Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology

What Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology does

Hilger u. Kern GmbH, operating under the Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology brand, is a family-owned German industrial technology distributor founded in 1927 and headquartered at Käfertaler Straße 253 in Mannheim. The legal entity operates as part of the broader Hilger & Kern Group, which employs approximately 350 people across branches and distributors in more than 40 countries. The subsidiary's described mandate within the group is the supply of industrial electronics, electronic brake units, measurement devices, and detection probes to the machine and plant construction sector.

The company's product portfolio sits across three engineering pillars: drive technology (V-belts, timing belts, V-ribbed belts, round belts, tension rollers, timing belt pulleys, couplings, gearboxes, linear guides, and vibration dampers), measurement and diagnostic instruments (the own-brand TRUMMETER® belt tension meter, LEAK-DETECT® ultrasonic compressed-air leak detector, VSHOOTER+® ISO 10816-compliant vibration analysis camera, T°SHOOTER® FLIR LEPTON 3.5 thermal contour camera, HK Härteprüfer Shore A hardness tester, frenomat 2 and frenostat 2000 electronic brake units for three-phase motors, plus third-party diagnostic instruments from Betex, Synergys, ContiTech, Optibelt, Gates, HIWIN, KTR, Redex, Sedis, Wippermann, Hutchinson, BEHAbelt, BRECO, and Schlatterer Esband), and custom fabrication services including Sonderanfertigung belts and polyurethane timing belt welding via the TSG device. Items range in price from €0.43 rubber buffers to €3,880 for the LEAKSHOOTER V3+ PRO thermal-camera leak detector.

The business model is a direct-to-customer B2B e-commerce shop targeting trade professionals (Gewerbetreibende), with self-service account registration, online product configuration for complex items, inquiry forms for custom solutions, and direct purchase. Pricing is per-unit with publicly disclosed prices excluding VAT, 14-day payment terms, free shipping for orders over €60, and same/next-day dispatch for stock orders placed before noon. Revenue comes from one-time product sales (own-brand and partner-brand), custom fabrication, and technical consulting. Management comprises Managing Directors Steffen Knaus and Daniel Geier, with Frank Pörschke responsible for editorial content.

Name

Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology

Legal name

Hilger u. Kern GmbH

Website

https://hilger-kern.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hilger u. Kern Industrietechnik is a 1927-founded family-owned B2B e-commerce distributor in Mannheim, Germany, supplying drive technology components (V-belts, timing belts, tension rollers, couplings), own-brand diagnostic instruments (TRUMMETER®, LEAK-DETECT®, VSHOOTER+®), and custom belt fabrication services to machine and plant construction trade professionals across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Drive Technology Distribution

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Test, Measurement & Calibration Equipment Manufacturing Services (ATE, DAQ, metrology electronics) (IMAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Shock, Vibration & Tilt Monitoring Devices (Impact Indicators, Data Loggers) (IMALAFAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial drive technology
• Belt tension measurement
• Leak detection equipment
• Vibration damping components
• Industrial measurement instruments

Headquarters

HQ city

Mannheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: One-time sale of industrial components including belt tension meters, measurement devices, V-belts, timing belts, tensioner pulleys, vibration dampers, braking devices, and linear technology products. Revenue generated through direct B2B e-commerce shop sales to trade professionals.
2. Proprietary Branded Products: Sale of own-brand products including TRUMMETER® belt tension measuring devices, LEAK-DETECT® leak detection systems, frenomat 2 and frenostat 2000 braking devices, and HK Härteprüfer hardness testers.
3. Custom Fabrication: Individual customization and special manufacturing of belts, pulleys, and other components to customer specifications.
4. Consulting Services: Technical consultation, product sizing, and selection support for customers in machine and plant construction.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hilger u. Kern Industrietechnik is a B2B trading and distribution company that supplies industrial drive technology components, precision measurement instruments, and vibration damping products to machine and plant construction customers. The company sells its own-branded measurement devices (TRUMMETER belt tension meters, LEAK-DETECT ultrasonic leak detectors, frenomat/frenostat braking devices, HK Härteprüfer hardness testers, TSG belt welding devices) alongside a broad multi-brand portfolio of V-belts, timing belts, pulleys, tension rollers, rubber buffers, couplings, gearboxes, and linear technology products from premium manufacturers such as ContiTech, Optibelt, Gates, HIWIN, KTR, and others. It also offers custom fabrication and technical consultation services.

Product overview

Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology operates as a B2B online shop for industrial technology products, founded in 1927 and part of the Hilger & Kern Group with approximately 350 employees. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of drive technology products organized around three core pillars: belt tension measurement (including their own-brand TRUMMETER and LEAK-DETECT products), drive components (V-belts, timing belts, v-ribbed belts, round belts, tension rollers, and linear technology), and measurement devices (leak detection, vibration analysis, temperature measurement, and alignment tools). The product range includes both their own-brand products (TRUMMETER tension measuring devices, LEAK-DETECT leak detectors, TSG welding devices, brake devices frenomat/frenostat, and rubber buffers) alongside partner brands including ContiTech, Optibelt, BEHAbelt, BRECO, HIWIN, Hutchinson, Gates, KTR, Redex, Sedis, Wippermann, Schlatterer Esband, Synergys, and Betex. The company emphasizes custom manufacturing capabilities and maintains extensive warehouse stock for rapid delivery within 1-3 days in Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TRUMMETER®: Own-brand belt tension measuring device for precise measurement of belt tension in industrial applications.
• LEAK-DETECT®
• TSG

Products and services

• TRUMMETER

Quantifiable outcome

• Delivery within 1-3 days for stock items in Germany
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SYNERGYS TECHNOLOGIEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1996SYNERGYS TECHNOLOGIES, founded in 1996 by Jean Marc SINGER in Altkirch, Alsace, is the exclusive importer of leading manufacturers of ultrasonic sensors, thermographic cameras, shaft alignment devices, and vibration analysis equipment. Hilger u. Kern GmbH is part of SYNERGYS' international distribution network, serving as their German distribution partner for over 15 years. Products include LEAKSHOOTER® leak detection cameras and VSHOOTER® machine diagnostic cameras.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ContiTech: ContiTech (Continental AG division) is a principal supplier and brand partner of Hilger & Kern across V-belts, timing belts, and belt tension measuring devices. It is also a competitor because it sells direct to OEMs, making it both a supplier and a broad incumbent in the same industrial drive and belt technology space.
• SICK AG: SICK AG is a German sensor and automation specialist with ultrasonic, vibration, and condition monitoring solutions. Its ultrasonic leak detection and vibration analysis products overlap with Hilger & Kern's LEAK-DETECT, LEAKSHOOTER and VSHOOTER+ offerings.
• SKF (incl. former Schaeffler/FAG industrial distribution channels): SKF is a major industrial manufacturer and distributor of bearings, condition monitoring, and lubrication systems with vibration/sound analyzers (e.g., bearing condition, vibration analyzers). Comparable to Hilger & Kern's BETEX VibChecker VC200, BETEX BearingChecker BC200 and VSHOOTER+ products in machine diagnostics.

Regional players

• Distrelec / Conrad Electronic: Conrad Electronic and Distrelec are European B2B e-commerce distributors of industrial and electronic components. Comparable to Hilger & Kern's online shop model, but broader in scope and primarily serving different customer segments beyond machine-and-plant construction.

Direct peers

• Optibelt (Arntz OPTIBELT Group): Optibelt is both a key partner brand (optibelt TT, optibelt TT MINI, OPTIKRIK) and a direct competitor manufacturer of high-performance drive belts with 8 production sites in 6 countries. It competes with Hilger & Kern's tension measurement line and belt product portfolio in the German industrial market.
• Hutchinson (TotalEnergies): Hutchinson is both a partner brand (Poly V, ConveyXonic, FleXonic belts) and a competing global manufacturer of drive belts for industrial and roller conveyor applications. Its product portfolio directly competes with Hilger & Kern's V-ribbed belts and round belts.
• ifm electronic: ifm electronic is a German manufacturer of industrial sensors and condition monitoring devices, including vibration and process sensors. Directly comparable to Hilger & Kern's portfolio of industrial measurement instruments for machine diagnostics and predictive maintenance.
• Testo (Testo SE & Co. KGaA): Testo is a German measurement technology specialist selling thermal imaging cameras, sound level meters, and infrared thermometers — directly overlapping with Hilger & Kern's T°SHOOTER thermal camera, BETEX 1500 sound level meter, and BETEX 1240 infrared thermometer product lines.
• KTR Kupplungen: KTR is both a partner brand of Hilger & Kern and a competing manufacturer of couplings, brakes, cooling systems and hydraulic components. Its brake and coupling product range directly competes with Hilger & Kern's frenomat 2 and frenostat 2000 brake units.
• WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG: WIKA is a leading German manufacturer of industrial measurement instrumentation for pressure, temperature, level, flow, and force. Comparable to Hilger & Kern's industrial measurement devices and hardness testers, serving overlapping mechanical engineering and plant construction customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hilger-kern

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Hilger & Kern Industrial Technology