ETU

What ETU does

ETU Automation & Robotik GmbH is a privately held German industrial automation integrator and engineering services firm headquartered in Schopfheim, Germany, founded in 1989. The company delivers end-to-end projects across electrical automation, mechatronics, EMSR/control cabinet construction, special machine construction, and robotics integration, serving customers in automotive, pharmaceutical/chemical/food, electronics, energy/environmental technology, and machine and plant engineering. Its operating model is full-lifecycle: concept and specification, software development, electrical and mechanical design, control cabinet fabrication, assembly, commissioning, and long-term maintenance/remote support, with activity-based selling through named engineering and sales contacts.

The technology stack is broad and vendor-independent: EPLAN for electrical CAD, Siemens TIA/WinCC and PCS7, B&R Automation Studio, Beckhoff TwinCAT, Rockwell Studio 5000, and COPA-DATA Zenon for PLC/HMI/SCADA; Autodesk Inventor/AutoCAD for mechanical 3D; and Machineering's Industrial Physics for digital twin and virtual commissioning. ETU holds the UL508A Panel Shop listing (NITW.E526404) and the NRBX listing for hazardous-location panels (NRBX.E527084), ISO 9001:2015 certification, and the BSFZ seal for in-house R&D (with multiple government Forschungszulage grants awarded in 2024). It is a Certified System Integrator of Universal Robots and partners with KUKA, Siemens, EPLAN, Festo, SCHUNK, Autodesk, B&R, COPA-DATA, Beckhoff, Rockwell, and Machineering.

Revenue is generated primarily through project-based professional services and hardware (control cabinets, special machines, robot cells), supplemented by recurring managed services (repair, maintenance, spare parts, remote maintenance). Pricing is quotation-based per engagement; no self-serve, e-commerce, or marketplace channel exists. Customers are enterprise industrial buyers, concentrated in Germany with international delivery capability for UL-listed control panels. The company maintains a dedicated robotics sub-brand, ETU ROBOTICS, and an active job board, with academic and vocational partnerships (DHBW, Gewerbeschule) supporting its talent pipeline.

Name

ETU

Legal name

ETU Automation & Robotik GmbH

Website

https://etugmbh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ETU Automation & Robotik GmbH is a privately held German industrial automation integrator (founded 1989, Schopfheim) delivering end-to-end electrical automation, EMSR/control cabinet construction, special machine, and robotics projects for enterprise customers in automotive, pharmaceutical, electronics, energy, and machine-building sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Engineering

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

Keywords

• Industrial automation engineering
• Control cabinet construction
• Special machine construction
• Robotics integration services
• PLC HMI programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Schopfheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering & Project Services: Full-lifecycle engineering services from concept, specification, and project management through commissioning and support. Revenue is project-based and typically one-time per engagement, with repeat business from long-term client relationships.
2. Control Cabinet / EMSR Construction: Design, fabrication, and delivery of control cabinets, power cabinets, and measurement/control systems including UL508A-certified panels. Revenue is project-based and can include repeat orders from existing clients.
3. Special Machine & Robot System Sales: Delivery of custom special-purpose machines, robot cells, and turnkey automation systems including the iCUBE soldering cell. Revenue is typically one-time project-based with full system delivery.
4. Maintenance, Repair & Remote Support: Ongoing service contracts covering repair, maintenance, spare parts supply, and remote maintenance for installed systems. Provides recurring revenue from existing installed base.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ETU Automation & Robotik GmbH delivers end-to-end industrial automation engineering services including electrical automation, mechatronics, control cabinet construction (EMSR / UL508A), special machine construction, and robotics integration as a Certified System Integrator of Universal Robots. The firm operates as a system- and manufacturer-independent industrial development partner providing turnkey delivery from concept and engineering through fabrication, assembly, programming, commissioning, validation (incl. GMP/GAMP 5/CSV), and ongoing maintenance / remote support for customers in automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, food, electronics, energy, and environmental technology industries.

Product overview

ETU Automation & Robotik GmbH is an industrial development partner offering comprehensive services for electrical automation, mechatronics, control cabinet construction (EMSR), and special machine construction with robotics. Their portfolio spans the entire project lifecycle from engineering and software development to electrical/mechanical construction, assembly, and commissioning. They provide both individual services and complete turnkey solutions from a single source. Key offerings include control cabinet construction, automation solutions, robot integration (especially as a Certified System Integrator of Universal Robots), and testing equipment construction, serving industries such as automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, food, energy, electronics, and environmental technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ETU ROBOTICS: Dedicated robotics division offering robot solutions, including as Certified System Integrator (CSI) of Universal Robots and KUKA robots.

Products and services

• Industrial Automation Engineering Services End-to-end electrical automation and mechatronics engineering services spanning concept, programming, commissioning, and ongoing support for industrial customers. Includes PLC, HMI, CNC, SCADA, robot, and drive engineering across vendor platforms.
• Control Cabinet Construction (EMSR / UL508A) Design, engineering, and assembly of EMSR (Elektro-, Mess-, Steuer- und Regelungstechnik) control cabinets with UL508A certification and NRBX hazardous-location certification, manufactured in-house for domestic and international export customers.
• Special Machine Construction Design, engineering, fabrication, and assembly of customer-specific special machines and mechatronic systems for production environments where catalog equipment does not fit, underpinned by in-house BSFZ-recognized R&D.
• Robotics Integration (ETU ROBOTICS) Vendor-neutral robotics integration services covering robot cells, human-robot collaboration, and pick-and-place applications, delivered as a Certified System Integrator of Universal Robots and as an integrator of KUKA robots.
• Testing Equipment Construction Design and construction of high-precision testing and measurement equipment for production and laboratory applications in the automotive, energy, and environmental technology sectors.
• iCUBE Soldering Test Cell A custom-developed automated soldering test cell used for ramp-up automation in electronics production, addressing manual soldering throughput and quality challenges.
• Energy Monitoring Software (ISO 50001) Proprietary in-house developed software for monitoring and managing energy consumption in line with ISO 50001, used by ETU internally and deployed for customers pursuing energy management compliance.
• Maintenance, Repair & Remote Support Services After-sales lifecycle services including breakdown response, planned maintenance, and remote support for delivered automation systems, control cabinets, special machines, and robot cells.
• Pharmaceutical Validation & Documentation Services Specialized documentation and validation services aligned with GMP, GAMP 5, and CSV for automation projects in pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturing environments.
• Retrofit Services Retrofit and modernization of existing production machines and equipment for industrial and plant operators, often replacing obsolete control systems with modern PLC/HMI stacks and integrating NRBX-certified hazardous-location components where required.

Quantifiable outcome

• Government research subsidies awarded for multiple R&D projects in 2024 (BSFZ)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and minor.

• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or IntegrationETU is a Certified System Integrator (CSI) of Universal Robots, authorised to design, program, and deploy cobot solutions using Universal Robots' E-Series and other platforms. This partnership is a core element of ETU's robotics service offering.
• KUKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationETU has a strong partnership with KUKA covering industrial robots including KR CYBERTECH, SCARA, and DELTA robots. ETU's programmers develop solutions using KUKA's System Software (KSS), complementing the UR partnership for complete robotics coverage.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationSiemens is shown as a partner logo, indicating technology and product integration. ETU uses Siemens automation platforms including TIA, WinCC, and PCS7 for PLC/HMI and process control solutions.
• EPLANcoreTechnology or IntegrationEPLAN is a technology partner whose CAD software (EPLAN Electric P8, EPLAN Fluid) is a core tool in ETU's electrical and fluid engineering workflow. ETU uses EPLAN for electrical construction, 3D control cabinet layout (digital twin), and ERP integration for material procurement.
• FestostandardTechnology or IntegrationFesto is a partner shown via logo, indicating ETU uses Festo components (pneumatic and electric automation technology) in its automation systems.
• SCHUNKstandardTechnology or IntegrationSCHUNK is a partner via logo, indicating ETU integrates SCHUNK gripping systems, clamping technology, and robot accessories in its automation and robotics solutions.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL Germany)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerETU is a UL-certified and listed partner in the UL508A Panel Shop Programme (NITW.E526404) and the Hazardous Locations Panel Shop (NRBX.E527084). UL certifies ETU's control panel manufacturing against North American safety standards.
• Autodesk (Inventor)coreTechnology or IntegrationETU uses Autodesk Inventor for mechanical 3D construction and AutoCAD for 2D drawings, enabling full digital design of test equipment, fixtures, special machines, and robot cells.
• B&R (Automation Studio)standardTechnology or IntegrationETU integrates B&R Automation Studio as one of its manufacturer-independent PLC/HMI platforms, complementing Siemens, Beckhoff, Rockwell, and COPA-DATA Zenon options.
• COPA-DATA (Zenon)standardTechnology or IntegrationETU uses COPA-DATA Zenon as a manufacturer-independent HMI/SCADA software platform for visualisation and process control across machines and plants.
• Beckhoff (TwinCAT)standardTechnology or IntegrationETU integrates Beckhoff TwinCAT as one of its manufacturer-independent automation platforms alongside Siemens, B&R, and Rockwell solutions.
• Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000)standardTechnology or IntegrationETU integrates Rockwell Studio 5000 as one of its manufacturer-independent PLC/HMI platforms, expanding its multi-vendor automation capabilities.
• Machineering (Industrial Physics)standardTechnology or IntegrationETU uses Machineering's Industrial Physics simulation software to create digital twin models and enable virtual commissioning of automation systems before physical build.
• DHBW (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg)minorOthersETU collaborates with DHBW as a dual education partner, likely hosting students for practical training in automation engineering.
• WVIB ( Wirtschaftsverband Burg )minorOthersETU is a member of WVIB, a regional business association in the Black Forest region of Germany, supporting networking and industry advocacy.
• Gewerbeschule (Trade School)minorOthersETU collaborates with local trade/vocational schools for training and education partnerships, likely related to apprenticeships and technical workforce development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Festo AG & Co. KG: Global automation components and solutions incumbent (pneumatic/electric). Comparable because Festo sells deep into the same automation stack and customer base ETU integrates into, even though ETU sources from rather than competes with Festo in components.
• Bosch Rexroth AG: Major factory automation and motion-control incumbent. Comparable in factory automation cells and integrated systems where ETU operates, though at far larger scale and with broader product IP.
• Siemens AG (Digital Industries): Massive incumbent in industrial automation (TIA, WinCC, PCS7) used by ETU as core technology. Comparable because Siemens' own SI arm occasionally competes with ETU on large pharma/automotive programs, and it sets the platform standard ETU integrates against.
• ABB Ltd: Global automation and robotics incumbent post-B&R acquisition. Comparable on broad industrial automation, drives/servo, and robotics integration — the same scope ETU addresses with smaller, more customized delivery.

Others

• Beckhoff Automation GmbH: TwinCAT PC-based control platform used by ETU as one of its multi-vendor PLC/HMI stacks. Comparable because Beckhoff's openness creates SI-friendly integration opportunities in the same customer base ETU serves.

Direct peers

• Hahn Automation GmbH: Germany-based system integrator building custom assembly and special-purpose machinery for automotive, pharma, and consumer goods. Comparable because it competes head-to-head with ETU for the same enterprise special-machine and automation integration projects in Germany.
• Heitec AG: German automation systems integrator and special machine builder serving automotive, electronics, and medical customers. Like ETU, it offers full-lifecycle automation from engineering through commissioning and is a comparable size-and-scope competitor.
• Gerhard Schubert GmbH (Schubert Group): Family-owned German packaging and automation machinery specialist with deep FMCG and pharma overlap. Directly comparable on turnkey special-machine delivery and modular automation architecture.
• IMA Körber Pharma (IMA Group): Global leader in pharmaceutical process and packaging machinery. Comparable because it overlaps with ETU's pharma process automation work, including GMP/GAMP-compliant integration, which is one of ETU's strongest verticals.

Emerging players

• KUKA AG: Industrial robot OEM and growing systems integrator with strong coverage of KR CYBERTECH, SCARA, and DELTA robots — the same families ETU integrates. Functions as both ETU's partner and adjacent competitor as KUKA expands SI services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrgDfg0Xy9Q82eJUpLAwzHw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ETUDeutsch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/etugmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/etu_gmbh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ETU