KMS

What KMS does

KMS Automation GmbH is a German Sondermaschinenbauer (special-purpose machinery builder) headquartered in Schramberg-Waldmössingen, Baden-Württemberg, employing 115 people and operating through its wholly-owned KMS Technology Center GmbH subsidiary in Dresden (founded 2003). The company designs and manufactures custom clamping and workholding systems (Spannvorrichtungen), integrated assembly and testing automation (Automatisierung), battery foil coating systems (Beschichtungsanlagen, capable of double-sided coating up to 7,000 meters of metal foil per day), proprietary leak testing equipment (since 2016), LTCC foil processing systems, and offers industrial 3D printing services. KMS also provides global after-sales service including AR-based remote support via Oculavis smart glasses deployed since April 2020 and a Hong Kong service hub established in 2021.

The company's revenue model is predominantly project-based, one-time-license sales of custom-engineered machines and automation cells, supplemented by professional services revenue from 3D printing and international support. With an 80% export ratio, KMS serves industrial enterprise customers worldwide via direct field sales and a multilingual project team, focusing primarily on automotive (engine, transmission, axle, chassis, e-mobility components) and secondarily on battery technology, aerospace, medical technology, photovoltaics, white goods, and aluminum die casting. Strategic partnerships with Bosch Rexroth (Smart Function Kit integration), KUKA (System Partner since July 2024), Fraunhofer Institute, and Siemens Mindsphere anchor its technology stack and ecosystem position.

Operationally, KMS operates from a single headquarters in southern Germany plus a research-oriented Technology Center in Dresden, with a small commercial footprint in Hong Kong. The company is privately held (GmbH), founder/management-controlled with no disclosed external institutional investment, and is led by Managing Directors Klaus Wurster and Jens Bayer. Recent strategic activity has centered on product launches in battery coating (2021) and 3D printing (2020), AR-enabled service expansion, the KUKA partnership (2024), and ESG positioning through FOKUS Zukunft climate neutrality certification for 2024-2025.

Name

KMS

Legal name

KMS Automation GmbH

Website

https://kms-automation.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Short description

KMS Automation GmbH is a German special-purpose machinery builder that designs and manufactures custom clamping systems, assembly and testing automation, battery foil coating equipment, and leak testing technology. It serves global industrial enterprise customers, primarily in automotive and battery manufacturing, through project-based sales and an 80% export-driven go-to-market.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation and Special Machine Building

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial Quality Inspection & Metrology (Machine Vision) (IMAIAMAF)

Keywords

• Special machine building
• Industrial automation systems
• Clamping and workholding solutions
• Battery coating systems
• Industrial 3D printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Schramberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Special Machine Building: Project-based custom machine design and manufacturing for industrial customers. Solutions include automation systems, clamping devices, assembly and testing systems. Revenue generated through one-time project delivery.
2. Automation Solutions and Systems: Integrated assembly and test systems combined with high technology for precise and reliable operation including cleanroom applications. Modular systems configured to customer specifications.
3. International Service and Support: Global service network including remote support with augmented reality, on-site maintenance, commissioning and repair services. Service hub in Hong Kong for Asian markets.
4. 3D Printing Services: Industrial 3D printing as a service for customers, including prototyping and small batch production. Covers consulting, data generation, and finished prototype or component delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KMS Automation GmbH designs and builds custom special machines, automation systems, and clamping/workholding solutions for industrial manufacturers. Its core offerings include integrated assembly and testing systems, coating machines for battery foil production, industrial 3D printing services, and proprietary leak testing technology, supported by an R&D subsidiary in Dresden.

Product overview

KMS Automation GmbH is a special-purpose machinery builder and automation solutions provider offering a portfolio of integrated products and services. The core offerings include Spannvorrichtungen (custom clamping/workholding systems), Automatisierung (integrated assembly and testing systems), Beschichtungsanlagen (coating systems for battery production), and Industrieller 3D-Druck (industrial 3D printing services). These are complemented by Dichtprüftechnik (leak testing technology), Remote Support services using Augmented Reality, and a Technology Center in Dresden for R&D. The company serves industry-specific solutions across Automotive, Battery/LTCC technology, Aerospace, and custom special solutions. KMS positions itself as an innovations partner for leading industrial companies, delivering projects globally from its location in Schramberg-Waldmössingen, Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Clamping Systems (Spannvorrichtungen)
• Automation Systems (Automatisierung)
• Coating Systems for Battery Production (Beschichtungsanlagen)
• Industrial 3D Printing (Industrieller 3D-Druck)
• Leak Testing Technology (Dichtprüftechnik)
• Remote Support with Augmented Reality
• KMS Technology Center Dresden
• Industry Solutions (Branchenlösungen)

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 7,000 meters of metal foil can be coated per day
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.

• Kita W-Ki (Waldmössinger Kindertagesstätte)minorOthers · 1 September 2024Cooperation partner in the Waldmössingen daycare project. KMS contributed to enabling childcare places as part of the partnership project with Förderverein W-Ki and neighboring companies.
• KUKAcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 July 2024Official System Partner of KUKA. This significant partnership enables KMS to offer customers and partners considerable added value. Together they develop tailored solutions meeting specific customer requirements and strengthen position as leading automation provider.
• Bosch RexrothcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 February 2023Long-standing partnership for Smart Function Kit Pressing integration. KMS uses Bosch Rexroth's smart subsystems to standardize pressing and joining tasks in assembly lines. Result: less complexity, higher process quality, shorter time to market. Managing Director Klaus Wurster cited the partnership benefits.
• Lebenshilfe im Kreis Rottweil gGmbHminorOthers · 1 January 201015-year partnership (since 2010) with Lebenshilfe for inclusion. KMS supports the 'Zum Frieder' inclusive restaurant and 'Rösterei' coffee roastery in Webertal. Employee Agnes Koop works at KMS as external workplace since 2017.
• Fraunhofer InstitutestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Fraunhofer Institute at the Technology Center Dresden for research and development of new technologies and solutions.
• Various UniversitiesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperations with various universities for research projects and technology development at the Dresden Technology Center.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Bosch Rexroth: Global supplier of drive and control technologies and a strategic technology partner of KMS (Smart Function Kit integration). While primarily an upstream technology provider rather than a direct special-machine competitor, it overlaps in factory automation, assembly and pressing applications.

Direct peers

• HELLER: German manufacturer of CNC machine tools and special-purpose machining/turning systems for automotive and industrial customers. Comparable to KMS as a Mittelstand special machine builder with overlapping automotive customer base and project-based custom-engineering model.
• Stäubli: Swiss-headquartered provider of industrial automation, robotics and specialized mechatronic solutions serving automotive, electronics and medical technology. Comparable to KMS across multiple verticals including automotive assembly, battery production and medical device manufacturing.
• Festo: Germany-based global industrial automation and special-machine solutions provider serving automotive, electronics and process industries. Closely comparable to KMS in customer base, custom-automation business model and Mittelstand profile, though at significantly larger scale.
• Schunk: German specialist in workholding, clamping technology and automation components used across machining and assembly lines. Directly competes with KMS's Spannvorrichtungen (clamping systems) product line, with overlapping automotive and industrial customer bases.
• Manz AG: German Mittelstand supplier of integrated automation, assembly and testing equipment for electronics, battery production and solar industries. Closely comparable to KMS through battery production equipment, LTCC-style electronics processing and project-based custom machinery.
• Handtmann: German Mittelstand group with a Light Metal Casting and special machine building division serving automotive and industrial customers. Comparable to KMS through its special-purpose machinery operations and similar automotive-driven project base.
• GROB-WERKE: German family-owned builder of special machines and assembly systems primarily serving automotive powertrain and e-mobility production. Highly comparable to KMS in custom automation, automotive customer mix and Mittelstand heritage, though materially larger in scale.
• FFT (Flexible Fertigungstechnik): German specialist in turnkey production systems and special-purpose machinery for automotive, aerospace and industrial customers. Directly comparable to KMS as a custom automation and assembly-line integrator with similar automotive-heavy project mix.

Broad incumbents

• KUKA: Global automation and robotics incumbent and one of KMS's named strategic partners (KMS became an official KUKA System Partner in July 2024). Overlaps with KMS through integrated automation and assembly solutions but operates at vastly larger scale across automotive, electronics and general industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 KMS