sm electrics

What sm electrics does

sm electrics GmbH is a privately held German maritime safety equipment manufacturer founded in 2002 and headquartered in Schönberg (Holstein), Schleswig-Holstein. The company designs, develops, and assembles in-house a portfolio of MED and DNV type-approved shipborne alarm and monitoring systems, with Signal Light Column systems as its flagship product line, complemented by Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS), Dead Man Alarm (DMA), Engine Order Telegraphs (EOT and EEOT), Rudder Angle Indicators (RAI), the NAS24 Nautical Alarm System, Ship Alarm Indicators, Lock-In Alarm Systems, Hospital Call Systems, and a Telegraph Logger.

The company's technical differentiation rests on proprietary in-house developments including the DNV type-approved slcBUS communication bus (featuring self-commissioning and automatic addressing), the AGM410 single sounder solution (claimed to be the only one-sounder MED fire alarm configuration on the market), and the MFL-7 multi-color strobe light. In March 2017 the company acquired the EOT/EEOT product line (A067 series) from INTERSCHALT maritime systems GmbH, succeeding the legacy HAGENUK, Stein Sohn, and Interschalt brands. Manufacturing is centered in Schönberg with a stated 48-hour production capability for medium-size Signal Light Column systems.

The business model is B2B project-based hardware sales complemented by spare parts supply and retrofit/upgrade services. Pricing is quote-based with no public pricing disclosed, and revenue is generated through direct sales via the company website, a worldwide service network reaching maritime hotspots, and shipyard-direct supply. The customer base spans shipping companies, vessel operators, and shipyards globally, with the cruise industry identified as a target vertical for complex alarm zoning applications. The company maintains an active presence at maritime trade fairs (SMM, NOR-Shipping) and produces downloadable product brochures to support its sales-led go-to-market motion.

Name

sm electrics

Legal name

sm electrics GmbH

Website

https://sm-electrics.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

sm electrics GmbH is a privately held German maritime safety equipment manufacturer (founded 2002) that designs and assembles MED- and DNV type-approved shipborne alarm and monitoring systems, including Signal Light Columns, BNWAS, and Engine Order Telegraphs, for shipyards and vessel operators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Safety Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (8112)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAJAJAG

Marine Safety, Alarm & Monitoring Systems (Fire/Gas, IAS, PA/GA)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Marine Electrical, Automation & Navigation Systems

SECONDARYIMAJAJAE

Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Marine Electrical, Automation & Navigation Systems

SECONDARYIMAJAFAD

Electrical, Automation & Navigation MRO (Power, Controls, Comms, ECDIS/Radar)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Ship Repair, Maintenance & Conversion (MRO)

SECONDARYIMAJAGAH

Navigation, Communications & Integrated Bridge Systems Engineering

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Marine & Shipbuilding/Ship Design, Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Services

Keywords

• Maritime safety equipment
• Shipborne alarm systems
• Bridge navigation watches
• Engine order telegraphs
• Signal light columns

Headquarters

HQ city

Schönberg (Holstein)

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Marine Safety Equipment Sales: Sale of MED and DNV type approved maritime alarm systems including Signal Light Columns, BNWAS, EOT, EEOT, Rudder Angle Indicators, Ship Alarm Indicators, Hospital Call Systems, Lock-In Alarm Systems, and NAS24 systems. Products are sold directly to vessel operators and shipyards worldwide.
2. Spare Parts: Supply of spare parts for existing systems, including legacy products from predecessor companies (Stein Sohn, Interschalt, HAGENUK). Long-term support commitment demonstrated by supplying parts for 20-year-old systems.
3. Retrofit and Upgrade Services: Retrofit services for aging vessel equipment including EOT retrofits (completed within 10-hour port stays), Signal Light Column replacements, and system upgrades. Service technicians perform on-site installations globally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

sm electrics designs, manufactures, and services MED- and DNV-type-approved shipborne alarm and monitoring systems for commercial vessels and shipyards, with its primary offering being the Signal Light Column system for visual and audible alarms. The portfolio also covers BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems), EOT/EEOT engine order telegraphs, Dead Man Alarms, Rudder Angle Indicators, NAS24 nautical alarm systems, ship alarm indicators, lock-in alarms, hospital call systems, and telegraph loggers. Revenue is generated through direct hardware sales, long-term spare parts supply for legacy Stein Sohn/Interschalt/HAGENUK systems, and on-board retrofit/upgrade services delivered via a worldwide service technician network.

Product overview

sm electrics is a maritime equipment manufacturer founded in 2002, providing engineering and contract manufacturing services alongside a comprehensive portfolio of MED type-approved shipborne alarm systems and bridge safety equipment. The company's product portfolio centers on Signal Light Column Systems as the primary product, complemented by bridge safety monitors (BNWAS, Dead Man Alarm), propulsion command systems (EOT Engine Order Telegraph, EEOT Emergency Engine Order Telegraph, Rudder Angle Indicator RAI A070), and alarm management systems (NAS24 Nautical Alarm System, Ship Alarm Indicator, Hospital Call System, Lock-In Alarm System, Telegraph Logger). The modular architecture enables customization through proprietary slcBUS communication modules, while component products including the AGM410 single sounder and MFL-7 multi-color strobe light support Signal Light Column configurations. The company maintains maximum vertical integration for quality control and operates a global sales and service network serving maritime markets worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signal Light Column System Modular shipborne visual and audible alarm system for engine rooms and other vessel spaces, designed to comply with IMO regulations and classification society requirements (MED type approved). Configurable with multiple sounder, lamp, and column configurations for new-builds and retrofits.
• BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System) Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) that monitors bridge activity and detects operator disability to ensure continuous navigational watch, with MED, CCS, and MER type approvals.
• DMA Dead Man Alarm System Engine-room safety system that monitors the ability of the engineer on duty via an adjustable 3-27 minute countdown timer, escalating to a backup engineer cabin alarm and emergency call if no reset is detected; MED type approved.
• EEOT Emergency Engine Order Telegraph (Push Button Telegraph) Emergency backup propulsion command transmission system with push-button operation, visual/audible alerts, centralized A067 mtBUS controller monitoring, and RS 485 VDR interface per IEC 61162-2. DNV type approved (TAA000016Y-revision5); new flat aluminum frame design released in 2025.
• EOT Engine Order Telegraph Engine Order Telegraph for command transmission between bridge and engine room, available as A065 and A067 models, representing the basic component of a connected remote propulsion system. Continued from the former Stein Sohn/Interschalt product line.
• Rudder Angle Indicator (RAI A070) Rudder Angle Indicator system (A070) using rock-solid transmitter technology and a diversified indicator family, providing both spare parts and full system replacements for legacy HAGENUK/Stein Sohn/Interschalt installations.
• NAS24 Nautical Alarm System Binary alarm indication system for marine applications with a 7.0-inch full graphic touch display, IP65 front protection, day/night vision modes, 24 configurable alarm channels, selectable alarm/status logic, and Ethernet support up to 100m. DNV type approved.
• Ship Alarm Indicator Versatile alarm forwarding device for additional premises or specific alarm applications, available in multiple versions with customizable triangular light symbols from a wide range of standard symbols.
• Lock-In Alarm System (Cold Store Lock-In) Cold store lock-in alarm system designed to monitor personnel safety inside refrigerated spaces, part of the modular alarm system portfolio. MED type approved.
• Hospital Call System Modular marine hospital call system built around a certified 4.3-inch full graphic touch panel with a PLC TS35 terminal rail module, monitoring up to six calling points with escalating alarm devices and BAM/CAM system interface. MED type approved.
• Telegraph Logger Digital Engine Order Telegraph logger that replaces outdated bell loggers, storing up to 60,000 commands with periodic Excel backup, USB export, password-protected settings, and an on-device user manual.
• slcBUS Communication Module Proprietary DNV type-approved communication bus system for Signal Light Column installations, with self-commissioning, automatic addressing, flexible topology, enhanced fault detection, dead-man-alarm option, lamp test by default, and an LCD for system state and error identification. Designed to support cruise vessel cable length requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 hours production time for medium-size signal light column systems ready for international shipping
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Syberg ASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 June 2023sm electrics exhibited their bridge focused products at Syberg AS booth during NOR-Shipping 2023 in Oslo. Syberg AS serves as a distribution/channel partner for displaying and promoting sm electrics products at trade shows in the Nordic maritime market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian global leader in integrated bridge systems, navigation, and maritime automation. Competes with sm electrics in navigation and alarm systems as part of its broader integrated vessel technology portfolio.
• Furuno Electric: Japanese marine electronics manufacturer with comprehensive navigation, fish-finding, and communication equipment portfolio. Overlaps with sm electrics in nautical alarm systems and bridge safety equipment categories.
• Wärtsilä: Finnish global marine technology company offering ship power, propulsion, and automation systems including navigation and safety equipment. Overlaps with sm electrics in maritime automation and safety segments as part of broader portfolio.
• HENSOLDT: German defense and maritime electronics company (formerly Kelvin Hughes) offering radar, navigation, and integrated bridge systems. Competitor in maritime safety and navigation segments with significantly larger scale than sm electrics.
• Consilium: Swedish maritime safety specialist providing fire detection, gas detection, and integrated safety systems for vessels. Comparable in maritime safety equipment focus, though serving broader vessel safety categories than sm electrics.
• Japan Radio Co. (JRC): Japanese marine electronics manufacturer producing navigation, communication, and bridge safety systems including BNWAS. Larger global player with overlapping product categories in maritime safety and navigation equipment.
• Raytheon Anschütz: German marine electronics manufacturer of integrated bridge systems, navigation radars, and ship control systems. Directly overlaps with sm electrics' nautical alarm and EOT product lines, with similar German maritime industry roots.
• Alphatron Marine: Netherlands-based marine electronics company offering integrated bridge systems, BNWAS, and navigation equipment. Part of JRC/Alphatron group, offering broader portfolio than sm electrics but overlapping in bridge safety and alarm systems.

Direct peers

• AMI Marine: UK-based specialist manufacturer of marine safety and navigation equipment including BNWAS, watch alarms, and navigational aids. Directly competes with sm electrics in the BNWAS and bridge safety equipment market with similar type-approved product offerings.
• Beier Radio: German manufacturer of marine communication, navigation, and alarm systems. Comparable small-midsize German maritime electronics company with overlapping product categories including safety and alarm systems for vessels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sm-electrics-gmbh

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 sm electrics