What COVAC does

COVAC (Covac Elektro und Automation GmbH) is a privately held German engineering company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Bautzen, Saxony. The firm specializes in industrial automation, providing end-to-end services from consulting, hardware design, and PLC programming through control cabinet construction, installation, commissioning, and after-sales service. Its engineering footprint spans water/wastewater management, biogas plants, railway technology, LPG distribution, semiconductor/photovoltaic cleanroom media supply, special machinery, and recurring electrical inspections under DGUV 3 and BetrSichV frameworks.

The company's product portfolio includes the proprietary COVAC CIRA remote alerting software, which integrates with process control systems (WinCC, PCS 7, InTouch, atvise, iFIX) to deliver voice- and SMS-based alarm notifications with self-monitoring capabilities. COVAC is a FlowChief Silver Certified Partner (since June 2025), reselling and implementing 100% web-based SCADA/process control software with native OPC UA, Modbus, and PROFINET connectivity. The technology stack covers Siemens SIMATIC S5/S7, Allen Bradley, Beckhoff, Pilz, Wago, and other major PLC platforms, alongside Siemens TIA Portal and EPlan engineering tools.

The revenue model is anchored on project-based professional services across multiple industrial verticals, supplemented by a monthly subscription for COVAC CIRA software licensing. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct project engagement, supported by the FlowChief partner network for SCADA referrals. Customers include Alstom (Bautzen/Görlitz/Czech Republic/Austria), Deutsche Bahn Werk Niesky, Sachsenmilch Leppersdorf, Mast-Jägermeister SE, Develey, Premium Aerotec, VOLVO Trucks (Sweden), and Wasserversorgung Bischofswerda. Approximately two-thirds of the 17–19 employees are university graduates, sourced through partnerships with TU Dresden and BA Bautzen.

Name

COVAC

Legal name

Covac Elektro und Automation GmbH

Website

https://covac.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COVAC is a German engineering company providing end-to-end industrial automation services — consulting, PLC programming, control cabinet construction, commissioning, and maintenance — for industrial clients in water, biogas, railway, semiconductor, food, and energy sectors, with proprietary COVAC CIRA remote alerting software and FlowChief SCADA partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Engineering

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Control System Integration & Engineering Services (Design, Commissioning, Retrofits) (IMAGABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

SCADA / Telemetry Systems (RTUs, PLCs, Communications) (EUAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Industrial automation services
• PLC programming
• SCADA process control
• Control cabinet construction
• Remote alarm software

Headquarters

HQ city

Bautzen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Project Services: Full-service automation engineering from consulting and development to project planning, hardware design, programming, manufacturing, commissioning, and after-sales service. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with industrial clients across multiple sectors.
2. COVAC CIRA Software Licensing: Remote alerting software sold as monthly subscription. Billing options include quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payment. Available as program installation for IPCs with Windows 10/11 (Pro/LTSC), compatible with common process control systems.
3. FlowChief Implementation Services: Certified partner providing complete FlowChief system implementation including consulting, engineering, programming, configuration, commissioning, training, and ongoing support.
4. Testing and Certification Services: Recurring inspections and testing services for electrical equipment (DGUV 3), explosion protection (BetrSichV), and certification services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

COVAC delivers end-to-end industrial automation engineering services — from consulting and project planning through hardware design, PLC and SCADA programming, in-house control cabinet construction, installation, commissioning, and after-sales service — across sectors such as water management, biogas, railway, food technology, semiconductor, and special machinery. The company also develops and licenses its proprietary COVAC CIRA remote alerting software, fully integrated with major process control systems for alarm notification via voice call and SMS.

Product overview

COVAC is an automation engineering company offering a portfolio of products and services for industrial automation. The core product offering includes COVAC CIRA (remote alerting software) and FlowChief (SCADA/process control software, as a certified partner). COVAC provides comprehensive services from consulting and engineering to control cabinet construction, installation, and commissioning across diverse sectors including water/wastewater, biogas, railway, chemical, food technology, and cleanroom applications. The company specializes in PLC-based automation with support for multiple hardware platforms and visualization systems, alongside specialized products like snow load sensors and recurring electrical inspections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COVAC CIRA: Controlsystem Integrated Remote Alarm - a remote alarm software fully integrated into process control systems for automatic fault notification via voice call or SMS
• FlowChief

Products and services

• COVAC CIRA Remote Alerting Software Proprietary remote alerting software fully integrated into process control systems that automatically forwards fault messages via voice call or SMS with acknowledgment reported back to the control system; includes self-monitoring of internet connectivity and provider availability. Sold as a monthly subscription for industrial plant operators.
• FlowChief SCADA Implementation Services Certified FlowChief Silver Partner delivering complete planning, implementation, configuration, commissioning, training, and ongoing support for FlowChief — a modern 100% web-based SCADA and process control software for water, wastewater, biogas and industrial automation.
• Automation Engineering Services Full-service automation engineering from concept to commissioning — including PLC programming across Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen Bradley, Pilz, Mitsubishi and other platforms; visualization (WinCC, InTouch, iFIX, atvise, FlowChief); data acquisition; and remote operation technology for industrial clients.
• Control Cabinet Construction Custom control cabinet manufacturing from conception to final inspection, including power sections, control and automation sections, and pneumatics, using EPlan Electric P8 and EPlan Cabinet for electrical documentation and design.
• Water Technology Systems Automation of drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, and reservoir facilities including pump control systems, level measurements, and radar-based non-contact measuring technology for municipal and industrial water operators.
• Biogas Plant Automation Services Programming of control technology and visualization for biogas plants including software expansion, integration of new plant components, field device delivery and installation, and remote maintenance support. Combined team experience exceeds 30 years in this domain.
• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Plant Engineering Engineering for LPG storage, filling stations and distribution depots including process control, pump and gas compressor control, gas detection systems, and compliance with BImSchG and StörfallV regulations.
• Railway Technology Systems Automation solutions for railway technology including drive technology control, electrical components, vehicle installation, and testing technology for tramways and light rail vehicles (600/750/1500 VDC), test current supplies, and customer-specific testing technology.
• Ultrapure Media Supply Systems Control systems for cleanroom technology in semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing including ultra-pure gas, specialty gas, ultra-pure chemical supply systems, gas cabinets, chemical cabinets, distribution boxes, and process vacuum systems.
• Special Machine Engineering Custom machine manufacturing including CNC machine controls (Sinumerik), welding and milling portals up to 40 meters, X-ray inspection cabinets, and Industry 4.0 assembly automation solutions.
• Recurring Electrical Inspections Recurring electrical equipment testing according to DGUV 3 regulations covering portable devices, stationary installations, and explosion protection inspections according to BetrSichV §14 and §15.
• Snow Load Sensors (Schneelastsensoren) Roof load sensors for measuring snow loads, roof loads, and accumulated water to prevent structural overload and calculate risk of roof collapse. Consultation and installation provided.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% energy reduction in continuous material compression systems (KontiPress project)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration27 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

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

• FlowChiefcoreTechnology or Integration · 24 June 2025COVAC is certified as FlowChief Silver Certified Partner, providing complete planning, implementation, and support for FlowChief systems - modern 100% web-based SCADA and process control software for water, wastewater, biogas, and industrial automation. The partnership provides access to FlowChief's scalable platform combining process visualization, historization, alarm management, reporting, and IIoT connectivity.
• Fraunhofer IKTSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in MOD-BIO-EN project (Modular High-Performance Bioenergy Plant). Fraunhofer IKTS (Dresden) is a research institution collaborating on development of container-based high-performance biogas plant with pilot deployment in real environmental conditions for exploitation of biogenic residue and waste materials.
• Rublic+Canzler GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in MOD-BIO-EN project for modular high-performance bioenergy plant development. Located in Heidenau, contributing to the consortium working on bioenergy solutions.
• Gedes e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution partner (Verein) in MOD-BIO-EN project located in Löbau. Contributing to the modular bioenergy research initiative.
• HAASE Tank GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in MOD-BIO-EN project based in Großröhrsdorf. Contributing tank and storage technology expertise to the modular bioenergy initiative.
• TU DresdenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership providing internships for automation technology students. COVAC supports engineering education and hires graduates. Strong talent pipeline from this partnership.
• BA BautzenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative university (Berufsakademie) partnership providing practical training places for automation and office technology students. Many graduates become COVAC employees.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Global industrial automation incumbent and owner of Allen Bradley, the PLC platform COVAC integrates. As a broad incumbent with deep system-integration services, Rockwell directly competes for the same enterprise customers in manufacturing and process industries.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Largest industrial automation incumbent globally and the dominant PLC/SCADA platform provider (SIMATIC S7, TIA Portal, WinCC, PCS 7). COVAC's depth on Siemens platforms makes the incumbent both a partner and the most significant competitive threat on large accounts.
• ABB: Global automation and electrification giant offering PLCs, drives, SCADA, and robotics. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same process-industry (water, energy, railway) automation projects COVAC targets.
• Phoenix Contact: German automation specialist in connection technology, controllers, and I/O systems. Comparable as a broad German automation incumbent offering overlapping industrial control hardware/software capabilities and competing for similar mid-market engineering programs.
• WAGO Kontakttechnik: German specialist in interconnection, automation, and interface electronics, including PLC and I/O products COVAC integrates. Comparable as a German Mittelstand-adjacent incumbent with overlapping automation hardware and software capabilities.
• Beckhoff Automation: German specialist in PC-based control, PLC, and drive technology. Beckhoff is one of the PLC platforms COVAC actively integrates, making it an adjacent incumbent whose technology roadmap and channel directly shape COVAC's delivery economics.

Direct peers

• HAHN Automation Group: Mid-size German automation integrator offering turnkey assembly, test, and process automation solutions across automotive, medical, and consumer goods. Closely comparable business model to COVAC: custom engineering services, multi-platform integration, and in-house control cabinet/commissioning capability.
• Teamtechnik Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH: German mid-market automation specialist focused on production and assembly automation for automotive, medical, and renewable energy sectors. Comparable to COVAC as a German engineering house delivering custom automation projects with strong domain specialization.
• ATS Automation Tooling Systems: Global automation integrator providing custom design, build, and commissioning of automated manufacturing systems. Highly comparable to COVAC's project-based, multi-vertical engineering model, though larger and publicly listed.

Others

• FlowChief GmbH: Provider of the web-based SCADA and process control platform that COVAC resells and implements as a Silver Certified Partner. Not a direct competitor but a tightly coupled ecosystem partner whose product roadmap and partner program directly affect COVAC's service offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/covac-elektro-und-automation-gmbh

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 COVAC