AST
AST GmbH is a German industrial automation integrator and SIEMENS Solution Partner that designs, programs, and maintains SIMATIC-based control systems for plant operators and machine builders across automotive, food, chemical, plastics, and metalworking industries, also selling the proprietary TouchFLEX® touchpen line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersMetzingen, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AST does
AST GmbH Automatisierung und Steuerungstechnik, operating as AST-Metzingen, is a privately held German automation and control technology company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Metzingen, Baden-Württemberg. The company designs, programs, and maintains industrial automation systems built primarily on the SIEMENS SIMATIC platform, including S5, S7, and TIA-generation PLCs, WinCC visualization, PROFINET/PROFIBUS/AS-Interface networking, and SINAMICS drives. Its customers are industrial plant operators and machine builders across German sectors such as automotive, food and beverage, chemical and plastics, and metalworking.
AST operates four interlocking revenue streams: project-based automation engineering (electrical construction with EPLAN, software development, commissioning, plant visualization), hardware resale and module repair (sale of SIEMENS replacement components and exchange units via the SPS-Profi-shop.net web shop), ongoing plant service and maintenance including 24-hour standby and preventive contracts, and the proprietary TouchFLEX® touchpen product line (modular touchpens and holder systems for industrial touchpanels, sold via TouchFLEX-shop.de). Pricing is uniformly quote-based and not publicly disclosed; distribution is direct-to-customer with regional field service around Metzingen and project deployment capability throughout Germany.
The company has been a SIEMENS Solution Partner for Automation since 1998 (one of the first worldwide) and a WinCC Certified Specialist since 2008, supporting its positioning as a long-tenured specialist integrator rather than a scaled software platform. It is owner-managed under sole Geschäftsführer Klaus Rauscher, with no disclosed outside investment, no subsidiaries, and no public financials; the TouchFLEX® trademark is its principal intangible asset beyond human expertise.
AST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AST
- Legal name
- AST GmbH Automatisierung und Steuerungstechnik
- Website
- https://ast-metzingen.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AST GmbH is a German industrial automation integrator and SIEMENS Solution Partner that designs, programs, and maintains SIMATIC-based control systems for plant operators and machine builders across automotive, food, chemical, plastics, and metalworking industries, also selling the proprietary TouchFLEX® touchpen line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Automation Services
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial I/O, Signal Conditioning & Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) (IMAGABAD), Motion Control Components (Servos, Drives, Motors, Encoders) (IMAHAHAG)
Keywords
Where AST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Metzingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
AST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automation Project Engineering: Complete project handling from concept through software development to commissioning and maintenance. Includes technical consulting, plant design, electrical construction using EPLAN, software development for S7/TIA, and plant visualization.
- Hardware Sales: Sale of replacement components, exchange units, and new parts for SIMATIC S5/S7/HMI systems. Also includes repair services for control modules. Operates through web shop SPS-Profi-shop.net.
- Plant Service and Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance services including fault diagnosis, module replacement, repair, loan modules for bridging repairs. Offers 24h standby service, vacation coverage, and preventive maintenance.
- TouchFLEX Products: Sale of proprietary TouchFLEX touchpen products for industrial touch panels. Includes various models, holders, and accessories sold through TouchFLEX-shop.de.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
AST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AST provides industrial automation and control technology solutions centered on SIEMENS SIMATIC platforms, offering engineering services, custom hardware products (ControlBOX, ControlPANEL, TouchFLEX touchpens), and dedicated software (OnlineBDE, MMI visualizations, SPS ControlMonitor). The company delivers complete project execution from concept and electrical construction through software development, commissioning, and ongoing plant service and maintenance for industrial customers.
Product overview
AST offers a portfolio of automation hardware and software products combined with engineering services. The hardware product line includes TouchFLEX® touchpens with modular holders for touchpanel operation, ControlBOX compact controllers with integrated switch cabinets, and ControlPANEL operator tableaux. The software products include OnlineBDE for production data acquisition, MMI Basic visualization packages for SIEMENS Comfort and Classic panels (created with WinCC flexible), and SPS ControlMonitor for cycle time optimization. AST provides comprehensive services spanning engineering and electro-construction (EPLAN), switch cabinet manufacturing, software development (TIA/S7/S5/WinCC/InTouch), plant service and maintenance, and hardware supply including new parts, repairs, exchanges, and purchases. The company operates as a SIEMENS Solution Partner since 1998.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TouchFLEX®: Touch pen/ touchstift brand for professional use in industry, production and service. Includes touchpens with holders, mounting solutions, and flexible cords for touch panel operation. Active for over 15 years.
Products and services
- TouchFLEX Touchpen System Touchpen with modular holder system for operating touchpanels and touchdisplays. Features screw-mount, adhesive, 22.5mm command device adapter, and magnetic mounting options, with flexible textile or silicone cords and variants for capacitive touch technology, including vehicle-mounted versions with vibration-resistant holders. Designed for industrial production, vehicle, and hygiene-sensitive environments.
- ControlBOX Compact controller with integrated switch cabinet, available starting from 2 inputs and 2 outputs, ready-to-connect with M12 connectors in plastic housing. Supports LOGO or Easy small controllers with customizable configurations and integrated 24VDC power supply. Designed for industrial automation applications requiring a compact, pre-wired control solution.
- ControlPANEL / CompactPANEL Pre-assembled operator tableau with integrated operating buttons and terminals, with built-in operating panel or custom cutouts. Available in painted steel or stainless steel with modular configuration, short delivery times, and external interface sockets. Used for industrial machine and plant operator interfaces.
- OnlineBDE Production Data Acquisition Production data acquisition (BDE) solution using SIMATIC hardware and software components. Connects to machine controllers via S7 standard interfaces (MPI, Profibus, Profinet) without requiring program modifications, enabling access to all controller data. Display sizes from 4 to 40 inches. Designed for industrial manufacturers seeking non-intrusive production data integration.
- MMI 700/1200/1500 Basic Visualization Basic visualization software for SIEMENS Comfort Panels TP700 Comfort and TP1200 Comfort, created with WinCC flexible V13. Includes complete menu structure for standard machines with user administration, SPS status, alarm display, operating messages, and language switching.
- MMI 177/277/377 Basic Visualization Basic visualization software for SIEMENS Classic Panels TP177B/TP277/MP377, created with WinCC flexible 2008. Includes complete menu structure for standard applications, supporting legacy HMI panel deployments.
- SPS ControlMonitor Cycle time optimization tool that reads machine cycle time directly from S7 PLC clock and logs the effect of parameter settings on cycle time automatically. Used for performance analysis and optimization of S7-controlled machines.
- Engineering and Elektrokonstruktion (Electro-Construction) Technical consulting, concept development, plant engineering, EPLAN Electric P8 electro-construction, S7/TIA software development, and commissioning services for industrial automation projects. Includes macro creation, project processing, master data maintenance, and safety calculations per DIN EN ISO 13849-1.
- Switch Cabinet Manufacturing (Fertigung) Switch cabinet construction, machine installation, retrofit, and series manufacturing services for industrial automation systems.
- Plant Software Development (Anlagensoftware) Plant software development for TIA, S7, and S5 platforms including WinCC visualization, InTouch HMI-SCADA, production data acquisition, and recipe management.
- Plant Service and Maintenance (Anlagenservice) Ongoing plant service, maintenance, project data backup, maintenance contracts, hardware provision, 24h standby, and vacation replacement services for industrial automation systems. Includes EXPRESS service for emergency production stoppages.
- Hardware Supply and Spare Parts Supply of new parts, module repair, module exchange, module replacement, and module purchase services for SIEMENS S5/S7/HMI and other automation components. Distributed through SPS-Profi-shop.net web shop.
Companies that use AST
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SIEMENS AGcoreAST has been a SIEMENS Solution Partner for Automation since 1998, making it one of the first partners worldwide. The partnership provides access to SIEMENS technologies, training, and support, enabling AST to deliver SIEMENS-based automation solutions. In 2008, AST additionally qualified as a WinCC Certified Specialist within the program.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH & Co. KG: German specialist for safety-critical automation and process control systems. Comparable to AST as a privately held German engineering-led firm offering proprietary controllers, services, and long-term plant support.
- Bachmann electronic GmbH: German automation specialist providing control systems, HMI/SCADA, and engineering services for industrial machinery. Closely comparable to AST in delivering SIEMENS-/PLC-based automation solutions plus proprietary hardware.
- KBR GmbH: German system integrator and engineering firm delivering industrial automation and energy solutions. Closely comparable as a small/mid-sized German engineering company offering SIEMENS-based automation, switch cabinet, and service work.
- SIEB & MEYER AG: German specialist for drives, automation, and motion control with SIEMENS-adjacent positioning. Comparable as a mid-sized German industrial automation specialist offering engineering services, hardware, and proprietary products.
Broad incumbents
- Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG: Major German industrial automation vendor offering controllers, I/O, HMI, and engineering tooling. Competes with AST indirectly via its own PLC/automation platform and partner ecosystem.
- JUMO GmbH & Co. KG: German industrial measurement and control specialist with proprietary instrumentation and automation solutions. Overlaps with AST on measurement, control, and HMI/SCADA offerings in process industries.
- Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG: Large German industrial connectivity and automation provider with broad product portfolio and engineering services. Overlaps with AST on PLC integration, control cabinet solutions, and industrial services at greater scale.
- WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of automation, I/O, and interconnection products with engineering services. Comparable on PLC-adjacent hardware and industrial control solutions for plant operators.
- Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG: German PC-based control and automation technology provider with TwinCAT platform. Indirect competitor in the same end-market of industrial control systems and HMI/SCADA, with broader portfolio.
- Pilz GmbH & Co. KG: German automation specialist focused on safety and control systems for machinery. Comparable as a German mid-cap automation firm delivering certified engineering services plus proprietary safety hardware/software.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AST social profiles
Digital presenceAST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AST M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AST
What does AST do?
AST provides industrial automation and control technology solutions centered on SIEMENS SIMATIC platforms, offering engineering services, custom hardware products (ControlBOX, ControlPANEL, TouchFLEX touchpens), and dedicated software (OnlineBDE, MMI visualizations, SPS ControlMonitor). The company delivers complete project execution from concept and electrical construction through software development, commissioning, and ongoing plant service and maintenance for industrial customers.
Is AST a public or private company?
AST is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AST founded?
AST was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AST based?
AST is headquartered in Metzingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does AST make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Automation Project Engineering is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales, plant Service and Maintenance and touchFLEX Products.
Who are AST's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH & Co. KG, Bachmann electronic GmbH, KBR GmbH and SIEB & MEYER AG. Broad incumbents are Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, JUMO GmbH & Co. KG, Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG, WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG and Pilz GmbH & Co. KG.
Does AST have an API?
No public API is recorded for AST.
What industry is AST in?
AST's product category is Industrial Automation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAJ, Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian), with a secondary code of IMAGABAD, Industrial I/O, Signal Conditioning & Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). Its NAICS code is 3345 and its SIC code is 3823.