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Figures, data, facts: Pilz company profile

Pilz Campus, aerial photo

As a supplier of automation solutions, Pilz is a company whose name is synonymous worldwide with safety for human, machine and the environment, providing automation solutions for all industries and sectors. From Pilz you can expect automation technology that considers both machinery safety and security requirements.  

In addition to the head office in Ostfildern near Stuttgart, Pilz is represented by 42 subsidiaries and branches on all continents.

Our strategy

Our mission is to automate plant and machinery in such a way that the safety of human, machine and the environment is always guaranteed. Numerous international approvals and certifications for our products, from sensor technology through to control and drive technology, ensure that our customers are spared costly re-adjustments, so that nothing stands in the way of their project’s success.

Pilz at a glance

Graphic showing company figures

As a global supplier, with its components, systems and services, Pilz has ensured safe production processes internationally for more than 70 years. In order to develop innovative solutions for the intelligent industry of tomorrow, Pilz invests more than 15% of turnover in research and development and works closely with research institutes.

Milestones on the road to success

1948-1959

The early years

In 1948, Hermann Pilz founded a glass-blowing business in Esslingen. The company initially concentrated mainly on the manufacture of glass apparatus for medical technology and on mercury relays for industrial applications. These relays were the starting point for further development towards industrial relays. Even then his son Peter Pilz was already involved in the company. Thanks to his pioneering spirit, Peter Pilz was instrumental in the company’s transformation from glass apparatus manufacturing to electronics.

1960-1969

Inventive genius inspires development

The 60s were characterised by progressive miniaturisation in the electronics sector. At that time, product development focused on relays and control systems – above all timers, with which Pilz achieved market leadership. To meet high customer demand, more employees were recruited to work at the new site in Nellingen. At the end of the 60s, Peter Pilz took the helm at the company and spearheaded internationalisation with the first three subsidiaries.

1970-1979

Pilz relays conquer the market

Expansion continued throughout the 70s. As well as electronic control and monitoring devices, Pilz made programmable logic controllers – a product area that proved a huge success for the company. Pilz also redefined the benchmark in the standardisation of electronic components. Together with major industries, Pilz developed a rail with the series mounting dimension of 35 mm, which ultimately became the standard. Pilz thus became the first industrial electronic equipment manufacturer that was able to market DIN electronic relays.

1980-1989

Pilz rises to market leader

In 1987, Pilz developed the “Pilz E-STOP relay PNOZ”, which was a pioneering product for both the company and the industry sector, and which is now renowned the world over. Pilz was the first to supply such a product range on to the world market and became market leader within just a few years. 1987 also saw the establishment of the fourth subsidiary, Pilz UK, which has served the British market ever since.

1990-1999

Pilz becomes a global player

Many branches were founded abroad during the 90s: first there were the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, followed later by the USA, Belgium, Scandinavia, Japan, China Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and Ireland. Pilz recognised early on that the world market is crucial to a successful future. In 1992 Pilz moved into its production and administration building at the current headquarters in Ostfildern. The adoption of cutting-edge production technologies coincided with the move.

2000-2009

From safety technology to automation

The new millennium heralded in an innovative decade for Pilz; numerous new products were launched. Most notably the revolutionary SafetyEYE, the first safe camera system for 3D zone monitoring, and the automation system PSS 4000 - one system for the entire automation technology. The Peter Pilz Development Centre was built at the Ostfildern site. Software development started at Cork, in Ireland.

2010-2019

Pilz places the spotlight on digitisation

The focus is on digitisation! Pilz showcased its “own” Smart Factory at the Hannover Messe for the first time. Internationalisation has continued, too: new subsidiaries were established, including in India and Taiwan. The first production facility also opened in China, at the Jintan site. The new Peter Pilz Production and Logistics Centre was inaugurated at the headquarters. 2017 saw a generational change: Mrs Pilz handing over the executive management to her children, her daughter Susanne Kunschert and her son Thomas Pilz.

2020s

Values. Create. Future.

The next 10 years will present the company with new, exciting challenges. Based on the trend towards individualisation, the first modular safety relay myPNOZ was launched in 2021. The device is assembled and manufactured individually, tailor-made in batch size 1. In 2023 Pilz turns 75 years old. We are grateful and look forward to future projects and innovations for greater Safety and Security in industrial environments. In the future, we still won’t compromise when it comes to safety for human, machine and the environment.

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Pilz certificates

Drawer with documents

In our role as “Ambassador for safety”, we are your reliable partner. Numerous certifications confirm that Pilz does everything to ensure fault-free, high-quality products at each step of product manufacturing.

To our certifications

Our cooperations and memberships

With lots of passion and commitment, we participate in different research projects and are members of various associations and user organisations. Through close exchange with our cooperation partners, we can pick up on innovative trends in automation and integrate these into our products.

To our cooperation projects

Human hand shaking a metal hand

Our locations

Map showing locations

Pilz is an international company: we develop, produce and market our products and solutions worldwide. Proximity to our customers is important to us, which is why we are continually expanding our international presence. As a result, we are able to provide and apply knowledge of local markets and standards on a transnational basis, and to operate globally across borders with the same level of professionalism and quality.

To our locations

Further information

Man with a Bunsen burner

History

Find out more about the extraordinary history of this family business. As pioneers of control technology, Pilz has grasped innovative ideas from the outset, making them industrially viable.

Pilz history
Photo of management board

Management and philosophy

Pilz is a third generation family business. Our management is involved in national and international committees, seeking to actively shape the industrial automation of tomorrow.

Management and philosophy
Yellow chair in front of a graphic panel

Careers at Pilz

Want to work with us to make the world safer? Become part of our experienced team – each one an “Ambassador for safety”. Discover the professional opportunities available to you at Pilz!

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Headoffice

Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
Felix-Wankel-Straße 2
73760 Ostfildern
Germany

Telephone: +49 711 3409-0
E-Mail: pilz.gmbh@pilz.de

Americas

  • Mexico: +52 55 5572 1300
  • Brazil: + 55 11 4942-7032
  • Canada: +1 888-315-PILZ (315-7459)
  • United States (toll-free): +1 877-PILZUSA (745-9872)

Europe

  • Ireland: +353 21 4804983
  • Italy: +39 0362 1826711
  • Austria: +43 1 7986263-444
  • Russia: +7 495 6654993
  • Turkey: +90 216 5775552
  • Belgium: +32 9 321 75 70
  • Sweden: +46 300 13990 / +45 74436332
  • Netherlands: +31 347 320477
  • Germany: +49 711 3409 444
  • Spain: +34 938497433
  • Denmark: +45 74436332
  • Portugal: +351 229 407 594
  • United Kingdom: +44 1536 460866
  • France (toll-free): +33 3 88104000
  • Switzerland: +41 62 889 79 32
  • Finland: +358 10 3224030 / +45 74436332

Asia Pacific

  • Australia (toll-free): +61 3 9560 0621 / 1300 723 334
  • Japan: +81 45 471 2281
  • Taiwan: +886 2 25700068
  • Singapore: +65 6829 2920
  • China: +86 400-088-3566
  • South Korea: +82 31 778 3390
  • New Zealand: +64 9 6345350
  • Thailand: +66 210 54613
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