What Ibs Automation Gmbh does

IBS Automation GmbH is a Chemnitz, Germany-based industrial automation integrator founded in 1990 that designs and builds custom turnkey automation cells combining CNC-controlled robotics with sensor integration and process-specific control software. The firm operates at the intersection of machine tool and robotics engineering, using Siemens Sinumerik One platforms to drive industrial robots (including Universal Robots collaborative robots) for applications such as laser powder deposition welding, additive manufacturing, adhesive dispensing, and precision machining. Proprietary capabilities include multi-TCP robot programming, seam-tracking and seam-guidance routines, custom compile cycles, and camera-guided positioning, all developed and refined over a 35-year operating history and delivered to a cumulative base of 200+ projects.

The company's business model is project-based and engineering-led, serving industrial manufacturers with complex automation requirements across verticals that include defense drivetrains (RENK Group), vehicle manufacturing (CAPRON GmbH), and applied research/industrial production (Laserlabor). Go-to-market relies on direct technical sales, reference projects in specialized applications, and channel access through its Siemens Solution Partner and Universal Robots Robot Integrator certifications. Revenue is generated through one-off custom cell sales plus associated engineering services, with follow-on service, retrofit, and spare-part work creating recurring touchpoints with installed equipment.

Operationally, IBS Automation is a small, expertise-dense firm with 17 employees, suggesting a high-margin, low-headcount delivery model typical of niche German Sondermaschinenbau (special-purpose machinery) builders. Strategic activity in recent years has prioritized ecosystem anchoring (Siemens and Universal Robots certifications), capability diversification into additive manufacturing and adhesive dispensing, and applied research collaboration via the EKODA project with Fraunhofer IWU and the cross-institutional 'Robotics for Humans' innovation network, indicating selective rather than scale-driven growth.

Name

Ibs Automation Gmbh

Legal name

ibs Automation GmbH

Website

https://ibs-automation.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IBS Automation GmbH is a Chemnitz-based industrial integrator that designs custom CNC-controlled robotics and sensor-guided automation cells for manufacturers in defense, automotive, and applied research applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)

Keywords

• Industrial automation solutions
• CNC robotics integration
• Cobot system integration
• Custom special machines
• Industrial machine retrofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chemnitz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Automation Solutions: Turnkey automation systems combining hardware, software, and engineering services. Projects include industrial robots, CNC-robot cells, custom machines, control technology, and retrofit services. Revenue generated through project-based contracts from conception through implementation.
2. Engineering and Consulting Services: Advisory, planning, simulation, construction, programming, commissioning, training, and ongoing support services. Provided throughout the project lifecycle and as standalone services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IBS Automation GmbH is a turnkey industrial automation solutions provider that designs and delivers custom-built systems combining robotics, CNC technology, cobots, control engineering, and bespoke special machines. The company delivers complete projects from concept and simulation through construction, programming, commissioning, training, and ongoing support, primarily serving industrial manufacturers with complex automation challenges that exceed the capability of standard solutions.

Product overview

IBS Automation GmbH is a turnkey industrial automation solutions provider specializing in custom-built systems rather than a single unified product. The portfolio centers on five core product lines: Smart Robots combining intelligent programming with sensor technology; Certified UR Cobot Solutions for human-machine collaboration; Custom Special Machines (Sondermaschinen) built to specification on Siemens or Beckhoff platforms; CNC Robotics leveraging Siemens Sinumerik One for precise path-controlled applications; and Control Technology featuring proprietary Compile cycles and seam tracking. The company delivers complete solutions from concept through commissioning and ongoing support, with recent focus on CNC-robot hybrid systems for laser deposition, 3D printing, and advanced welding applications. R&D activities include circular economy disassembly (EKODA) and hybrid manufacturing processes (SEAM-TIL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Robots (Smarte Roboter) Intelligent robot solutions combining intelligent programming with modern sensor technology for real-time data acquisition and precise processing, enabling new applications for traditional industrial robots.
• Cobot Solutions (Zuverlässige Cobots) Collaborative robot solutions combining maximum reliability with intuitive programming for optimizing existing production processes or as an entry point into automation, delivered as a certified Universal Robots integrator.
• Custom Special Machines (Individuelle Sondermaschinen)

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced pipe positioning time from up to 20 minutes to 30 seconds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Siemens Solution Partner since 2021. IBS Automation develops solutions based on Siemens Sinumerik One CNC controls, leveraging compile cycles, path guidance, and specialized control functions. Deep technical partnership for industrial automation systems.
• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified UR-Robot Integrator since 2024. IBS provides cobot solutions using Universal Robots platforms, offering intuitive programming and inherent safety features for collaborative manufacturing applications.
• Fraunhofer IWUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the EKODA research project (Efficient and Economic Circle Oriented Disassembly) focused on sustainable circular economy in automotive recycling. IBS develops modular disassembly systems with robotic sensor and control technology.
• Robotics for Humans NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of innovation network 'Robotics for Humans' focused on human-centered robotics. Collaboration and knowledge sharing within the network.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eckelmann AG: German mid-sized automation and control technology specialist. Similar profile as a German Mittelstand automation integrator with deep control-systems expertise and custom-engineering focus.
• ATS Automation Tooling Systems: Large-scale custom industrial automation integrator serving global manufacturers. Comparable business model (project-based custom automation, life sciences/industrial focus) though at substantially greater scale than ibs.
• HAHN Group: German industrial automation integrator combining robotics, cobots, and AGV/AMR solutions. Comparable because both firms build custom automation cells, serve manufacturers, and are Siemens/UR-aligned in technology stack.
• Teamtechnik Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH: German custom automation and special-machine builder for industrial production. Comparable because both firms deliver turnkey bespoke automation systems to enterprise manufacturers with similar project-based revenue models.
• Asentics GmbH: Germany-based specialist in industrial image processing and automation systems, similar size and customer base. Highly comparable as a custom automation integrator combining vision, robotics, and control engineering for industrial manufacturers.

Broad incumbents

• KUKA AG: Global industrial robotics and automation integrator. Comparable in the robotic automation space; KUKA both supplies robot platforms (like Comau N220 used by ibs) and competes downstream for integration projects.
• Festo AG: Global broad-line industrial automation and pneumatics incumbent. Comparable as an automation portfolio company; while much larger and broader, Festo competes for the same industrial automation wallet and integrator relationships.
• Beckhoff Automation: German PC-based control and automation incumbent that ibs explicitly offers as an alternative platform to Siemens. Comparable as a control-systems partner/competitor in German industrial automation.
• WITTENSTEIN SE: German specialist in mechatronic drive and automation technology. Comparable as a German Mittelstand automation technology provider overlapping with ibs in high-precision motion, robotics, and custom-engineering applications.
• Siemens AG (Digital Industries): Global industrial automation incumbent and ibs's core technology partner (Siemens Solution Partner since 2021). Comparable as the dominant control-platform owner whose ecosystem ibs builds upon and whose integration services compete with ibs's own offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibs-automation-gmbh

Compliance2 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 Ibs Automation Gmbh