Elektror airsystems
German manufacturer of industrial fans, radial and side-channel blowers, and vacuum/air-conveying systems, including powder-handling and vacuum-conveying air technology used in metal 3D printing and additive manufacturing operations.
- CEO / Founder
- Ulrich W. Kreher
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Established
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
- Key Investors
- Margarete Müller-Bull-Stiftung (foundation/family ownership)
Technology & Products
Key Products
Radial blowers / centrifugal fans; Axial fans; Side-channel blowers and compressors; Vacuum conveying and powder-handling air systems for metal 3D printing; Customer-specific and complete air technology systems
Technological Advantage
Elektror's advantage rests on a century of in-house blower and fan engineering, including an in-house ventilation laboratory for testing performance curves, efficiency, acoustics, and service life. Its relevance to AM is as an adjacent equipment supplier: vacuum conveying and powder-handling air systems that support metal 3D printing powder logistics. The advantage is engineering and manufacturing scale rather than AM-specific IP; the company does not itself perform an additive manufacturing process, and its air-technology competence is replicable by other blower/vacuum vendors (Busch, Becker, FPZ, Gardner Denver).
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides reliable, energy-efficient air technology (blowers, vacuum conveying, powder handling) that keeps AM powder-handling and process-air loops running continuously, reducing downtime and contamination risk in metal 3D printing operations.
How They Differentiate
Positions as a European specialist in industrial fans, side-channel blowers, and compressors with high-quality, customized solutions and complete air-technology systems, versus broader vacuum/compressor portfolios from Busch, Atlas Copco, and Gardner Denver; in AM it differentiates by packaging powder-handling and vacuum-conveying air systems specifically for metal 3D printing workflows.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers and process operators, including additive manufacturing / metal 3D printing facilities requiring powder handling, vacuum conveying, and process air systems
Industry Verticals
Additive manufacturing / metal 3D printing (powder handling and process air); General industrial manufacturing; Process and environmental engineering; Food and beverage; Ventilation and plant engineering
Competitors
Busch Vacuum Solutions; Gebr. Becker GmbH; FPZ Blower Technology; Atlas Copco; Gardner Denver
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Around 450 employees worldwide (2020); turnover of EUR 47.79M (2018); 100-year anniversary celebrated in 2024.
Major Milestones
1923 - Founded by Karl W. Müller as an engine trading company in Esslingen/Neckar; 2006 - Renamed Elektror airsystems GmbH (from Elektror Karl W. Müller GmbH & Co. KG); 2008 - Distribution company founded in Austria; production and distribution expansion; 2024 - 100-year anniversary of the company; 2025 - Exhibited air technology systems for additive manufacturing at Formnext (Hall 12.0, B119)
Notable Customers
KHS Machinery Pvt Ltd; Prasad Koch Technik Pvt Ltd; Fuji Electric Corp of America; Jetair Technologies LLC; Siemens Mobility Inc.