Widmer
Oskar Widmer GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer (founded 1886, headquartered in Lorsch) producing mechanical spring shaft technology and a full range of custom-made sun protection products, serving industrial, commercial, private residential, and OEM customers across Germany and select European markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1886
- HeadquartersLorsch, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Widmer does
Oskar Widmer GmbH is a German Mittelstand manufacturer founded in 1886 and headquartered in Lorsch, Hesse, operating two distinct business pillars under one company. The first pillar is Federwellentechnik — mechanical spring shaft technology, which the company has produced for over 140 years and in which it claims market leadership in Germany. These spring-driven shafts are cylindrical mechanical components (19-130mm diameter, 100mm-5m widths, 1-200kg pulling force, up to 45 rotations) with integrated torsion springs that generate mechanical drive force, serving as an alternative to electric motors in rolling applications such as industrial protection roller shutters (Schutzrollos), scaffolding roller shutters (Gerüstrollos), insect protection systems, vehicle roller shutters, and furniture/mechanical systems. The second pillar is a comprehensive sun protection portfolio (Vollsortiment) covering indoor products (plissees, honeycomb pleated blinds, roller blinds, double roller blinds, interior blinds, vertical lamella curtains) and outdoor products (external sun blinds/Raffstores, awnings, terrace awnings, vertical awnings/ZIP-screens with smart home and solar-motor options, insect protection), all manufactured as custom-measured, made-to-order products.
The company serves five distinct customer segments: industrial companies requiring robust maintenance-free solutions, commercial/trade customers prioritizing design and functionality, private end customers seeking custom-measured residential products, object/project business for larger construction projects, and a Fachhandel dealer network of specialized trade partners. Distribution is omnichannel within Germany — Fachhandel partners for trade sales, direct sales for end customers (including showrooms and employed installation teams in the Rhein-Main-Neckar region), online configurators for self-service product selection, and a free fabric sample service supporting conversion. Pricing is primarily quote-based for custom-made products, with standard pricing published for sun protection items, ex-works pricing for spring shaft components, and processing fees for small international orders. Export activity extends to Austria, Switzerland, and France.
Oskar Widmer GmbH is a family-owned private company (GmbH structure since 1996) with no external investors or parent company. Current managing director Dr. Michael Müller serves as geschäftsführender Gesellschafter (managing shareholder). The company holds DIN ISO 9001:2015 certification and has been located in Lorsch since 2013 after 108 years in Heppenheim. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Widmer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Widmer
- Legal name
- Oskar Widmer GmbH
- Website
- https://oskar-widmer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1886
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Oskar Widmer GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer (founded 1886, headquartered in Lorsch) producing mechanical spring shaft technology and a full range of custom-made sun protection products, serving industrial, commercial, private residential, and OEM customers across Germany and select European markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Widmer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lorsch
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Widmer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom-Made Sun Protection Products: Sale of custom-measured, made-to-order sun protection products including plissees, roller blinds, double roller blinds, interior blinds, vertical lamellae, awnings, terrace awnings, insect protection, and protection rolls. Products are manufactured to individual customer specifications.
- Federwellen and Spring Shaft Components: Sale of precision spring shafts and spring mechanisms for technical applications in industry, commercial vehicles, furniture manufacturing, and sun protection systems. Components range from standard products to custom-engineered solutions.
- Installation and Maintenance Services: Professional assembly and maintenance of Widmer sun protection products including disposal of old installations. Services provided in the Rhein-Main-Neckar metropolitan region and nationwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Standard sun protection pricing (Markisen, Jalousien, Plissees, Rollos) |
| Quote-based/ custom | One time | Custom/industrial products (Federwellen, special solutions) |
| Other | One time | Processing fees for small international orders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Widmer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oskar Widmer GmbH manufactures and sells custom-made spring-driven shafts (Federwellen) used as mechanical drive components for rolling applications, alongside a full range of interior and exterior sun protection products (plissees, roller blinds, double roller blinds, interior blinds, vertical lamella curtains, exterior blinds, awnings, terrace awnings, ZIP screens, insect protection) and industrial protection roller shutters (Schutzrollos, Gerüstrollos). The company serves industrial, commercial, project, and dealer customers as well as private residential end customers with made-to-measure products, technical consultation, installation, and maintenance services, operating nationwide in Germany with export activity in neighboring European markets.
Product overview
Oskar Widmer GmbH offers two main product lines: (1) Spring-driven shafts (Federwellen) and industrial protection roller shutters (Schutzrollos, Gerüstrollos), where they are the market leader with 140+ years of experience; and (2) A comprehensive sun protection portfolio for indoor and outdoor use including pleated blinds, honeycomb pleated blinds, roller blinds, double roller blinds, interior blinds, vertical lamella curtains, external sun blinds, awnings, terrace/winter garden awnings, vertical awnings/ZIP screens, and insect protection systems. The company provides custom-made products with full service including professional installation and maintenance, serving both industrial/business customers and private end customers. Products are manufactured in Germany with a focus on quality and energy efficiency.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Federwellen (Spring-Driven Shafts) Spring-driven shafts (Federwellen) that mechanically power roll-up mechanisms as an alternative to electric motors for industrial, commercial-vehicle, furniture, and sun protection applications. Widmer is market leader in this technology with 140+ years of experience; products integrate centrifugal brakes and ball bearings.
- Schutzrollos (Industrial Protection Roller Shutters) Industrial and commercial roller shutters for machine protection, loading equipment, containers, vehicles, and workplace safety, equipped with spring-driven shafts for automatic retraction. DIN ISO 9001:2015 certified.
- Gerüstrollos (Scaffolding Roller Shutters) Mechanical roller shutters for scaffolding providing weather protection, occupational safety, and reduction of construction site downtime; printed surfaces available for advertising/branding use.
- Plissees (Pleated Blinds) Pleated blinds for windows in standard, free-hanging, and tensioned system forms; available with various mounting options including no-drill adhesive or clamp solutions.
- Wabenplissees (Honeycomb Pleated Blinds) Honeycomb-structured pleated blinds providing improved insulation and light control, with white backs for consistent exterior appearance.
- Rollos (Roller Blinds) Roller blinds with straightforward operation and clean design, available with manual or electric operation, smart home integration, and fabric options ranging from transparent to blackout.
- Doppelrollos (Double Roller Blinds) Dual-layer roller blinds combining transparent and translucent fabric strips, allowing users to adjust privacy and light levels with a simple handle.
- Innenjalousien (Interior Blinds) Aluminum interior blinds with adjustable slats for precise light control, available with various mounting options including no-drill adhesive or clamp solutions.
- Vertikallamellen / Lamellenvorhänge (Vertical Lamella Curtains) Vertical fabric curtain systems with lamella strips for precise light control, suitable for large window fronts, winter gardens, and office buildings.
- Raffstores / Außenjalousien (External Sun Blinds) Aluminum exterior blinds mounted on facades for regulating light, heat, and privacy; available with cable or rail guidance systems and various slat widths (50mm, 80mm, 90mm).
- Markisen (Awnings) Articulated arm awnings for terraces and balconies in open, half-cassette, and full-cassette designs with widths up to 700cm; manual crank or motorized operation options.
- Terrassenmarkisen (Terrace / Winter Garden Awnings) Awnings for winter gardens and terraces available as roof-mounted or under-roof designs, with models including San Remo, San Remo Light, and St. Tropez at widths up to 650cm.
- Senkrechtmarkisen / ZIP-Screens (Vertical Awnings) Vertical external sun protection systems for windows, glass facades, and terraces with cable or rail guidance, ZIP system for wind resistance, and optional solar-powered motors.
- Insektenschutz (Insect Protection Systems) Custom-made insect protection screens including frame systems, hinged doors, and sliding doors, available with various mesh types (fiberglass, Transpatec, pollen protection, stainless steel, polyester for pet owners).
- Stoffmusterservice (Fabric Sample Service) Free pre-purchase fabric sample service allowing customers to request up to 3 fabric samples across product categories (pleated blinds, roller blinds, double roller blinds, lamella curtains, awnings) to evaluate materials before purchase.
- Montage und Wartung (Installation and Maintenance Service) Professional installation, maintenance, and disposal of old installations for Widmer sun protection products; performed by employed installers in the Rhein-Main-Neckar metropolitan region and nationwide.
Quantifiable outcome
- Energy savings through mechanical spring shaft technology replacing electric motors
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Widmer
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Widmer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Widmer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Widmer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ROMA: German manufacturer of roller shutters, external venetian blinds (Raffstores), and sun protection systems. Direct competitor in roller shutters and external shading, with comparable custom/engineered OEM positioning.
- Weinor: German manufacturer of awnings, conservatory shading, and vertical screens. Direct competitor in outdoor Markisen and terrace/winter garden awnings that overlap with Widmer's product range.
- Warema: Germany's largest sun protection manufacturer, producing Markisen, Raffstores, Insektenschutz, and exterior shading systems. Direct competitor across Widmer's full-range residential and commercial sun protection portfolio.
- Reflexa: German manufacturer of awnings, conservatory shading, and privacy screens. Direct competitor in Markisen and Sonnenschutz products with similar mid-market Fachhandel distribution.
- Markilux: Specialist German manufacturer of premium awnings (Markisen, Pergolamarkisen, textile architecture). Direct competitor in Widmer's awning and terrace covering product lines.
- Alukon: German manufacturer of roller shutters, external venetian blinds, and insect protection systems. Direct competitor in residential roller shutters and Raffstores with similar Fachhandel distribution model.
- Heroal: German aluminum systems manufacturer offering roller shutters, external venetian blinds, and sun protection solutions. Direct competitor in industrial/commercial shading and roller shutter systems.
Broad incumbents
- Hunter Douglas: Global leader in window coverings (blinds, shades, shutters) with broad residential and commercial portfolios. Comparable to Widmer across plissees, roller blinds, and venetian blinds, but at significantly larger scale and geographic reach.
- Somfy: French global leader in motors, sensors, and smart controls for blinds, awnings, and shutters. Comparable to Widmer on the motorization layer of the value chain (e.g., Somfy motors power many of Widmer's electric options) rather than direct blind manufacturing.
Emerging players
- Lesjöfors: European spring technology specialist (Sweden-headquartered) with industrial and custom-engineered spring products. Comparable to Widmer's Federwellen (spring shaft) business as a custom industrial spring manufacturer serving OEMs in machinery, vehicles, and equipment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Widmer social profiles
Digital presenceWidmer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Widmer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Widmer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Widmer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Widmer
What does Widmer do?
Oskar Widmer GmbH manufactures and sells custom-made spring-driven shafts (Federwellen) used as mechanical drive components for rolling applications, alongside a full range of interior and exterior sun protection products (plissees, roller blinds, double roller blinds, interior blinds, vertical lamella curtains, exterior blinds, awnings, terrace awnings, ZIP screens, insect protection) and industrial protection roller shutters (Schutzrollos, Gerüstrollos). The company serves industrial, commercial, project, and dealer customers as well as private residential end customers with made-to-measure products, technical consultation, installation, and maintenance services, operating nationwide in Germany with export activity in neighboring European markets.
Is Widmer a public or private company?
Widmer is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Widmer founded?
Widmer was founded in 1886. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Widmer based?
Widmer is headquartered in Lorsch, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Widmer make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom-Made Sun Protection Products are the primary driver. The others are federwellen and Spring Shaft Components and installation and Maintenance Services.
Who are Widmer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ROMA, Weinor, Warema, Reflexa, Markilux, Alukon and Heroal. Broad incumbents are Hunter Douglas and Somfy. Lesjöfors is listed as an emerging player.
Does Widmer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Widmer.