Achat5
Achat5 (ACHAT Engineering GmbH) is a German mechanical engineering company that designs and manufactures modular board-handling systems (Harmonite), digital AOI-review inspection cameras (VinCam), and Industry 4.0 connectivity products for electronics manufacturing services providers and SMT/THT production facilities globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersLengede, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Achat5 does
ACHAT Engineering GmbH, doing business as Achat5, is a privately held German mechanical engineering company founded in 2002 by Jürgen Schaffhausen and headquartered in Lengede, Lower Saxony. The company develops and manufactures board-handling systems and digital inspection solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry, with its product portfolio organized around three pillars: the Harmonite modular board-handling series (loaders, unloaders, transport conveyors, buffers, flip/turn units, and code readers); the VinCam digital microscope and inspection camera system used for classifying automated optical inspection (AOI) results, solder-joint inspection, and bond inspection; and a Smart Factory 4.0 suite comprising the AHEAD Controller, Hermes Interface, MES-Hermes-Bridge, Line-PC, and AMR connectivity delivered in partnership with cts GmbH. Supporting products include the FUTURA laser marker, THT automation solutions, ESD workstations, and bespoke special machinery. The company sells custom-engineered equipment via direct sales, a website inquiry channel, and industry events such as SMTconnect and Electronics Connect Lengede, with international distribution reaching customers in the USA, Denmark, France, Ireland, and Russia.
Achat5's revenue model is anchored in hardware sales of board-handling capital equipment and VinCam inspection stations, complemented by licensing of software applications such as the TRAIL traceability layer and bespoke Industry 4.0 integration software. Pricing is quote-based with no public list prices; a €25 minimum order value applies, and first-time customers placing orders below €500 are serviced on cash-on-delivery terms. The customer base consists of electronics manufacturing services providers, automotive electronics manufacturers, and SMT/THT production facilities. Achat5 is undergoing a corporate transition: effective 31 January 2026, the company will be integrated into SCHUNK Electronic Solutions GmbH, part of the SCHUNK SE & Co. KGaA group, ending its standalone legal existence. Day-to-day leadership is shared between founder and Managing Director of Engineering Jürgen Schaffhausen and Managing Director of Operations Nick Heronim, who was appointed in 2022 as part of a formal succession process.
Achat5 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Achat5
- Legal name
- ACHAT Engineering GmbH
- Website
- https://achat5.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Achat5 (ACHAT Engineering GmbH) is a German mechanical engineering company that designs and manufactures modular board-handling systems (Harmonite), digital AOI-review inspection cameras (VinCam), and Industry 4.0 connectivity products for electronics manufacturing services providers and SMT/THT production facilities globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Achat5 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronics Manufacturing Equipment
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing (334418)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process Control & Automation Electronics Manufacturing Services (PLCs, I/O, DCS/SCADA hardware) (IMAGAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray) (IMALAOAH), Industrial Automation Software (SCADA, HMI, MES, Historian) (IMAHAHAJ), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
Keywords
Where Achat5 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lengede
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Achat5 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Board Handling Equipment Sales: Sale of hardware systems including Harmonite loaders, unloaders, transport conveyors, buffers, and position change units for PCB handling in electronics manufacturing lines
- VinCam Inspection Systems: Digital microscope and inspection software sales for solder joint classification and AOI result review
- Software Solutions: Software applications including TRAIL traceability layer and custom software development for electronics production automation
- Smart Factory 4.0 Products: Industry 4.0 solutions including controllers, interfaces, and MES bridges for smart factory integration
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom equipment pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Achat5 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Achat5 develops, manufactures, and sells modular board handling devices and digital inspection solutions for electronics manufacturing. Its flagship offerings are the Harmonite series (loaders, unloaders, transport conveyors, buffers, and flip/turn units) and VinCam, a digital microscope system for AOI result classification and solder joint inspection, complemented by Smart Factory 4.0 integration products and custom special machinery.
Product overview
Achat5 (ACHAT Engineering GmbH) is a mechanical engineering company specializing in board handling systems and inspection solutions for the electronics industry. The product portfolio consists of two core product lines: (1) Board Handling products under the Harmonite brand, encompassing loaders/unloaders, transport conveyors, buffers, flip/turn units, and code reader systems for printed circuit board automation within manufacturing lines; and (2) VinCam digital inspection systems for classifying AOI results, solder joint inspection, and bond inspection. Supporting these core offerings are Smart Factory 4.0 solutions including the Hermes Interface, MES-Hermes-Bridge, AHEAD Controller, Line-PC, and AMR (via cts partnership), which provide Industry 4.0 data connectivity and traceability. Additional products include Laser Marker (FUTURA), ESD Workstations, THT-Automation, and Special Machines. The company serves the electronics manufacturing industry globally with automation systems focused on production efficiency and quality control.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Harmonite: Board handling product series - modular handling devices including Loaders, Unloaders, Transport Conveyors, Buffers, and Change of Position units.
- VinCam
- AHEAD Controller
- TRAIL (Traceability Layer)
- TraceCube
Products and services
- Harmonite Board Handling Series Modular board handling product line including Loaders, Unloaders, Transport Conveyors, Buffers, and Flip/Turn units for printed circuit board automation in SMT/THT production lines. Designed with golden-ratio inspired aesthetics and engineered for high-mix electronics manufacturing environments.
- VinCam Digital Inspection System Digital microscope and inspection camera system for classifying AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) results, solder joint inspection, bond inspection, and virtual inspection. Functions as an AOI review station for classifying electrical connections in electronics manufacturing.
- Code Reader Systems Systems for reading barcodes and QR codes on printed circuit boards for identification and traceability within production lines.
- Laser Marker (FUTURA) Laser marking systems for traceability of boards in production lines, including laser marking islands with horizontal and vertical interface connections.
- Special Machines Custom-designed special machinery built for specific electronics manufacturing automation requirements.
- ESD Workstations Electrostatic discharge protected workstations for safe handling of electronic assemblies during production and assembly operations.
- THT Automation Solutions Automation solutions for Through-Hole Technology (THT) assembly and processing in electronics manufacturing.
- AHEAD Controller Smart Factory 4.0 controller for managing and coordinating production line automation and data connections.
- Hermes Interface Interface system implementing the Hermes standard for SMT equipment communication, enabling standardized data exchange in production lines.
- MES-Hermes-Bridge Bridge system connecting Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with equipment using the Hermes interface standard for seamless production data integration.
- Line-PC Line PC system for Smart Factory 4.0 applications, providing production line computing and control capabilities.
- AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) Autonomous mobile robot solutions for intralogistics automation in electronics production facilities, developed in cooperation with cts GmbH.
- Erstmuster (efa inspection) Initial sample inspection system for first article verification (Erstmusterprüfung) in electronics manufacturing.
- TRAIL (Traceability Layer) Software Software application for traceability of printed circuit boards across line segments, enabling full production traceability for electronics manufacturing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Seamless integration of production lines with different manufacturers through open software solutions
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Achat5
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Achat5 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Achat5 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- cts GmbHcorePartnership for seamless integration of electronics production lines into automated intralogistics. cts GmbH is Europe's largest system integrator for automated intralogistics based on autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The collaboration enables uncomplicated connection of ACHAT5 handling devices with cts AMRs, with open software solutions allowing vertical integration of production lines from different manufacturers. Full focus on manufacturing productivity through combined competence and expertise.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Achat5 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ASMPT: Global SMT equipment leader offering board handling, placement, and integrated SMT line solutions. Directly competes with Achat5 in the PCB handling and SMT line integration segment.
- Yamaha Robotics: Supplies SMT placement, board handling, and factory automation for electronics manufacturing. Competes with Achat5 in PCB handling equipment for SMT lines.
- Viscom AG: German manufacturer of AOI, SPI, and X-ray inspection systems for electronics production. Geographically closest AOI competitor to VinCam in the European market.
- Mycronic: Swedish supplier of SMT assembly equipment and PCB handling solutions, with growing factory automation portfolio. Direct competitor in SMT line equipment.
- Essemtec: Swiss manufacturer of SMT and THT production equipment, flexible pick-and-place, and dispensing. Co-markets with Achat5 (Essemtec Technologietag at Achat5) and competes in production line automation.
- Koh Young Technology: Global leader in 3D SPI and AOI inspection for SMT, directly competing with VinCam in solder joint inspection and AOI result classification.
- Saki Corporation: Japanese provider of 3D AOI, SPI, and X-ray inspection systems for electronics manufacturing. Competes with VinCam in automated optical inspection and classification.
Broad incumbents
- JUKI: Japanese industrial machinery and SMT assembly equipment manufacturer. Competes with Achat5's handling product line in electronics manufacturing plants.
- Panasonic Connect (SMT): Major manufacturer of SMT placement and line equipment, including board handling subsystems. Overlaps with Achat5's handling and Smart Factory integration offerings.
- Hanwha (Hanwha Precision Machinery): Supplies SMT placement, bonding, and ancillary automation equipment under the former Samsung CP40 lineage. Competes with Achat5 in board handling and full SMT line solutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Achat5 social profiles
Digital presenceAchat5 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Achat5 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Achat5 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Achat5 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Achat5
What does Achat5 do?
Achat5 develops, manufactures, and sells modular board handling devices and digital inspection solutions for electronics manufacturing. Its flagship offerings are the Harmonite series (loaders, unloaders, transport conveyors, buffers, and flip/turn units) and VinCam, a digital microscope system for AOI result classification and solder joint inspection, complemented by Smart Factory 4.0 integration products and custom special machinery.
Is Achat5 a public or private company?
Achat5 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Achat5 founded?
Achat5 was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Achat5 based?
Achat5 is headquartered in Lengede, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Achat5 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Board Handling Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are vinCam Inspection Systems, software Solutions and smart Factory 4.0 Products.
Who are Achat5's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ASMPT, Yamaha Robotics, Viscom AG, Mycronic, Essemtec, Koh Young Technology and Saki Corporation. Broad incumbents are JUKI, Panasonic Connect (SMT) and Hanwha (Hanwha Precision Machinery).
Does Achat5 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Achat5.
What industry is Achat5 in?
Achat5's product category is Electronics Manufacturing Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAGAK, Process Control & Automation Electronics Manufacturing Services (PLCs, I/O, DCS/SCADA hardware), with a secondary code of IMALAOAH, Inspection, Checkweighing & Detection Systems (Vision, Metal, X-ray). Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3620.