AKS Academy & Services

What AKS Academy & Services does

AKS Academy & Services AG is a privately held Swiss occupational safety company headquartered in Aadorf, Thurgau, with a second site in Niederrohrdorf, Aargau opened in April 2026. Founded in 1997 as a sole proprietorship called "Ausbildung für Staplerfahrer" and reorganized as an Aktiengesellschaft in 2015 under current owner-CEO Dario Lo Russo, the firm operates with 1–10 employees and sells three interconnected service pillars—Academy (classroom and on-site training), Technics (annual inspections of lifting, ladder, and PSAgA equipment), and Services (ASGS occupational-safety consulting)—plus an e-commerce shop for lifting and PPE products and a free membership program.

The offering is built on a proprietary technology stack: a course management and e-learning platform ("Meteor," launched January 2025), an ARC-Software module for digital inspection documentation with NFC-based equipment tracking and maintenance reminders, and a customer portal for corporate course administration, invoicing, and certificate retrieval. Training courses span forklifts, industrial and vehicle cranes, aerial work platforms, load attachment, chainsaws, load securing, fall protection, and safety officers, each aligned to specific Swiss regulatory frameworks (VUV Art. 32b, EKAS guidelines 6508/6512/6518, SUVA factsheets, VSAA, CZV).

AKS earns revenue primarily through per-participant course fees (CHF 200–890 depending on intensity and equipment category), recurring annual equipment inspection contracts, tiered safety consulting packages (LIGHT/MEDIUM/EXTENDED), and ancillary product sales via shop.aksas.ch. Distribution combines self-serve online booking, on-site corporate training with mobile demonstration equipment, two physical training centers, and channel partnerships with sector subsidy programs (Temptraining, Parifonds Bau, Holzbau Vital). The firm holds SUVA recognition (since 1997), VSAA, EDUQUA, SESA, CZV, and Seilarbeiter Schweiz certifications that constitute a regulatory moat in the Swiss compliance training market.

Name

AKS Academy & Services

Legal name

AKS Academy & Services AG

Website

https://aksas.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AKS Academy & Services AG is a Swiss occupational safety provider delivering certified training (forklifts, cranes, aerial platforms, PSAgA, chainsaws), equipment inspections, and ASGS consulting, serving Swiss SMBs, enterprises, and individuals under SUVA, EKAS, VSAA, and CZV frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Occupational Safety Training and Equipment Inspection Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Safety, Compliance & Regulatory (OSHA/HSE/GxP) Certifications (EDAAANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH), Audit, Inspection & Quality Compliance (Internal Auditing, CAPA) (EDABAKAN)

Keywords

• Occupational safety training
• Equipment inspection services
• Safety consulting
• Forklift operator training
• Workplace safety compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Aadorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Courses: One-time fees for instructor-led training courses covering forklifts, cranes, aerial work platforms, fall protection, load securing, chainsaws, and safety officers. Courses are priced per participant and include both theory and practical components.
2. Equipment Inspections: Annual inspection services for lifting equipment, ladders, load-attaching devices, and personal fall protection equipment (PSAgA) as required by Swiss law (VUV Art. 32b). Includes digital documentation through ARC-Software.
3. Safety Consulting: ASGS (Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz) consulting services with three packages: LIGHT (analysis), MEDIUM (risk analysis), and EXTENDED (implementation). Includes support for ASA safety systems.
4. Product Sales: Online shop sales of lifting chains, textile lifting straps, load securing equipment, lifting ropes, lifting devices, and accessories for Anschlagpunkte.
5. Membership Program: Free membership offering price advantages, premium discounts, and special offers on courses, inspections, and consulting services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AKS Academy & Services AG delivers certified occupational safety training courses (forklifts, aerial work platforms, cranes, load attachment, chainsaws, load securing, fall protection, safety officers), annual equipment inspection services for lifting and personal protective equipment, and ASGS workplace safety consulting under Swiss regulatory certifications (SUVA, EKAS, VSAA, EDUQUA, SESA, CZV). Customers access courses and services through an online booking portal and E-Learning platform, with on-site mobile training delivery available Switzerland-wide and an online shop for related equipment.

Product overview

AKS Academy & Services AG offers a unified platform combining three interconnected service pillars: Academy (training), Technics (inspection), and Services (consulting). The core offering includes classroom and practical training courses for forklift operation, aerial work platforms, fall protection equipment, industrial cranes, vehicle cranes, load attachment, chainsaw operation, load securing, and safety officers, all conducted in-person with digital support through a course portal, E-Learning platform, and ARC-Software for inspection management. The portfolio is structured around a customer portal for centralized course and certificate administration, with an online shop for safety products and a free membership program providing pricing advantages. Training courses are delivered at company facilities or on-site at customer locations, and certifications align with Swiss regulatory requirements including SUVA, EKAS, VSAA, and CZV standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stapler (Forklift) Training Practical forklift operator training according to EKAS 6518 across all categories including counterbalance trucks (R1), reach trucks (R2), sideloaders (R3), and telehandlers (R4). Designed for Swiss companies and individual operators who require legally certified forklift licenses.
• Hubarbeitsbühnen (Aerial Work Platforms) Training Operator and instructor training for aerial work platforms covering all four VSAA-recognized categories (1a, 1b, 3a, 3b). Includes a specific instructor course for training operators on company-specific equipment. Designed for companies and individuals working at height with mobile elevating work platforms.
• PSA gegen Absturz (Personal Fall Protection Equipment) Training Basic and refresher training on personal protective equipment against falls (PSAgA) according to Seilarbeiter Schweiz guidelines. Designed for construction, maintenance, and industrial workers who perform work at height and need annual PSAgA certification.
• Industriekrane (Industrial Cranes) Training Operator training for stationary industrial crane systems Category C, including bridge cranes, gantry cranes, column jib cranes, and rotary cranes, conducted per SUVA Factsheet 33081. Designed for industrial operators, rigger modules, and manufacturing companies using in-house cranes.
• Fahrzeugkrane (Vehicle Cranes) Training Operator training for truck-mounted cranes Category C with maximum load moment of 400,000 Nm and boom length up to 22 meters, covering rail cranes and telehandlers with crane hooks. Designed for fleet operators, transport companies, and drivers of mobile loading cranes.
• Anschlagen von Lasten (Load Attachment) Training Training on safely attaching loads to cranes per Kranverordnung Article 5 and 6 and SUVA Factsheet 33099. Designed for riggers and operators in construction, logistics, and industrial settings who need to attach loads to lifting equipment.
• Motorsägen (Chainsaw) Training Chainsaw operator training for construction, industry, agriculture, and garden/landscape applications, conducted per VUV Art. 8 and SUVA Factsheet 33062. Designed for construction workers, gardeners, landscapers, and forestry workers needing certified chainsaw handling skills.
• Ladungssicherung (Load Securing) Training Training on cargo securing in road transport per VTS, SVG, ASTRA guidelines and EN 12195-1 standards, covering lashing techniques and load center of gravity assessment. Designed for professional drivers, fleet operators, and transport & logistics companies subject to CZV continuing-education requirements.
• Sicherheitsbeauftragte (Safety Officer) Training Basic and refresher training for safety officers (SiBe/KOPAS) according to EKAS Guideline 6508, providing foundational knowledge in occupational safety and health protection (ASGS) based on EKAS commission guidelines. Designed for designated company safety officers who handle internal safety coordination.
• Inspektionsservices (Equipment Inspection Services) Annual technical inspection services for lifting equipment, ladders, load attachment devices, and personal fall protection equipment (PSAgA) fulfilling VUV Art. 32b and EKAS Guideline 6512 requirements. Documentation is delivered digitally through ARC-Software. Designed for companies required to maintain legally compliant equipment inspection records.
• ASGS Beratung (Occupational Safety and Health Consulting) Occupational safety and health consulting including risk analysis, emergency planning, and ASA-compliant safety systems, delivered in three packages (LIGHT – analysis; MEDIUM – risk assessment with hazard notification and prioritization; EXTENDED – individual action plan and implementation support). Designed for Swiss companies that must establish or audit workplace safety systems and ASA safety solutions.
• Online-Shop for Lifting and Protective Equipment E-commerce platform offering lifting chains, textile lifting straps, load securing equipment, lifting ropes, lifting devices, accessories for Anschlagpunkte, and personal protective equipment. Designed for companies and individuals sourcing certified lifting and PPE products in Switzerland.
• AKS-Mitgliedschaft (Membership Program) Free enrollment membership program offering organizational benefits, pricing advantages, premium discounts, and loyalty bonuses on AKS training courses, inspection services, and consulting packages. Designed to retain and incentivize repeat customers across companies and individuals.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• TemptrainingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSubsidy program for temporary workers covered by GAV-Personalverleih. Eligible workers can receive up to CHF 5,000 per year for AKS courses. Program promotes career-relevant continuing education and strengthens employability.
• Parifonds BauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTraining subsidy program for the construction industry. Supports continuing education of construction sector employees. AKS courses are recognized and can be financed through daily flat rates - contributing to construction site quality and safety.
• Holzbau VitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry solution program for timber construction. AKS continuing education courses are recognized for timber construction professionals. Funding strengthens safety, health, and professional competence from basic training through master craftsman examination.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves22 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS SA: Swiss-headquartered global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) giant offering industrial safety training, equipment operator certification, and inspection services across Switzerland. Much larger than AKS but competes for the same corporate compliance-training budgets.
• Bureau Veritas: France-headquartered global TIC group with Swiss presence offering safety training, conformity assessment, and inspection services. Competes for similar Swiss corporate accounts requiring audited safety training and compliance programs.
• TÜV Rheinland Group: German-headquartered global TIC group with Swiss subsidiaries delivering occupational safety, equipment operator, and EHS training. Comparable to AKS on regulatory-certified course delivery but with vastly larger scale and broader service portfolio.
• DEKRA Automobil GmbH: Global TIC company headquartered in Stuttgart with Swiss operations, providing workplace safety training, driver qualification, and equipment certification. Directly competes with AKS for corporate fleet and operator safety training contracts.
• Intertek Group plc: UK-headquartered global TIC firm with Swiss operations offering equipment testing, certification, and related safety training services. Comparable to AKS on regulated equipment-operator certification but at a global scale.
• Klubschule Migros: Switzerland's largest adult continuing-education provider, offering selected workplace safety and EHS courses alongside its general catalog. Competes at the low end of the safety training market and shares AKS's reliance on Swiss compliance-mandated training demand.
• TÜV SÜD AG: German-headquartered global TIC firm with Swiss operations offering crane, forklift, and workplace safety training programs. Overlaps with AKS on regulated operator certification and competes for multinational and large Swiss enterprise accounts.

Others

• Suva: Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund that both regulates AKS's SUVA recognition and runs its own workplace safety training programs. Functions as both a gatekeeper (auditing AKS) and an adjacent training provider, with overlapping customer reach in Swiss occupational safety.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

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 →

Frequently asked questions about AKS Academy & Services