Kirchhofer AG

What Kirchhofer AG does

Kirchhofer AG is a privately held Swiss industrial automation engineering firm founded in 1971 and headquartered in Möriken, Switzerland. The company designs, programs, and commissions custom control, measurement, and regulation systems (Steuer-, Mess- und Regelanlagen) for industrial customers in five verticals: foundries, gravel and crushed stone works, the food industry, conveyor technology, and special machines. Core technology is PC-based Soft-SPS (Soft-PLC) running on multiple control platforms (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens, Honeywell, B&R, Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Schneider), with EtherCAT, ProfiNet, DeviceNet, INTERBUS, PROFIBUS, CANopen, and ASi-bus for I/O networking. Deliveries span project planning, in-house switchgear cabinet manufacturing (EN61439-tested), SPS/PLC programming, visualization/HMI development, installation, commissioning, and ongoing 24/7 service with remote maintenance.

The company operates on a direct enterprise field-sales motion, engaging plant constructors, designers, technicians and production managers through consultation-led project work, and serves clients in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the worldwide subsidiaries of those customers. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time custom automation projects, supplemented by recurring service and maintenance contracts (including a 24/7 emergency hotline and remote maintenance), retrofit and modernization engagements, consulting, and in-house switchgear cabinet hardware sales. Named reference customers include Villeroy & Boch Gustavsberg, Holcim Kies und Beton AG, VION, Bell AG, IMI Precision Norgren, Chocolat Frey, Foundry Grohe, and KOWAP AG. The firm holds ISO 9001 certification (since 2000) and Beckhoff Solution Partner status (since 2008, on top of System Partner since 2002), and is a member of electro suisse and VSAS. Team size is reported as approximately 5 experienced engineers in one source, with firmographics indicating a broader 11-50 employee range; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Kirchhofer AG

Legal name

Kirchhofer AG

Website

https://kirchhoferag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kirchhofer AG is a privately held Swiss industrial automation firm founded in 1971 that designs, programs, and commissions custom PC-based control, measurement, and regulation systems for foundries, aggregates producers, food processors, conveyor operators, and special-machine builders across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Services

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Control Cabinets & Power Distribution (Panels, Switchgear for Automation) (IMAHAHAK), Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Industrial automation systems
• Control systems engineering
• PLC programming services
• Switchgear cabinet manufacturing
• Plant modernization retrofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Möriken

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Projects: Design, programming, and installation of complete control systems for new plants or modernization of existing machines and facilities. Includes consultation, planning, programming, manufacturing of switchgear cabinets, installation, and commissioning.
2. Retrofit Services: Upgrading of outdated machines, plant repairs, and control system extensions. Includes conversion of switchgear, ERP integration, visualization renewal, process data acquisition, and spare parts configuration.
3. Service and Maintenance: Regular system checks, plant maintenance, and troubleshooting services. Includes 24/7 emergency hotline and remote maintenance via modem connection for customers in Switzerland and abroad.
4. Switchgear Cabinet Manufacturing: In-house electrical workshop builds switch cabinets for control systems. Includes manufacturing from own or external planning, testing per EN61439, heat calculations, engravings, and documentation.
5. Consulting Services: Situation analysis, risk analysis, sensor technology consulting, and system recommendations for automation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kirchhofer AG designs, programs, manufactures and commissions control, measurement and regulation systems for industrial automation. Deliverables include SPS/PLC programming on PC-based Soft-SPS platforms (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens, Honeywell, B&R, Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Schneider), in-house switchgear cabinet production, PC-based visualization, and I/O bus integration (EtherCAT, ProfiNet, PROFIBUS, etc.). The company supplies complete system solutions for new plants as well as retrofit and modernization of existing machines, supported by 24/7 service, remote maintenance and a spare parts database.

Product overview

Kirchhofer AG is a specialized automation company offering comprehensive control, measurement and regulation systems for industrial applications. Their core offering consists of custom-designed control systems, in-house switchgear cabinet manufacturing, SPS/PLC programming (using Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens, Honeywell, B&R, Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, and Schneider technologies), and visualization systems. The company provides complete project services from consulting and planning through manufacturing, installation, and commissioning, complemented by retrofit/modernization services and 24/7 troubleshooting support. Their product portfolio is organized as a unified service offering centered on automation systems engineering, with I/O bus systems integration (EtherCAT, ProfiNet, PROFIBUS, CANopen, ASi-bus) connecting hardware and software components. The company operates exclusively through direct service delivery with no packaged software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Control, Measurement and Regulation Systems (Steuer-, Mess- und Regelanlagen) Custom-engineered high-tech control systems for automated process, manufacturing and conveyor technology. Delivered as complete system solutions for new plants or for the expansion and modernization of existing machines and plants in industries such as foundries, aggregates, food processing, conveyor technology and special machinery.
• Switchgear Cabinet Manufacturing (Schaltanlagen) In-house electrical workshop builds switchgear cabinets for control systems based on internal or external planning, including testing per EN61439, heat calculations, engravings and documentation (hardware schemas, terminal diagrams, cable plans).
• SPS/PLC Programming (Soft-SPS) PC-based Soft-PLC programming (KOP/Ladder, FUP/Function Block, SCL/Structured Text, AWL/Instruction List) that connects hardware, electronics and networks into functional automated units.
• Visualization Systems User-friendly PC visualizations, graphics and touch panels that display machine and process data, with clear data presentation and targeted error messages that simplify troubleshooting.
• I/O Bus Systems Integration Networking and integration of control systems and field components using EtherCAT, ProfiNet, DeviceNet, INTERBUS, PROFIBUS, CANopen and ASi-bus protocols for efficient automated machine control.
• Automation Planning and Engineering Comprehensive project planning including situation analysis, project specification, hardware configuration, material procurement and testing, and flexible on-schedule execution for automation projects.
• Installation and Commissioning On-site installation and commissioning of control systems with simulations, pre-acceptance testing, domestic and international commissioning, electrical installations, and repairs.
• Production Support and Training Intensive on-site support during the start-up phase and training of customer employees by experienced control specialists and process engineers.
• Retrofit and Modernization Upgrading of obsolete machines, repair of plants and extension of control systems. Includes conversion of switchgear, ERP connection, visualization renewal, process data acquisition, traceability expansion, and safety device updates.
• 24/7 Troubleshooting Service (Störungsdienst) Round-the-clock on-call service for system malfunctions with remote diagnostics via modem connection for customers in Switzerland and abroad.
• Service and Plant Maintenance Regular system checks and plant maintenance via built-in remote maintenance modules, with online appointment scheduling for customers.
• Consulting and Risk Analysis Individual situation analysis, risk analysis for machines and plants, system recommendations, sensor technology consulting, and occupational safety assessments.
• Spare Parts Database and Supply Extensive database of original parts and compatible alternatives for all standard control technologies, supplied through partners Beckhoff and IAS Koopmann.
• Documentation Services Comprehensible descriptions of control sequences, hardware and software documentation, and creation of operating manuals with clear plans and network diagrams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Increased machine availability through modernization and targeted fault diagnostics
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2008Solution Partner since 2008 and System Partner since 2002. Kirchhofer AG works primarily with Beckhoff's universal and industry-independent control and automation technology for new plants and expansions. Beckhoff implements open automation systems using PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology including industrial PCs, I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, and automation software (TwinCAT 2 and TwinCAT 3).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kirchhoferag

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Kirchhofer AG