EMS - Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH

What EMS - Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH does

EMS - Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer of electromechanical microswitches and safety switches, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Bösel, Germany. The company specializes in precision switching technology for automotive applications, with its flagship MS007 platform produced at a scale of 50 million units per year across five automated production lines. Its core technology combines proprietary leaf-spring switching systems (Blattfeder-Schaltsystem) with screw-tension spring architecture, delivering snap-action precision, differential travel under 0.15mm, mechanical life up to 1,000,000 cycles, and IP6K7 sealing for harsh automotive environments. EMS has also developed diagnostic-capable switches via resistance welding of resistors onto microswitches, producing two defined resistance values that enable reliable electronic signaling to vehicle control units for features such as automatic start-stop, autonomous parking, and hands-free tailgate operation.

The company's product portfolio spans four core microswitches (MS007, MS001, MF007, MS003 safety switch) and four sensor/assembly modules including cable harness assemblies (Kabelsatzbaugruppen), electronic component carriers (EKT), temperature sensors, and high actuation force (HBK) buttons. EMS generates revenue through B2B enterprise sales of hardware components and custom-developed assemblies, with quote-based pricing under multi-year supply agreements. Customers include major automotive OEMs such as Volkswagen Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Nissan, Smart, Jaguar Land Rover, Geely, General Motors, and Porsche, with components integrated into door locks, hood releases, tailgate mechanisms, and seat position detection systems. The company operates manufacturing in Bösel, Germany and, since 2017/2018, in Changzhou, China via its wholly-owned subsidiary EMS China Ltd. (IATF-certified). Certifications include IATF 16949, ATEX 1787, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 14001:2015, and the company holds 100% renewable energy certification. The company is founder-led under managing director Georg Emken, with no disclosed external investment.

Name

EMS - Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH

Legal name

Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH

Website

https://ems-sensor.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EMS is a German manufacturer of electromechanical microswitches and sensor assemblies for automotive OEMs, supplying door locks, tailgates, and hood releases to VW, BMW, Mercedes, Renault, Nissan, and others from facilities in Germany and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Microswitches and Sensor Assemblies

NAICS

Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Electronic Components, Nec (3679), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive ECUs/Control Modules & Embedded Electronics Manufacturing (IMACAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sensors & Instrumentation Electronics Manufacturing Services (Transmitters, analyzers, industrial sensors) (IMAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Automotive microswitches
• Electromechanical switching sensors
• Automotive safety switches
• Sensor and assembly modules
• Precision switching components

Headquarters

HQ city

Bösel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Microswitches: Revenue generated from the sale of electromechanical microswitches and safety switches. Products are sold as components to automotive OEMs for integration into vehicle assemblies.
2. Custom Assemblies and Sensor Modules: Sale of complex assemblies including cable harness assemblies (Kabelsatzbaugruppen), electronic component carriers (EKT), temperature sensors, and high actuation force (HBK) buttons. Products are tailored to customer specifications.
3. Custom Development Services: Joint development of customized microswitch assemblies and sensor solutions with automotive customers, often involving long-term development projects with OEM partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EMS manufactures precision electromechanical microswitches and custom sensor/assembly modules for the automotive industry. The core product family includes the MS007, MS001, MF007, and MS003 microswitch platforms, complemented by cable harness assemblies (Kabelsatzbaugruppen), electronic component carriers (EKT), temperature sensors, and high actuation force (HBK) buttons. Products are sold as integrated components to automotive OEMs for use in door locks, hood releases, tailgate mechanisms, and electronic control systems.

Product overview

EMS offers a portfolio of precision micro switches and safety switches for the automotive sector, consisting of four core switch products (MS007, MS001, MF007, MS003) and four sensor/assembly modules (Kabelsatzbaugruppen, Elektrokomponententräger/EKT, Temperatursensor, HBK-Taster). The MS007 serves as the flagship product with high-volume production, while MS001 and MF007 offer scaled variants. MS003 is the original safety switch for explosion protection. The sensor and assembly modules combine micro switches with custom cable harnesses, component carriers, temperature sensors, and high-force buttons to create complete solutions for vehicle door, latch, and tailgate applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MST: Sister company for production technology and special machine construction (Produktion | Produktionstechnik | Sondermaschinenbau)

Quantifiable outcome

• Production capacity of 50 million MS007 microswitches per year as of 2020
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• eMotivo GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite implementation and maintenance partner for ems-sensor.de. eMotivo GmbH, located in Itzenbütteler Str. 10, is responsible for the technical implementation and ongoing maintenance of the EMS company website.
• MST GmbH (MST Sensor)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company founded in 2003 specializing in production technology and special machine construction. MST and EMS operate together under shared ownership, offering combined career opportunities at the Bösel location. MST provides production technology and special machinery that supports EMS manufacturing operations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell International (Sensing & Safety): Diversified industrial conglomerate with a major microswitch and sensor portfolio serving global automotive and industrial customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering electromechanical switches with overlapping automotive and harsh-environment use cases.
• Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of switches, sensors and electronic components with a significant automotive switch business. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering automotive switch and sensor products targeting similar OEM applications as EMS.
• Omron Corporation: Global Japanese electronics company with a foundational microswitch business serving automotive, industrial and consumer end markets. Comparable as a large-scale incumbent in electromechanical switching technology competing for the same automotive sockets as EMS.
• ZF Friedrichshafen AG: Major German automotive Tier-1 supplier with significant presence in vehicle electronics, sensors and chassis systems. Comparable as a large German automotive incumbent that integrates switches and sensors into broader vehicle systems, often competing for or partnering with specialist suppliers like EMS.

Direct peers

• Preh GmbH (Joyson Electronics): German automotive supplier of HMI, switch panels and control modules, now part of Joyson Electronics. Directly comparable as a German Tier-2 supplier of automotive switches and integrated control assemblies to premium OEMs.
• Schaltbau GmbH: German manufacturer of electromechanical switching and contactor products serving rail, automotive and industrial markets. Comparable as a German/European switch specialist with similar automotive and harsh-environment certifications (e.g., ATEX-class products).
• C&K Components (Littelfuse): Specialist switch manufacturer (now part of Littelfuse) producing electromechanical microswitches, tactile switches and custom switch solutions for automotive and industrial markets. Directly comparable in product category and target applications to EMS's microswitch portfolio.
• Johnson Electric Holdings: Hong Kong-headquartered global supplier of motion products including automotive switches, motors and actuators. Comparable as a high-volume manufacturer of automotive switching and actuation components serving global OEMs with a strong Asia footprint.
• Crouzet (Custom Sensors & Technology): French specialist in switching, sensing and control components for industrial and demanding-environment applications. Comparable as a focused European switch and control specialist with similar harsh-environment product positioning to EMS.
• Marquardt GmbH: German privately-held specialist in automotive mechatronic switches, HMI and control systems. Directly comparable to EMS as a focused Tier-2 automotive switch supplier serving European OEMs with deep co-development relationships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ems-sensor

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 EMS - Elektromechanische Schaltsensoren GmbH