IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau

What IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau does

IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau AG, rebranding to ISTinox AG effective January 1, 2026, is a privately held Swiss stainless-steel plant engineering firm founded in 1975 and headquartered in Thun-Gwatt, Switzerland. The company operates as a general contractor for turnkey process plant solutions — covering planning, production, assembly, and commissioning — with three service lines: plant and apparatus engineering, pipeline construction, and tank construction, complemented by its proprietary AGES (Aircraft Ground Energy System) platform for airport pre-conditioned air (PCA) supply. AGES is positioned as the world's first integrated complete GSE system and comprises five patented or proprietary sub-components: the DXi PCA cooling device, stainless-steel telescopic tubes, the patented automated hose reel, the SPS-controlled Elephantino hose funnel, and fiberglass aircraft couplings.

The firm serves six primary verticals — pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, chemicals, water supply, energy, and infrastructure/transportation — with named reference customers including Zurich Airport, Frankfurt Airport (24-position Terminal 3 deployment), and Munich Airport. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with project-based, quote-priced contracts; revenue streams are characterized as one-time project deliveries rather than recurring licenses or SaaS. The business model rests on a deep certification stack (PED 2014/68/EU, EN 3834-3, AD 2000, SVTI, ATEX, GMP, FDA) and a workforce of certified welders that creates a regulatory moat for regulated-industry customers. The leadership team comprises founder Kurt Zimmermann, CEO Andrea Zimmermann, and COO Frédéric Lorenz, supported by a small named management cohort across engineering, workshop, and administrative functions.

Revenue, headcount, and ownership structure are not publicly disclosed. There is no evidence of external venture investment, public listing, or AI/ML capabilities in the product or operations stack; the technology differentiators are mechanical engineering and welding工艺 (craftsmanship) rather than software or data.

Name

IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau

Legal name

IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau AG

Website

https://istinox.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISTinox AG (formerly IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau AG) is a Swiss stainless-steel plant engineering firm founded in 1975 that designs, manufactures, and installs turnkey process plants, pipelines, tanks, and proprietary PCA airport ground support equipment for pharmaceutical, food, chemical, water, energy, and aviation customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Thun

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plant and Apparatus Engineering: Turnkey systems delivered as general contractor: planning, production, assembly and commissioning of process plants. Project-based revenue with complete responsibility from concept to handover.
2. Pipeline Construction: Custom stainless steel piping systems for various media (water, milk, chocolate, hydrogen peroxide). Supply and installation of complete pipeline systems.
3. Tank Construction: Custom tank systems for solvents, acids and other liquid media. Realization of complete tank farms with highest safety and quality standards.
4. Airport Systems (GSE/PCA): Integrated Aircraft Ground Energy Systems (AGES) including PCA devices, telescopic tubes, hose reels, hose funnels, and aircraft couplings for airport ground support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau AG (rebranding to ISTinox AG) is a Swiss stainless steel and Duplex process plant engineering company that designs, manufactures, assembles, and commissions custom turnkey process plants, pipeline systems, tank farms, and integrated airport ground support equipment (AGES/PCA systems) for pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemical, water, energy, and airport infrastructure clients. It operates as a general contractor, providing complete solutions from planning through commissioning under one contractual responsibility.

Product overview

ISTinox AG (formerly IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau AG, rebranding effective January 1, 2026) is a Swiss stainless steel plant engineering company founded in 1975, operating as a general contractor for complete process plant solutions. The core product platform is AGES (Aircraft Ground Energy System) - the world's first integrated GSE system for pre-conditioned air (PCA) supply to aircraft on the ground. AGES comprises five specialized sub-products: the DXi PCA device (innovative cooling unit), PCA telescopic tube (insulated double-shell tube), PCA hose funnel branded 'Elephantino' (SPS-controlled hose length system), PCA hose reel (patented automated system), and PCA aircraft coupling (automatic sealing mechanism). Supporting services include plant and apparatus engineering (turnkey systems from planning to commissioning), pipeline construction (stainless steel piping systems for various media), and tank construction (tank farms for liquids). The company serves regulated industries including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, chemicals, water supplies, energy, and airport infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plant and Apparatus Engineering Services Turnkey process plant delivery as general contractor, covering planning, production, assembly, and commissioning of process plants for industrial clients. Ensures adherence to deadlines, cost control, and optimum quality across diverse process applications.
• Pipeline Construction Services Custom stainless steel piping systems for water, milk, chocolate, hydrogen peroxide, and other media, meeting the highest hygiene and quality standards and tailored to specific process plants. Uses T-Drill collar technology to reduce fittings and weld seams.
• Tank Construction Services Custom tank systems for solvents, acids, and other liquid media, including complete tank farm realization with the highest safety and quality standards. Certified to SVTI, PED 2014/68/EU, and ATEX regulations.
• AGES - Aircraft Ground Energy System Integrated complete ground support equipment system for power and air conditioning (PCA / Pre-conditioned Air) supply to aircraft on the ground. Includes PCA devices, telescopic tubes, hose reels, hose funnels, and aircraft couplings, based on decades of operational experience at major European airports.
• ISTinox DXi PCA Device Innovative PCA cooling device providing constant cooling capacity up to 18,000 kg/h, designed for all aircraft types including Boeing 747-8. Features two independent cooling circuits for continuous cooling during de-icing, demand-controlled defrost cycles, constant outlet temperature below 5.5°C, and operation between +50°C and -30°C.
• ISTinox PCA Telescopic Tube 2-fold or 3-fold telescoping, insulated double-shell stainless steel tube for PCA supply. Self-supporting construction adapts to axial and lateral movements of passenger boarding bridges, with temperature resistance from -40°C to +80°C, minimal pressure loss, and special sandwich insulation for maximum energy efficiency.
• ISTinox PCA Hose Reel Patented automated stainless steel hose reel that replaces manual rolling with a fully automatic, user-friendly system for handling heavy PCA hoses. Controlled via Siemens SPS, operable by remote control at the aircraft connection, with robust stainless steel construction and an axially arranged rotary seal minimizing pressure loss.
• ISTinox PCA Hose Funnel (Elephantino) SPS-controlled stainless steel hose funnel system providing exactly the required hose length per aircraft type, minimizing pressure losses, damage, and unnecessary costs by avoiding kinks and trip hazards. Extends hose service life and improves ergonomics of pre-conditioned air supply.
• ISTinox PCA Aircraft Coupling Robust aircraft coupling for PCA systems with automatic sealing via spring pressure mechanism. Fiberglass construction with stainless steel flange compensates for different flange thicknesses, seals reliably and protects the sensitive seal. Features ergonomic handles, optional swivel joint, and temperature resistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in fuel consumption for APU operation through AGES systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MountaircoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-term partnership with Mountair for developing and manufacturing core climate equipment for PCA systems. Mountair, like IST, represents true Swiss craftsmanship. The climate equipment is manufactured with utmost care and precision, meeting highest demands for energy efficiency and reliability. This partnership enables innovative system solutions with clear Swiss quality - from development through production to maintenance and support.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SPX Flow: US-based process equipment manufacturer with brands including APV and Gerstenberg Schroder serving food, beverage, and pharma. Overlaps with IST's process plant and pipeline construction business for similar end customers.
• GEA Group: Large German process technology and plant engineering company serving food, beverage, dairy, and pharma industries. Overlaps with IST's stainless steel process plant and hygienic pipeline construction business for these verticals.
• Alfa Laval: Swedish multinational specializing in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling equipment with stainless steel fabrication for food, dairy, and pharma process industries. Comparable in stainless steel hygienic process equipment.
• JBT AeroTech: Division of JBT Corporation providing airport ground support equipment including PCA, GPUs, deicers, and cargo systems. Larger, diversified incumbent competing broadly in the airport GSE space.
• TLD Group: Major global airport ground support equipment manufacturer with a broad product portfolio including tractors, belt loaders, GPUs, and PCA systems. Larger, diversified incumbent in the same airport GSE category as IST.

Direct peers

• Guinault: French manufacturer of aircraft ground support equipment including PCA systems and ground power units. Directly competes with IST's AGES product line in the airport GSE/PCA niche with comparable PCA offerings.
• ITW GSE: Danish-headquartered manufacturer of airport ground support equipment including 400Hz ground power and PCA systems. Direct peer competing in the airport PCA/GPU equipment market served by IST.
• Ziemann Holvrieka: German company specializing in stainless steel tank construction and brewing/beverage process plants. Direct peer for IST's tank construction and food/beverage plant engineering services.
• Mueller: US-based manufacturer of stainless steel tanks and process equipment for food, beverage, and chemical industries. Direct peer in custom stainless steel tank and process equipment fabrication.
• FrigorTec: German manufacturer specializing in aircraft pre-conditioned air (PCA) and air conditioning solutions for airports. Direct peer in the airport PCA equipment category with overlapping product scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/istinox

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 IST-Edelstahl-Anlagenbau