What Spirka Fast Braider does

Spirka Schnellflechter GmbH (SSB) is a Berlin-based German industrial machinery manufacturer specializing in the design and production of braiding, spiraling, and winding machines for the cable and hose manufacturing industry. The company has its roots in two predecessor entities — the Guido Horn company founded in 1908 and Spirka Maschinenbau GmbH founded in 1951 in Alfeld/Leine — which merged into the current operating entity, giving SSB more than 100 years of accumulated engineering expertise in braiding technology. Its product portfolio spans vertical and horizontal rotary braiding machines (up to 36 spools, product diameters up to 65mm), spiral wrappers (up to 36 reels in horizontal configuration), and semi- and fully-automatic winding machines, complemented by multi-wire payoffs, roller takeup/payoff units, and high-performance taping heads. Equipment is engineered as custom-built individual solutions rather than standardized catalog products, with optional Industry 4.0 features including recipe management, monitoring, and automated process control.\n\nThe company operates as a private GmbH and is a member of the WILMS Group, a global alliance of cable manufacturing equipment companies (including Henrich, SKET, and Stolberger). Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales out of the Berlin headquarters with a worldwide representative network covering more than 15 countries (Australia, Austria, China, Egypt, India, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Spain/Portugal, Russia/Belarus, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, UK/Ireland, and USA/Canada) — with Wardwell Braiding Co. serving as the principal partner for USA/Canada. SSB serves three primary verticals: the cable industry (data, control, power, industrial, heavy, coaxial cables), medical technology (catheters, stents, braided medical devices), and hose manufacturing (hydraulic, sanitary, brake, air, fuel, pressure hoses). Named customers include Leoni, Leoni Elocab, Huber+Suhner, Helukabel, Kromberg-Schubert, Oren Cables, SBEE Cables, GG-Group, Hansgrohe, and Riflex-Schlauch.\n\nSSB monetizes through three revenue streams: (1) sale of new braiding, spiraling, and winding machines (hardware sales, custom-configured, contact-based pricing); (2) spare parts for the installed base; and (3) service and overhauls for existing equipment. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Management is led by Managing Director Johann Erich Wilms (part of the WILMS Group ownership family) and General Manager Thomas Uhlig, supported by dedicated heads of sales, service, and technical functions. The company markets through trade show presence (notably the WIRE exhibition in 2022 and 2024), a content-driven website with case studies across application verticals, and direct enterprise sales contacts.

Name

Spirka Fast Braider

Legal name

Spirka Schnellflechter GmbH

Website

https://spirka-schnellflechter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1908

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spirka Schnellflechter is a Berlin-based German industrial machinery manufacturer producing custom-built braiding, spiraling, and winding machines for cable, medical technology, and hose manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Braiding, Spiraling, and Winding Machines: Sale of industrial manufacturing equipment including high-speed braiding machines, spiraling machines, and winding machines for cable and hose production.
2. Spare Parts: Replacement parts and components for SSB machines sold directly through sales contacts and parts request forms.
3. Service and Overhauls: Service support including machine maintenance, repairs, and overhauls for existing equipment.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Spirka Schnellflechter Berlin (SSB) is a German industrial machinery manufacturer that designs, builds, and services high-speed braiding machines, spiraling machines, and winding machines for the cable and hose industries. The company produces custom-engineered equipment with up to 36 spools for cable diameters up to 65mm, serving cable manufacturers, medical device makers (catheters, stents), and hose manufacturers worldwide.

Product overview

Spirka Schnellflechter (SSB) is a German industrial machinery manufacturer with over 100 years of experience in braiding technology. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of cable and hose manufacturing equipment, including braiding machines (DF, DF16A, DRATEX, DRATEX 2450, F03A, UNIDRA, C/Ch series), spiraling machines (DW, HELIX 6036), and winding machines (W8-905, W8-905-2E, W8-910, W8-942S, W8-945 AS). The product lineup is complemented by accessories including Payoffs W9, Combined Roller Takeup & Payoff WW, and High-Performance Taping Unit PHW500. Machines are available in vertical and horizontal configurations with up to 36 spools, suitable for cable diameters up to 65mm, serving the cable industry, medical technology, and hose manufacturing sectors. The company collaborates with Wardwell Braiding Co. in the USA to offer comprehensive solutions for the cable and hose industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-Speed Braider DF
• High-Speed Braider DF16A for Medical
• High-Speed Braider DRATEX
• High-Speed Braider DRATEX 2450
• High-Speed Braider F03A
• High-Speed Braider UNIDRA
• High-Speed Braiders C, Ch
• Spiral Wrapper DW
• Spiral Wrapper HELIX 6036
• Semi-Automatic Winder W8-905
• 2-in-1 Semi-Automatic Winder W8-905-2E
• Semi-Automatic Winder W8-910
• Automatic Winder W8-942S
• Splitting Line W8-945 AS
• Payoffs W9
• Combined Roller Takeup & Payoff WW AB/AU
• High-Performance Taping Unit PHW500
• Spare Parts and Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Product diameter capability up to 65mm
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WILMS GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSB is a proud member of the WILMS Group, a global alliance offering comprehensive cable manufacturing solutions. This membership enables SSB to offer a nearly full range of cable manufacturing equipment complemented by partners in the group.
• Wardwell Braiding Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration between Spirka Schnellflechter GmbH and Wardwell Braiding Co. in the USA to offer a comprehensive range of braiding and winding machines for almost all applications in the cable and hose industry. Wardwell also serves as the representative for USA/Canada.
• WILMS Group Companies (Henrich, SKET, Stolberger)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional group companies including Henrich, SKET (Sketvmb), and Stolberger that are part of the WILMS Group alliance providing comprehensive cable manufacturing solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wardwell Braiding Co. US-based manufacturer of braiding and winding machines for the cable and hose industry. Direct peer with overlapping product lines; also serves as SSB's North American distribution partner.
• Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG: German supplier of machinery for the wire and cable industry, including braiding, winding, and bunching equipment. Competes with SSB across multiple cable-manufacturing process steps.
• Karl Steeger GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of braiding and winding machines used in cable and hose production. Closely comparable product portfolio (vertical/horizontal braiders, winders) serving the same customer base.
• Henrich GmbH: Sister company within the WILMS Group providing additional cable-manufacturing equipment. Sister-company peer with complementary product portfolio and shared customers through the WILMS alliance.
• SKET Verseilmaschinenwerk GmbH: German (WILMS Group sister) cable machinery specialist focused on stranding, twisting, and related equipment. Sister-company peer offering complementary cable production equipment.
• MAG Maschinenfabrik Gelnhausen: German maker of cable and wire-processing machinery including braiding equipment. Comparable niche industrial machinery manufacturer serving similar European cable industry customers.
• HERZOG Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG: German maker of braiding, winding, and serving machines for the steel wire rope and cable industries. Direct competitor in core braiding/spiraling equipment for industrial cables.
• Stolberger Maschinenfabrik GmbH: German cable machinery specialist (WILMS Group sister company). Comparable peer offering additional process equipment for cable production within the same group alliance.

Broad incumbents

• Nextrom (Rosendahl Nextrom Group): Austria/Finland-based supplier of complete cable production lines, including extrusion and downstream equipment. Broader incumbent in the same customer segment with overlapping winding and downstream capabilities.
• Rosendahl Maschinen GmbH: Austrian manufacturer of cable extrusion and production lines serving global wire & cable customers. Larger incumbent that competes for integrated line sales where SSB supplies individual braiding/spiraling stations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spirka-schnellflechter-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Spirka Fast Braider