Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH

What Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH does

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer of thermoforming equipment, materials, and medical devices for the dental, orthodontic, and foot orthopedic industries, headquartered in Pfalzgrafenweiler, Baden-Württemberg. The company designs and produces vacuum thermoforming units (Erkoform-3d+, Erkoform-3d motion), pressure thermoforming units (Erkopress motion, Erkopress ci motion, Erkopress 240), and articulation/occlusion devices (Occluform-3 plus accessories such as Occ3-aM, Occ3-4p, and Occ3-PMF), alongside proprietary foil materials (Erkodur, Erkodur-al, Erkoflex, Erkoloc-pro, and others) and 3D-printed-model handling tools (exMod-pro). It also manufactures two Class I medical devices: the Playsafe triple sports mouthguard — marketed as the first individually manufactured sports mouthguard with official CE marking — and the Silensor-sl anti-snoring splint for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea therapy.

The firm's business model is anchored in a hardware-plus-consumables revenue stream: one-time sales of thermoforming capital equipment to dental laboratories and practices, recurring revenue from proprietary foil materials and accessories, and Class I medical device sales through dental channels. Go-to-market is primarily through distribution: in Germany, products are sold directly via multiple dental dealer networks (Henry Schein, Plandent, pluradent, DT&SHOP, Multident, and others), while international markets in over 60 countries are served through authorized distribution partners and three wholly-owned subsidiaries (ERKODENT Australia, Erkodent Italia, and P.T. ERKODENT Indonesia). The company supplements sales with paid online training courses (135 EUR per course for Silensor-sl, Playsafe triple, and thermoforming techniques), workshops hosted at distributor locations, and an extensive multilingual content library (website, video demonstrations, eIFU documentation) supporting product-led adoption.

Erkodent is family-owned across two generations — founded by Erich Kopp and now led by Executive Director Hans-Peter Kopp — and operates under formal quality and regulatory certifications including ISO 13485:2016 (medical device quality management), ISO 9001:2015 (quality management), and EU MDR compliance. The product roadmap shows continued investment in digital workflow integration, with recent launches (exMod-pro in 2026-01, Occ3-PMF in 2025-08, sl-pince in 2024-10, Playsafe triple transparent-layer update in 2024-10) targeting compatibility with 3D-printed dental models and aesthetic improvements to existing medical devices.

Name

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH

Legal name

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH

Website

https://erkodent.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer of dental thermoforming equipment, proprietary foil materials, and CE-marked medical devices (Playsafe triple sports mouthguard, Silensor-sl anti-snoring splint), serving dental labs, dentists, and foot orthopedic specialists across 60+ countries through distribution partners and three wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (339114)

SIC

Dental Equipment & Supplies (3843)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthodontic Appliances & Aligners Fabrication (HLABAJAD)

Keywords

• Dental thermoforming equipment
• Thermoforming foil materials
• Sports mouthguards
• Anti-snoring devices
• Orthodontic appliances

Headquarters

HQ city

Pfalzgrafenweiler

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Thermoforming Equipment Sales: Sale of thermoforming machines including Erkoform-3d+, Erkoform-3d motion, Erkopress motion, Erkopress ci motion, Erkopress 240, Occluform-3, and exMod-pro. One-time capital equipment purchases for dental labs and practices.
2. Thermoforming Materials and Consumables: Sale of foil materials (Erkodur, Erkodur-al, Erkoflex, Erkoflex-bleach, Erkoflex-95, Erkoloc-pro, Erkolen, Erkogum, Erkoplast PLA, Erkoskin), waxes, silicones, cleaning systems (Oxydens), and accessories. Ongoing consumable revenue from dental labs and practices.
3. Medical Devices (Playsafe and Silensor): Sale of Playsafe triple sports mouthguards (CE marked) and Silensor-sl anti-snoring devices. These are Class I medical devices sold to dental practices for patient provision.
4. Training and Education Services: Online courses for dental technicians and dentists including Silensor-sl course, Playsafe triple course, and Thermoforming technique course. Each course priced at 135.00 EUR plus VAT, includes material set, course materials, and online certificate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH manufactures and sells thermoforming equipment (vacuum and pressure forming units), proprietary foil materials, and finished medical devices for dental, orthodontic, and foot orthopedic applications. Its portfolio includes the Erkoform and Erkopress machine lines, Erkodur/Erkoflex foil materials, the Playsafe triple CE-marked sports mouthguard, and the Silensor-sl anti-snoring splint. The company serves dental labs, dental practices, and orthopedic specialists worldwide through dealers and wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Product overview

Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH is a German manufacturer of dental and orthopedic thermoforming equipment and materials. The product portfolio centers on thermoforming units (Erkoform-3d series, Erkopress series, Occluform-3, exMod-pro), thermoforming foils (Erkodur, Erkoflex, Erkoloc-pro, Erkodur-al), medical devices (Playsafe triple sports mouthguard with CE marking, Silensor-sl anti-snoring splint), and supporting materials (Oxydens cleaning system, silicones, waxes, accessories). The core thermoforming machines range from entry-level vacuum units to automated pressure forming systems, complemented by specialty devices for 3D printed model handling (Occ3 series, exMod-pro) and oral appliances for sports protection and sleep therapy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Erkoform-3d motion Vacuum thermoforming unit with automatic thermoforming process and what the company describes as the strongest vacuum on the market, for dental laboratories and practices.
• Erkoform-3d+ High-function vacuum thermoforming unit available with or without automatic thermoforming process, for dental labs and practices.
• Occluform-3 Articulating device for precise dental model positioning and articulation used with Erkoform-3 thermoforming units.
• Erkopress ci motion Pressure forming device with automatic thermoforming process, ergonomically optimized for high-throughput dental workflows.
• Erkopress motion Pressure forming device with automatic thermoforming process, designed for universal dental applications and ergonomic workflow.
• Erkopress 240 Pressure forming device with automated thermoforming process for up to 6 models with base or 9 models without base, connects to existing compressed air system.
• exMod-pro Device for easy separation of thermoformed aligner foils from 3D printed models, includes STL/STP construction data for CAD software integration.
• Erkodur-al Clear crystal copolyester thermoforming foil with insulating film and excellent dimensional stability, optimized for aligner production.
• Playsafe triple Individually manufactured sports mouthguard for all contact sports with official CE marking, featuring transparent outer layer for better appearance.
• Silensor-sl Filigree anti-snoring splint, highly effective against snoring and used in therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.
• Oxydens Cleaning system for dental trays produced by Erkodent thermoforming equipment, removes plaque, mineral deposits, and odors.
• Online Training Courses Online training courses for dental technicians and dentists covering Silensor-sl, Playsafe triple, and thermoforming technique, including material set, course materials, and online certificate.

Named customers4 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

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Henry Schein Dental Deutschland GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor dental dealer serving as key distribution partner for Erkodent products in Germany. Hosts Erkodent workshops and training events at their locations (e.g., Hamburg). One of the largest dental distributors globally.
• Plandent GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDental dealer distributing Erkodent products in Germany with multiple locations. Also operates as Plandent Oy in Finland.
• Curaden AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss dental dealer distributing Erkodent products in Switzerland.
• pluradent dental bauer GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDental dealer distributing Erkodent products in Germany with multiple branch locations.
• Glidewell LaboratoriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor US dental laboratory purchasing Erkodent products. Products available through Glidewell Direct e-commerce platform.
• ERKODENT Australia PTY LIMITEDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholly-owned subsidiary of Erkodent serving Australian market from Wembley, Western Australia.
• Erkodent ItaliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary serving Italian market from Torino, Italy.
• P.T. ERKODENT IndonesiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary serving Indonesian market from Bali, Indonesia.
• DT&SHOP GmbHmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman dental dealer distributing Erkodent products, specializing in dental technology supplies.
• Dental-Union GmbHmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman dental dealer distributing Erkodent products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dentsply Sirona: Global dental equipment and consumables incumbent with a broad portfolio including CAD/CAM, imaging, and lab products. Comparable as a large-scale dental manufacturer whose lab equipment and materials portfolio overlaps with Erkodent's thermoforming/aligner workflow at a much wider scale.
• Patterson Companies: US-headquartered dental and animal health distributor and equipment supplier serving dental practices and labs. Comparable as a large dental channel and equipment incumbent whose dealer network reaches many of the same dental lab customers as Erkodent's distributor partners.
• 3M Oral Care: Diversified dental products business with orthodontic and lab supplies (formerly including Clarity aligners and Unitek orthodontic lines). Comparable as a broad incumbent in dental and orthodontic materials whose lab and aligner categories intersect with Erkodent's focus.
• Ivoclar Vivadent: Liechtenstein-headquartered dental materials and equipment manufacturer with strong presence in dental lab consumables, prosthetics, and CAD/CAM. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose dental lab product portfolio (including prosthetics fabrication materials) overlaps with Erkodent's dental lab customer base.

Emerging players

• Ultradent Products: US-based dental manufacturer focused on specialized materials and devices for restorative and preventive dentistry. Comparable as a focused dental product innovator whose products are sold through dental practices and dealers, overlapping with Erkodent's distribution channels and clinical dental end-users.
• VITA Zahnfabrik: German dental materials manufacturer specializing in prosthetic ceramics, denture teeth, and CAD/CAM materials. Comparable as a German-headquartered dental lab materials vendor with overlapping dental laboratory end-customers and a similar European-centric distribution footprint.

Direct peers

• Dreve Dentamid GmbH: German manufacturer of dental laboratory materials and equipment, including light-curing, duplicating, and thermoforming-related consumables. Comparable as a German-headquartered dental lab supplies vendor serving dental technicians in Europe with overlapping product categories (lab materials, silicones, waxes, devices).
• Great Lakes Dental Technologies: US-based dental laboratory equipment and materials manufacturer serving orthodontic and dental lab customers. Comparable as a competitor in dental lab fabrication equipment and appliances used by dental technicians, with overlap in orthodontic and aligner-adjacent products.
• SCHEU Group (CA DIGITAL): German dental manufacturer (formerly SCHEU-DENTAL) producing thermoforming equipment, aligner fabrication materials (CA® foil and aligner systems), and pressure-forming units directly comparable to Erkoform/Erkopress. Operates a CA DIGITAL aligner brand that competes head-on with Erkodent's Erkodur-al foil and aligner fabrication workflow.

Others

• Henry Schein: Largest global dental distributor and a named Erkodent channel partner (Henry Schein Dental Deutschland). Comparable as the dominant route-to-market for dental supplies, with negotiating leverage that could be both an opportunity and a constraint for Erkodent's distribution model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/erkodent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erkodent-erich-kopp-gmbh

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 Erkodent Erich Kopp GmbH