TLS Anilox

What TLS Anilox does

TLS Anilox GmbH is a German specialty manufacturer of anilox rolls, sleeves, and laser engravings serving the flexographic, label, corrugated, and offset printing industries, headquartered in Salzkotten, Germany. The company operates from a 2,000-square-meter production facility (expandable to 4,000-5,000 sqm) that combines ceramic and proprietary carbide coating capabilities with precision laser engraving and ultrasonic cleaning services. Its core products are precision-engineered anilox rolls and lightweight sleeves, available with bale widths from 50mm to 4,500mm, in standard ceramic coating (hardness 1,200-1,500 HV0.3, 99.5% chromium oxide purity) or the patent-pending TeroLux carbide coating. The company also offers four proprietary laser engraving profiles — TeroMin (standard flexo), TeroVis (label/UV ink), TeroLine, and TeroTop (coatings) — each engineered for specific print and coating applications, plus on-site technical analysis and custom manufacturing services.

TLS Anilox monetizes through a mix of hardware sales (rolls and sleeves), professional services (coating reapplication, laser engraving, ultrasonic cleaning), and on-site technical consultation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through direct sales engagement. The company serves enterprise customers in flexographic packaging, label printing, corrugated cardboard, coatings, and offset printing verticals. Its go-to-market combines direct sales (Sales Director for Germany, Technical Sales Manager, and an export team covering Non-EU countries) with a channel partner network spanning 11+ European countries — Benelux (Packtion), DACH (Dortschy), France (OS GRAPHICS), Italy (NEOGRAFA), Baltic states (Air Idea), Romania (PRICON), Slovakia and Czech Republic (PANFLEX), Spain (lr flexo), Turkey (SAF Flexo&Roto), and Poland (Wolff Poligrafia) — plus participation in industry trade shows (LabelExpo, FachPack, Drupa) and hosted events (FLEXOPARTNER, Customer Days).

Founded in 2013 as part of the TeroLab Surface Group, TLS Anilox opened its Salzkotten facility in June 2015, launched the TeroLux coating in January 2016, achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification in September 2022, and was acquired by Pamarco Global Graphics, Inc. in October 2023. Following the acquisition, the company operates as a Pamarco subsidiary with André Schmitz and Steven Mortimer as Managing Directors, gaining access to Pamarco's global distribution channels in exchange for additional European production capacity and the TeroLux technology. Current firmographic headcount is reported as 11-50 employees.

Name

TLS Anilox

Legal name

TLS Anilox GmbH

Website

https://tlsanilox.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TLS Anilox GmbH manufactures anilox rolls, sleeves, and proprietary laser engravings for flexographic, label, corrugated, and offset printing customers across Europe from its Salzkotten facility, now operating as a Pamarco Global Graphics subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Printing Industry Components

NAICS

Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (3328), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry and Silverware), and Allied Services to Manufacturers (332812)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Printing Operations (Rotary/Flat/Digital/Sublimation) (IMAOACAC), Industrial & Commercial Painting/Coatings/Surface Treatment (IMAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Anilox roll manufacturing
• Ceramic coating services
• Laser engraving
• Flexographic printing equipment
• Printing industry components

Headquarters

HQ city

Salzkotten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Anilox Rolls and Sleeves Manufacturing: Manufacture and sale of high-quality anilox rolls and sleeves including light rolls for label printing, light rolls for offset varnishing, light robust sleeves for flexographic printing, quality precision steel rolls, and customized designs. Production range from 50mm to maximum 4,500mm bale width.
2. Coating Services: Ceramic coating and TeroLux carbide coating services for anilox rolls and sleeves, providing wear protection and extending service life.
3. Laser Engraving Services: Laser engraving services with various profiles including TeroMin, TeroVis, TeroLine, and TeroTop for different applications such as flexible packaging, labels, corrugated cardboard, and offset printing.
4. Cleaning and Analysis Services: Ultrasonic cleaning services and technical analysis/consultation including on-site technical analysis of customer's anilox roll stock.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TLS Anilox manufactures high-quality anilox rolls and sleeves for the flexographic, label, corrugated cardboard, and offset printing and coating industries. The company offers ceramic coating and the proprietary TeroLux carbide coating, along with proprietary laser engraving profiles (TeroMin, TeroVis, TeroLine, TeroTop) for precise ink and coating transfer. Production capabilities span from 50mm to 4,500mm bale width, complemented by ultrasonic cleaning and on-site technical analysis services.

Product overview

TLS Anilox GmbH is a manufacturer of anilox rolls and sleeves for the printing and coating industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on two core products: precision-engineered anilox rolls (with pins) and anilox sleeves (for flexographic presses). These are available with two coating technologies—ceramic coating (standard, offering 1,200-1,500 HV0.3 hardness and exceptional durability) and the proprietary TeroLux carbide coating (patent-pending, with near-zero porosity for finer lineature). The company's laser engraving portfolio includes TeroMin (standard flexo), TeroVis (label printing reducing ink spitting), and TeroLine/TeroTop (for coatings). A full suite of services includes ultrasonic cleaning, on-site technical analysis, custom manufacturing (50mm to 4,500mm), and repair. TLS was acquired by Pamarco Global Graphics in October 2023, expanding its European production capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TeroLux: Patent-pending carbide/hard metal coating technology for anilox rolls offering near non-porous surface, longer service life, and improved printing quality compared to standard ceramic coatings.
• TeroMin
• TeroVis
• TeroLine
• TeroTop

Products and services

• Anilox Rolls (Rasterwalzen) High-quality anilox rolls manufactured from precision steel, available with pins or shafts. Dynamically balanced for optimal performance, with corrosion protection options (nickel or chrome coating on pins). Used for ink transfer in flexographic and offset printing applications.
• Anilox Sleeves (Rasterwalzen-Sleeves) Lightweight, robust sleeves for flexographic printing made from glass fiber reinforced plastic with metal sealing rings on both sides. Feature optimized ceramic coating, high dimensional accuracy, precise round-running accuracy, and long service life. Also available as cost-effective repairs.
• Ceramic Coating Durable ceramic coating providing exceptional hardness (1,200-1,500 HV0.3) and density for anilox rolls. Features chromium oxide purity of 99.5%, special barrier coatings to prevent corrosion, and ensures long-term reproducibility of print results. Homogeneous coating optimized for high-precision laser engraving.
• TeroLux Coating Patent-pending carbide/metal coating that overcomes residual porosity of ceramic coatings, enabling engagement with the finest lineature ranges. Features nearly non-porous surface, low porosity, easy cleaning, optimal cell structure, longer service life, and ideal for fine lines. Requires special newly developed laser for engraving.
• TeroMin Laser Engraving Standard TLS Anilox engraving for flexographic printing based on hexagonal honeycomb structure. Features optimally formed U-shaped cells providing excellent homogeneity, detail fidelity, and target weight control. Enables effective ink release and improved cleaning properties with reproducible results.
• TeroVis Laser Engraving Specialized engraving for label printing applications that significantly reduces ink spitting problems in UV ink systems. Enables screen widths up to 600 lines with corresponding volumes, reproducibly manufactured with modern laser engraving machines.
• TeroLine and TeroTop Laser Engravings Special engravings for coating applications enabling precise application of primers and varnishes. Achieve high theoretical dip volumes and absolutely uniform cell geometry, creating closed homogeneous surfaces.
• Ultrasonic Cleaning Service State-of-the-art ultrasonic cleaning system at the Salzkotten production facility for thorough and gentle anilox roll cleaning. Combined with modern measuring instruments to precisely determine actual remaining dip volume for customers.
• On-Site Technical Analysis and Consultation Technical analysis conducted on-site to review customer's anilox roll inventory and propose alternatives for optimizing printing processes. Includes custom manufacturing from drawings in sizes from 50mm to 4,500mm bale width.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ceramic coating hardness: 1,200-1,500 HV0.3 with 99.5% purity chromium oxide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Pamarco Global Graphics, Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2023Pamarco completed acquisition of TLS Anilox GmbH and TLS Invest GmbH in October 2023. This acquisition expands Pamarco's global anilox presence into Continental Europe, providing additional production capacity. TLS Anilox becomes part of Pamarco's portfolio of industry standard-setting brand offerings. The transaction includes TLS's patented TeroLux carbide coating process.
• Dortschy GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for TLS products in Germany and Austria. Offers unique scope of services and cross-process know-how in flexographic, offset, letterpress and digital printing.
• LohmannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at FLEXOPARTNER 2022 event. Lohmann follows the trend towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions, thanks to a newly developed, solvent-free adhesive.
• Asahi PhotoproductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at FLEXOPARTNER 2022 event. Focuses on practical information and facts about water-washable flexo printing plate Asahi AWP-DEW.
• Flexo WashminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at FLEXOPARTNER 2022 event. Exhibited latest developments for anilox roll cleaning with liquid and laser, as well as plate cleaning equipment.
• GSB WahlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint exhibition partner at LabelExpo Europe 2015 trade show.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BFT GmbH: European anilox roll manufacturer offering ceramic-coated rollers and laser engraving services for flexo and label printing. Closely comparable in product scope, geography, and target customer profile.
• Apex International: Global anilox roll and sleeve manufacturer with manufacturing facilities across multiple continents. Directly comparable as a competitor offering precision anilox rolls, engravings, and cleaning services to flexo and packaging converters.
• Harper Corporation of America: One of the largest global manufacturers of anilox rolls and sleeves, serving flexo, offset, and coating applications. Directly comparable as a premium anilox supplier with proprietary laser engraving and coating technologies competing head-to-head with TLS in Europe and beyond.
• Zecher GmbH: German-based specialist manufacturer of anilox rollers, sleeves, and engraving technology. Direct European peer with comparable focus on precision laser engraving, ceramic coatings, and flexographic printing customers.

Broad incumbents

• SPGPrints: Global printing technology provider offering engraving systems, anilox rolls, and rotary screen printing solutions. Comparable as a broader incumbent in flexo/screen printing equipment with overlapping customer base in packaging and labels.
• Flint Group: Major global supplier of printing consumables, inks, and flexographic plates (XSYS division). Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same flexo and packaging printing customers, though focused on plates and inks rather than anilox rolls.
• Koenig & Bauer: Leading global manufacturer of printing presses, including flexo and offset. Comparable as an adjacent equipment provider whose installed press base drives aftermarket anilox roll demand similar to TLS's customer segments.
• Pamarco Global Graphics: Parent company and global leader in anilox roll manufacturing and printing technology solutions. Most directly comparable as a multi-region anilox producer with broader packaging, coating, and OEM product lines spanning North America and the UK.

Others

• Flexo Wash: Provider of cleaning equipment and consumables for anilox rolls and flexo plates. Adjacent ecosystem player participating alongside TLS at FLEXOPARTNER events and serving overlapping flexo printing customers.

Regional players

• Dortschy GmbH & Co. KG: TLS's exclusive distribution partner for Germany and Austria, offering cross-process know-how in flexographic, offset, letterpress and digital printing. Comparable as a regional channel peer operating in DACH with overlapping product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pamarco

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 TLS Anilox