J. Schmalz

J. Schmalz GmbH is a family-run industrial technology company headquartered in Glatten, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the parent company of the Schmalz Group and is best known as a supplier of vacuum technology for automated production, logistics and manual handling. Its products are used to grip, lift, move, clamp and position workpieces and materials in sectors including automotive manufacturing, logistics, woodworking, electronics, food production, plastics, furniture and battery manufacturing. The company also operates in energy storage, where it has developed redox flow battery systems for storing electricity generated from renewable sources. The business began in 1910 when Johannes Schmalz established the Johannes Schmalz Rasierklingenfabrik in Glatten and sold razor blades under the Glattis brand. The spread of electric shavers made that original product category less attractive, prompting a transition into trailers and transport equipment for agricultural and industrial use. Johannes Schmalz's son Artur assumed management in 1948 and expanded the company’s light-vehicle activities. A much more consequential transformation took place after Kurt Schmalz took over management in 1984: the company redirected its focus toward vacuum technology. His brother Wolfgang Schmalz joined management in 1990, helping develop the modern industrial business. Internationalization accelerated from the late 1990s. Schmalz opened its first foreign branch in Switzerland in 1998 and entered the United States through a Raleigh, North Carolina, subsidiary in 1999. The company subsequently built a network of subsidiaries and trading partners serving more than 80 countries, with locations across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Its Glatten headquarters was expanded between 2009 and 2017 with additional production capacity, a research and testing center, and a communications center. The group broadened its capabilities through acquisitions. In 2017 it purchased Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme GmbH, a Stuttgart-based company working in hardware, software and data aggregation for production systems. In 2018 it entered Australia through the acquisition of Millsom Hoists. In 2022 it acquired Palamatic Ltd., a British developer of handling systems for pharmaceutical and chemical applications, and Binar Handling AB together with subsidiaries in several countries. These transactions expanded Schmalz beyond conventional vacuum components into cranes, balancers, end effectors and specialized handling equipment. Schmalz remains privately held and family influenced. The Schmalz Group reported approximately 1,800 employees internationally in 2022, including 1,164 at J. Schmalz GmbH. Its business combines standardized components, engineered handling systems and industry-specific automation solutions. In June 2023 the company presented its own redox flow battery systems, reflecting an effort to connect its handling and automation expertise with the energy-transition market. Sustainability is also part of the company’s corporate positioning. Schmalz joined the Baden-Württemberg Climate Alliance in 2020 and has used wind power, hydropower, photovoltaics, solar parks, wood-chip plants and stationary batteries as part of its energy strategy. The company is additionally associated with the Baden-Württemberg Sustainability Initiative and the H2 Black Forest ReduCO2 project. It has received recognition including the 2019 German Sustainability Award for medium-sized companies, a 2020 innovation-leader distinction from the FAZ Institute and the 2021 Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

J. Schmalz was founded in 1910 in Glatten by Johannes Schmalz as a razor-blade manufacturer. Its original products were sold under the Glattis name. Changes in shaving technology, particularly the increasing adoption of electric shavers, eventually required the company to seek new markets. It moved into trailers and transport equipment for agriculture and industry, creating a second phase of development beyond consumer razor products. In 1948, Johannes Schmalz's son Artur took over management and developed products for light vehicles. The company remained a family business while gradually building industrial manufacturing capabilities. Kurt Schmalz assumed management in 1984 and initiated the strategic shift that defines the modern company: a concentration on vacuum technology. Vacuum equipment enabled Schmalz to serve automated production lines as well as operators handling heavy, large or delicate workpieces manually. Wolfgang Schmalz joined the management in 1990. The company began formal international expansion in 1998 with its first branch office in Switzerland. In 1999 it established a presence in the United States through a branch in Raleigh, North Carolina. Over subsequent decades, Schmalz developed a global sales and service network consisting of subsidiaries and trading partners in more than 80 countries. Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe, the United States, China and Japan became important markets. From 2009 to 2017, the Glatten site underwent substantial expansion. New production facilities, a research and testing center, and a communications center were added. The project also incorporated energy-efficiency measures and employee-oriented spaces. Wolfgang Schmalz left the Management Board at the end of 2017 and moved to the company’s Advisory Board. Schmalz expanded its portfolio through acquisitions. The 2017 purchase of Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme GmbH added expertise in production systems, software and industrial data. In 2018, the acquisition of Millsom Hoists strengthened the company’s Australian operations. In January 2022, Schmalz acquired Palamatic Ltd., a British supplier serving pharmaceutical and chemical handling applications. Two months later, it acquired Binar Handling AB and associated companies in China, France, Germany and Turkey. Binar added cranes, balancers and end effectors to the group’s handling portfolio. The company’s current activities are organized around vacuum automation, manual handling and energy storage. Its vacuum portfolio includes suction cups, grippers, lifters, generators, valves, switches, system monitors and vacuum clamping systems. It also develops specialized handling equipment for battery, fuel-cell and solar-cell production, where careful, low-particle and pressure-free transport can be important. In 2023, Schmalz presented redox flow battery systems for storing renewable energy. Environmental management has become a visible part of the company’s development. Schmalz joined the Baden-Württemberg Climate Alliance in 2020 and has combined renewable electricity sources with stationary storage. The company has also participated in regional sustainability initiatives, including the WIN initiative and the H2 Black Forest ReduCO2 project. In 2022, the Schmalz Group employed about 1,800 people worldwide, with 1,164 at J. Schmalz GmbH, and reported revenue of €207.3 million for the financial year.

1. 2023Redox flow battery systems presented

   Schmalz presented its own redox flow battery systems as part of its energy-storage business.

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2. 2022Expansion through Palamatic and Binar acquisitions

   The group acquired Palamatic and Binar Handling, strengthening pharmaceutical, chemical and industrial handling capabilities.

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3. 2020Joins the Baden-Württemberg Climate Alliance

   Schmalz joined a regional climate initiative focused on reducing energy use and moving toward climate neutrality.

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4. 2017Acquisition of Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme

   Schmalz acquired GPS, broadening its capabilities in production hardware, software and data aggregation.

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5. 1999Entry into the United States

   The company entered the US market by establishing a branch in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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6. 1998First foreign branch opens in Switzerland

   Schmalz established its first overseas branch office in Switzerland.

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7. 1984Strategic shift toward vacuum technology

   Kurt Schmalz took over management and redirected the business toward vacuum technology.

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8. 1948Artur Schmalz takes over management

   Artur Schmalz assumed management and developed light-vehicle products as the company diversified beyond razor blades.

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9. 1910Company founded as a razor-blade manufacturer

   Johannes Schmalz founded the Johannes Schmalz Rasierklingenfabrik in Glatten and introduced the Glattis razor-blade brand.

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A technically oriented, family-owned industrial automation supplier positioned around reliable vacuum handling, ergonomic manual lifting, integrated production systems and increasingly sustainable energy-storage technology.

• Vacuum automation systemsIndustrial automation

  Schmalz develops vacuum-based gripping systems for automated production and logistics. The portfolio includes suction pads, grippers, mounting elements, vacuum generators, system monitors, valves and switches. Products are available in different designs, sizes and materials to accommodate varied workpieces and production environments.

• Manual handling systemsMaterial handling

  Manual handling solutions use vacuum technology to help operators lift, move and position loads. They are intended for applications where ergonomic assistance, controlled handling or protection of surfaces is required, including logistics, woodworking, furniture and industrial production.

• Vacuum clamping systemsMachine-tool equipment

  The company manufactures vacuum clamping equipment for CNC machine tools. These systems hold panels and other workpieces during machining and are particularly relevant to woodworking and related manufacturing processes.

• Battery and cell handling technologyBattery-production automation

  Schmalz supplies automated grippers and end effectors for handling cathodes, anodes, separators and pouch cells. The technology is designed for precise, low-contact and particle-conscious movement in battery, fuel-cell and solar-cell production.

• Redox flow battery systemsEnergy storage2023

  The energy-storage business develops redox flow battery systems that store electricity in liquid media held in external tanks. The approach is aimed at intermediate storage for renewable-energy applications.

• 2023Launch of redox flow battery systemsProduct launch

  Renewable generation creates demand for intermediate electricity storage, complementing Schmalz’s existing sustainability activities.

  What changed. Schmalz presented its own redox flow battery systems.

  Aftermath. The presentation marked a move beyond handling and automation into energy-storage technology.

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• 2022Acquisition-led expansion in specialized handlingM&A

  Schmalz sought to broaden its handling portfolio and international capabilities.

  What changed. The group acquired Palamatic Ltd. and Binar Handling AB with related subsidiaries.

  Aftermath. The acquisitions expanded the group into pharmaceutical and chemical handling, cranes, balancers and end effectors.

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• 1984Shift from transport equipment to vacuum technologyStrategy

  The company had diversified into trailers and transport equipment after the decline of its razor-blade business.

  What changed. Under Kurt Schmalz, management redirected the core business toward vacuum technology for industrial automation and handling.

  Aftermath. The change established the industrial positioning and product architecture associated with J. Schmalz today.

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• 2023Schmalz presents redox flow battery systems

  The company presented its own redox flow battery systems for intermediate storage of renewable electricity.

  Product launchOther
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• 2022Schmalz acquires Palamatic

  The group acquired British company Palamatic Ltd., which develops handling systems for pharmaceutical and chemical-industry applications.

  M&A
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• 2022Schmalz acquires Binar Handling

  Schmalz acquired Swedish Binar Handling AB and related subsidiaries, adding crane, balancer and end-effector capabilities.

  M&A
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• 2020Schmalz joins Baden-Württemberg Climate Alliance

  Schmalz became one of the early corporate participants in the Baden-Württemberg Climate Alliance and reported extensive use of renewable and low-carbon energy at its facilities.

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• 2018Schmalz enters Australia through Millsom Hoists acquisition

  Schmalz acquired Millsom Hoists, its Australian distributor for approximately three decades, establishing a stronger direct presence in the Australian market.

  M&A
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• 2018Schmalz enters the Australian market through Millsom Hoists acquisition

  The company acquired Millsom Hoists, its Australian distributor for approximately three decades, establishing a direct presence in the Australian market.

  M&A
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• 2017Schmalz acquires Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme

  The company acquired all shares in Stuttgart-based Gesellschaft für Produktionssysteme, expanding its capabilities in production hardware, software and data aggregation.

  M&A
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1. J. Schmalz