What Schmalz does

Schmalz (legal entity: J. Schmalz GmbH) is a family-owned German manufacturer of vacuum technology components and systems, headquartered in Glatten, Germany. The company operates two principal divisions: Vacuum Automation, which supplies vacuum grippers, generators, valves, switches, system monitoring components, and customized gripping systems for industrial robots and automated production lines; and Manual Handling, which provides ergonomic vacuum tube lifters, the VacuMaster line, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and portable conveyors that allow workers to lift and move heavy workpieces safely. A third line, Vacuum Clamping Technology, supplies clamping solutions for CNC machining and composite manufacturing. The technology foundation is mechanical/pneumatic vacuum rather than digital, with differentiation stemming from application-specific gripper geometries, ergonomic engineering, and integration with third-party robotic systems.

Schmalz monetizes almost exclusively through hardware sales, supplemented by customization engineering for OEM and enterprise buyers. Distribution is multi-channel: a global direct field-sales force handles complex automation and customized systems, an online shop sells standard components internationally with weight-zone shipping, and a network of sales partners in 80+ countries serves local markets. The company reports 31 locations worldwide and serves customers across automotive, logistics, food, packaging, chemicals/pharmaceuticals, glass, battery, plastics, electronics, solar, wind energy, fiber composites, and defense, with named enterprise customers including JYSK, dm drugstore, Adolf Würth, Duravit, Schedler Transport-Logistik, and Lang Metallwarenproduktion.

Schmalz is self-described as a market leader in vacuum automation and ergonomic handling systems and operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Binar Handling and GPS, that extend its handling-systems portfolio. The company is privately held by its founding family, has no disclosed institutional investors or funding rounds, and does not publicly report revenue or headcount. Its competitive positioning rests on vacuum-specific domain expertise, an integrated components-to-systems portfolio, and a deeply developed global distribution footprint, rather than on digital, software, or AI capabilities.

Name

Schmalz

Legal name

J. Schmalz GmbH

Website

https://vacuworld.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Schmalz is a family-owned German manufacturer of vacuum automation components, ergonomic manual handling systems, and vacuum clamping technology, serving industrial manufacturers and logistics operators across more than 80 countries via direct sales, distributors, and an online shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Vacuum Automation Equipment

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Vacuum automation
• Vacuum grippers
• Ergonomic handling systems
• Vacuum clamping technology
• Industrial lifting equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Glatten

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. Vacuum Automation Components: Sale of individual vacuum components including grippers, generators, valves, connections, and system monitoring equipment for automated manufacturing processes
2. Manual Handling Systems: Sale of ergonomic lifting equipment including vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster devices, mobile lifting devices, smart hoists, crane systems, and portable conveyor systems for manual workpiece handling
3. Customized Solutions: Bespoke vacuum system design and manufacturing for specific customer applications, including customized gripping systems and tailored automation solutions
4. Vacuum Clamping Technology: Sale of vacuum clamping systems for metalworking, CNC machining, and composite manufacturing applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Schmalz manufactures and sells vacuum technology products for industrial automation and manual handling. Its Vacuum Automation portfolio includes vacuum grippers, vacuum generators, valves, connection components, and system monitoring devices used in robotic and automated manufacturing. Its Manual Handling portfolio includes vacuum tube lifters, VacuMaster devices, mobile lifting equipment, smart hoists, crane systems, and portable conveyors that help workers lift and move heavy workpieces ergonomically. The company also offers vacuum clamping systems for CNC machining and customized vacuum solutions.

Product overview

Schmalz is a manufacturer of vacuum technology solutions comprising two main product divisions: Vacuum Automation (automated gripping systems) and Manual Handling (ergonomic lifting aids). The Vacuum Automation division includes Vacuum Grippers, Vacuum Generators, Valves, Connections for Grippers, Switches and System Monitoring components, and Customized Solutions. The Manual Handling division offers Vacuum Tube Lifters, VacuMaster vacuum lifting devices, Mobile Lifting Devices, Smart Hoists, Crane Systems and Jib Cranes, and Portable Conveyor Systems. Additionally, the company provides Vacuum Clamping Technology for CNC machining and the Schmalz Select preferred product program. The portfolio spans from individual vacuum components to complete, ready-to-use vacuum handling systems for industrial applications across food, logistics, automotive, wood, metal, packaging, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, glass, battery, plastics, electronics, solar, wind energy, fiber composites, and defense industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VacuMaster: Vacuum lifting device product line for ergonomic manual handling
• JumboFlex
• Schmalz Select
• Smart Hoists

Products and services

• Vacuum Grippers Automated vacuum-based gripping systems for handling workpieces in industrial manufacturing processes, used by factories and robotic cells.
• Vacuum Generators Devices that generate the vacuum pressure required for gripping and lifting operations in automation systems.
• Connections for Grippers Interface components and adapters for connecting grippers to robotic systems and handling equipment.
• Valves Pneumatic valves controlling vacuum flow and pressure in automation systems.
• Switches and System Monitoring Sensors and monitoring devices for tracking vacuum levels and system performance in automated handling.
• Customized Solutions Tailored vacuum handling systems designed to meet specific customer application requirements.
• Other Gripping Technologies Alternative gripping technologies complementing vacuum-based solutions for automated handling.
• Vacuum Tube Lifters Ergonomic manual lifting devices using vacuum technology to assist workers in lifting and moving heavy loads.
• VacuMaster Vacuum Lifting Device Specialized vacuum lifter for ergonomic handling of various workpiece geometries in manual operations.
• Mobile Lifting Devices Portable vacuum-based lifting equipment that can be moved between workstations for flexible material handling.
• Smart Hoists Intelligent hoisting systems with automated functionality for precision lifting in manual handling applications.
• Crane Systems and Jib Cranes Overhead crane and jib arm systems for supporting vacuum lifting devices in manufacturing environments.
• Portable Conveyor Systems Mobile conveyor systems for ergonomic loading and unloading operations in logistics and production.
• Vacuum Clamping Technology Vacuum-based clamping systems for securing workpieces during CNC machining and other processing operations.
• Schmalz Select Preferred product range program offering curated standard products with improved availability and support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Schmalz Gripper SLG increases efficiency by 140% at Lang Metallwarenproduktion

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered subsidiary.

• Binar HandlingsubsidiaryOthersSubsidiary company of Schmalz Group operating in the material handling sector
• GPS (Gelenkwellen-Produktions GmbH Stuttgart)subsidiaryOthersSubsidiary company of Schmalz Group based in Stuttgart, Germany

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Piab: Swedish-headquartered vacuum technology company offering vacuum pumps, grippers, conveyors, and suction cups for automated material handling and ergonomic lifting. Directly competes with Schmalz across nearly the entire vacuum automation and manual handling portfolio.
• COVAL: French vacuum technology specialist focused on industrial vacuum handling, gripping, and suction systems. Closely comparable product portfolio to Schmalz across automotive, packaging, and wood applications.
• ANVER Vacuum System Specialists: US-based manufacturer of industrial vacuum lifters, hoists, and vacuum gripping systems. Directly comparable to Schmalz's manual handling division and competes in North American market.
• Destaco: US manufacturer of workholding, clamping, and gripping solutions for industrial automation. Directly competes with Schmalz's vacuum clamping technology division serving CNC machining and metalworking customers.
• Schunk: German specialist in clamping technology, gripping systems, and toolholding for robotics and machine tools. Comparable to Schmalz on clamping and robotic gripping solutions serving automotive and manufacturing customers.

Broad incumbents

• Festo: Large German industrial automation and pneumatics incumbent with deep R&D and global distribution. Competes with Schmalz in vacuum generators, valves, and pneumatic grippers as part of a much broader automation portfolio.
• SMC Corporation: Japanese global leader in pneumatic components, including vacuum generators, suction cups, valves, and air-handling equipment. Competes with Schmalz in vacuum components across Asia-Pacific and globally.
• Parker Hannifin: Global motion and control technologies giant with significant vacuum and pneumatic product lines. Competes with Schmalz on integrated vacuum systems and pneumatics for industrial automation.
• Emerson (ASCO/AVENTICS): Industrial automation incumbent with deep pneumatic, vacuum, and fluid control portfolio via ASCO/AVENTICS. Competes with Schmalz on vacuum generators, valves, and integrated automation systems globally.

Emerging players

• OnRobot: Danish collaborative robot end-effector vendor offering vacuum grippers among other tool types. Emerging competitor targeting cobot OEMs that historically sourced Schmalz components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/schmalzmediacenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/schmalzgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schmalz
• Instagraminstagram.com/schmalz_group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 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 Schmalz