FIPA Company Profile: History, Products, Subsidiaries and Management
Updated: Oct 15
FIPA is a German maker of vacuum components, end-of-arm tooling and lifting equipment, with a catalogue of about 10,000 products. It was founded in 1985 as Fischer + Partner. This profile sets out its history, products, subsidiaries and management.
FIPA at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | FIPA GmbH |
Founded | 1985, as Fischer + Partner |
Legal form | GmbH since 1994 |
Catalogue | About 10,000 products |
Subsidiaries | United States, Hungary, Thailand and the United Kingdom, with an office in China |
Partners | 50 worldwide |
Chief Executive Officer | Rainer Mehrer, since 2005 |
Company History
FIPA began in 1985 and became a limited company in 1994. It added gripper systems and air nippers in 2000, which took it from vacuum components into complete end-of-arm tools, mainly for removing parts from injection molding machines. From 2006 it built up subsidiaries abroad, and in 2015 it introduced crane and lifting systems.
Key milestones
1985: Founded as Fischer + Partner.
1994: Becomes a GmbH.
2000: Gripper systems and air nippers added.
2005: Rainer Mehrer becomes chief executive.
2006: FIPA Inc. founded in the United States.
2007: FIPA Kft. founded in Hungary.
2013: FIPA Ltd. founded in Thailand.
2015: Crane and lifting systems introduced.
2016: Representative office in China.
2024: FIPA Limited founded in the United Kingdom.
Products
Area | Products |
Vacuum automation | Vacuum cups, vacuum generators, vacuum components and area grippers |
End-of-arm tooling | Mechanical gripper components, vacuum components and complete gripper systems |
Tube lifting | Vacuum tube lifters |
Lifting | Crane and lifting systems |
Management
Name | Role |
Rainer Mehrer | Chief Executive Officer; with FIPA since 2005 |
David Collins | Chief Commercial Officer; with FIPA since 2021 |
Ina Campana | Chief Financial Officer; with FIPA since 2021 |
What Is Not Covered
The company page does not state ownership, sales or employee numbers, so those are left out.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
A very large standard catalogue.
Four decades of experience in vacuum handling.
Its own companies in Europe, North America and Asia.
Challenges
Competition from larger vacuum specialists such as Schmalz and Piab.
Limited public financial information.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 2 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
FIPA FAQ
When was FIPA founded?
In 1985, as Fischer + Partner.
What does FIPA make?
Vacuum components, end-of-arm tooling, vacuum tube lifters and crane and lifting systems.
Who is the CEO of FIPA?
Rainer Mehrer, since 2005.
Where does FIPA have subsidiaries?
In the United States, Hungary, Thailand and the United Kingdom, plus an office in China.
How many products does FIPA offer?
About 10,000.
Sources
FIPA: about us
