THALMANN

What THALMANN does

THALMANN Maschinenbau AG is a Swiss industrial manufacturer specializing in long folding machines (Schwenkbiegemaschinen) used to produce sheet metal profiles. Founded in 1948 by Otto Thalmann and headquartered at Hummelstrasse 15, Frauenfeld, Switzerland, the company designs, manufactures, and services machinery that folds sheet metal up to 3 mm thick across working lengths of 3.20 m to 12.00 m. Its core product line consists of three machines—the TZ Single Folder, TD Double Folder, and TC Double Folder—built around proprietary technologies including the kinetic control shaft, vertical force drive (VFD), dynamic crowning, and dynamic folding technology (DFT). All machines are complemented by a tilting touchscreen controller with 3D profile visualization, open interfaces for ERP/CAD integration (nuIT, Bendex, Sema), and modular automation add-ons (automatic sheet loading, flipping, and unloading units). Since 2022, THALMANN has operated as a subsidiary of the Swedish CIDAN Machinery Group following its acquisition, with the Frauenfeld site retained as the group's hub for long folder innovation and production.

The company's commercial model is project-based, quote-driven industrial equipment sales supported by a global distributor and agent network spanning approximately 25 countries across Europe, the Americas, Australasia, and Asia, with direct sales from Switzerland into Germany. Customers span three primary segments: small and medium-sized Spengler (metalworking), Zimmerei (carpentry), and Dachdecker (roofing) trades using the TZ line; large industrial sheet metal processors and manufacturers using the TD and TC double folders; and architectural/façade designers requiring novel profile geometries. Revenue is generated primarily from hardware sales of the machines and modular automation units, with secondary professional services revenue from training, spare parts, on-site service visits, and remote maintenance via TeamViewer and the optional M-Guard VPN platform. Through its co-development partnership with CIDAN Machinery, Forstner Coilanlagen, and nuIT Software Solutions, THALMANN also offers "The Base," a fully automated coil-to-folded-part production line targeting on-demand custom sheet metal production for construction sites, broadening the addressable market beyond traditional machine buyers. The company employs approximately 50 people at Frauenfeld and holds market-leading positions in long folding technology in Europe, the Americas, and Australasia, with a stated current focus on expanding into India, China, Korea, and Japan.

Name

THALMANN

Legal name

THALMANN Maschinenbau AG

Website

https://thalmann-ag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

THALMANN Maschinenbau AG is a Swiss manufacturer of long folding machines for sheet metal profile production, serving roofing trades, industrial sheet metal processors, and architectural/façade designers globally through a distributor network spanning ~25 countries, and operating as a subsidiary of CIDAN Machinery Group since 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Sheet Metal Folding Machinery

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

Keywords

• Sheet metal folding machines
• Long folding technology
• Industrial metalworking machinery
• Swing bending machines
• Sheet metal processing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Frauenfeld

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

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. Industrial Long Folding Machines: THALMANN manufactures and sells industrial long folding machines (Schwenkbiegemaschinen) including three core product lines: TZ Single Folder, TD Double Folder, and TC Double Folder. Machines fold sheet metal up to 3 mm thick with working lengths from 3.20 m to 12.00 m. Machines can be customized with various accessories including roll forming, slitting units, loading tables, different gripper designs, and different tool geometries. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Modular Automation Systems: THALMANN offers modular automation solutions including automatic sheet metal loading, flipping, and unloading units, as well as The Base fully automated production line developed in cooperation with CIDAN and nuIT. These are sold as optional additions or integrated solutions.
3. Service, Maintenance, and Spare Parts: THALMANN provides technical services including customer service desk support, service and maintenance visits, remote maintenance via TeamViewer and M-Guard, spare parts supply, and training packages (standard and tailored). Service is delivered through in-house technical service department and trained distributors globally.
4. Training Services: THALMANN service engineers offer standard and tailor-made training packages for workforce and designers of customers. Training is delivered on site, at the THALMANN showroom in Switzerland, or through selected distributors in regions including North America, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Australasia and Asia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

THALMANN Maschinenbau AG manufactures and sells industrial long folding machines (Schwenkbiegemaschinen) for sheet metal profile production, with three core product lines (TZ Single Folder, TD Double Folder, TC Double Folder) capable of folding sheet metal up to 3 mm thick at working lengths from 3.20 m to 12.00 m. The company also offers modular automation solutions (loading, flipping, unloading units), The Base fully automated production line (co-developed with CIDAN Machinery Group), and a proprietary machine controller system with 3D visualization. After-sales service, training, spare parts, and remote maintenance (M-Guard VPN) round out the offering.

Product overview

THALMANN Maschinenbau AG is a Swiss manufacturer of innovative long/swing folding machines (Schwenkbiegemaschinen) for sheet metal profile production. The core product portfolio consists of three main machine models: the TZ Single Folder for basic applications, the TD Double Folder for larger operations, and the TC Double Folder for high-performance heavy-duty folding. These machines are based on Thalmann's proprietary kinetic control shaft technology and vertical force drive (VFD) system. The portfolio is complemented by The Base—a fully automated production line developed with CIDAN Machinery Group that integrates slitting, cutting, and folding operations. Modular automation solutions (sheet loading, flipping, and unloading units) can be retrofitted to the machines. The company also offers a proprietary machine controller system with 3D visualization, open interfaces for ERP integration (nuIT, Bendex, Sema, CAD formats), and comprehensive service offerings including training, spare parts, and remote maintenance via TeamViewer/M-Guard.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TZ Single Folder (TZ Einfachbieger) Single folder machine based on Thalmann's kinetic control shaft technology, with working lengths from 3.20 m up to 12.00 m and a maximum insertion depth of 1250 mm. Designed for typical Spengler (metalworking), Zimmerei (carpentry), and Dachdecker (roofing) businesses, as well as architectural applications.
• TD Double Folder (TD Doppelbieger) Double folder with dynamic folding technology that folds in both directions (up and down), with capacity up to 2.50 mm at 400 N/mm². Standard lengths from 3.20 m to 12.00 m. Designed for larger Spengler, Zimmerei, and Dachdecker operations, architectural applications, and industrial manufacturing where particularly high output is required.
• TC Double Folder (TC Doppelbieger) High-performance double folder based on kinetic controlled synchronized shaft technology with dynamic folding technology, capable of folding sheet metal up to 3 mm thick at high processing speeds. Standard lengths from 3.60 m to 12.00 m. Designed for sheet metal processing companies that require precise high-performance bending.
• The Base Fully Automated Production Line Fully automated bending operation developed in cooperation with CIDAN Machinery Group (Cidan Machinery, Forstner Coilanlagen) and nuIT software solutions. Combines slitting, cutting, and folding operations in one integrated unit and does not require any manual labour other than feeding the slitter with sheet metal coils and collecting folded parts.
• Automatic Sheet Metal Loading Unit (Side Loading Device) Automatic lateral sheet metal feed unit that draws sheets into the machine from a stack or directly from an upstream de-coiling system, reducing operator time and improving efficiency. Retrofittable to newer generation machines.
• Automatic Sheet Metal Flipping Unit Automatic sheet metal flipping unit that reduces parts handling and places sheets precisely at gripper units for the next fold, simplifying manufacturing processes and improving operator safety. Retrofittable to newer generation machines.
• Automatic Sheet Metal Unloading Unit Automatic unloading unit that picks up finished sheet metal profiles, conveys them to the folded parts buffer, and makes them available for easy removal, enabling single-operator operation. Retrofittable to newer generation machines.
• Machine Controller System Intuitive machine controller with tilting and movable control panel, multifunctional touchscreen interface, 3D visualization, and profile data management. Supports data transfer via USB, LAN, Wi-Fi, barcode or QR code scanner, and open interfaces for nuIT, Bendex, Sema, and common CAD data formats.
• Service and Maintenance Technical services including customer service desk support, installations, phone and email inquiries, spare parts supply, service and maintenance visits, and on-site problem-solving for THALMANN machines.
• Training Services Standard and tailor-made training packages for customer workforce and designers, delivered on-site, at the THALMANN showroom in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, or through selected distributors in regions including North America, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Australasia, and Asia.
• Remote Maintenance (TeamViewer / M-Guard) Remote maintenance service using TeamViewer software and optional M-Guard functionality, providing a secure VPN-based link between any THALMANN machine worldwide and the Swiss service team for software updates, diagnostics, and problem resolution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Direct fixed cost reductions compared to traditional folders are often well over 50%, especially in combination with integrated sheet loading and flipping device
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CIDAN Machinery GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Swedish CIDAN Machinery Group acquired THALMANN Maschinenbau AG in 2022. The combined strengths create a sheet metal equipment manufacturer and software developer integrating all unit operations from de-coiling to folding. The acquisition marks a major step forward for both companies, creating a One-Stop-Partner for the sheet metal processing industry. THALMANN location in Switzerland remains the major hub for long folder innovation and production. The 50 employees joined the CIDAN Machinery Group.
• CIDAN Machinery Group (Cidan Machinery, Forstner, nuIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTHALMANN developed 'The Base' fully automated production line in cooperation with CIDAN Machinery Group companies: Cidan Machinery, Forstner Coilanlagen, and nuIT Software Solutions. The Base combines slitting, cutting, and folding operations in one integrated unit. nuIT software serves as the brain that simplifies and rationalizes customers' metal trim production. The group has developed a flexible, fully automated line for sheet metal trims.
• Forstner CoilanlagencoreTechnology or IntegrationForstner is part of the CIDAN Machinery Group and specializes in coil processing lines. Their coil lines are integrated into The Base automated production system developed together with THALMANN.
• nuIT Software Solutions (nu-it.at)coreTechnology or IntegrationnuIT provides the software that controls The Base automated production line. nuIT software enables customers or planners to order folded parts via the internet. Parts ordered via internet are produced instantly without manual labour or administrative activity. nuIT is based in St. Pölten, Austria.
• Metaflex (nuIT demonstration partner)minorOthersMetaflex, located at Cernystraße 3, 3105 St. Pölten, Austria, serves as the demonstration site for The Base fully automated production line. Gerhard Resch is the managing director contact.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Prima Power: Manufacturer of sheet metal fabrication machinery including panel benders, laser cutting, and integrated bending cells. Comparable to Thalmann's automated bending offering and the CIDAN 'The Base' concept.
• Salvagnini: Italian manufacturer of sheet metal processing machinery including panel benders and flexible bending/automation cells. Closely comparable to Thalmann in providing automated bending solutions to industrial sheet metal processors.
• HACO (Haco Kingsland): Belgian manufacturer of press brakes, shears, and plate processing equipment serving industrial fabricators. Comparable to Thalmann in producing bending machinery for sheet metal processors across Europe and globally.
• Durma (Durmazlar): Turkish manufacturer of press brakes, shears, and panel benders with a global distribution footprint. Overlaps with Thalmann in serving SMB and industrial sheet metal folders/benders.
• LVD Group: Belgian manufacturer of press brakes, shears, and laser cutting systems with a strong presence in sheet metal bending automation. Directly competes with Thalmann's press brake / folding machine lines.
• CIDAN Machinery Group: Swedish parent group that acquired Thalmann in 2022; produces slitting, cutting, and coil processing equipment. As the parent, it is also a strategic partner co-developing 'The Base' fully automated folding line with Thalmann.

Broad incumbents

• Bystronic: Swiss-headquartered global manufacturer of sheet metal processing equipment including laser cutting, press brake bending, and automation. Competes with Thalmann in the sheet metal bending segment while offering a far broader portfolio.
• TRUMPF: German global leader in machine tools and laser technology, including press brakes and bending automation for sheet metal. Overlaps with Thalmann in bending/folding technology for industrial sheet metal processors.
• Amada: Japanese manufacturer of sheet metal machinery including press brakes, shears, and bending automation. Serves overlapping customer segments (industrial metal fabricators, roofing/HVAC) with broader product lines.

Emerging players

• Jornen Machinery: Chinese manufacturer of press brakes and sheet metal folding/bending machines, competing primarily on price in Asia. Relevant emerging competitor to Thalmann in the long folding and bending segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thalmann-maschinenbau-ag

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 THALMANN