Karl Gotschlich

What Karl Gotschlich does

Karl Gotschlich GmbH is a fourth-generation Austrian family-owned manufacturer of physical access control and pedestrian management systems, headquartered in Vienna and operating a second production plant in Straßburg, Carinthia. Founded in 1948 and producing turnstiles since 1974, the company is the only Austrian manufacturer of turnstiles and access control equipment, with 100% of products manufactured domestically using CNC equipment and roughly 80% of sales exported. Its product portfolio spans waist-high two- and three-arm turnstiles (Compact series), full-height vertical turnstiles (Gyro, VARIO, Forum), full-height portal turnstiles (ECCO series including the ECCO Kombiblock and ECCO LIGHT variants), motor-driven swing gates (Ikarus, Leonardo), sensor-controlled security gates and flap-gate barriers (Axioma, Selection DF/LF), parking and industrial barriers (ASD-P, ASS, ASD-T), fast folding gates distributed via HTC, and the TRINITY payment machine for paid-access applications. Differentiated technology includes the world's first motorized turnstile (1988), a patented asymmetric two-arm design that eliminates separate escape mechanisms, the Open Gate touchless security lane (2002), and turnstiles with integrated electrostatic-discharge testing.

Name

Karl Gotschlich

Legal name

Karl Gotschlich GmbH

Website

https://gotschlich.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Austrian family-owned manufacturer of motorized turnstiles and access control systems serving stadiums, public transport, ski resorts, pools, exhibitions, and government facilities worldwide, with 100% Austrian production and roughly 80% export share.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turnstile and access control equipment sales: Sale of physical turnstiles, barriers, and access control equipment including three-arm turnstiles, two-arm turnstiles, vertical turnstiles, portal turnstiles, motorized gates, flap-gate barriers, barriers, fast folding gates, pedestrian gates, and related components. Products are sold directly to end customers including pools, ski resorts, stadiums, public transport facilities, and industrial sites. Revenue is generated through project-based equipment sales with installation services available.
2. Customization and special manufacturing: Custom solutions and special manufacturing services including Sonderanfertigungen (custom fabrications) and Shared Facility services for prototyping and small-batch production in sheet metal processing
3. Equipment rental: Rental services for turnstiles and access control equipment, particularly for temporary events and installations
4. Training and technical services: Technical training services and consultation for system integrators and partners

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Karl Gotschlich GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells motorized turnstiles, full-height vertical turnstiles, portal turnstiles, motorized swing gates, sensor-controlled flap-gate barriers, parking and industrial barriers, fast folding gates, and integrated payment systems for pedestrian access control. All products are 100% manufactured in Austria at two production facilities (Vienna headquarters and Straßburg/Carinthia) using CNC equipment, with approximately 80% of sales from international exports.

Product overview

Karl Gotschlich is an Austrian family-owned manufacturer of physical access control and pedestrian management systems, operating since 1948 and specializing in turnstiles and security gates since 1974. The product portfolio centers on waist-high turnstiles (Compact 2-Arm and 3-Arm series), full-height vertical turnstiles (Gyro, VARIO, Forum series), full-height portal turnstiles (ECCO 120 series including Kombiblock and LIGHT variants), motor swing gates (Ikarus, Leonardo), sensor-controlled flap-gate barriers (Selection DF/LF, Axioma VIP), and security gates (Axioma). Supporting products include barriers for parking and industrial applications (ASD-P, ASS, ASD-T series), fast folding gates (Xentry via HTC partnership), and the TRINITY payment system for paid access. The company also offers OEM drive components, accessories, and COVID-19 solutions including temperature/mask recognition and disinfectant dispensers. Products are 100% manufactured in Austria at two production facilities (Vienna and Carinthia) using CNC equipment, with approximately 80% export rate. Core differentiation includes patented asymmetric 2-arm technology for barrier-free emergency egress, built-in ESD testing in turnstiles, and comprehensive customization through combining installation modules with different gearbox types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Three-Arm Turnstiles (Compact / Compact Duo / Compact Plus / Modul Cross / Modul Tonda)
• Two-Arm Turnstiles (Compact 2-Arm)
• Full-Height Vertical Turnstiles (Gyro / VARIO 1100/1300/2100 / Forum)
• Portal Turnstiles (ECCO 120 / ECCO LIGHT / ECCO Kombiblock / Vortex 120)
• Motor Swing Gates (Ikarus / Leonardo)
• Sensor-Controlled Security Gates (Axioma / Axioma VIP)
• Flap-Gate Barriers (Selection DF / Selection LF)
• Parking and Industrial Barriers (ASD-P 400 / ASS 800 / ASD-T 600)
• Xentry Fast Folding Gate
• TRINITY Payment System
• OEM Drive Components (Antrieb SYNCHRO Plus / Antrieb ECCO Plus / Vertikalantrieb)
• ESD Turnstile
• Equipment Rental and Custom Manufacturing Services (Vermietung / Sonderanfertigungen / Shared Facility)
• Technical Training and Consultation Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% export share of total sales
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HTCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2019Partnership with European market leader HTC for fast folding gates. Gotschlich selected HTC to offer special products for complete security concepts.
• DNS Datentechnik GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 November 2006Partner for Schatzalp-Bahn Davos installation, providing hardware and software for the access control system. Customized TT Entry UNIT reader station for Gotschlich MODUL BASIS turnstile.
• WedatroniccoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner that installed Gotschlich access system at Gotthard service area in Switzerland in March 2020.
• Libero Torbau Erdetsching GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company for Perimeter Protection trade show, hosting Gotschlich products at their stand.
• SKIDATA AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational solutions provider for professional access management and ticketing. Listed as reference project partner.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies: Global building solutions incumbent offering integrated access control, video, and intrusion. Competes with Gotschlich in large facility tenders where turnstiles are bundled with broader building security systems.
• ASSA ABLOY: Swedish-listed global leader in access solutions with pedestrian door automation and security entrance offerings. Competes with Gotschlich in physical access control but operates at vastly greater scale and breadth across mechanical and electronic access.
• Gunnebo: Swedish-listed security specialist offering entrance control (speed gates, turnstiles, security portals) alongside safe storage and cash handling. Overlaps with Gotschlich in turnstile-based entrance control but serves a broader institutional security mandate.
• dormakaba: Swiss-listed global provider of access, entrance, and security solutions including turnstiles (via the Alvarado brand), doors, and electronic access. Competes with Gotschlich in turnstiles and barriers as part of a much broader integrated portfolio.

Others

• SKIDATA AG: Austrian/German provider of access management and ticketing solutions (ski resorts, parking, attractions). Listed as a Gotschlich reference/partner; comparable in ski-resort access solutions but focused on software/ticketing rather than turnstile hardware.

Direct peers

• Royal Boon Edam: Dutch manufacturer of security entrances, turnstiles, and high-security portals. Direct peer in pedestrian access control with overlapping product categories (full-height turnstiles, optical turnstiles, speed gates) and similar European/global customer base.
• Alvarado Manufacturing (dormakaba brand): US-based manufacturer of full-height turnstiles, optical turnstiles, and waist-high turnstiles serving transit, stadiums, and government. Directly comparable in product type to Gotschlich's turnstile portfolio.
• Automatic Systems: Belgian manufacturer of turnstiles, speed gates, and vehicle barriers. Directly competes in the same pedestrian access control category as Gotschlich with comparable motor-driven and sensor-based product families.
• Magnetic Autocontrol: German manufacturer of pedestrian gates, turnstiles, and vehicle barriers. Closely comparable to Gotschlich as a specialist European turnstile vendor serving airports, transit, stadiums, and industrial sites with motor-driven access solutions.

Emerging players

• Identiv: US-based provider of physical security and RFID-based access solutions including pedestrian access products. Tangentially comparable as an emerging player combining physical and digital access credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karl-gotschlich

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Karl Gotschlich