ZQM

What ZQM does

ZQM (Zentrum für Qualifizierung und Management UG (haftungsbeschränkt)) is a German professional-services firm headquartered in Velbert, North Rhine-Westphalia, that delivers quality management consulting and training to industrial manufacturers, calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and regulated insurance entities across Germany. Founded in 1991 as an industry association by more than 70 companies from the metal and electrical sector in the Bergisches Land region, the firm was restructured in 2009 into its current UG limited liability form under managing director Ralf Nowinski. The company operates with approximately 8 employees from a single Velbert office and serves clients that range from small workshops to enterprises of 2,000+ staff.

The core offering is structured around four pillars: Schulungen (training programs covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, FMEA 2019, calibration, statistical process control, technical drawing reading, and personnel development topics); Beratung (consulting engagements covering QM, ISO 17025 accreditation, Prüfmittelmanagement, environmental, energy, occupational health and safety, process, project, risk, and complaint management); Personalentwicklung (coaching, communication, conflict management, leadership, and team building built on research from Privatinstitut Dr. Matz, Leipzig); and Qualitätsdienstleistung (calibration coordination, first sample testing, and quality inspections executed through accredited partner labs). Training content is fully customized per client, and the firm pairs every engagement with post-implementation follow-through to drive sustainability. A proprietary MaRisk VA risk management system, co-developed with Sterbekasse Sozialversicherung, is a notable proprietary asset addressing small insurance regulatory needs.

Revenue is generated through fee-for-service billing across consulting engagements (scoped per project), open seminars (priced per participant per session, held in Velbert and Stuttgart with hybrid online access), in-house seminars (priced by company size and content customization), and calibration/first sample testing services delivered through a network of DAkkS-accredited partner laboratories. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative — every relationship begins with a needs assessment — and is supported by referrals, an informative website with downloadable training plan PDFs, industry association visibility through IHK Düsseldorf and IHK Mittlerer Niederrhein, and a learning sponsorship with Hauptschule Am Baum in Velbert since 2003. Distribution is primarily domestic Germany via direct on-site and remote consulting, with occasional international activity.

Name

ZQM

Legal name

Zentrum für Qualifizierung und Management UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://zqm.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ZQM is a Velbert-based German consulting and training firm that delivers customized quality management, calibration coordination, risk management (MaRisk VA), and personnel development services to manufacturing firms, calibration laboratories, and insurance entities across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quality Management Consulting and Training

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABAKAD

Quality Management Systems (QMS) & ISO Training (ISO 9001/IATF/AS9100)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Operations, Quality & Lean/Six Sigma Training

SECONDARYBPAHAJAF

EHS Management Systems & ISO Consulting (ISO 14001/45001)

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting

SECONDARYEDAGAGAI

Manufacturing, Quality & Industrial Operations Reference (Lean, Six Sigma, QA/QC)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Professional & Technical Reference Publishing

Keywords

• Quality management consulting
• ISO certification training
• Calibration services
• Personnel development training
• First sample testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Velbert

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: ZQM provides consulting services in quality management, environmental management, energy management, process management, project management, risk management, complaint management, test equipment management, and company organization. Fees are quoted based on the scope and duration of engagement.
2. Training / Seminars: ZQM offers open seminars (in Velbert, Stuttgart, and other locations) and in-house trainings. Open seminars are charged per participant per session. In-house seminars are priced based on company size and tailored content. Both formats are billed according to pre-agreed rates.
3. Calibration Services: ZQM provides calibration services for measurement equipment through partner DAkkS-accredited laboratories, and offers external test equipment management services for a fee dependent on the number of test equipment items managed.
4. First Sample Testing (Erstmusterprüfung): ZQM arranges first sample testing through partner companies equipped with accredited 3D measuring machines, white-light scanners, laser scanners, and other tactile and photo-optical measurement procedures.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ZQM sells consulting, training, personnel development, and quality services to German companies across all industrial sectors. The firm delivers customized open and in-house seminars on ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, FMEA, calibration, and quality tools, alongside consulting engagements for management system implementation (quality, environmental, energy, occupational health and safety, risk, process, and project management). It also coordinates calibration and first sample testing through accredited partner laboratories and provides personnel development programs in communication, conflict management, leadership, and coaching.

Product overview

ZQM (Zentrum für Qualifizierung und Management UG) is a German consulting and training services company that offers a portfolio of interconnected professional development services. The core offerings include Schulungen (training programs) covering quality management standards and tools, Beratung (consulting services) for implementing management systems, Personalentwicklung (personnel development) for leadership and communication skills, and Qualitätsdienstleistung (quality services) including calibration, first sample testing, and quality inspections. Training programs like FMEA, ISO 9001/14001, and IATF 16949 preparation are complemented by consulting services that help clients achieve certifications. The Qualitätsdienstleistung division provides specialized technical services (calibration, testing) that support the consulting work. Kreative Lösungen offers flexible delivery options including MS Teams-based online training as an add-on service. The company operates from Velbert, Germany, serving clients nationwide with both in-person and hybrid seminar options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Schulungen (Training Programs) Open and in-house seminars covering quality management topics including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, FMEA, calibration, measurement equipment management, statistical process control, internal auditor training, ISO 17025 accreditation, communication, conflict management, and reading technical drawings, delivered to companies' employees across German industries.
• Beratung (Consulting Services) Consulting engagements for quality management, ISO 17025 accreditation, measurement equipment management, environmental management (ISO 14001), energy management (ISO 50001), occupational health and safety (ISO 45001), process management, project management, risk management, complaint management, and company organization, delivered on-site at clients or remotely via phone, video conferencing, and document exchange.
• Personalentwicklung (Personnel Development) Personnel development programs covering awareness training (Sensibilisierung), communication training, conflict management, team building, leadership development for executives (Führungskräfte), and individual coaching, based on the latest research findings from Privatinstitut Dr. Matz Leipzig and delivered to companies across industries, trades, administration, and the service sector.
• Qualitätsdienstleistung (Quality Services: Calibration, First Sample Testing, and Quality Inspections) Coordination and management of calibration services through DAkkS-accredited partner laboratories for all measurement quantities, first sample testing (Erstmusterprüfung) using partner-operated accredited 3D measuring machines, white-light scanners, laser scanners, and photo-optical methods, and quality inspections (Qualitätsprüfungen) including non-destructive testing via X-ray and computed tomography, metallurgical testing, thermal testing, destructive testing, and analytical examinations. ZQM handles administration, scheduling, and tracking while partner labs execute the technical work.
• Kreative Lösungen (Creative Solutions)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 insurance companies (Sterbekassen, Pensionskassen, Versorgungswerke) have introduced ZQM's MaRisk VA risk management system
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VES GmbH, GevelsbergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009VES GmbH based in Gevelsberg is a cooperation partner for MaRisk VA (risk management) workshops. Since August 2009, over 30 companies have successfully participated in training and workshops jointly conducted by ZQM and VES GmbH, addressing regulatory risk management for insurance companies, mutual societies, and pension funds under BaFin supervision.
• DAkkS (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle) accredited calibration laboratoriescoreTechnology or IntegrationZQM maintains partnerships with DAkkS-accredited calibration laboratories for every measurement quantity. For each measurement type, ZQM connects clients with the appropriate accredited calibration laboratory. This enables ZQM to offer comprehensive calibration services without operating its own DAkkS-accredited lab.
• MeteQ GmbH (historical)minorOthersMeteQ GmbH was founded by ZQM in 1994 as a calibration and testing laboratory. When ZQM e.V. and MeteQ GmbH were closed in 2009, Ralf Nowinski founded ZQM UG to continue providing services to customers. MeteQ GmbH was a wholly-owned subsidiary established specifically to offer calibration services and first sample testing.
• Kooperationsnetzwerk Schule Wirtschaft (KSW), MettmannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZQM participates in the KSW cooperation network in Mettmann district, which connects schools and businesses. ZQM organizes company visits at customer sites (Heismann, Huth & Gaddum), brings skilled workers to 9th-grade classes for exchange, conducts interactive job application training, and runs chemistry classes — all as part of a learning sponsorship with Hauptschule Am Baum in Velbert since 2006.
• Privatinstitut Dr. Matz, LeipzigminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZQM incorporates the latest research findings from Privatinstitut Dr. Matz, Leipzig, into all individual and group training programs. The research underpins ZQM's development center (EC) for leadership training and conflict management training, ensuring that training methodologies are based on current scientific findings.
• IHK Düsseldorf and IHK Mittlerer NiederrheinminorOthersZQM's Managing Director Ralf Nowinski is a member of the Industry Committee (Industrieausschuss) of IHK Düsseldorf and serves in the Examination Committee for Foundry Masters at IHK Mittlerer Niederrhein in Duisburg. He also lectures in foundry master and foundry engineer training programs. These associations provide access to industry networks and reinforce ZQM's reputation in the German industrial ecosystem.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• DEKRA: DEKRA is one of Germany's largest TIC players with certification, training, and consulting services across QMS, EMS, and OHSAS standards. Its broader portfolio and global footprint position it as a broader incumbent compared to ZQM's regional specialist offering.
• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) incumbent with training academies covering ISO, IATF, and management systems. It competes with ZQM at the high end of the German market and offers more standardized, scalable delivery.
• VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut: VDE's certification and testing arm offers ISO-related management systems services alongside product certification. It competes with ZQM for industrial clients seeking integrated certification and training support, particularly in electrical/electronics sectors.
• SGS Germany: SGS offers certification, training, and consulting across ISO 9001/14001/45001 and industry-specific standards globally. It competes with ZQM for German industrial clients but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Bureau Veritas Germany: Bureau Veritas provides ISO certification, training, and consulting in Germany through its Industry & Facilities division. It overlaps with ZQM on management system consulting and training but operates as part of a global services platform.

Regional players

• Quality Austria: Quality Austria is the Austrian counterpart to DGQ, offering ISO and quality management training and certification in the DACH region. It is comparable to ZQM in service mix but operates primarily in Austria rather than Germany.

Direct peers

• DGQ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität): DGQ is Germany's leading non-profit QMS association, providing training and certification on ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and quality tools. It overlaps with ZQM on training offerings for quality professionals and competes for the same German Mittelstand audience.
• TÜV SÜD Akademie: TÜV SÜD's training arm offers ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001 and related QMS training across Germany and internationally. Notably, ZQM has co-developed the Prüfmittelbeauftragter seminar for TÜV SÜD Akademie, making TÜV SÜD both a channel and a direct competitor in the same training catalog.
• VDI Wissensforum: VDI Wissensforum provides technical and management training to engineers and technical professionals in Germany, including quality management topics. It targets the same industrial Mittelstand audience as ZQM with seminar-based delivery.
• DQS GmbH (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen): DQS is a major German certification body offering ISO 9001/14001/45001 audits and adjacent training/consulting. It competes with ZQM for clients seeking end-to-end QMS certification readiness support and management system consulting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zqm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 ZQM