedicated to the steel industry for handling steel plates and sheets. Features high-temperature silicone suction cups rated to 350°C for handling plates up to 30 tonnes directly from furnace without cooling delay.
• Concretelift Vacuum lifting range for prefabricated concrete parts. Includes demoulder/turning lifters, demoulder/tilting lifters, and breakwater lifters with capacities up to 40 tonnes for precast concrete element manufacturers.
• Tunnelift Tunnel construction equipment using vacuum technology with suction cups. Includes standalone storage lifters, demoulder/tilter lifters, and turn-over/storage hydraulic grippers for segment handling.
• Starlift Pipe and tube handling equipment including STARLIFT 1000 and 500 lifters, standalone nesting lifters, and wind mast handling lifters. Handles loads up to 30 tonnes for energy infrastructure projects.
• Skylift Suction cup lifting equipment for the aircraft industry. Fitted with rubber suction cups for aeronautical parts. Handles up to 5 tonnes with two separate vacuum circuits for optimum safety on high-value composite materials.
• Autolift Automated handling machines for production line automation. Uses advanced technology including optical and acoustic sensors. Operates 24/7 with minimal operator intervention for manufacturing integrators.
• Pipe Nesting Lifter Patented smart nesting tube-holder lifter for handling and nesting ductile iron pipes (DN 200 to DN 1500). Three lifter types with SWL from 1.5T to 6.5T. Used with standard excavators for pipe manipulation and nesting in water and wastewater network construction.
• ACIMEX Spare Parts E-Shop Authorized e-commerce platform for ACIMEX spare parts and replacement components including electrovalves, seals, filters, vacuum pumps, electrical/electronic components, vacuum components, and hydraulic components. 24-48 hour delivery with first order free shipping.
• Maintenance Services Preventive maintenance contracts, on-site diagnostics, corrective maintenance, and commissioning services. Warranty services for ACIMEX products maintained with original spare parts for existing customer equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vacuum handling completes in 1/4 second vs. several minutes with traditional mechanical methods
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers39 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Construx GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2025CBE Group (including ACIMEX France and ACIMEX China) joined Construx Group as of July 29, 2025. Construx is leader in formwork, carousels, and machinery for concrete industry. ACIMEX to be fully integrated and rolled out globally as benchmark for vacuum lifting technology.
• CONSTRUCCIONES URALEScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 March 2025Mexican construction company for railway rehabilitation. ACIMEX supplies specialized machines (hydraulic clamps, rail positioners) for Interoceanic Train K line and Tren Maya railway projects. Long-standing relationship with renewed trust for major infrastructure projects.
• Solucion E IngeniocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 March 2025Local representative in Mexico facilitating ACIMEX equipment deployment and customer support. Combines technical expertise with local market knowledge for successful project execution.
• WECKENMANNstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023German automation specialist integrated into Construx Group in 2023. Expert in production plants. Part of the expanded Construx Group ecosystem that ACIMEX now operates within.
• PAM (Saint-Gobain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2021Collaboration for pipe nesting vacuum lifters for ductile iron pipes DN 200-1500. ACIMEX patented the technology and developed 3 types of lifters (1.5T to 6.5T SWL) with PAM for lifting and nesting pipes in water and wastewater network construction. Joint product development for optimal pipe handling in excavations.
• SHAANXI ACIMEX Mechanical Equipment Co. LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Production unit opened in China in 2016 for closer customer proximity. Products designed in Saint-Avertin French office, manufactured in China with French quality standards.
• CBE GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Acquired ACIMEX in 2010. CBE Group is international expert in tunnel segment moulds and automated factories. Partnership allows complementary solutions on contracts - CBE provides moulds, ACIMEX provides handling equipment. ACIMEX and CBE China operational sites provide foundation for Construx Group expansion.
• EVOLIS (formerly CISMA)minorOthersProfessional organization bringing together companies designing, producing, and marketing equipment for construction, infrastructure, steel, and handling industries. ACIMEX maintains membership for industry watch on standard changes and neutral discussion forums on law, economics, and export matters.
• FEM (European Materials Handling Federation)minorOthersEuropean federation connected through EVOLIS membership. Provides access to wide network of partners operating in the materials handling field.
• MESURISstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for drop table technology. MESURIS provides POSIBLOCTM gyro-sensor for ACIMEX drop tables used in breakwater handling. World leader in positioning technology for marine construction.
• APS (Advanced Precast Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of CBE Group. Creates moulds and turnkey automated factories for concrete prefabrication of non-tunnel parts (acropodes, anti-noise walls, railway sleepers). ACIMEX provides custom lifting solutions for APS-produced concrete parts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Schmalz: German-based global market leader in vacuum automation for material handling, including vacuum lifters, cranes, and clamping systems for sheet metal, glass, wood, and packaging. Directly comparable to ACIMEX in vacuum-based industrial lifting across overlapping end-markets (steel, automotive, logistics).
• TAWI: Swedish manufacturer of vacuum lifters and crane systems for ergonomic material handling in industrial, warehouse, and logistics applications. Directly competes in vacuum lifting equipment for loads up to several hundred kilograms, though ACIMEX plays in heavier 1.5T-40T range.
• Piab: Swedish vacuum technology company producing vacuum pumps, suction cups, and vacuum-based grippers and lifting devices. Closely overlaps with ACIMEX on the vacuum-handling core technology and serves similar industrial OEMs and automation integrators.
• Anver Corporation: U.S.-based manufacturer of vacuum lifters, vacuum tube lifters, and below-hook material handling attachments. Comparable product line (vacuum-based industrial lifting) for sheet metal, panels, drums, and similar loads; smaller scale and more general industrial focus than ACIMEX.
• J. D. Neuhaus: German specialist in pneumatic and hydraulic hoists and crane systems for heavy loads in explosion-proof and harsh environments. Comparable in heavy-duty industrial lifting (steel, mining, oil & gas), though using different actuation than ACIMEX's vacuum technology.

Broad incumbents

• Konecranes: Finnish global leader in cranes, hoists, and material handling solutions across manufacturing, ports, and heavy industry. ACIMEX has worked with Konecranes as a partner on lifts, but Konecranes operates at vastly larger scale with a broader portfolio than ACIMEX's vacuum-handling niche.
• Gorbel: U.S. manufacturer of overhead cranes, hoists, and ergonomic material handling systems for industrial and warehousing applications. Broader portfolio than ACIMEX, but comparable in providing engineered lifting solutions for industrial customers.

Emerging players

• AERO-LIFT: German manufacturer of vacuum tube lifters and crane systems for industrial handling. Comparable in vacuum-based lifting technology for industrial applications, though focused on lighter loads than ACIMEX's 1.5T-40T heavy industrial range.
• Vacuworx: U.S. manufacturer of vacuum lifting systems for heavy construction materials (concrete pipes, slabs, steel plates, road plates). Comparable on vacuum-based heavy-load handling and overlaps in pipeline and concrete construction end-markets; smaller and more construction-focused than ACIMEX.

Others

• CBE Group: French parent of ACIMEX and tunnel segment mould specialist, now part of Construx Group. Complementary rather than competitive - CBE produces moulds while ACIMEX produces the handling equipment that operates on those moulds/segments - making CBE ACIMEX's closest ecosystem partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acimex-france

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ACIMEX