Obrist
Obrist GmbH is a family-owned electrical engineering and automation company founded in 1977 in South Tyrol, Italy. It plans, installs, and maintains energy networks, renewable energy systems, industrial automation, and smart building controls for public, industrial, and commercial clients across Italy and Austria.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersFeldthurns, Italy
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Obrist does
Obrist GmbH is a privately held, family-owned electrical engineering and automation company founded in 1977 by Albert Obrist in Feldthurns (Velturno), South Tyrol, Italy. The company provides end-to-end planning, construction, and modernization services spanning energy distribution networks, renewable energy installations, industrial automation, building management systems, communication and security systems, and multimedia/lighting. It serves a diversified client base across industrial, public infrastructure, hospitality, healthcare, residential, and education segments, with operations in South Tyrol, broader Italy, and Austria.
The company operates through nine core service divisions: Energy & Special Networks (substations, transformer stations, medium-voltage switchgear, fiber optic cabling, emergency power); Renewable Energy (solar PV, wind, hydro, combined heat and power); Automation (PLC programming, process control, machine control, measurement and control technology); Building Management Systems (KNX/EIB smart building, Industry 4.0); Communication & Security Systems; Multimedia & Lighting (including stage technology); Web & Software Development (IoT, custom software, and the Fleetcore GPS tracking product); and 24/7 Maintenance & Service. Technical differentiators include proprietary tunnel control systems managing 45 facilities, SIVACON S8 Siemens partnership for certified low-voltage switchgear manufacturing, and custom PLC/visualization systems for industrial and wastewater-treatment applications.
Revenue is generated primarily through project-based professional services contracts, hardware sales (renewable energy installations), and recurring maintenance/service agreements. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales targeting public, private, and industrial clients through tenders and project-based engagements. The company holds ISO 9001 (since 1998), ISO 14001 (2017), ISO 45001 (2020), UNI/PdR 125 (2024), multiple SOA category registrations for Italian public works, and ANKÖ certification for Austrian contracts. Operations span three offices (Feldthurns HQ, Appiano, and Zirl Austria), with formal succession to second-generation leader Günther Obrist completed in 2022 alongside his father Albert.
Obrist firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Obrist
- Legal name
- Obrist GmbH
- Website
- https://obrist.bz.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Obrist GmbH is a family-owned electrical engineering and automation company founded in 1977 in South Tyrol, Italy. It plans, installs, and maintains energy networks, renewable energy systems, industrial automation, and smart building controls for public, industrial, and commercial clients across Italy and Austria.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Obrist industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electrical Engineering & Automation Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electrical Work (1731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Plant Electrical Systems EPC (Switchyard, Transformers, Protection & Controls) (EUAEAAAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting) (EUAEADAB), Auxiliary Systems EPC (Station Service, HVAC, Fire Protection, Security) (EUAEADAK), Solar Balance-of-Plant EPC (Piles/Foundations, Trenching, Combiner Networks) (EUAEADAJ), Wind Balance-of-Plant EPC (Crane Pads, Turbine Foundations, Internal Roads) (EUAEADAI), Street Lighting & Area Lighting EPC / Maintenance (EUAEACAH), Commissioning, Testing & Energization Services (Pre-Commissioning, Grid Code Compliance) (EUAMAFAK)
Keywords
Where Obrist is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Feldthurns
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Obrist business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electrical Installation Services: Project-based revenue from planning, construction, and modernization of electrical systems, power plants, and infrastructure. Includes substations, switchgear, fiber optic cabling, and emergency power systems.
- Renewable Energy Systems: Installation of photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, hydroelectric solutions, and combined heat and power plants.
- Maintenance and Service Contracts: 24/7 emergency service, preventive maintenance, remote support, and repair services with ISO-certified quality standards.
- Web and Software Development: Custom web development, software solutions, IoT systems, and internal portal development since 2020.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based custom solutions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Obrist product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Obrist GmbH is a full-service electrical engineering and automation firm that plans, constructs, and modernizes electrical systems and power plants across South Tyrol and Austria. Its core offerings span energy and special networks (substations, switchgear, fiber optic, emergency power), renewable energy installations (photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric, combined heat and power), industrial automation, building management systems (KNX/EIB), communication and security systems, multimedia and professional lighting, custom web and software/IoT development, and 24/7 maintenance services.
Product overview
Obrist GmbH is a comprehensive electrical and automation engineering company offering an integrated portfolio of services. The core offerings include Energy & Special Networks (substations, switchgear, fiber optic cabling, emergency power), Renewable Energy (solar, wind, hydro, combined heat and power), Automation & Control Technology, Building Management Systems (smart building, Industry 4.0), Communication & Security Systems, Multimedia & Lighting (professional stage technology, audio-visual), Web & Software Development (digital solutions, IoT), and 24/7 Maintenance & Service. The company operates as a single unified service provider with specialized divisions, complemented by a Siemens SIVACON S8 technology partnership for certified switchgear. Key proprietary products include GPS Tracking - Fleetcore for fleet management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Energie- & Sondernetze (Energy & Special Networks)
Quantifiable outcome
- 370% revenue increase achieved in 2010 compared to previous year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Obrist
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Obrist technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Obrist partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Eurac ResearchcoreResearch partner in EFRE1073-Prosust project focusing on sustainability in South Tyrol construction sector, LCA/LCC analysis, and circular economy solutions.
- Eco ResearchcoreLead partner in EFRE1073-Prosust project for sustainable construction solutions in South Tyrol, analyzing environmental and economic impacts.
- Autonome Provinz Bozen (Province of Bolzano)coreCo-financing partner for EFRE projects (Prosust, PlasticFree) under ERDF program 2021-2027, supporting sustainability initiatives in South Tyrol.
- Eco Research (Lead Partner)coreEFRE1018-PlasticFree project lead: detecting microplastics and nanoplastics in Province of Bolzano waters and improving reduction in wastewater treatment plants through prototypes. Total project cost €1,217,937.02 with max subsidy €971,685.82.
- Eurac ResearchcoreResearch partner in EFRE1018-PlasticFree project for microplastic detection and wastewater treatment improvement.
- Ecocenter SpacoreInfrastructure and operations partner in PlasticFree project, contributing wastewater treatment plant infrastructure.
- Atzwanger SpacoreDisposal technology partner in PlasticFree project contributing expertise in waste management technology.
- ARA Pustertal SpacoreWastewater treatment plants partner in PlasticFree project providing testing facilities for microplastic reduction prototypes.
- AudioelectronicminorChurch audio systems company acquired in 2019, expanding multimedia capabilities.
- Elektro Ebner Ignaz GmbHcoreOperating branch acquired and integrated in 2018 from Eppan with 30 employees, strengthening position in South Tyrol.
- Faller Klaus GmbHminorAcquired in 2016 - tube mail and lighting system specialist expanding product portfolio.
- Harbauer Electrotechnics GmbHcoreAcquired and integrated into Obrist Group in 2012, based in Zirl, Tyrol, expanding operations into Austrian market.
- Siemens AG - SIVACON S8coreOfficial SIVACON S8 technology partner - certified switchgear manufacturer in South Tyrol. Selected and permanently audited by Siemens, combining cost-effective design with maximum safety for low-voltage switchboard production.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Obrist competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ENGIE Solutions: ENGIE Solutions delivers multi-technical and electrical services for buildings, industry, and public infrastructure across Europe. Its service-mix (electrical installation + automation + energy retrofits) closely maps to Obrist's offerings; ENGIE also brings utility-scale balance-of-sheet capability absent in Obrist.
- Eiffage Énergie Systèmes: Eiffage Énergie Systèmes is the electrical/infrastructures arm of the Eiffage group with similar contracting scope (MV/LV networks, automation, public lighting, renewable BoP). Used to benchmark how a large European multi-technical incumbent competes against regional SMBs like Obrist.
- ABB Ltd: ABB is a global electrification, robotics, and automation OEM that overlaps with Obrist's electrical- and automation-equipment specifications, switchgear, drives, and PLC ecosystem. It is benchmarked as the upstream/incumbent player whose products Obrist integrates and whose certified-partner networks (like Obrist's SIVACON S8 with Siemens) shape contracting economics.
- Schneider Electric SE: Schneider Electric is a global electrical distribution, automation, and energy-management OEM serving the same building/industrial customers Obrist targets. Comparable as a benchmark for the upstream equipment and software stack (KNX/IoT, smart-building platforms) that anchors smart-infrastructure tenders, rather than as a contracting competitor.
- VINCI Energies: VINCI Energies operates an extensive European portfolio of electrical contracting and automation brands serving infrastructure, industrial, and building customers. Comparable because it directly overlaps Obrist's switchgear, KNX/building automation, renewable, and tunneling capabilities, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
- Eltel Group: Eltel is a Northern European provider of electricity network and infrastructure services (substations, cabling, smart meters). Comparable to Obrist in MV distribution and communications-infrastructure scope, though Eltel operates at scale across Nordic/Baltic markets while Obrist is Alpine-DACH concentrated.
Regional players
- BKW Energie AG: BKW is a Swiss integrated energy and grid-services company whose service arm covers electrical engineering, network construction, and energy retrofits. Comparable because it bundles distribution-grid EPC with renewable and building-services work analogous to Obrist's energy/special networks and renewable offerings, but from a utility-owner base.
- Alpiq AG: Alpiq InTec is a Swiss electrical and building services contractor delivering installation, automation, and energy services to industrial and public-sector clients. Functionally equivalent in scope and customer mix, but anchored in Switzerland rather than the South Tyrol/Austria corridor.
Direct peers
- SPIE S.A. SPIE is the closest European multi-technical services peer combining electrical contracting, energy networks, building automation, and industrial automation across multiple geographies. Obrist mirrors SPIE's project-based electrical installation plus maintenance/recurring service model, just at a sub-scale, DACH-Alpine footprint versus SPIE's pan-European scale.
- Burkhalter Group: Burkhalter is a Swiss mid-sized electrical contractor offering planning, installation, and service across residential, commercial, and industrial segments. It is structurally the closest peer in size, scope, and DACH/regional positioning to Obrist, including recurring service and renewable installations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Obrist social profiles
Digital presenceObrist compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Obrist financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Obrist leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Obrist subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Obrist funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Obrist 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 Obrist
What does Obrist do?
Obrist GmbH is a full-service electrical engineering and automation firm that plans, constructs, and modernizes electrical systems and power plants across South Tyrol and Austria. Its core offerings span energy and special networks (substations, switchgear, fiber optic, emergency power), renewable energy installations (photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric, combined heat and power), industrial automation, building management systems (KNX/EIB), communication and security systems, multimedia and professional lighting, custom web and software/IoT development, and 24/7 maintenance services.
Is Obrist a public or private company?
Obrist is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Obrist founded?
Obrist was founded in 1977. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Obrist based?
Obrist is headquartered in Feldthurns, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Obrist make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electrical Installation Services are the primary driver. The others are renewable Energy Systems, maintenance and Service Contracts and web and Software Development.
Who are Obrist's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ENGIE Solutions, Eiffage Énergie Systèmes, ABB Ltd, Schneider Electric SE, VINCI Energies and Eltel Group. Regional players are BKW Energie AG and Alpiq AG. Direct peers are SPIE S.A. and Burkhalter Group.
Does Obrist have an API?
No public API is recorded for Obrist.
What industry is Obrist in?
Obrist's product category is Electrical Engineering & Automation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAAAM, Power Plant Electrical Systems EPC (Switchyard, Transformers, Protection & Controls), with a secondary code of EUAEADAB, Electrical Balance-of-Plant EPC (MV Collection, Cabling, Earthing, Lighting). Its NAICS code is 2211 and its SIC code is 1731.