SICK overview
SICK is not a robot arm manufacturer, but it is one of the most important sensor companies in robotic automation. Robots require safety, perception, localization and process sensing, and SICK supplies safety laser scanners, LiDAR, photoelectric sensors, encoders, vision systems and industrial identification products for those functions.
Company fact | Detail |
Founded | 1946 |
Country | Germany |
Address | Erwin-Sick-Strasse 1, 79183 Waldkirch |
Employees | Approx. 12,000+ globally |
Specializes in | Industrial sensors, safety scanners, machine vision, LiDAR, perception and automation sensing |
Products | microScan3, nanoScan3, TiM LiDAR, LMS sensors, Inspector vision, safety relays, encoders, RFID and barcode readers, photoelectric sensors |
Typical projects | Robot safety cells, AMR navigation and safety, warehouse automation sensing, packaging inspection, automotive production sensing, logistics tracking, machine guarding |
Management and ownership | SICK AG is a privately held German company. Executive Board Chairman: Mats Gökstorp. Ownership is family/private-company oriented, with governance through supervisory and executive boards. |
Website: www.sick.com
SICK review summary
SICK AG is a German maker of sensors for factory, logistics and process automation, with sales of EUR 1,850 million in 2025 and 10,158 employees. Founded in 1946, it describes itself as an independent family business and is known for safety light curtains, laser scanners and vision sensors that let machines and robots perceive their surroundings. This profile sets out its history, ownership, financial performance, product range and leadership.
Verified key facts from the review
Fact | Detail |
Company | SICK AG |
Founded | 1946, by Dr. Erwin Sick |
Headquarters | Waldkirch im Breisgau, near Freiburg, Germany |
Sales | EUR 1,850 million in 2025, up 6.5% |
EBIT | EUR 54.7 million, a margin of 3.0% |
Research and development | EUR 239.2 million in 2025 |
Employees | 10,158 |
Network | 63 subsidiaries and affiliates, plus sales agencies worldwide |
Ownership | Independent family business; not listed |
Chairman of the Executive Board | Dr. Mats Gokstorp |
Chief Financial Officer | Jan-H. Eberhardt |
Strengths
A leading position in industrial safety and laser sensing.
Sustained research spending of about 13% of sales.
Growth in Asia, led by China.
Independence and a solid balance sheet, according to its chief financial officer.
Challenges
An EBIT margin of 3.0%, far below earlier levels.
Falling order intake in 2025.
Price pressure from Chinese competitors.
A high cost base in Germany.
Read the full review: SICK Company Profile: History, Ownership, Financials, Products and Leadership
Products in the All Things Cobots Catalogue
10 associated product records; the following links are representative catalogue entries.
