Behncke

What Behncke does

Behncke GmbH is a privately held German industrial electrical engineering group headquartered in Hannover, founded in 1920 and operating through four wholly owned subsidiaries: Elektrowerk Hannover Behncke Maschinenbau GmbH (electrical machine construction, repair and maintenance up to 12 tons), Elektrowerk Hannover Behncke Motorenhandel GmbH (distribution of VEM, BEHNCKE, Innomotics and Siemens motors and frequency converters), BETRA Transformatoren Behncke GmbH (ATEX-certified explosion-protected transformers and high-voltage rectifiers for refineries and petrochemical sites), and ELPRO Elektroanlagen Behncke GmbH (electrical installation, building technology, automation, safety lighting and e-mobility charging infrastructure). The group employs more than 150 specialists, masters, technicians and engineers across these divisions and has operated internationally since the 1970s, with the BETRA division explicitly serving refineries worldwide.

The core technology base spans rotating electrical machines, transformers and power electronics: in-house winding manufacturing for DC, low-voltage and high-voltage machines; a modern test facility commissioned in February 2020 capable of testing up to 10 kV and 1000 A with automated DIN-standard procedures; dynamic balancing up to G=1 quality per ISO 1940; laser-optical shaft alignment; transformer oil analysis per DIN EN 60422; thermographic inspection using FLIR cameras; and the ToolBox 4.0 condition monitoring platform. The group holds ISO 9001 certification across all four subsidiaries and ATEX 2014/34/EU certification for BETRA's explosion-protected equipment, including PTB type testing for hazardous-area transformers.

The business model combines professional services (machine repair, field service, winding, installation, project engineering) with hardware sales (own-brand BEHNCKE three-phase motors, distributed VEM, Innomotics and Siemens motors and gearmotors, custom BETRA transformers, and a small e-shop channel). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. GTM is enterprise field sales supported by direct technical consultation, on-site service engineers, and manufacturer partnerships (VEM since 1976, Innomotics Advanced Partner, Siemens Solution Partner Drives & Motion). Customer mix spans petrochemical refineries, nuclear power plants, automotive prototyping, chemical, food, paper, cement, sugar, education and government buyers, with a 2023 EU-ESF award recognizing internal digital workforce integration.

Name

Behncke

Legal name

Behncke GmbH

Website

https://behncke.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Behncke is a privately held, 100-year-old German industrial electrical engineering group headquartered in Hannover, operating four subsidiaries that manufacture, repair and distribute electric machines, ATEX-certified explosion-protected transformers, motors (VEM, Innomotics, Siemens) and electrical installation services for refineries, power plants and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Electrical Equipment

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Motors & Generators (3621), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Voltage Electrical Systems (Switchgear, Transformers, Protection & Control) (EUAEAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH)

Keywords

• Industrial electrical engineering
• Electric machine repair
• Explosion-proof transformers
• Industrial motor distribution
• Electrical systems installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 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. Electromaschinenbau (Electrical Machine Construction): Repair, maintenance, and new manufacture of electric machines and drives. Services include repair of electrical machines up to 12 tons, servo and spindle drive repairs, on-site services, machine diagnostics, dynamic balancing, equipment and system service, winding manufacturing, and project engineering
2. Electric Motor Trading: Distribution of VEM three-phase motors, BEHNCKE three-phase motors, Innomotics motors and gearmotors, SIEMENS frequency converters. Services include consultation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of motors. Stock of several thousand motors for short-term delivery
3. Transformer Manufacturing and Service: Development, manufacturing, and maintenance of explosion-protected transformers and rectifier systems for the petrochemical industry. Includes desalter transformers, distribution transformers, high voltage rectifiers, transformer oil analysis, and thermography services
4. Electrical Systems Construction (ELPRO): Planning, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems for commercial and industrial buildings. Services include electrical energy technology, building technology, control and automation technology, safety lighting, e-mobility charging infrastructure, and thermography

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Behncke is a group of four specialized companies providing electrical engineering services and manufactured electrical equipment. The group manufactures, repairs, and maintains electric machines and drive systems (up to 12 tons), distributes three-phase motors, gearmotors, and frequency converters under own and partner brands (BEHNCKE, VEM, Innomotics/SIEMENS, SIMOGEAR), designs and builds explosion-protected transformers and high-voltage rectifiers (BETRA) for hazardous areas, and installs electrical systems for commercial and industrial buildings (ELPRO), supported by in-house testing, diagnostics, condition monitoring, and on-site field services.

Product overview

Behncke is a group of four specialized companies providing a comprehensive portfolio of electric machine products and services. The group comprises: (1) BEHNCKE Elektromaschinenbau for repair, maintenance, and manufacturing of electric machines including windings and prototypes; (2) BEHNCKE Elektromotorenhandel for distribution of motors (VEM, BEHNCKE, Innomotics/SIEMENS), gearmotors (SIMOGEAR), and frequency converters; (3) BETRA Transformatoren for explosion-protected transformers, high-voltage rectifiers, and transformer services; and (4) ELPRO Elektroanlagen for electrical installation, automation, and electromobility infrastructure. Products range from standard IE3/IE4 efficiency motors to custom explosion-protected transformers, supported by testing, diagnostic, and field services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BETRA: Explosion-proof transformers and rectifier systems for hazardous areas, petrochemical industry, and power supply for desalters/dehydrators
• ELPRO
• BEHNCKE Drehstrommotoren

Products and services

• BEHNCKE Elektromaschinenbau — Electric Machine Repair, Maintenance & Manufacture Division of Behncke Group offering repair, maintenance, and new manufacture of electric machines and drives, including repair of electrical machines up to 12 tons, servo and spindle drive repairs, on-site services, machine diagnostics, dynamic balancing, winding manufacturing, and project engineering for industrial customers.
• BEHNCKE Elektromotorenhandel — Motor & Drive Distribution Division of Behncke Group providing sales and distribution of electric motors including VEM three-phase motors, BEHNCKE motors, Innomotics/SIEMENS systems, frequency converters, and related drive technology components; includes consultation, troubleshooting, and maintenance services with a stocked inventory of several thousand motors for short-term delivery.
• BETRA Transformatoren — Explosion-Protected Transformer Manufacturing Division of Behncke Group providing development, manufacturing, and maintenance of explosion-protected transformers and rectifier systems for petrochemical and industrial applications, including desalter transformers, distribution transformers, high-voltage rectifiers, transformer oil analysis, and thermography services — certified to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
• ELPRO Elektroanlagen — Electrical Systems Installation Division of Behncke Group providing electrical installation services for commercial and industrial facilities, including energy technology, building technology, control and automation technology, safety lighting, and e-mobility charging infrastructure.
• BEHNCKE Drehstrommotoren (Three-Phase Motors) Own-brand three-phase AC motors in aluminum housing (series QS, Q2E, Q3E, Q3H, Q3HS) meeting IE3 and IE4 energy efficiency standards, available up to frame size 250 in 2, 4, and 6-pole variants.
• VEM Drehstrommotoren (Three-Phase Motors) Three-phase motors distributed as the exclusive dealer for Lower Saxony (East), available in IE3 and IE4 efficiency classes from frame sizes 56 to 400, including explosion-protected variants.
• Innomotics (SIMOTICS) Drehstrommotoren SIMOTICS three-phase motors including General-Purpose (1LE10 aluminum housing) and Severe-Duty (1LE15/16 cast iron housing) series, meeting IE3 efficiency standards with explosion-protected variants.
• SIMOGEAR Getriebemotoren von Innomotics Innomotics gear motors in spur, worm, parallel, and bevel gear configurations, compatible with standard market connection dimensions.
• SIEMENS SINAMICS Frequenzumrichter SIEMENS frequency converters for heavy-duty, pump, and ventilation applications, supported by comprehensive engineering, installation, and commissioning services.
• BETRA Ex Transformatoren (Desalter) Explosion-protected liquid-filled hermetic transformers for Zone 1 hazardous areas, available in four designs (EOX, EOXG, EOXS, EOXSG) with power ratings from 25 to 300 kVA.
• BETRA Hochspannungs-Gleichrichter (HGOX) High-voltage rectifier sets for refineries consisting of variable transformers (STOX) and high-voltage transformer/rectifiers (HGOX), ATEX-certified with power ratings 5–30 kVA.
• BETRA Verteiltransformatoren Explosion-protected distribution transformers for hazardous areas (Zone 1) with ATEX marking II 2G Ex o e II T5, liquid-filled hermetic type up to 5,000 kg total weight.
• Prüffeld-Service (Test Field Services) Modern test facility for electrical machines with testing up to 10 kV and 1000 A current, including automated testing per DIN standards, 50 Hz three-phase power 0–800 V, DC up to 550 V and 190 A, and medium voltage testing 1–10 kV at 50 Hz up to 70 A.
• ToolBox 4.0 Condition Monitoring Smart and cost-effective condition monitoring solution with automatic management of maintenance intervals based on operating hours, monitoring temperatures, vibrations, speeds, fill levels, differential pressures, torques, humidity, forces, positions, and operating hours.
• Thermografie-Service Thermographic inspection services using high-sensitivity infrared cameras (FLIR Systems, -40°C to +500°C range) for detecting anomalies in transformers and electrical equipment during operation.
• Öl-Analyse (Transformer Oil Analysis) Laboratory analysis of insulating transformer oil according to DIN EN 60422 standards, recommended every 2 to 6 years for damage prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 years of continuous operation since 1920
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VEMcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1976Since 1976, Behncke has been appointed by VEM as their territorial representative (Gebietsvertretung) in Lower Saxony (East). They are a VEM Service Partner and distribute VEM three-phase motors worldwide while providing consultation, troubleshooting, and maintenance services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: ABB is a global leader in motors, drives, transformers, and electrical products for industrial customers. ABB competes with all four Behncke divisions - motors, transformers, electrical installation, and service - in large industrial accounts throughout Germany.
• Siemens AG: Siemens is a broad industrial conglomerate spanning drives, motors (now under Innomotics), transformers, automation, and electrical installation - Behncke is both a Siemens Solution Partner for Drives & Motion and competes with the Siemens portfolio in regional Hannover industrial accounts.
• Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric offers industrial motors, drives, power distribution, and electrical installation products that overlap with Behncke's portfolio, particularly in industrial building technology and motor trading. Strong direct competition in industrial electrification projects.

Direct peers

• VEM Sachsenwerk: VEM is the German three-phase motor manufacturer for which Behncke has held the exclusive Lower Saxony (East) territorial representation since 1976. Behncke's motor trading business and service-partner status mirror VEM's own distribution model in other German regions.
• Trench Group: Trench specializes in coils, instrument transformers, and power-quality components used in high-voltage and industrial applications. Comparable to BETRA's specialized transformer offerings for harsh-environment and industrial-power customers.
• Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen (MR): MR is a global specialist in transformer power control (on-load tap-changers) and related transformer components used by utilities and industrial transformer manufacturers. Overlaps with BETRA's transformer manufacturing and service capability for industrial customers.
• BLOCK Transformatoren-Elektronik GmbH: BLOCK manufactures control, safety, and power transformers for industrial applications - directly comparable to BETRA's explosion-protected and distribution transformer portfolio for industrial and hazardous-area customers.
• Innomotics: Innomotics is the Siemens-carved-out global motors and large-drives business; Behncke is an 'Innomotics Advanced Partner' and distributes SIMOTICS three-phase motors and SIMOGEAR gearmotors. Behncke's own BEHNCKE-Drehstrommotoren brand competes in adjacent IE3/IE4 SKUs.

Others

• WAGO Kontakttechnik: WAGO provides electrical interconnection, automation, and interface electronics that are commonly specified alongside Behncke ELPRO electrical installation work in industrial building and automation projects. Adjacent enabling vendor rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Elektro-Maschinenbau-Service GmbH & Co. KG (regional motor repair shops): Mid-sized German regional motor and winding repair shops compete directly with Behncke's Elektromaschinenbau division for industrial rewinding, servo/spindle repair, and on-site service work in their respective German regions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BehnckeGruppeHannover
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/behncke-gruppe
• Instagraminstagram.com/behnckegruppe

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Behncke