What Gramm Technik does

Gramm Technik GmbH is a German family-owned industrial surface technology company founded in 1930 and headquartered in Ditzingen-Heimerdingen. The company develops and applies proprietary closed-system electroplating and surface coating technology — branded GST (Geschlossene System-Technik) — in which process chemistry is delivered to the workpiece inside a vacuum-sealed reactor rather than via conventional open baths. The proprietary platform, in continuous development since 1980 and protected by patent, achieves layer-thickness tolerances of ±1 micrometer, eliminates hexavalent chromium emissions, and reduces wastewater/air emissions by 50-80% and energy consumption by 50-70% versus conventional galvanic lines. The product portfolio includes the GAMMAT equipment line (vario automat series, Automat Studio M1, VACU Clean VC01), specialized coating processes (CERAMductile, Hartchrom, Harteloxal, Nickel, Zinn, GALVANAL NiROX, Nano ECOLYTE, ATL CERAMductile, Gleitcoat), and galvanoforming equipment for dental applications.

The company operates three distinct go-to-market models: (1) Lohnbeschichtung (contract/toll coating) at its own facilities, the primary revenue stream since 1930; (2) Betreibermodell (operator model), in which Gramm installs and operates a GST-equipped coating plant at the customer's site using Gramm personnel; and (3) Anlagenverkauf (equipment sale), in which Gramm designs and builds modular coating plants for customers to operate independently with their own staff. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated on a project-by-project basis depending on component specifications, volume, and service model. Target segments are industrial B2B — automotive (primary: pistons, cylinders, valves, brakes, steering components), industrial machinery, electronics and electrical engineering (PCBs, bus bars, connectors, e-mobility components), medical/dental technology, jewelry and watchmaking — served through direct enterprise field sales, trade-show presence (e.g., Euroguss 2024), and a process-finder-enabled company website. Operations span 9 group companies in Germany (Ditzingen-Heimerdingen HQ, Saarbrücken, Illingen/Saarland, Ilmenau energy analysis center, Buchheim R&D center via OIB), Poland, and China (Wuxi). The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (15+ years), was awarded the TOP 100 innovation seal in 2024, and is scheduled to continue operations under the Navigator Group from 2026.

Name

Gramm Technik

Legal name

Gramm Technik GmbH

Website

https://www.gramm-technik.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gramm Technik GmbH is a German family-owned industrial surface technology company (founded 1930) that develops and applies proprietary closed-system GST vacuum electroplating technology and coating equipment for automotive, machinery, electronics, medical, dental, and jewelry manufacturers across three go-to-market models: contract coating, operator model, and equipment sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Surface Coatings and Equipment

NAICS

Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Electroplating & Metal Finishing (Anodizing/Galvanizing/Passivation) (IMAIAKAE)

Keywords

• Electroplating services
• Surface coating technology
• Galvanic coating equipment
• Industrial metal finishing
• Closed-loop coating systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Ditzingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lohnbeschichtung (Contract/Toll Coating): Contract coating services where customers send components to Gramm Technik's facilities for surface treatment. Customers include automotive, machinery, electronics, aerospace, and other industrial manufacturers. Services include partial or full coating using GST or conventional galvanic processes. This is the primary revenue stream, described as the company's main business since 1930.
2. Anlagentechnik im Betreibermodell (Operator Model): Gramm Technik installs and operates a GST-equipped coating plant at a customer's chosen location. Gramm staff operate the equipment and coat the customer's parts on-site. This model enables customers to have coating capability without complex permitting processes due to the low-emission GST technology.
3. Anlagenverkauf (Equipment Sale): Gramm designs and constructs coating equipment tailored to customer requirements. Customers purchase the plant, operate it with their own staff, and perform coating in-house. The equipment integrates GST technology and is modular and flexible.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gramm Technik manufactures metal surface finishing treatments using its proprietary GST (Geschlossene System-Technik) closed-loop vacuum electroplating technology. The company provides contract/toll coating services at its facilities, sells coating equipment to industrial customers, and operates GST-equipped plants at customer sites under an operator model, serving automotive, machinery, electronics, medical, dental, and luxury goods manufacturers.

Product overview

Gramm Technik is a surface technology company offering a portfolio of proprietary closed-system coating technologies and equipment. The core technology is GST (Geschlossene System-Technik) - a closed galvanic coating platform where chemistry is brought to the component under vacuum conditions. This technology serves as the foundation for the GAMMAT® coating equipment line (including GAMMAT® vario Automat for serial production, GAMMAT® Automat Studio M1 for lab applications, and GAMMAT® VACU Clean VC01 for cleaning). The company provides diverse coating processes including CERAMductile® (ceramic coating for aluminum), Harteloxal (hard anodizing), Hartchrom (hard chrome), Nickel (galvanic/electroless), Zinn (tin), GALVANAL® Nirox (zinc-nickel), Nano ECOLYTE® (plasma coating), ATL CERAMductile®, Gleitcoat (solid lubricants), and paint technology. Business models include contract coating services (Lohnbeschichtung), plant operation at customer sites, and plant sales. A subsidiary provides dental technology via Galvanoforming for dental restorations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GAMMAT vario Automat Fully automated coating center for selective coatings built on the GST technology platform. Modular system available in 1, 2, 3, and 4 module configurations for serial production with variants for pre-treatment/electropolishing/anodizing (OT), general galvanics (GAL), hard chrome (CR), and CERAMductile (HA). Used by industrial manufacturers across multiple sectors.
• GAMMAT Automat Studio M1 Laboratory-grade tabletop device concept for micro-galvanics. Single module system for diverse surface treatments and coatings including precious metals, suitable for jewelry, watches, and photonics applications.
• GAMMAT VACU Clean VC01 Vacuum-based etching, cleaning, and drying system based on GST technology. For components with pores, capillaries, channels, undercuts, blind holes, threaded holes, and difficult-to-access cavities. Applications include medical technology, 3D printing, jewelry, watches, sensors, optics, precision mechanics, electronics, semiconductor technology, and high vacuum technology.
• CERAMductile Anodizing/plasma process using GST principle for aluminum and magnesium materials. Ematal replacement layer system with optional PTFE impregnation providing wear protection, corrosion resistance, and controlled porosity for oil retention.
• Harteloxal (Hard Anodizing) Electrolytic oxidation of aluminum materials to create protective layers for wear and corrosion protection with good tribological properties. Can be combined with PTFE impregnation and ATL coatings.
• Hartchrom (Hard Chrome) Electrolyte process for hard chrome coating via GST process, selective or full-surface, REACH compliant. High hardness (800-1100 HV0.01), good sliding properties, wear protection, and corrosion resistance. Used for machine building, vehicle construction, printing industry, textile industry, and medical/food technology.
• Nickel (Galvanic and Chemical) Galvanic and chemical (electroless) nickel coating processes with variants including sulfamate nickel, low phosphorus (LP), medium phosphorus (MP), high phosphorus (HP), and Ni-SiC. Used in semiconductor industry, aviation, defense, medical, and food industries.
• Zinn (Tin) Galvanic and chemical tin coating providing excellent solderability, good electrical conductivity, and food compatibility. Used in electrical engineering and food industries.
• GALVANAL Nirox Whisker-free galvanic nickel-tin alloy coating process per VDE specifications. Used for coating aluminum and copper electrical components in high-voltage and e-mobility applications.
• Gleitcoat (PTFE/MoS2) Technically sophisticated friction-reducing, environmentally friendly sliding and dry lubricant coatings using PTFE, MoS2, and graphite. Used in automotive, climate technology, aerospace, military technology, and outdoor products.
• Konservierung (Conservation) Technical/chemical environmentally friendly surface treatment/conservation using dip, flood, vacuum, or spray processes. Provides excellent corrosion protection (up to 300h NSS) with Cr(VI)-free or Cr(VI)-containing options. Used for outdoor products and magnesium materials.
• Nano ECOLYTE Coating Plasma coating of polysilanes (Si x O y C z) under vacuum using GST flood process. Full and selective coating in interior areas, alternative to KTL (cathodic electrocoating). Good corrosion resistance (420-1000h NSS), temperature resistant, easy-to-clean properties.
• Galvanoforming (Dental) Equipment and materials for the production of dental restorations in gold, hard gilding, and friction renewal. Galvanoforming technology for dental applications introduced by Gramm in 1988.
• Contract Coating Services (Lohnbeschichtung) Job coating as a service at Gramm Technik locations including corrosion-protective and functional coatings, passivations, plasma processes, and various lacquers. Available as complete or partial coating using GST systems or conventional open bath galvanizing. Primary revenue stream since 1930.
• Plant Operation Model (Betreibermodell) Gramm operates a customer-tailored GST plant at a strategically favorable location. No complicated approval procedures required due to low-emission GST technology. Gramm staff handle the plant and coating of customer components on-site.
• Plant Sales (Anlagenverkauf) Gramm constructs and builds customer-tailored coating plants. Customers manufacture products with their own employees using Gramm's GST-based coating technology after setup and training. Modular and flexible equipment suitable for production line integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Plant footprint approximately 1/10th of conventional coating plants
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Oberflächentechnisches Institut Bodensee (OIB) / Gramm OIB GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGramm Technik established Gramm OIB GmbH as its dedicated R&D subsidiary on October 1, 2014, located in Buchheim, Upper Swabia, Germany. All research and development activities of the Gramm Group are consolidated at this center. The facility was expanded in 2020. The OIB also collaborates with external institutes, suppliers, and customers on process and equipment development.
• CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGramm Technik developed and applied specialized coating solutions for CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Approximately 30 kilometers of 12-meter aluminum profiles were coated using GST selective technology with a lead-tin-nickel alloy. These components have been operating in the particle accelerator for approximately 40 years. This reference is a flagship case study demonstrating the precision and durability of Gramm's technology.
• Thüringer Aufbaubank (Thuringian Reconstruction Bank)minorOthersThüringer Aufbaubank provided an 80% subsidy grant for the energy efficiency analysis project at Gramm Technik's Ilmenau site, under the GREEN invest funding program. The project was co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Atotech (MKS Instruments): Atotech, now part of MKS Instruments, is one of the largest specialty chemical suppliers for electroplating and surface finishing across automotive, electronics, and industrial markets — directly comparable to Gramm's core contract coating and plating-chemical offerings at much larger global scale.
• MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions (Element Solutions Inc.): MacDermid Enthone, part of Element Solutions, provides specialty plating chemistries and surface finishing solutions for electronics, automotive, and industrial components — directly overlapping with Gramm's nickel, tin, precious metal, and ENIG/ENEPIG PCB coating offerings.
• Coventya: Coventya is a European-headquartered specialty chemical company focused on electroplating and surface treatment chemistries for automotive, decorative, and functional applications — a closely comparable specialty coatings peer serving similar industrial end markets.
• Technic Inc. Technic supplies specialty electroplating chemistries, equipment, and precious metal coatings for electronics, industrial, and decorative applications — closely aligned with Gramm's precious metal, PCB, and industrial plating business.
• SurTec (Freudenberg): SurTec, part of Freudenberg Group, develops and supplies specialty chemicals and processes for surface treatment including electroplating and functional coatings — a direct competitor in the European industrial coatings chemicals market.
• Aalberts Surface Treatment: Aalberts Surface Treatment operates a network of contract coating service centers across Europe offering heat treatment, hot tin, and various functional coatings — directly comparable to Gramm's Lohnbeschichtung contract coating service model.
• HEF Group: HEF Group is a French-headquartered specialist in surface engineering and tribological coatings serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial customers — closely comparable in product range and end-market focus to Gramm's hard-chrome, nitriding, and functional coating services.

Broad incumbents

• Oerlikon Balzers: Oerlikon Balzers is a global leader in PVD/PECVD thin-film coatings serving automotive, tooling, aerospace, and industrial markets — a broader incumbent offering overlapping functional coating capabilities but centered on physical vapor deposition rather than closed-vacuum electroplating.
• Bodycote: Bodycote is the world's largest thermal processing services provider offering heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing, and surface technology services — a broader incumbent in the contract surface treatment services space, overlapping with part of Gramm's contract-coating customer base.

Emerging players

• Phygen Coatings: Phygen Coatings specializes in physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings for tooling, automotive, and industrial components — an emerging specialty coatings player intersecting with Gramm's functional coating use cases, though focused on PVD rather than electroplating.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gramm-technik-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Gramm Technik