OBE OHNMACHT & BAUMGARTNER GMBH & CO KG

Their core work

OBE Ohnmacht & Baumgartner is a German industrial manufacturer based in Ispringen, Baden-Württemberg, with demonstrated expertise in precision manufacturing of magnetic components and advanced production processes. Their coordination of the REProMag project reveals deep involvement in rare earth magnet production — a strategically critical area for electric motors, wind turbines, and electronics. They also participated in MAESTRO, a laser-based additive manufacturing platform project, indicating broader capabilities in advanced industrial fabrication technologies. Their H2020 activity positions them as an established manufacturer bridging traditional precision production with next-generation manufacturing methods.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

OBE's two H2020 projects both started in 2015–2016, making a meaningful long-term evolution analysis difficult — this is a snapshot rather than a trajectory. What is visible is a deliberate early move into two adjacent advanced manufacturing themes: rare earth magnet production (where they led) and laser additive manufacturing (where they joined a larger consortium). There is no data indicating a shift in focus after 2016, as both projects were their only H2020 engagements.

OBE appears to be moving toward advanced manufacturing platforms and process innovation, but with only two closely timed projects, the direction after 2019 is unknown from this data alone.

How they like to work

OBE has demonstrated both leadership and partnership capability within H2020: they coordinated REProMag (taking full project management responsibility) and joined MAESTRO as a participant in a larger consortium. Their network of 25 unique partners across 7 countries from just two projects suggests they engage with sizeable, internationally diverse consortia rather than small closed groups. This dual role — leader and follower — indicates they are flexible and experienced consortium members who can anchor a project when they hold the core technology.

OBE has built a network of 25 unique consortium partners spanning 7 countries through just two projects, which is notably broad for a company of this H2020 footprint. Their geographic reach is solidly European, likely spanning Germany and key manufacturing nations in the EU.

What sets them apart

OBE is one of the few private industrial companies to have coordinated an H2020 project in the rare earth magnet domain — a supply chain area of growing strategic importance for the EU green transition (electric vehicles, wind turbines, industrial motors). This puts them at an intersection of materials science, precision manufacturing, and EU critical raw materials policy that few companies occupy. For consortia needing an industrial end-user or production partner with real magnet manufacturing know-how, OBE offers validated credentials rather than theoretical interest.

Highlights from their portfolio

• REProMag
  OBE coordinated this project, receiving the largest share of EC funding (EUR 1,122,375), making them the driving industrial force behind developing a more resource-efficient rare earth magnet production route.
• MAESTRO
  Participation in this multi-partner additive manufacturing platform project (2016–2019) shows OBE extending beyond magnets into large-scale industrial laser fabrication technology.