Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH

What Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH does

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH is a family-owned German precision tool and die manufacturer founded in 1964 by Erwin Gebhardt and headquartered in Baienfurt, Baden-Württemberg. The company designs and builds sheet metal forming tools — primarily progressive dies (Folgeverbundwerkzeuge) and transfer dies (Transferwerkzeuge), alongside drawing dies, step dies, stamping dies, and prototype tools — for the automotive industry, with tools reaching up to 7,000 mm in length, 32 tonnes in weight, and validated on six in-house tryout presses up to 15,000 kN. Its process chain is fully in-house, covering method planning, 3D CAD (Siemens NX, CATIA V5, Pro/ENGINEER), FEM and Pam Stamp 2G deep-drawing simulation, prototyping, CNC machining (5-axis, EDM, wire EDM, grinding, waterjet), tool tryout, and after-sales service, all anchored by a 1,700 sqm manufacturing center opened in 2015 and quality-certified to DIN ISO 9001:2015.

The company's commercial model is project-based custom tooling sold via enterprise field sales directly to German premium automotive OEMs (Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, VW) and Tier 1 suppliers (ZF, Magna, Faurecia, Gedia, SAM), with adjacent revenue from component and contract manufacturing for aerospace, medical technology, and mechanical engineering customers, plus fixtures and after-sales services. Operations run from two Baienfurt sites (Werk 1 at Löwenstraße and Werk 2 at Dr.-Haug-Straße) under second-generation leadership (Markus Gebhardt joined management in 1992 and repositioned the firm toward automotive). The firm employs approximately 100 people, operates 100% on green electricity with fossil-free climate control, and reports no external funding, parent entity, or subsidiaries.

Customer reach is global in claim but concentrated in Germany and Europe, with no disclosed international offices. Strategic positioning emphasizes vertical integration, internal apprenticeship-driven talent development, and capital-intensive in-house tryout capacity rather than software, AI, or platform differentiation.

Name

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH

Legal name

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH

Website

https://gebhardt-gmbh.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH is a family-owned German precision toolmaker (founded 1964, ~100 employees) that designs and manufactures progressive and transfer dies for sheet metal forming, serving automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers including Daimler, BMW, Audi, VW, and ZF.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Tool and Die Manufacturing

NAICS

Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (333514)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAHADAC

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Machine Tools & Metalworking Equipment

SECONDARYIMAHADAB

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Machine Tools & Metalworking Equipment

Keywords

• Sheet metal forming tools
• Progressive die manufacturing
• Transfer die tooling
• Automotive toolmaking
• Precision die engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Baienfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Tool Manufacturing: Design, engineering, and manufacturing of custom sheet metal forming tools (progressive dies, transfer dies, drawing dies, multi-stage tools, stamping tools, prototype tools) for automotive applications. Revenue is project-based, with each tool designed and built to customer specifications.
2. Component Manufacturing / Contract Manufacturing: Precision parts manufacturing for toolmaking, mechanical engineering, fixture construction, aerospace, gears, oil pump wheels, and engine components in small batch sizes
3. After-Sales Service: Post-delivery services including modification management, spare parts manufacturing, repair service, and on-site problem resolution by qualified technicians

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH designs, engineers, and manufactures custom sheet metal forming tools (progressive dies, transfer dies, drawing dies, multi-stage tools, stamping tools, and prototype tools) primarily for the automotive industry. The company operates a complete in-house process chain from method planning, FEM simulation, and prototyping through serial tool production, tryout on its own 15,000 kN presses, and after-sales service. It also offers fixtures/jigs and contract component manufacturing for toolmaking, mechanical engineering, aerospace, and other precision industries.

Product overview

Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH is a precision tool and die manufacturer specializing in progressive dies (Folgeverbundwerkzeuge) and transfer dies (Transferwerkzeuge) for the automotive industry. The company's product portfolio includes sheet metal forming tools, fixtures and jigs, and contract manufacturing services. A holistic process chain covers engineering, prototypes, series tools, tryout, and after-sales-service. The company operates a modern 1,700 sqm manufacturing center established in 2015 and maintains quality certification to DIN ISO 9001:2015. Their tryout capabilities include 6 presses up to 15,000 kN for testing tools up to 6,000 mm in length.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blechumformwerkzeuge (Sheet Metal Forming Tools) Custom progressive dies, transfer dies, drawing dies, multi-stage tools, stamping dies, and prototype tools for sheet metal forming, with capabilities up to 7,000 mm × 2,000 mm and 32 tonnes per unit. Used for manufacturing structural parts, decor parts, threaded tubes, and axle parts primarily for the automotive industry.
• Vorrichtungen (Fixtures and Jigs) Hydraulic and mechanical clamping devices for machining centers, measurement and testing fixtures, and gauges for quality assurance in manufacturing processes.
• Komponentenfertigung / Lohnfertigung (Component Manufacturing / Contract Manufacturing) Precision single parts and assemblies manufacturing for toolmaking, mechanical engineering, fixture construction, aerospace, gears, oil pump wheels, and engine parts in small batch quantities.
• Tryout Services Tool testing and validation services using 6 presses with up to 15,000 kN press force and table sizes of 6,000 × 2,000 mm, equipped with coil systems, transfer devices, and the ability to simulate kinematic curves of mechanical presses for near-series testing.
• After-Sales-Service Post-delivery services including modification and data management, spare parts manufacturing, repair services, and qualified technicians for on-site problem resolution.
• Engineering Services Comprehensive engineering from method planning and tool design through simulations and construction, covering prototype manufacturing through series tool commissioning, including drawing proposals, feasibility and cost analyses, and FEM simulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tool sizes up to 7,000 mm x 2,000 mm per unit
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• VDWF (Verband Deutscher Werkzeug- und Formenbau)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to industry network, best practices, and professional development opportunities in tool and mould making.
• WBA Aachen (Werkzeugbau Akademie Aachen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Aachen Toolmaking Academy for knowledge exchange, training programs, and professional development in precision tool manufacturing.
• IHK-Energieimpuls-Netzwerk Bodensee-OberschwabenminorOthersMembership in IHK Energy Impulse Network focused on energy savings, experience exchange between companies, and sustainable energy management.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bystronic AG: Swiss sheet metal processing equipment manufacturer offering bending, cutting and automation solutions to industrial customers. Adjacent to Gebhardt's metal forming focus and serves similar industrial/automotive customers in Europe.
• Trumpf Group: German family-owned leader in machine tools and laser technology for sheet metal processing. Overlaps with Gebhardt in metal forming technologies and serves the same automotive industrial base, though at much larger scale and with broader product lines.
• Schuler AG: German press and metal-forming specialist that designs, builds and services stamping systems, presses and tooling for automotive OEMs worldwide. Directly comparable to Gebhardt's sheet metal forming tools business but at much larger scale and with broader turnkey press line offerings.
• GF Machining Solutions: Swiss supplier of milling, EDM, laser texturing and automation solutions used in tool and die making as well as aerospace and medical part production. Comparable technology stack (EDM, 3D measurement) and similar European customer base in precision tool manufacturing.
• FFG Europe (FFG Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH): German machine tool group (formerly MAG/IAMT) producing milling, turning and gear-cutting systems for automotive and industrial customers. Overlaps with Gebhardt in metal cutting machinery and serves European automotive OEMs and Tier 1s.
• GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG: German machine tool and systems specialist building machining centers and automation lines primarily for automotive powertrain and component production. Overlaps with Gebhardt in precision component manufacturing for automotive Tier 1s.
• Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd. Japanese machine tool builder specializing in machining centers, EDM and graphite milling for die/mold manufacturing and aerospace components. Comparable in the precision die-making production technologies that Gebhardt uses and supplies into.
• Starrag Group AG: Swiss precision machine tool manufacturer producing milling and turning systems for aerospace, energy and high-precision industrial customers. Comparable in high-precision metal cutting capabilities used for die and component production.
• SMS group GmbH: German engineering group building metal forming and processing machinery for automotive, aerospace and industrial customers. Comparable core competency in metal forming equipment and tooling for automotive applications.

Direct peers

• EDAG Engineering GmbH: German automotive engineering services provider covering tool, fixture and complete vehicle development for OEMs and Tier 1s. Comparable to Gebhardt because it competes for the same premium automotive engineering/tooling budgets and serves overlapping customers like VW and Daimler.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gebhardt-werkzeugbau

Compliance2 records

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 Gebhardt Werkzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH