What Pimpel does

Pimpel GmbH is an Austrian-headquartered specialist in digital manufacturing software for CNC machining, founded in 1996 in Bruck an der Leitha and led by founder and Managing Director Ing. Friedrich Pimpel. The company's product portfolio centers on three core offerings: CHECKitB4, a digital twin platform for CNC machine tools that uses virtual CNC technology (rather than emulators) to verify NC programs, collisions, toolpaths, and machining times across Siemens, Heidenhain, and Fanuc controls; ESPRIT EDGE, a high-performance CAM software for demanding CNC processes including multi-axis, mill-turn, and Swiss-type lathes, augmented with rule-based automation modules (Automate Basic/Advanced/Customized) and a Probing App; and Siemens MACHINUM solutions (ACM, Optimize MyProgramming/3D Scanner, Run MyVirtual Machine) resold under a Siemens solution partnership.

The company operates across six European offices in Austria (Bruck an der Leitha, Scharnstein), Germany (Gladbeck, Hamburg), the Netherlands (Vleuten), and the Czech Republic (Krnov), serving CNC manufacturers in DACH, Benelux, and Central Europe. Revenue is generated through software licensing, technical consulting, training, and recurring technical support, with quote-based pricing rather than published rate cards. Customers include enterprises in tool and die (Haidlmair), precision machining (Pitmatec, BEB), agricultural technology (Pöttinger), woodworking (Weinig), and engineering services (FILL), with documented outcomes such as ~30% higher CAM process efficiency and ~20% higher productivity at named reference accounts.

Pimpel differentiates on deep, narrow CNC domain expertise accumulated over 30 years and on dual-sided partnerships with the three dominant CNC control vendors (Siemens, Heidenhain, Fanuc) and six machine tool OEMs (HERMLE, HEDELIUS, SORALUCE, Nicolás Correa, EMCO, Starrag). The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales with a consulting-led engagement model (orientation meetings, workshops, POC, project implementation), and the company has begun layering AI capabilities (ProPlanAI recommendation engine, Copilot natural-language assistant) onto the ESPRIT EDGE programming workflow. The company is privately held with no external investors, operating through two wholly-owned regional subsidiaries (Pimpel Benelux B.V., Pimpel s.r.o.) alongside the Austrian parent.

Name

Pimpel

Legal name

Pimpel GmbH

Website

https://pimpel.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pimpel GmbH provides CAD/CAM programming software, CNC digital twin verification, and postprocessor solutions to precision manufacturers in DACH, Benelux, and Czech markets, serving enterprise and mid-market CNC machining customers across tool & die, aerospace-style, woodworking, and custom part production.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CAM/CNC Manufacturing Software

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Educational Support Services (61171)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial CAD/CAM for Manufacturing (EDAOAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

CNC Machining & Programming (EDAOAGAA)

Keywords

• CAM software solutions
• CNC digital twins
• NC verification software
• CAM automation tooling
• CNC postprocessor development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruck An Der Leitha

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Sales and Licensing: Sales of software products including CHECKitB4, ESPRIT EDGE, and Siemens MACHINUM. Revenue generated from software licenses and related products.
2. Consulting Services: Technical consulting for CAM environment, machines, postprocessors, verification routines, and automation options. Includes orientation workshops, analytical workshops, POC workshops, and project implementation.
3. Training Services: CAD/CAM training with technical depth and practical relevance. Training delivered at customer site or Pimpel locations. Covers software fundamentals, CAD data preparation, tools and strategies, simulation, postprocessors, and standards.
4. Technical Support: Technical support services for CAM, CNC, and digital twins. Regional support contacts for Germany, Austria, Netherlands, and Czech Republic with service hours Monday-Thursday 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00, Friday 08:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pimpel sells CAD/CAM software, NC verification tools, digital twin platforms for CNC machine tools, and supporting consulting, training and technical support services to CNC manufacturers. Its core products are CHECKitB4 for virtual NC verification, ESPRIT EDGE for high-performance CAM programming, and Siemens MACHINUM for connected manufacturing around SINUMERIK, complemented by postprocessors, CAM automation modules and the ESPRIT EDGE API for custom solutions.

Product overview

Pimpel offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on CAM programming, NC verification, and digital twins for CNC manufacturing. The core portfolio includes CHECKitB4 (digital twin platform with modules FIRST STEP, GIANT LEAP, and Motion Player), ESPRIT EDGE CAM software, and Siemens MACHINUM solutions. Add-on modules extend ESPRIT EDGE with Automate (Basic/Advanced/Customized levels), the Probing App, and custom postprocessors. CHECKitB4 provides virtual CNC verification using real machine controls (Siemens, Heidenhain, Fanuc), while ESPRIT EDGE incorporates machine knowledge directly into programming. Pimpel has worked with ESPRIT since 1998, offering training, support, and consulting services alongside its software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CHECKitB4 Platform for digital twins of CNC machine tools enabling virtual verification of feasibility, setup situations, NC programs and machine processes before real machine time is consumed. Supports Siemens, Heidenhain and Fanuc controls and includes the modules FIRST STEP, GIANT LEAP and Motion Player.
• ESPRIT EDGE High-performance CAM software for demanding CNC processes and structured programming. Incorporates machine knowledge (axes, movements, machine capabilities) directly into the programming process and is extended by Pimpel with Automate, Probing App, postprocessors and API-based custom solutions.
• Siemens MACHINUM Portfolio of digital tools and solutions for modern connected manufacturing processes around SINUMERIK, bundling ACM (Adaptive Control & Monitoring), Optimize MyProgramming / 3D Scanner, and Run MyVirtual Machine for real-time optimization, shopfloor-oriented CNC programming and virtual CNC workplaces.
• Postprocessors for ESPRIT EDGE Custom postprocessors for specific machines, controls and NC habits, covering simple milling through to complex Swiss-type lathes, mill-turn centers, boring mills, head changes, multi-channel processes and multi-axis machines.
• CAM and CNC Consulting Technical consulting engagements covering CAM environment assessments, machine and postprocessor reviews, verification routines and automation options, delivered as orientation meetings, analytical workshops, POC workshops and project implementation.
• CAD/CAM Training CAD/CAM training with technical depth and practical relevance, covering software fundamentals, CAD data preparation, tools and strategies, simulation, postprocessors and standards, delivered at customer sites or at Pimpel locations.
• Technical Support Technical support services for CAM, CNC and digital twin environments, provided via regional support contacts in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic during defined service hours, with remote support through TeamViewer where activated by the customer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 30% higher efficiency in CAM process (FILL case)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HERMLEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for machine tool solutions. HERMLE produces high-precision machining centers.
• HEDELIUScoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for 5-axis machining centers. Machines featured in customer success videos with CHECKitB4 digital twin.
• SORALUCEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for milling, boring, and multitasking machines.
• Nicolás CorreacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for bridge-type milling machines and CNC machining centers.
• EMCOcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for CNC turning and milling machines, including turn-mill solutions.
• StarragcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partner for high-precision machining centers. Heckert machines featured in customer success cases.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationSolution partner for SINUMERIK CNC solutions including MACHINUM products: ACM, 3D Scanner, and Run MyVirtual Machine.
• HEIDENHAINcoreTechnology or IntegrationSolution partner for HEIDENHAIN CNC controls. CHECKitB4 supports virtual CNC technology for Heidenhain controls including iTNC 530, TNC 640, and TNC 7.
• FANUCcoreTechnology or IntegrationSolution partner for FANUC CNC controls. CHECKitB4 supports FANUC via CNC Guide.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ZW3D (ZWSOFT): Integrated CAD/CAM solution from ZWSOFT with growing presence in European mid-market manufacturing. Emerging competitor with overlapping CAM and postprocessor capabilities, but with a less established footprint than the major incumbents.

Direct peers

• Tebis AG: German-headquartered CAM vendor specializing in automated CNC programming, postprocessors, and digital process chains for tool/mold/machining manufacturers. Tebis is a direct competitor to Pimpel/ESPRIT EDGE in DACH, with similar focus on CAM automation and templated programming for part families.
• CNC Software (Mastercam): One of the world's most widely installed CAM packages, with extensive reseller and training networks. Competes with Pimpel's ESPRIT EDGE offering across CNC milling, turning, and mill-turn, particularly in mid-market job shops.
• DP Technology (ESPRIT): Developer of ESPRIT CAM, the platform Pimpel distributes and extends. DP Technology is the closest peer because Pimpel is fundamentally built around ESPRIT EDGE, with overlapping customer base (CNC manufacturers) and product category (CAM programming, postprocessors, digital manufacturing).
• Missler Software (TopSolid): European CAD/CAM vendor offering integrated CAD, CAM, and ERP solutions for manufacturing. Comparable to Pimpel as a complete CAM and postprocessor provider targeting mid-market manufacturers in Europe.
• CGTech (VERICUT): Developer of VERICUT NC verification and simulation software, the most widely deployed CNC verification product. Directly comparable to Pimpel's CHECKitB4, both targeting collision detection, toolpath verification, and machine simulation before physical machining.
• OPEN MIND Technologies (hyperMILL): Developer of hyperMILL CAM software with strong positions in 5-axis machining and automated programming. Direct competitor to ESPRIT EDGE in Europe, particularly in mold, aerospace, and complex 5-axis job shops where both vendors compete head-to-head.

Broad incumbents

• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Division of Hexagon AB offering EDGECAM, WORKNC, and a broad portfolio of metrology, CAD, and CAM software. A broad incumbent that overlaps with Pimpel across CAM programming and postprocessors but operates at much larger scale with bundled hardware/software offerings.
• Autodesk (Fusion 360 / FeatureCAM): Major CAD/CAM vendor offering Fusion 360 and FeatureCAM for CNC programming. Broad incumbent competing against Pimpel's CAM portfolio in cloud-based and feature-based automated programming, particularly with smaller manufacturers.
• Siemens Digital Industries Software: Developer of SINUMERIK CNC controls and NX CAM software, plus MACHINUM solutions (which Pimpel resells). Overlaps with Pimpel across CAM, NC verification, and digital twins but as part of a much broader PLM/CAD/CAM portfolio with global scale.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Pimpel