Hornet Laser Cladding

What Hornet Laser Cladding does

Hornet Laser Cladding B.V. is a Netherlands-based (Alblasserdam) privately held company founded in 2015 that designs, manufactures, and supports industrial laser cladding systems used to deposit metallurgically bonded metal coatings onto worn or new components for wear, corrosion, and erosion protection. Its product portfolio spans large custom turnkey systems (up to 26 metres between centres and up to 13 interpolated axes), The Hive compact cladding cell, the Hornet Mobile portable system, and add-on modules including The Stinger ID cladding head, EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Application) co-developed with Fraunhofer ILT, the SimpliFlow powder hopper (patented 2024, engineered with PF Tech), and proprietary software such as the Hornet HMI, Hornet Robot App for ABB Omnicore, Hornet Motion Control, and melt pool monitoring. The company generates revenue primarily through one-time capital equipment sales — ranging from compact cells to multi-million euro turnkey installations — supplemented by recurring aftercare contracts, the Owners Club program, training at the Hornet Academy, and standalone component sales. Hornet sells exclusively through direct field and inside sales to industrial manufacturers and service shops across Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East, with a named enterprise customer base including SKF, Caterpillar (logo), Sulzer, Westrac, Wartsila, Hoganas, and Envision, and a milestone of 70+ systems installed worldwide reached at its 2025 ten-year anniversary.

Name

Hornet Laser Cladding

Legal name

Hornet Laser Cladding B.V.

Website

https://hornetlasercladding.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hornet Laser Cladding, founded in 2015 in the Netherlands, designs and builds factory-hardened laser cladding systems — including large turnkey lines, compact Hive cells, mobile units, and EHLA technology — for industrial manufacturers and component-repair shops globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Alblasserdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turnkey Laser Cladding Systems: Sale of fully customized, built-to-specification laser cladding machines including the Turnkey line (up to 26m, up to 13 axes), The Hive™ compact cell, and Hornet Mobile™ portable system. Each system is engineered around customer-specific performance and budget requirements. Revenue is primarily one-time capital equipment sales, typically to enterprise manufacturers or industrial service providers.
2. Aftercare Services & Spares: Ongoing revenue from aftercare contracts covering remote diagnostics, preventative maintenance, calibration, unplanned maintenance visits, and spare parts supply. Customers join the 'Owners Club' for personalized services including technical support, application development, knowledge transfer, training academy, and discounts on aftercare and spares.
3. Training & Application Development: Tailored training programs for operators, technicians, and engineers at the Hornet academy in the Netherlands, combining classroom and practical sessions. Process support and application development services for cladding parameters, component tooling, and robot programming reduce time-to-production for new system installations.
4. SimpliFlow™ Powder Hopper: Sale of the proprietary SimpliFlow powder hopper (developed with PF Tech). Sold as a standalone component compatible with standard volumetric rotary powder feeders for thermal spray, laser cladding, PTA, and powder additive processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hornet Laser Cladding designs, manufactures, and installs industrial laser cladding systems used to deposit wear- and corrosion-resistant metal coatings onto industrial components. Its portfolio spans compact cells, mobile in-field systems, internal-diameter cladding heads, powder feeders, and proprietary control software, delivered as turnkey packages with full aftercare service.

Product overview

Hornet Laser Cladding is a market-leading supplier of industrial laser cladding machine solutions, established in 2015. The company offers a portfolio of three core system platforms: Turnkey Laser Cladding Systems (custom-built systems up to 26m with robotic or CNC control supporting up to 13 axes), The Hive Compact Cladding Cell (space-efficient modular system in two sizes with Cartesian or robotic control), and the Hornet Mobile System (portable solution for on-site repairs). These systems support multiple cladding processes including conventional laser cladding, EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Cladding), wide beam cladding, wire cladding, and internal cladding (via The Stinger ID head down to 70mm bores). All systems are powered by proprietary software including the Hornet HMI with recipe management, Hornet Melt Pool Monitoring, Stand-Off Distance Control, Hornet Robot App, and Hornet Motion Control. The company also offers the SimpliFlow powder hopper by PF Tech as a key component. Systems are designed for 24/7 operation and include comprehensive support services covering application development, training academy, and aftercare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Turnkey Laser Cladding Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• EHLA achieves cladding speeds above 300 m/min — 10 to 250 times faster than conventional laser metal deposition (0.5–2 m/min)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fraunhofer ILTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHornet collaborated closely with Fraunhofer ILT (Aachen, Germany) in the development of EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Application) technology. Hornet was the first system integrator globally to successfully implement EHLA commercially. Fraunhofer ILT continues to be a key R&D partner alongside TWI and powder manufacturers for ongoing EHLA development. Fraunhofer is also a direct customer, operating a Hornet EHLA system for various applications including brake disc research.
• PF TechcoreTechnology or IntegrationHornet partnered with PF Tech to bring the SimpliFlow powder hopper to market. The SimpliFlow is a proprietary powder delivery system engineered by PF Tech and marketed and sold by Hornet as part of its laser cladding system portfolio. Hornet holds a patent on the SimpliFlow technology (granted 2024). The SimpliFlow is integrated into all Hornet systems as a standard or optional component.
• ABBcoreTechnology or IntegrationHornet integrates ABB industrial robotic systems (IRB 2600 series) and ABB Omnicore controllers into its laser cladding solutions. The Hornet Robot App is specifically designed to integrate with ABB Omnicore, simplifying robotic programming for laser cladding operators. ABB robotics are used across the Turnkey, Hornet Mobile, and The Hive product lines.
• LaserlinecoreTechnology or IntegrationHornet sources Laserline diode lasers for its systems. Notably, in 2017 Hornet achieved the first industrial utilization of a Laserline 20kW diode laser. Hornet Mobile uses a 3kW Laserline LDM diode laser. Hornet's turnkey systems have been supplied with laser powers ranging from 2kW to 16kW from Laserline.
• TWIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHornet supplied TWI (UK) with the UK's first EHLA system in 2020. TWI uses the system for R&D applications including disc and shaft coating, dissimilar materials joining, and high-speed additive manufacturing. TWI launched a Joint Industry Programme on EHLA technology following acquisition. TWI is also a customer co-developing EHLA applications with Hornet.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EMAG: German machine tool manufacturer offering laser welding and laser cladding solutions as part of its broader metalworking equipment portfolio. EMAG provides integrated laser surface treatment systems that overlap with Hornet's offerings for automotive and industrial customers.
• DMG MORI: Global machine tool leader with a LASERTEC product line for laser metal deposition (additive manufacturing) on machine tools. DMG MORI competes with Hornet at the larger industrial end and bundles laser cladding capabilities with its broader machine tool portfolio.
• IPG Photonics: Global leader in fiber laser sources that also offers complete laser systems including cladding solutions. While Hornet sources fiber/diode lasers separately, IPG's downstream expansion into laser cladding systems creates competitive overlap, particularly for high-power cladding applications.
• Oerlikon Metco: Global surface solutions provider offering thermal spray, laser cladding, and other surface engineering services and equipment. Oerlikon Metco competes with Hornet in laser cladding service provision and component repair, particularly for aerospace and power generation customers.

Direct peers

• HanhTec: South Korean specialist in laser cladding systems, EHLA technology, and laser surface treatment equipment. HanhTec directly competes with Hornet in EHLA-based hydraulic rod coating and other industrial laser cladding applications, particularly in Asian markets. Highly comparable in technology scope and target applications.
• Raymor Industries: Canadian laser cladding and surface engineering company. Raymor specializes in laser cladding systems and services, directly overlapping with Hornet's offerings particularly in mining and oil & gas component repair in North America.
• Optomec: US-based supplier of laser cladding and directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing systems, including the LENS series. Optomec competes directly with Hornet in precision laser cladding for repair and additive manufacturing applications across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.
• Flame-Spray Industries: US thermal spray and laser cladding service provider and equipment supplier. Flame-Spray competes directly with Hornet in applying and integrating laser cladding technology for component repair and surface enhancement, particularly in aerospace and industrial markets.
• TRUMPF: German laser equipment giant and global leader in industrial laser systems. TRUMPF offers laser cladding systems (TruLaser, TruDiode-based solutions) targeting the same industrial customers and applications as Hornet, including hard chrome replacement and large-scale turnkey installations. Closest large-incumbent comparable for laser cladding equipment.
• DURUM: German manufacturer of welding and cladding equipment including laser cladding systems. DURUM competes with Hornet in European markets for laser cladding solutions targeting wear protection and hard-facing applications across industrial manufacturing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hornetlasercladding6259
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hornet-laser-cladding

Compliance2 records

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 Hornet Laser Cladding