SMT Thermal Discoveries

What SMT Thermal Discoveries does

SMT Thermal Discoveries (legal name: SMT Maschinen- und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG) is a German manufacturer of thermal processing equipment for the electronics assembly industry, headquartered in Wertheim with production operations dating to 1987. The company designs and builds full-convection reflow soldering systems (R-Series), vacuum reflow soldering systems (V-Series) including the flagship V630 with 5 cooling zones, formic-acid-based vacuum soldering systems (F-Series) for power electronics, B-Series systems for thin and light products, and a portfolio of temperature treatment systems (T-Series, VH-Series, Cube Systems) for curing, drying, and hot/cold function testing. Core proprietary technology centers on patented thermal processing methods (Quattro Peak process, slot nozzle system), catalyst-based process gas cleaning (SMT KATalysis), the award-winning Profiling Plus energy-saving profile system, and the Calib_O2 on-site oxygen calibration software. The company holds multiple Global Technology Awards, the 2021 Productronica Innovation Award, ISO 14001:2015 certification, and was officially recognized as a German Weltmarktführer (World Market Leader) in 2025.

The business model is built on direct enterprise sales of custom-configured capital equipment, supplemented by spare parts, maintenance and service contracts, technical training, and refurbished second-hand systems. Customers are electronics manufacturers across automotive, telecommunications, IT, aerospace, medical technology, and industrial plant engineering, plus an emerging power semiconductors customer base. Revenue diversification comes from after-sales services and a 20+ year equipment lifecycle that locks customers into spare parts and maintenance streams. SMT sells directly from its Wertheim headquarters and through wholly-owned subsidiaries in China (Suzhou, established 2017) and Mexico (established 2022), complemented by channel partners across the UK, Switzerland, Czech Republic/Slovakia, and multiple Eastern European markets. The company remains privately held by the founding Ulzhöfer family under second-generation leadership (Dr. Christian Ulzhöfer, CEO), with no disclosed external investors or institutional ownership.

Name

SMT Thermal Discoveries

Legal name

SMT Maschinen- und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://smt-wertheim.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SMT Thermal Discoveries is a German family-owned manufacturer of convection reflow soldering systems, vacuum reflow ovens, and temperature treatment equipment serving electronics assembly and power semiconductor manufacturers globally from its Wertheim headquarters since 1987.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronics Assembly Equipment (Reflow & Vacuum Soldering Systems)

NAICS

Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermal Processing Equipment (Furnaces/RTP/Anneal) (HDAHAEAE)

Keywords

• Reflow soldering systems
• Vacuum soldering equipment
• Electronics assembly machinery
• Power semiconductor soldering
• Temperature treatment systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Wertheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Soldering Systems (Reflow & Vacuum): Sale of production technology for electronic assemblies including reflow soldering systems, vacuum reflow systems, and power semiconductor solutions (F-Series, B-Series, V-Series, R-Series). Core hardware revenue stream.
2. Spare Parts: Machine-related spare parts listed in maintenance schedules, fan schedules, and wiring diagrams supplied with each system. Ordered through service department.
3. Training & Professional Services: Technical training programs including SMT Soldering Training, SMT Maintenance, and specialized courses. Offered at technology center in Wertheim or on-site at customer locations.
4. Maintenance & Service Contracts: 24/7 technical support hotline, on-site service for troubleshooting/installation/commissioning/process optimization, and individual maintenance contracts.
5. Second-Hand/Used Systems: Refurbished and certified pre-owned thermal systems. All used systems are thoroughly cleaned, calibrated, and necessary parts replaced before sale.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SMT Thermal Discoveries develops and produces convection reflow soldering systems, vacuum reflow soldering systems, formic acid vacuum ovens, and temperature treatment systems for the electronics assembly industry. The portfolio spans R-Series, V-Series, F-Series, and B-Series reflow/vacuum soldering equipment plus T-Series, VH-Series, and Cube Systems for curing, drying, and hot/cold function testing. Each system is custom-configured (heating/cooling zones, conveyor width, lane configuration) with proprietary technologies including Profiling Plus, Calib_O2, SMT KATalysis, and the patented Quattro Peak® and Slot Nozzle processes. Spare parts, maintenance contracts, technical training, and refurbished used systems round out the offering, all 100% Made in Germany and engineered for 20+ year service life.

Product overview

SMT Thermal Discoveries (SMT Maschinen- und Vertriebs GmbH & Co. KG) is a German manufacturer of production technology for electronic assemblies, offering a comprehensive portfolio of thermal processing equipment. The core product lines include: R-Series reflow soldering systems with full convection technology; V-Series vacuum reflow systems for void-free soldering; F-Series formic acid vacuum ovens for power electronics; and B-Series for thin/light products. Temperature treatment is addressed through T-Series horizontal systems, VH-Series vertical systems, and Cube Systems for hot/cold function tests. The company also provides customized solutions, used equipment (2nd Hand), and software features including Profiling Plus (award-winning energy-saving profile system), Calib_O2 (oxygen calibration), and Thermal Tools (configuration software). Patented technologies include Quattro Peak® heating zones and SMT KATalysis process gas cleaning. All products are manufactured in Germany (100% Made in Germany).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Profiling Plus: Award-winning solution combining optimized air flow, individually controllable fan units, and innovative heating zone concept to eliminate changeover times and ensure continuous operation.
• SMT Quattro Peak
• SMT KATalysis
• Calib_O2

Products and services

• R-Series Reflow Soldering Systems Full convection reflow soldering systems with optimized heating zones, high convection performance, and reliable top-mounted transport system. Features fewer but larger and more powerful heating zones for efficient heat transfer, designed for SMT electronics assembly production.
• V-Series Vacuum Reflow Soldering Systems Vacuum reflow soldering systems combining convection heating with vacuum technology to avoid air inclusions. Available in various sizes including the V630 with 5 cooling zones (71cm x 85cm chamber, ~12m length, ~9t weight), described as probably the world's largest vacuum reflow soldering system.
• F-Series Formic Acid Soldering System Inline reflow vacuum soldering system using formic acid as a reducing agent to chemically remove oxides during soldering. Designed for power electronics and the semiconductor market. Uses vacuum to avoid air inclusions and operates under an intelligent safety concept with vacuum-only formic acid usage, with individually adjustable fan speeds for homogeneous heat transfer.
• B-Series Vacuum Reflow System Vacuum reflow system optimized for extremely thin and light products. Part of SMT's Power Semiconductors product area alongside the F-Series.
• T-Series Horizontal Temperature Treatment Systems Horizontal temperature treatment systems for product-specific curing and drying of adhesives, varnishes, and protective coatings, as well as temperature control for functional tests. Modular system available in 0.7m increments (configurations 210-560).
• VH-Series Vertical Temperature Treatment Systems Vertical temperature treatment systems using workpiece carriers (400x400mm or 500x500mm) with 3 or 4 zones for curing, drying, and functional tests. Features oil-free transport, minimal space requirement, and optional cooling zones.
• Cube Systems Function Test Equipment Compact temperature treatment systems for hot function tests (60°C to 155°C), cooling to room temperature, and cold function tests (-50°C to -10°C). Features small footprint, 15-second cycle capability, and automated or manual loading.
• 2nd Hand (Used/Refurbished Thermal Systems) Refurbished and certified pre-owned thermal systems. All used systems are thoroughly cleaned, calibrated, and necessary parts replaced before sale.
• Customized Thermal Solutions Customer-specific thermal solutions for soldering, curing, drying, and hot/cold function tests. Adaptations performed on both software and hardware sides.
• SMT Technical Training & Professional Services Paid technical training programs including SMT Soldering Training, SMT Maintenance, and specialized courses for vacuum technology and Thermal Tools software. Offered at the Wertheim technology center or on-site at customer locations.
• Maintenance, Spare Parts & Service Contracts 24/7 technical support hotline, on-site service for troubleshooting, installation, commissioning, and process optimization, machine-related spare parts (ordered through the service department), and individual maintenance contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% fan energy reduction with 6Hz frequency reduction (R360 system)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SystronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2027Systronics becomes new sales partner for Switzerland from end of 2027, taking over from SQC after a two-year transition period. Partnership includes service offerings alongside sales.
• SQC (Christian Vetsch)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2027SQC has been SMT's sales partner for Switzerland for over 12 years. Partnership ending at end of 2027 with smooth transition to Systronics. Both SQC and Systronics available as contacts during two-year transition period.
• ETEK Europe LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2026ETEK Europe Ltd is the new sales partner for SMT Thermal Discoveries in the UK starting June 2026. ETEK provides comprehensive support from initial sales and equipment installation through long-term maintenance and upgrades. Based at Prestwick Aerospace Park, Ayrshire, UK.
• IMT Technologies & Solutions s.r.o.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2024As of March 2024, IMT Technologies & Solutions s.r.o. is the new sales partner for SMT in Czech Republic and Slovakia. IMT handles distribution of all portfolio for reflow and vacuum ovens, temperature control, and special systems including support and service. Acquired SMT-Service s.r.o. to combine operations with locations in Košice (SK) and Valašské Meziříčí (CZ).
• DanutekcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Danutek has been SMT's sales partner for Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Croatia since end of 2020, expanded to Bulgaria and Romania as of January 1, 2022. Handles distribution of systems, spare parts, and support/service for reflow and vacuum ovens, temperature control, and special systems. This is the largest distribution partnership for SMT in Europe.
• Suzhou Industrial ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMT Suzhou established in Suzhou, China due to ideal conditions of the industrial-tech park built in 1994 and good transport connections of the city. Location provides favorable environment for Asian market expansion.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• essemtec: Swiss-based manufacturer of precision dispensing, soldering, and jetting systems for electronics manufacturing. Comparable niche Mittelstand profile to SMT and overlapping customer base in advanced packaging and power electronics.
• SEHO Systems: German manufacturer of reflow, wave, and selective soldering systems, with similar Mittelstand profile to SMT and overlapping customer base in automotive and industrial electronics manufacturing.
• Kurtz Ersa: German-based manufacturer of reflow, wave, and selective soldering systems with a comparable product portfolio to SMT's R- and V-Series. Like SMT, Ersa is a long-established Mittelstand player serving electronics manufacturing customers worldwide.
• Rehm Thermal Systems: German manufacturer of reflow soldering, vacuum soldering, and convection-based thermal process systems with direct overlap to SMT's R-, V-, and F-Series offerings. Competes head-to-head in European automotive and industrial electronics accounts.
• Heller Industries: US-based specialist in reflow soldering ovens for SMT assembly, with product lines closely comparable to SMT's R-Series. Competes in the same electronics manufacturing end markets across North America and Asia.

Broad incumbents

• ITW EAE: Division of Illinois Tool Works offering electronics assembly equipment brands (MPM, Electrovert, Vitronics Soltec) including reflow ovens comparable to SMT's R-Series, with a much larger parent and broader product portfolio.
• Panasonic Connect (SMT): Global conglomerate offering a full SMT equipment lineup including reflow ovens that compete with SMT's systems at large OEMs and EMS customers, particularly in Asia.
• ASM Assembly Systems: Large, established SMT equipment manufacturer (formerly Siemens/DEK) offering a broad portfolio including placement, printing, and reflow. Competes indirectly with SMT by offering full-line solutions to large EMS and OEM customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SMTThermalDiscoveries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smt-thermal-discoveries

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 SMT Thermal Discoveries