Henze GmbH

What Henze GmbH does

Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH (the operating entity behind Henze GmbH) is a family-owned German specialist machine builder founded in 1900 by Wilhelm Pannkoke in Berlin and relocated to Lübeck after WWII. The company designs and manufactures vacuum lifting devices (Vakuumheber), spare parts, glass handling tools, electric transport trolleys (ErgoMover), and mobile vacuum manipulators (WinLet) for the glass processing industry, with capabilities ranging from compact units to industrial systems handling glass panes up to 12 meters in length and 2000 kg. Core technology centers on proprietary 2-circuit and 4-circuit vacuum safety systems compliant with EU standard EN 13155, proprietary suction cup designs validated by Kiel University of Applied Sciences, and a modular building block system (Baukastensystem) developed by managing director Bernd Pannkoke for custom configurations.

The company serves four primary vertical segments: glass processing (its core market), transportation and vehicle manufacturing (railway, automotive, specialty vehicles), construction and glazing contractors, and shipbuilding. Customer references include Stadler Altenrhein AG, FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau, Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke, Henze-Glas GmbH, and several mid-market glass fabricators across Germany. The go-to-market is direct sales-led, with free initial consultation, joint project planning, custom concept development, precision production, and direct delivery from the Lübeck facility — no reseller or distributor network is indicated. Revenue is generated through one-time equipment sales, spare parts, and recurring service and training contracts (annual testing, maintenance, repair, and personnel training under EN 13155). Pricing is custom quotation-based and not publicly disclosed. The company operates 21 employees from a single Lübeck headquarters and claims thousands of satisfied customers worldwide, with active presence in Germany, Switzerland, the UK, France, and Japan.

Name

Henze GmbH

Legal name

Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH

Website

https://pannkoke.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Henze GmbH (operating as Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH) is a 125-year-old family-owned German specialist machine builder that designs and manufactures vacuum lifting devices, custom suction systems, and mobile transport equipment for the glass processing, vehicle manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding industries worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Glass Handling Equipment

NAICS

Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing (333923), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD), Hoists (Electric, Manual & Pneumatic) (IMAHAJAG)

Keywords

• Vacuum lifting equipment
• Glass handling systems
• Flat glass processing
• Specialized machine construction
• Industrial vacuum technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Lübeck

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vacuum Lifting Equipment Sales: Sale of specialized vacuum lifting devices and equipment for the glass processing industry, including standard and custom-designed units
2. Tools and Accessories: Sale of glass handling tools including manual suction handles, transport carriages, glazing tools, and specialized equipment
3. Service and Maintenance: Annual testing, maintenance, and repair services for vacuum lifting devices, including on-site testing and suction cup load capacity verification
4. Training Services: Training courses for personnel operating vacuum lifting devices, including proper use, maintenance tips, and safety precautions
5. Spare Parts: Replacement parts including suction cups, seals, suction plates, and other wearing components for vacuum lifting devices

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH designs, manufactures, and services vacuum lifting devices (Vakuumheber), spare parts, manual glass tools, electric transport trolleys (ErgoMover), and mobile vacuum manipulators (WinLet) for the flat glass processing industry. The company provides custom-engineered lifting solutions capable of handling glass panes up to 12 meters in length and 2000 kg in weight, supported by 2-circuit and 4-circuit vacuum safety technology compliant with EU standard EN 13155.

Product overview

Pannkoke Flachglastechnik GmbH is a specialist machine construction company manufacturing equipment, machines, and tools for the glass processing industry since 1900. The core product portfolio centers on vacuum handling technology (Vakuumheber) — devices that use vacuum suction cups to lift and move glass panes safely. Supporting the vacuum lifters are spare parts (suction cups, seals, suction plates) and a comprehensive range of manual tools for glass handling and processing (suction handles, transport carriages, corner protection, putty scrapers). The ErgoMover electric transport trolley series extends the product range for general heavy-load transport on sites and warehouses. WinLet mobile vacuum manipulators provide precision positioning for installation work. The company also offers service packages including maintenance, repair, annual testing, and training. Together, these products form an integrated ecosystem addressing the full lifecycle of glass handling — from lifting and transport to installation and ongoing maintenance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Equipment still in operation from 1965 after decades of use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Fachhochschule Kiel (Kiel University of Applied Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Collaboration with Professor Dr. Michael Klausner for scientific testing and validation of suction cup load capacities. The university conducted multiple studies including cold temperature tests, comparison tests with competitor products, and cellulose coating tests. This partnership provides third-party scientific validation of product performance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Anver Corporation: US manufacturer of vacuum lifting equipment, air-powered and electric hoists, and below-hook attachments. Comparable product family with overlapping vacuum lifter technology, though smaller scale and US-focused.
• Vacuworx Global: US manufacturer of vacuum lifting systems for construction materials including concrete, steel, and pipe. Pivoted into heavy industrial lifting adjacent to Pannkoke's specialty. Comparable proprietary vacuum pad technology but serves heavier construction substrates than glass.

Direct peers

• J. Schmalz GmbH: German global leader in vacuum automation and handling technology, directly competing with Pannkoke in vacuum lifters, suction cups, and ergonomic handling systems across glass, logistics, and woodworking. Both serve industrial vacuum handling with comparable product categories and EU safety-regulated installations.
• TAWI AB: Swedish manufacturer of vacuum lifters and lifting equipment for glass, boxes, and reels. Directly comparable product line with quick-coupling vacuum lifters and a similar go-to-market targeting glass processing and packaging customers.
• Movomech AB: Swedish manufacturer of vacuum lifting devices and crane systems with comparable modular jib crane and vacuum lifter portfolio. Similar target market in glass, sheet metal, and industrial handling, with analogous 2-circuit safety vacuum systems.
• Wood's Powr-Grip Co. US-based manufacturer of vacuum cups, vacuum lifters, and below-hook vacuum attachments for glass, stone, and metal handling. Directly comparable in suction cup technology and glass-specific lifting equipment, with similar small/mid-sized OEM positioning.

Others

• Veribor by Bohle AG: German manufacturer of manual and vacuum glass-handling tools (including VERIBOR suction handles distributed by Pannkoke). Adjacent/ecosystem relationship — both target glaziers and serve complementary rather than overlapping product categories.

Regional players

• Vacu-Lift Manufacturing LLC: US-based vacuum lifting equipment manufacturer for glass, metal, and stone. Comparable product category (vacuum tube lifters, below-hook lifters) but primarily serves the North American market with Pannkoke focused on Europe.

Broad incumbents

• Demag / Konecranes (Demag Cranes): Major industrial crane and hoist manufacturer with vacuum-equipped lifting solutions. Competes in heavy industrial lifting with much broader product portfolio and global service network; Pannkoke differentiates on vacuum-only specialization for glass.
• Bystronic Laser AG: Swiss-headquartered broad supplier of glass processing machinery and automation for architectural and automotive glass. Adjacent rather than directly competing in vacuum lifting, but serves the same downstream glass processing customers with larger capital systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0sHy1FjrnE9VcixKaGPO1Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/Vakuumheber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/henze-gmbh

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 Henze GmbH