Tisora Special Machines

What Tisora Special Machines does

Tisora Sondermaschinen GmbH is a privately held German custom special machine builder founded in 1991 and headquartered in Chemnitz, Saxony, with engineering roots tracing to the 1967 VEB TISORA Rationalisierung Textilmaschinenbau within the former Kombinat Textima. The company operates two core business lines: Sondermaschinen, the design, construction, and commissioning of customer-specific machines and plants for series manufacturers and metal processors spanning cutting machining, assembly automation, handling technology, and testing equipment; and Spezialteile / Lohnfertigung, fee-based contract manufacturing of precision parts in turning, milling, and grinding for individual parts and small series. A third, smaller line distributes and services BORRIES marking devices and complete marking systems under a partnership effective January 1, 2022.

T\u00echnically, Tisora positions itself as a true Sondermaschinenbauer in which nearly every machine is a new development, engineered to demanding requirements such as shortest cycle times, high repeat accuracy, long service life, three-shift availability, and complex process combinations, supported by an in-house mechanical production department equipped with Weiler, DMG MORI, and Mitutoyo assets. The company holds proprietary and co-developed technology with TU Chemnitz and Fraunhofer IWU, including a thermomechanical joining process for fiber-reinforced plastics with metals, a patented thread holder for a tie-sewing automaton (~50 units sold worldwide), PLASAL plasma-supported wear-resistant coatings, camera-based 3D gripping for robot handling, and an end-machining system running at 80 parts per minute. R&D is co-financed by ESF, EU, and Sachsen programs across additive-generative manufacturing, digital twin, autonomous logistics, robot-assisted machining, and, most recently, AI-based knowledge capture and transfer.

Commercially, Tisora is sales-led and direct-B2B, selling project-based, quote-negotiated custom machines to enterprise customers in automotive, electrical, construction, chemical, medical technology, and tool manufacturing, with additional reach into research institutions and prototype manufacturers via Lohnfertigung. The company is ISO 9001:2015 certified, has 51-100 employees, and is family/management-controlled, with Martin Zwinzscher and Robert Zwinzscher serving as Vertretungsberechtigte Gesch\u00e4ftsf\u00fchrer. Marketing is limited to the company website, active job postings, and R&D project publicity; geographic reach is described as Europe-wide with a Saxony/Germany concentration.

Name

Tisora Special Machines

Legal name

TISORA Sondermaschinen GmbH

Website

https://tisora.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tisora Sondermaschinen GmbH is a Chemnitz-based German custom special machine builder and contract manufacturer serving series manufacturers and metal processors in automotive, electrical, medical, and tooling industries, with co-developed robotics, coating, and additive-manufacturing technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Industrial Machinery and Precision Manufacturing

NAICS

Machine Shops (33271), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid Additive-Subtractive Machine Tools (AM + CNC Systems) (IMAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Custom Thermoforming & Contract Manufacturing (IMANAHAI)

Keywords

• Custom special machines
• Precision contract manufacturing
• Assembly automation systems
• Industrial marking equipment
• CNC machining services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chemnitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Special Machines (Sondermaschinen): Design, engineering, construction, and commissioning of customer-specific special machines and plants. Every machine is essentially a new development tailored to specific customer requirements. Revenue is generated through one-time project-based sales of custom-built machinery.
2. Contract Manufacturing / Lohnfertigung: Fee-based precision parts manufacturing in turning, milling, and grinding for individual parts and small series. Customers pay for manufacturing services based on parts produced. Also includes individual spare parts production and prototype manufacturing.
3. Sales and Service of BORRIES Marking Equipment: Since January 1, 2022, TISORA supports customers in the sale and service of BORRIES marking devices and complete marking systems. BORRIES is the world market leader in scratch marking and needle marking, as well as in setting Braille characters and DataMatrix code characters.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tisora Sondermaschinen GmbH designs, engineers, and builds custom special machines (Sondermaschinen) and provides contract manufacturing of precision parts (turning, milling, grinding) for single pieces and small series. Each machine is a bespoke new development tailored to specific customer requirements for series production, assembly automation, handling technology, and inspection. Since January 2022, the company also resells and services BORRIES marking systems as a regional distribution partner.

Product overview

Tisora Sondermaschinen GmbH operates two core business areas: custom special machine construction (Sondermaschinen) and contract manufacturing of precision parts (Spezialteile / Lohnfertigung). The special machines division develops bespoke machinery — from concept through construction to commissioning and service — addressing series manufacturers across multiple industries, with capabilities spanning cutting machining, assembly automation, handling technology, and inspection systems. The contract manufacturing division produces precision-turned, milled, and ground parts in small batches and single-piece runs, leveraging CNC turning, milling, and grinding equipment alongside its own measuring lab. Additionally, Tisora resells and services BORRIES marking devices and complete systems (scribe, dot peen, and DataMatrix code marking), representing the world market leader in marking technology. Research and development is integral to the company, with ongoing projects in AI-based knowledge management, robot-assisted machining, plasma-assisted coatings (PLASAL), and Digital Twin/digitization for industrial manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Special Machines (Sondermaschinen) Custom-engineered special machines and devices designed and built to meet the specific requirements of series manufacturers and metal processors. Capabilities span cutting machining, assembly automation, handling technology, inspection machines, and bespoke solutions with short cycle times, high output volumes, consistent repeat accuracy, and maximum process availability.
• Contract Manufacturing (Lohnfertigung) - Precision Parts Precision parts manufacturing (turning, milling, grinding) for single pieces and small series, including welding, sawing, and processing of highly corrosion-resistant steels, difficult-to-machine materials, special alloys, plastics, and aluminum. Serves machine builders, research institutions, and prototype manufacturers from raw material to finished part, including measurement protocols.
• BORRIES Marking Systems Distribution and Service Sales and servicing of BORRIES marking devices and complete marking systems, including scribe marking, needle/dot peen marking, and the setting of Braille characters and DataMatrix code characters. Offered to industrial customers across Europe as a regional distributor partner.

Quantifiable outcome

• End machining machine achieves capacity of 80 parts/min in three-shift operation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CIM – Technologietransfer und Service GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 November 2025CIM Technologietransfer und Service GmbH serves as the intermediary organization facilitating the transfer of AI-based knowledge management know-how from CIM-Technologie-Zentrum Wismar e.V. and CIM Innovation und Technologie gGmbH to TISORA Sondermaschinen GmbH.
• BORRIEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Since January 1, 2022, TISORA supports customers in the sale and service of BORRIES marking devices and complete marking systems. BORRIES is the world market leader in scratch marking and needle marking, as well as in setting Braille characters and DataMatrix code characters. TISORA functions as a regional distributor and service provider for BORRIES products.
• TU Chemnitz (Technische Universität Chemnitz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Chemnitz is a key development partner of TISORA. Together they have developed multiple technologies including a thermomechanical joining process for fiber-reinforced plastics with metals, a tie sewing automaton with patented thread holder, wood lightweight construction profiles, and end machining technology without center residue. The university is also a partner in the InnoTeam Magnet-Handling project and the PLASAL plasma coating project.
• Fraunhofer Institute IWU ChemnitzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IWU Chemnitz is listed as one of TISORA's key development partners alongside TU Chemnitz and many other industrial partners and research institutions. TISORA works continuously on various research and development projects in collaboration with these partners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Schuler: Global manufacturer of presses, automation, and special-purpose machinery for automotive and industrial series production. Comparable to Tisora as a Sondermaschinen and automation supplier to series manufacturers across automotive and adjacent verticals.
• Trumpf: German high-tech company manufacturing machine tools, laser systems, and custom industrial equipment for sheet-metal and additive manufacturing. Comparable to Tisora's hybrid additive-subtractive manufacturing interests and custom-machine engineering at industrial scale.
• Festo: Global automation technology and pneumatics giant with deep German Mittelstand roots, supplying components, systems, and custom engineered automation solutions to series manufacturers. Comparable as a German-based industrial automation provider serving factory-floor customers.
• KUKA: German-headquartered robotics and automation systems integrator serving automotive and general industry. Comparable to Tisora in delivering robot-supported automated production solutions, but at a substantially larger scale and with broader systems integration scope.
• Dürr: German mechanical engineering group focused on automation, digitalization, and environmental technology for automotive and industrial customers. Comparable through its custom-engineered plant and automation solutions for series manufacturers, including assembly automation.

Direct peers

• EMAG: German manufacturer of CNC machine tools and automated production systems for metalworking, including turning, milling, and grinding solutions. Comparable to Tisora's precision-parts contract manufacturing and custom automation business for series production.
• INDEX-Werke: German manufacturer of high-precision CNC turning machines, turn-mill centers, and special machining solutions for series production. Comparable to Tisora's precision turning/milling capabilities and Sondermaschinen engineering for demanding cycle-time and repeatability requirements.
• HOMAG Group: German Sondermaschinenbau specialist producing custom machinery and integrated production lines, predominantly for the woodworking industry. Comparable to Tisora as a dedicated custom special-machine builder with project-based one-off deliveries and full lifecycle service.
• Heller: German-based manufacturer of CNC machine tools and turnkey production systems for series machining, serving automotive and industrial customers. Comparable to Tisora's contract-manufacturing CNC turning/milling/grinding capability and custom machine engineering for series producers.
• Starrag Group: Swiss-German manufacturer of high-precision machine tools and special-purpose machining systems for aerospace, energy, and industrial series production. Comparable to Tisora as a special-machine engineering house delivering complex, customer-individual production solutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tisora-sondermaschinen-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Tisora Special Machines