“We Bring Vacuum Where Bare Hands Were Previously Needed”

Our customers need flexibility – specifically in places where there are no compressed air connections and cables get in the way. In manufacturing and trades, there are many such situations: narrow gaps, changing work locations, small batch sizes. The suction lifter Gripster max fills exactly this gap. It brings vacuum technology to places where physical strength or makeshift solutions were previously necessary. Our goal was clear: a device that’s ready to use right away, is safe, and is easy to operate. “Get a grip” is more than a slogan – it was our development mandate.

Our industrial customers remain our focus. That’s where we’re strong, and that’s where we know the processes. At the same time, we see gaps in the market, especially beyond the low-price and DIY segments. This is exactly where we’re stepping in. We’re bringing our quality and reliability to areas that have been underserved until now. This includes professional applications in the trades and construction.

We are gradually opening up to new business models and distribution channels. The market determines how far we go. The suction lifter Gripster max addresses exactly those areas where bare hands are currently required. To highlight these applications, we’re getting closer to our customers, applying our vacuum expertise in a targeted manner, and listening carefully. Ideas come to us from the field: users show us where there’s a need and what’s possible. This feedback sets the direction.

We are specifically targeting industries that require flexible vacuum technology without a fixed compressed air connection. These include trades, mounting, and smaller manufacturing facilities. In these settings, people work under high time pressure, with varying materials, and without a fixed infrastructure. This is Schmalz quality for a broader audience. At the same time, the internationally established battery standard opens up markets for us where compressed air supply is not an issue.

Cost is, of course, a factor. We’re entering an existing market, but we’re deliberately focusing on quality. Customers are willing to invest when they realize that the device makes their work more ergonomically efficient and their processes safer. The smart features and reliability directly contribute to these benefits.

By combining both. The suction lifter Gripster max is first and foremost a well-designed standard product that covers many applications. At the same time, we’ve designed it to be adaptable. The quick-change adapter with electrical and fluidic interfaces is the key. Users can attach accessories, additional handles, or even entire beams to it. So we remain flexible without making the product complicated.

We’re rethinking service here – and doing it sooner. The device can perform a self-test via a key combination and immediately shows whether everything is working properly. If repairs are necessary, they can be initiated entirely digitally. At the same time, we’re expanding the accessory system. Users can adapt the suction lifter Gripster max step by step to their specific requirements. This broadens the range of applications.

The world of work is changing: smaller batch sizes, changing work locations, and more manual tasks in mounting. The suction lifter Gripster max supplements the portfolio precisely in this area. It brings the reliability and process reliability that Schmalz customers know from our stationary systems to a handheld device. It is just the beginning, not the end. We are continuously developing the product further, just as we do with other solutions. We are deliberately leaving open whether this will evolve into an entire platform with different performance classes. We will see where the market is heading and then respond accordingly.