IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG

What IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG does

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG is a Würzburg-based German engineering consulting firm specializing in the planning, structural analysis, design, and implementation of hydraulic steel structures (Stahlwasserbau) for waterway, port, and hydroelectric infrastructure. Its core service portfolio covers weirs, locks, flood protection barriers, ship lift mechanical equipment, and pumped-storage plant components, delivered alongside mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) and solid construction (Massivbau) capabilities. A distinguishing technical capability is the combined use of FKM-guideline computational strength verification with Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis to optimize machine components — avoiding oversizing while ensuring static and fatigue safety — supplemented by specialized know-how in floating structures (floating stability, submersion behavior, buoyancy) and engineering under extreme conditions (tidal, high-mountain, desert, seismic).

The firm operates a project-based professional services model, acquiring work primarily through competitive tendering with German federal and state waterway authorities (Wasserstraßen-Neubauämter, Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsämter) and through direct engagement with private infrastructure owners including E.ON Wasserkraftwerk, Vattenfall, Voith Hydro, Schluchseewerk, Energiedienst, and Hamburg Port Authority. Pricing is project-specific and quote-based. IRS serves a German domestic core while maintaining an international project footprint across Europe, Asia, and other regions, often delivered through bidding consortia and joint ventures with partners such as grbv Ingenieure, DriveCon, BESIX, and KREBS+KIEFER.

Founded in 1996 by Dipl.-Ing. Hans Rapsch as a sole freelancer and reorganized as a GmbH in 1999, IRS became an AG within the KREBS+KIEFER Group in 2012 and joined the global Dorsch Europe Gruppe in late 2021. The firm is governed by a Management Board (Vorstand) of Andreas Freitag and Norman Braun, with a Supervisory Board chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Akkermann. It employs approximately 11 people, operates from a single Würzburg headquarters relocated in January 2021, and reports no publicly disclosed revenue.

Name

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG

Legal name

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG

Website

https://irs-stahlwasserbau.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG is a Würzburg, Germany-based engineering consulting firm specializing in the planning, FKM/FEM structural analysis, and design of hydraulic steel structures — weirs, locks, flood barriers, and pumped-storage equipment — for German waterway authorities, ports, and hydroelectric operators across Europe and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydraulic Engineering Consulting

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA), Hydropower EPC & Construction (Civil Works, Electromechanical) (EUACAEAF), Energy Systems & Power Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAG)

Keywords

• Hydraulic steel structures
• FEM structural analysis
• FKM strength verification
• Waterway infrastructure engineering
• Mechanical engineering consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Würzburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Professional engineering services for hydro-mechanical steel structures, mechanical engineering, and solid construction. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements including structural analysis, design planning, construction monitoring, and expert opinions for waterway infrastructure projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG provides specialized engineering consulting for hydro-mechanical steel structures (weirs, locks, flood barriers, gates) and mechanical engineering components, combined with FKM/FEM computational strength verifications. Services span planning, structural analysis, design, construction monitoring, and expert opinions for waterway infrastructure, hydroelectric facilities, and industrial machinery, delivered as project-based engagements to government authorities and infrastructure operators.

Product overview

IRS Stahlwasserbau Consulting AG is an engineering consulting firm offering specialized services in three core areas: (1) Hydraulic Steel Structures (Stahlwasserbau) - planning and implementation of hydraulic steel constructions including weirs, locks, flood barriers, and gates; (2) Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau) - complete machine technology planning and special solutions; and (3) ECM/FEM Services - finite element method calculations and FKM guideline-based structural verifications. The company has successfully delivered numerous steel hydraulic engineering constructions globally since 1999.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydraulic Steel Structures (Stahlwasserbau) Planning and implementation of hydraulic steel structures including weirs, locks, flood protection systems, flood barriers, ship lift mechanical equipment, gates (roller gates, stoplogs), and related components for waterway, port, and hydroelectric infrastructure projects. Designed to operate under extreme conditions including tidal areas, high mountain regions, desert environments, and seismic stress.
• Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau) Complete spectrum of machine technology planning including systems, special solutions, and mechanical components for industrial applications, covering drive units, drive mechanisms, and plant construction for industrial clients.
• FKM/FEM Computational Strength Verification Finite Element Method (FEM) calculations combined with computational strength verifications according to FKM guidelines, including static safety analysis, fatigue strength verifications (time/operational strength), and economic optimization of machine components to avoid oversizing while ensuring safety.
• Project Services (Objektplanung, Tragwerksplanung) Comprehensive engineering services including structural engineering (Tragwerksplanung), object planning (Objektplanung), construction monitoring, and expert opinions for hydraulic engineering projects, supporting clients from concept through to completion of waterway and hydroelectric infrastructure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Several hundred hydraulic steel structures successfully delivered worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• DriveCon GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-term technology partner for control and automation technology in hydraulic steel structure projects. DriveCon serves as subcontractor for electrical engineering, drive technology, and automation systems across numerous joint projects including Ruhr weir system Duisburg, Dortmund-Ems Canal locks, and Kiel-Holtenau Old Locks refurbishment.
• grbv Ingenieure im Bauwesen GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner for solid construction engineering on major infrastructure projects including the 5 Main Weirs project, Mittelweser weir systems, and Dortmund-Ems Canal new locks. Partner for combined solid construction and hydro-mechanical engineering solutions.
• KREBS+KIEFER Ingenieure GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated into KREBS+KIEFER Group since 2012, IRS operates as member of this engineering group. Joint project execution on solid construction elements including Würzburg weir complete refurbishment, Neckar lock modernizations, and Quitzöbel weir group. IRS became AG (stock corporation) upon consolidation into the group.
• Schimetta Consult Ziviltechniker Ges.m.b.H.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering office partner for Mittersill lift bridge project in Austria, collaborating on bridge drive mechanism design.
• Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner Beratende Ingenieure VBI AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for Mittersill lift bridge project, contributing to the multidisciplinary team for bridge design.
• BESIX / Lievense CSO / Agidens / DEMAKOmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch bidding consortium for Eefde Lock extension project. IRS was awarded contract by this consortium to provide engineering services for hydro-mechanical structures planning.
• Dorsch Europe GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRS AG has been a member of the global Dorsch Europe Gruppe since late 2021. This membership provides corporate backing and integration into a larger engineering services network.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AFRY (formerly Pöyry): Nordic-headquartered global engineering consultancy with a strong hydropower and water infrastructure business. Active across Europe in dam, weir and pumped-storage work, directly overlapping with IRS's customer segments though at far larger scale.
• Sweco AB: European engineering consultancy with significant water, environment and energy practices active across DACH and Nordics. Engages in dam safety, hydraulic structures and waterway engineering, making it a broader-scale competitor for European hydraulic steel structure assignments.
• Dorsch Europe Gruppe (parent): IRS's parent group since late 2021. Provides multidisciplinary engineering services (transport, water, environment, energy) at group level, offering broader scope than IRS but with overlapping capability in waterway and hydraulic infrastructure.
• Tractebel (Engie): Large international engineering consultancy (including former Lahmeyer) with deep hydropower, dam and hydraulic infrastructure practices. Competes for the same utility and public-sector hydro-mechanical assignments as IRS, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Ramboll Group: International engineering consultancy with significant water, ports and energy infrastructure practices in Northern Europe. Competes on hydraulic and marine infrastructure projects adjacent to IRS's portfolio, including coastal and offshore structures.

Direct peers

• Ingenieurbüro Grassl GmbH: German structural and hydraulic engineering consultancy working on bridges, locks, weirs and waterway structures. Directly overlaps with IRS on Stahlwasserbau and structural verification for inland navigation authorities.
• grbv Ingenieure im Bauwesen GmbH: Long-standing JV partner of IRS on major hydraulic projects (Main Weirs, Mittelweser weir systems, Dortmund-Ems Canal locks). Both firms deliver solid construction and hydro-mechanical engineering for German inland waterway authorities and thus compete and co-deliver in the same niche.
• Stucky Ltd: Swiss engineering consultancy specializing in dams, hydropower and hydraulic steel structures. Highly comparable niche focus and customer type (utilities and public authorities) and a recognized European competitor on hydro-mechanical engineering assignments.
• Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG: Independent German engineering consultancy with strong water/hydropower and energy infrastructure practice. Serves similar public and utility clients (dam, weir, pumped-storage projects) and offers comparable planning and structural verification services to IRS.
• KREBS+KIEFER Ingenieure GmbH: Directly comparable German engineering consultancy that was IRS's parent group from 2012 until 2021. Operates in civil/structural engineering, hydraulic structures and infrastructure planning — overlapping service portfolio and customer base with IRS, especially on German federal waterway and lock projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KREBSundKIEFER
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irs-stahlwasserbau-consulting-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 →

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