Tme Engineering

What Tme Engineering does

TME Engineering is an applied engineering company headquartered in Arques, France, founded in 2000 and specialising in technical solutions for the hot end process of glass container manufacturing. The company designs and supplies process equipment and components — including Blankontrol (real-time camera-based temperature control at the blank stage), Foloflame (fire-polishing), IS Variables (insulated needle variable systems), Delivery (material handling with air-ride cooling), Glassware Handling (featuring patented HYPERION technology), Hot End System (process enhancement), and Laserload (laser-based loading system now in its third generation). The portfolio is anchored by 7 patents and an annual R&D budget allocation of 10%, with the Blankontrol platform representing the company's stated latest breakthrough in process comprehension and data-driven control.

The company operates a sales-led B2B go-to-market, selling capital equipment directly to glass container manufacturers through its French headquarters and a wholly-owned regional subsidiary, TME Glass Americas, based in Guadalajara, Mexico. Revenue derives from one-time equipment sales (licence/capital purchase), with pricing not publicly disclosed and customer acquisition driven by direct phone and email contact, partner-style engagement, and catalog requests. The customer base consists of 55 accounts across 20 countries, with approximately 50% of sales generated from export markets — indicating a globally distributed but vertically narrow (single-industry) customer footprint.

Operationally, TME is a privately held, founder-led firm (CEO Raphaël MALVEZIN) with 11–50 employees split between France and Mexico. Recent activity includes the 2024 launch of the Hot End System, the 2025 release of a redesigned Blankontrol Camera Case and the third-generation Laserload, plus ongoing team expansion through apprenticeships and new technical hires. The combination of niche vertical focus, patented proprietary technology, and export-driven distribution forms the core of its commercial model.

Name

Tme Engineering

Legal name

TME Engineering

Website

https://www.tme-engineering.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TME Engineering is a French applied engineering company that designs and supplies hot end process equipment—including temperature control, fire-polishing, and material handling systems—for glass container manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Arques

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Glass Industry Technical Solutions: Sale of technical products and systems for the hot end process of glass container manufacturing, including Blankontrol temperature control systems, Foloflame fire-polish systems, IS Variables, Hot End Systems, Glassware handling equipment, and Delivery products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

TME Engineering designs, develops, and supplies hot end process equipment and components for glass container manufacturers. Its product portfolio includes the Blankontrol real-time temperature control system for the blank stage, the Foloflame fire-polish system, IS Variables, delivery products with air ride cooling, the patented HYPERION glassware handling system, the Hot End System, and the Laserload laser-based loading system. The company sells directly to glass container producers through its France headquarters and its Mexican subsidiary TME Glass Americas.

Product overview

TME Engineering is an applied engineering company founded in 2000 providing technical solutions for the hot end process of glass container production. The company offers a portfolio of interconnected products: Blankontrol (in-process temperature control system for real-time thermal monitoring), Foloflame (fire-polishing system), IS Variables (section control equipment), Delivery systems (materials handling), Glassware Handling (with patented HYPERION technology), Hot End System (process enhancement), and Laserload (laser-based loading system). The product ecosystem is unified by the company's focus on process control and optimization in glass manufacturing, with 7 patents and 10% of annual budget dedicated to innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blankontrol: Temperature control system for real-time temperature control at the blank stage of glass manufacturing, enabling more stable process, fewer defects, and optimized lightweighting.
• Foloflame
• ISKontrol
• Hyperion
• Laserload
• Hot End System

Products and services

• Blankontrol Real-time temperature control system for the blank stage of glass container manufacturing, enabling camera-based thermal monitoring, defect and imbalance detection, and optimized lightweighting of glass containers.
• Foloflame Fire-polish system for glass bottles delivering high accuracy and very low deformation, with quick job change and setup times, ergonomic settings, software improvements for maintenance, and easier conveyor height setup.
• IS Variables IS (Individual Section) variable systems with long-life inserts and specific equipment for glass container production, offering good value for money and durability.
• Delivery Wide range of delivery products for glass manufacturing in various materials and sizes, featuring special air ride cooling and special treatments for the hot end process.
• Glassware Handling (HYPERION) Glassware handling solutions using the patented HYPERION technology, selecting the right material for each application to handle glassware during the hot end process.
• Hot End System Hot end process enhancement system based on the 'Light is right' philosophy, designed for fast installation to improve glass manufacturing processes.
• Laserload Laser-based loading system for glass manufacturing, with three generations of development achieving 3x weight reduction and 50% size reduction, with universal compatibility and simplified adjustment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced thermal variations at blank stage leading to fewer defects and imbalances
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Iris Inspection: Machine vision systems provider specializing in glass container quality control and process monitoring. Competes directly with TME's Blankontrol in inspection and process analytics for hot end glass manufacturing.
• Horn Glass Industries: German-based supplier of glass melting furnaces and complete processing equipment, now encompassing the former Sorg Group. Competes with TME as a broad-line supplier of glass manufacturing technology serving the same customer base.
• Xpar Vision: French-based supplier of hot end inspection systems for glass containers using camera-based quality control. Closest direct competitor to TME's Blankontrol in real-time process monitoring and defect detection.
• Tiama: French supplier of glass container quality inspection and process control solutions, including hot end monitoring. Direct competitor to TME in delivering process monitoring and quality control equipment to glass manufacturers.
• Bucher Emhart Glass: Swiss-headquartered (part of Bucher Industries) global supplier of glass container manufacturing equipment, including IS machines, hot end equipment, and inspection systems. Most direct large-scale competitor to TME in the hot end process niche.
• BDF Industries: Italian supplier of complete glass container manufacturing plants, equipment, and process technology. Competes directly with TME in providing hot end process solutions to glass manufacturers globally.
• Bottero: Italian manufacturer of glass forming and finishing equipment, including IS machines and related hot end solutions. Direct competitor in glass container forming and hot end process equipment.
• Sorg Group (now part of Horn Glass Industries): Historically independent German specialist in glass melting and conditioning technology, now operating within Horn Glass Industries. Comparable peer to TME as a long-tenured specialist serving the glass container hot end ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tme-glasspro

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Tme Engineering