HSTec

What HSTec does

HSTec (legal entity CHIRON Croatia d.o.o.) is a Croatian manufacturer of high-speed motorized spindles and industrial automation solutions, headquartered in Zadar, Croatia. Founded in 1997 as a spin-off, the company employs more than 100 staff, including 25 engineers, and operates two interconnected product lines. HSM (High-Speed Motorized Spindles) covers grinding spindles up to 90,000 rpm, milling spindles up to 100 kW, lathe spindles with torque up to 500 Nm, robot-mountable spindles, and direct drives. HSA (Advanced Industrial Automation) comprises the HSR1800 universal robotic cell, 2D/3D machine vision systems, automated inspection systems, and custom hydraulic and pneumatic clamping devices. The SMART Spindle is the AI-enabled evolution of the HSM line, integrating real-time sensor monitoring of bearing temperature, vibration, and rotor speed, an active balancing system, and spindle axial thermal growth compensation to enable predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0 connectivity.

HSTec also operates an authorized representation business for global automation brands including Balluff, Bosch Rexroth, Hofmann, Wittenstein Alpha, and Mitutoyo across the Croatian market, and provides comprehensive spindle repair, redesign, and optimization services for spindles from all global manufacturers. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales from Zadar with channel partners RS Tec GmbH in Germany and Shanghai YIMO Technology Ltd. in Asia-Pacific (hstecspindle.cn). Revenue streams span one-time equipment sales (spindles, automation cells), authorized representation resale, and professional services for spindle repair and refurbishment.

In August 2022, CHIRON Group (Tuttlingen, Germany; approximately 1,900 employees) acquired 90% of HSTec, with former CEO Mladen Šarlija retaining a 10% stake and continuing as Managing Director of CHIRON Croatia d.o.o. The company serves machine tool manufacturers, CNC machine tool shops, and broader industrial automation customers across Central and Southeast Europe, with selected reach into the Asia-Pacific region.

Name

HSTec

Legal name

CHIRON Croatia d.o.o.

Website

https://hstec.hr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HSTec (CHIRON Croatia d.o.o.) designs and manufactures high-speed motorized spindles and industrial automation solutions, including the SMART Spindle and HSR1800 robotic cell, primarily serving CNC machine tool builders and industrial automation customers across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Equipment

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)

akta.pro primary industry

Spindles & High-Speed Drives (Machine Tool Spindles, High-speed Motors) (IMAGACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Motion Control Electronics & Controls (Controllers, Drivers, Feedback Interfaces) (IMAHAGAJ)

Keywords

• High-speed motorized spindles
• Industrial automation systems
• CNC machine tools
• Machine tending robots
• Spindle repair services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zadar

HQ country

Croatia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. High-Speed Motorized Spindles Sales: Design, manufacturing, and sale of high-speed motorized spindles including grinding, milling, lathe, robot machining spindles, and direct drives. Ranges from grinding spindles up to 90000 rpm to high-power milling spindles up to 100 kW.
2. Industrial Automation Solutions: Customized solutions for industrial automation including machine tending robot cells, vision systems, specialized machines for process automation, assembly and quality inspection machines.
3. Spindle Service and Repairs: Comprehensive spindle repair, redesign, and optimization services for spindles of all global manufacturers. Includes vibration analysis, high-voltage insulation testing, sensor testing, and complete refurbishment.
4. Authorized Representation Products: Sales of represented brands including Balluff sensors, Bosch Rexroth drives, Hofmann balancing solutions, Wittenstein Alpha gearboxes, and Mitutoyo measuring instruments for Croatian market.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HSTec designs, manufactures, and sells high-speed motorized spindles and industrial automation systems for the CNC machine tool industry. The HSM product line covers grinding, milling, lathe, robot machining spindles, and direct drives (up to 90,000 rpm, 100 kW). The HSA line delivers machine tending robot cells (HSR1800), 2D/3D vision systems, automated inspection systems, and customized clamping devices. Comprehensive spindle service and repair is offered for spindles from all global manufacturers.

Product overview

HSTec offers two interconnected product lines: HSM (High-Speed Motorized Spindles) and HSA (Advanced Industrial Automation). HSM encompasses a comprehensive portfolio of motorized spindles including grinding spindles (HSM050AA through HSE150SD), milling spindles (HSM070SC through HSM112SB), lathe spindles, spindles for robot machining, and direct drives—all engineered for CNC machine tools with Industry 4.0 compatibility. The SMART Spindle represents an AI-enabled evolution of the HSM line featuring real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and active balancing. HSA provides complementary industrial automation including the HSR1800 universal robotic cell for machine tending, 2D/3D vision systems, automated inspection systems, and custom clamping devices. Together, these product lines serve the machine tool industry from spindle manufacturing through complete automation solutions, supported by comprehensive spindle repair and optimization services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HSM (High-Speed Motorized Spindles): Innovative motorized spindles product line including grinding spindles, milling spindles, lathe spindles, spindles for robot machining, and direct drives.
• HSA (Advanced Industrial Automation)
• SMART Spindle
• HSR1800

Products and services

• HSM High-Speed Motorized Spindles Innovative motorized spindles for CNC machine tools, including grinding spindles (up to 90,000 rpm), milling spindles (up to 80 kW), lathe spindles (up to 500 Nm torque), spindles for robot machining, and direct drives. Designed for high-precision machining meeting Industry 4.0 standards.
• HSA Advanced Industrial Automation Advanced industrial automation solutions including machine tending robot cells (HSR1800), 2D/3D vision systems, automated workpiece measuring and inspection systems, specialized machines for process automation, assembly and quality inspection machines, and custom hydraulic/pneumatic clamping devices. Designed to meet Industry 4.0 safety and sustainability standards.
• SMART Spindle AI-enabled motorized spindle with real-time monitoring of bearing temperature, vibration, and rotor speed; integrated active balancing system; spindle axial thermal growth compensation; and communication with the machine tool control system for predictive maintenance.
• HSR1800 Universal Robotic Cell Universal robotic cell for machine tending applications with flexible pallet sizes, suitable for all turning and milling machine tool brands, featuring reach up to 2,000 mm and load capacity up to 35 kg.
• Spindle Service and Repairs Comprehensive spindle repair and optimization services for motorized, belt-driven, and direct-driven spindles from all global manufacturers, including redesign, vibration analysis, high-voltage insulation testing, sensor testing, and complete refurbishment using original spare parts.
• Authorized Representation of Automation Brands Official authorized distribution and representation of globally renowned automation and drive technology brands including Balluff (sensors), Bosch Rexroth (electric drives), Hofmann (balancing machines), Wittenstein Alpha (gearboxes, servo drives), and Mitutoyo (precision measuring instruments) for the Croatian and broader Southeast European market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Spindle speeds up to 90000 rpm for grinding applications
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• BalluffcoreTechnology or IntegrationBalluff offers high-quality and precise sensors and systems for every application and requirement, from displacement measurement and identification to object detection and fluid measurement. HSTec is authorized representative of Balluff for the Croatian market.
• Bosch RexrothcoreTechnology or IntegrationRexroth is the leading expert in electric drives and controls as well as servo drives, part of BOSCH Group. HSTec is authorized representative of Bosch Rexroth for the Croatian market.
• HofmanncoreTechnology or IntegrationHofmann provides development, production, and assembly of universal balancing machines, complex balancing systems for high-volume production as well as high-speed balancing and over-speed testing installations. HSTec represents Hofmann intelligent balancing solutions in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
• Wittenstein AlphacoreTechnology or IntegrationWittenstein Alpha develops and produces mechanical and mechatronic servo drive systems for sectors that require maximum precision. HSTec is authorized representative of Wittenstein Alpha for the Croatian market.
• MitutoyocoreTechnology or IntegrationMitutoyo is one of the world's leading manufacturers of precision measuring equipment, offering products from micrometers, calipers, and dial gauges to hardness testers, vision measuring systems, and 3D coordinate measuring machines. HSTec is authorized representative of Mitutoyo for the Croatian market.
• RS Tec GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRS Tec GmbH serves as HSTec Sales&Service representative for spindle solutions in Germany. Contact: [email protected], www.rs-tec.net
• Shanghai YIMO Technology Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShanghai YIMO Technology Ltd. serves as HSTec Sales&Service representative for spindle solutions in Asia-Pacific region. Contact: [email protected], www.hstecspindle.cn
• CHIRON GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHIRON Group, headquartered in Tuttlingen, Germany, acquired 90% of HSTec in August 2022. CHIRON Group specializes in CNC-controlled vertical milling and turning machining centers, turnkey and automation solutions, digital products and services. The acquisition strengthens CHIRON Group's spindle development, production, and assembly capabilities while HSTec benefits from engineering expertise and global presence. CHIRON Group has approximately 1,900 employees worldwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens: Major supplier of CNC controls, drives, and spindle motors under the SINUMERIK and SIMOTION platforms. Comparable to HSTec as a broader incumbent in motion control and machine tool automation.
• CHIRON Group: HSTec's 90% parent company, specializing in CNC machining centers and turnkey automation. Comparable as a parent, customer, and broader-industry incumbent in CNC machine tools and automation.
• Bosch Rexroth: Global leader in electric drives and controls, including servo drives and motion control for machine tools. Overlaps with HSTec's spindle and automation offerings through much broader portfolio and global scale.
• Fanuc: Global leader in CNC controls, servo motors, and industrial robots. Comparable to HSTec in CNC spindle motors and machine-tending robot cells, operating at much larger scale and broader scope.

Direct peers

• Weiss Spindeltechnologie: German manufacturer of high-speed spindles for grinding, milling, and special applications. Comparable to HSTec in spindle product range, precision engineering, and European CNC OEM customer base.
• IBAG Switzerland: Swiss high-frequency spindle manufacturer for milling, grinding, drilling, and boring. Directly comparable to HSTec in high-speed spindle design, custom engineering, and CNC machine tool focus.
• GMN (Paul Müller GmbH): Produces high-speed spindle technology including bearing assemblies and motorized spindles. Highly comparable to HSTec's HSM line in precision, rpm ranges, and machine tool industry customers.
• Kessler Group: Specializes in motorized spindles and motor spindles for CNC machining centers. Closely comparable to HSTec in spindle engineering, OEM customer base, and aftermarket spindle service.
• Fischer Precise Group: Manufacturer of high-speed motorized spindles, rotary tables, and machine tool components. Directly comparable to HSTec's HSM product line in spindle technology, performance range, and end customers in CNC machining.
• Step-Tec (Team Fair): Develops and produces high-speed motor spindles for the CNC machining industry. Directly comparable to HSTec in spindle products, OEM relationships, and Industry 4.0-ready spindle technologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5MsejjauspGQkJ_cOVpoSw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hstec
• Facebookfacebook.com/1345282882160884

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 HSTec