ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH

What ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH does

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH is a German manufacturer of complete industrial drivetrains, offering brakes, transmissions (gearboxes), and motors from a single supplier at its Rellingen, Germany headquarters. The company was formed on 20 June 2024 through the merger of ATEK Antriebstechnik Willi Glapiak GmbH (transmissions, traces to a 1939 Hamburg turning shop) and Deutsche van Rietschoten & Houwens GmbH (industrial brakes, founded 1961), both previously controlled by the Obermark Group. The product portfolio spans the Rietschoten Elephant Brakes line (lever, fixed caliper, floating caliper, and shaft brakes plus complete brake systems), the ATEK Antriebstechnik gearbox family (bevel, planetary, bevel-planetary, hypoid, worm, hygienic-design, miniature, and motor-flanged variants), and a 2024-introduced servomotor generation in four frame sizes paired with a proprietary servo motor controller. Specialty variants include hygienic-design stainless-steel gearboxes for food and pharmaceutical lines, high-ratio servo gearboxes up to 400:1, miniature gearboxes (~0.2 kg), and shaft brake systems for marine propulsion; recent additions include what the company describes as the world's fastest electric brake. All products are configurable through a web-based CAD Configurator that supports parameter selection, CAD data download, and customized quoting.

The company serves nine primary industrial verticals: shipbuilding, passenger transport (including elevators), leisure, logistics and transport, agriculture, chemical processing, metal and electronics, mining, and consumer/FMCG. Notable reference applications include propeller shaft brakes for a major luxury yacht (Sunflower Yacht, 2005) and braking systems for high-rise elevators delivered via ThyssenKrupp, including the SWFC Tower in Shanghai and CMA Tower in Saudi Arabia (2006). The business is exclusively a hardware sale model, complemented by application-specific custom gearbox development and direct engineering engagement. There is no publicly disclosed pricing; quotes are produced on a configured, project-specific basis.

Revenue is generated through a direct field sales organization of five representatives covering Germany (established 2022), supported by a multi-language website presence (German, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Hindi, Polish, Tamil) and a self-serve CAD Configurator that also generates qualified leads. International market development has been ongoing since 2002. The company markets via downloadable product catalogues, an industry blog, and a LinkedIn presence, with the website serving as the primary commercial touchpoint. ATEK is privately held under the Obermark Group, with Sebastian Sturm as Managing Director, holds ISO 9001:2015 quality certification, ATEX explosion-protection certification across the brake range, and operates a 500,000-part inventory for short lead-time delivery. Stated ambition is to double both revenue and headcount by 2030.

Name

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH

Legal name

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH

Website

https://atek.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH is a German manufacturer of complete industrial drivetrains — brakes, gearboxes, and motors — serving OEMs in shipbuilding, elevators, logistics, agriculture, chemical, mining, and food/pharmaceutical sectors worldwide from its Rellingen headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Drive Technology

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (336340), Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (33634), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632), Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Electric Motors & Actuators Manufacturing (EPS/Brake-by-wire/Seat/Window) (IMACAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Driveline & Propeller Shaft Manufacturing (Driveshafts/U-joints/CV joints) (IMACAHAF), Passenger Vehicle Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Braking Manufacturing (ICE) (IMACAAAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial drive technology
• Industrial brakes
• Gearboxes and transmissions
• Electric motors
• Complete drivetrain solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rellingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Drive Components and Systems: Revenue primarily from sale of brakes, gearboxes, and motors as individual components and as integrated drivetrain systems. Products sold directly to industrial customers across multiple sectors including shipbuilding, logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing.
2. Custom/Application-Specific Development: Whitepaper business model where customers can have gearboxes developed for their specific application and target price (started 2015). Includes custom engineering and design services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH manufactures and sells industrial drivetrain components, including industrial brakes (Rietschoten Elephant Brakes brand), gearboxes/transmissions (bevel, planetary, worm, hypoid, hygienic design, miniature), and electric motors (servomotors, IEC standard motors, stainless steel hygienic motors). The company offers these as individual components and as integrated, coordinated drivetrain systems to industrial customers across shipbuilding, logistics, agriculture, mining, chemical, FMCG, and other manufacturing sectors.

Product overview

ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH is a solution provider for the complete industrial drivetrain, combining three core product lines — brakes, gearboxes, and motors — under one unified portfolio. The brake range (Rietschoten Elephant Brakes brand) spans lever brakes (RH), fixed caliper brakes (EB/EBS), floating caliper brakes (EBS FL), and shaft brakes (WFG), complemented by complete brake systems and accessories. The gearbox range (Atek Antriebstechnik brand) includes bevel gearboxes (V/L series), hygienic design gearboxes (HD series), hypoid gearboxes (H/HC), planetary gearboxes (PCE), bevel planetary gearboxes (BPCE), worm gearboxes (S), gearboxes with motor flanges (…C/…L), and special/custom gearboxes (SOND), all available as standalone units or integrated with servomotors (…CM), IEC standard motors (…LM), or stainless steel motors (HD…LM). The motors portfolio encompasses a new generation of servomotors (M series), IEC standard motors, and stainless steel hygienic design motors. A proprietary servo motor controller was added in 2024. All products are configurable via the company's web-based CAD Configurator. The portfolio serves industries including shipbuilding, passenger transport, leisure, logistics, agriculture, chemical, metal/electronics, mining, and consumer/FMCG.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elephant Brakes: Rietschoten Elephant Brakes - industrial disc brakes product line including lever brakes, fixed caliper brakes, floating caliper brakes, shaft brakes, and brake systems.
• ATEK Antriebstechnik

Products and services

• Rietschoten Elephant Brakes – Lever Brakes (RH Series) Lever brakes (RH series) from the Rietschoten Elephant Brakes brand, providing mechanical braking force via lever-actuated caliper mechanisms for industrial drivetrain applications.
• Rietschoten Elephant Brakes – Fixed Caliper Brakes (EB/EBS Series) Fixed caliper disc brakes (EB/EBS series) providing high clamping force braking for industrial equipment including elevators, cranes, and marine propulsion systems.
• Rietschoten Elephant Brakes – Floating Caliper Brakes (EBS FL Series) Floating caliper brakes (EBS FL series) offering self-centering braking action for industrial shaft and disc brake applications.
• Rietschoten Elephant Brakes – Shaft Brakes (WFG Series) Shaft brakes (WFG series) designed for braking rotating shafts in industrial machinery, including the ERG-02 model for marine and general industrial use.
• Rietschoten Elephant Brakes – Brake Systems Complete brake systems including EH and EHS systems, and bespoke braking solutions for propeller shafts, elevators, and other industrial applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Bevel Gearboxes (V Series) Single-stage bevel gearboxes (V series) providing right-angle torque transmission for industrial automation, packaging, and general machinery applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Miniature Bevel Gearboxes (L Series) Miniature bevel gearboxes (L series) designed for compact, precision power transmission in small-scale automation, robotics, and medical equipment applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Hygienic Design Gearboxes (HD Series) Hygienic design gearboxes (HD series) engineered for washdown environments in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, featuring stainless steel construction and smooth surfaces.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Hypoid Gearboxes (H/HC Series) Hypoid gearboxes (H/HC series) delivering high torque in compact right-angle configurations for demanding industrial and mobile machinery applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Planetary Gearboxes (PCE Series) Planetary gearboxes (PCE series) providing high-efficiency, high-torque inline power transmission for servo and general industrial automation applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Bevel Planetary Gearboxes (BPCE Series) Bevel planetary gearboxes (BPCE series) combining right-angle input with planetary output stages for compact, high-torque industrial automation and robotics solutions.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Worm Gearboxes (S Series) Worm gearboxes (S series) providing high ratio reduction in a compact layout for conveyors, pumps, and general industrial machinery.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Gearboxes with Motor Flange (…C/…L Series) Gearboxes with integrated motor flanges (…C/…L series) enabling direct motor coupling for streamlined installation in industrial automation applications.
• Atek Antriebstechnik – Special Gearboxes (SOND Series) Custom and special-purpose gearboxes (SOND series) developed to meet specific customer application requirements and target pricing.
• Servomotors (M Series) A new generation of servomotors developed in four frame sizes, complementing the gearbox and brake portfolio to provide complete drivetrain solutions for industrial automation.
• IEC Motors IEC standard-compliant three-phase motors available as standalone units and in integrated combinations with Atek gearboxes (…LM series) for general industrial applications.
• Stainless Steel / Hygienic Design Motors (HDVLM) Stainless steel motors designed for hygienic environments, including the HDVLM type with hygienic design gearbox, for food, pharmaceutical, and cleanroom applications.
• Servomotor Controller A proprietary servo motor controller developed in 2024 to complement the new generation of ATEK servomotors, enabling coordinated control across the drivetrain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electrification of entire brake portfolio completed 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Global technology leader offering motors, generators, drives, and motion control. Overlaps ATEK's motor and drive-controller portfolio but at massive scale and as part of a much broader electrification and automation portfolio.
• Siemens: Global industrial conglomerate with broad motion-control, drive, and automation offerings (SIMOGEAR, SINAMICS). ATEK's products occupy the same functional space but as part of Siemens' much broader automation portfolio.
• Bosch Rexroth: World-leading supplier of drive and control technologies (gearboxes, motors, controllers) for factory automation, mobile applications, and machinery. Overlaps ATEK's drivetrain offering as part of a much larger portfolio.

Direct peers

• NORD Drivesystems: Family-owned German manufacturer of gear motors, industrial gear units, and drive electronics serving similar industrial verticals (logistics, food, packaging). Comparable product architecture (gearbox + motor integrated offerings) and Mittelstand positioning.
• Bauer Gear Motor: German specialist in gear motors and drive solutions for industrial applications. Directly comparable product mix (gearboxes + integrated motors) and comparable Mittelstand industrial-customer focus.
• Lenze: German automation specialist offering gear motors, motors, inverters, and controllers. Closely comparable to ATEK's combined gearbox + motor + servo controller portfolio and Mittelstand customer base.
• SEW-Eurodrive: Germany-based global leader in gear motors, drive electronics, and drive-based industrial solutions. Directly comparable to ATEK across gearboxes, motors, and integrated drivetrains, but at vastly greater scale.
• Bonfiglioli: Italian-headquartered manufacturer of gear motors, drive systems, and inverters for industrial automation, wind, and mobile machinery. Comparable in its integrated gearbox-motor portfolio and industrial customer base.
• Stöber Antriebstechnik: German manufacturer of precision gearboxes, servo gearboxes, and drive systems. Comparable niche overlap with ATEK's planetary, bevel, and servo-gearbox portfolio for industrial automation customers.
• Wittenstein: German specialist in high-precision servo gearboxes, planetary gearboxes, and drive systems. Closely comparable to ATEK's high-ratio servo gearboxes (VCE series) and miniature gearboxes (LC/L series) in robotics/automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atek-drive-solutions

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 ATEK Drive Solutions GmbH