In the high-stakes world of industrial manufacturing, Magswitch has evolved from a North American niche specialist into a global powerhouse. With over 65 patents worldwide, the company is now a critical supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors across three continents.
While their roots lie in simple welding and woodworking tools, Magswitch’s gaze is fixed on the future of Robotics, Cobotics, and complex lifting systems. By developing their own operating software and expanding onshore manufacturing, they aim to support customers “Every Step of the Way”, bridging the gap between a small shop’s first ground clamp and a major OEM’s fully automated fabrication line.
Despite this high-tech pivot, the company remains anchored by a clear mission: to stay ahead of industry needs while relentlessly improving safety, productivity, and efficiency. They aren’t just selling magnets; they are delivering the “smart” gripping solutions that power modern infrastructure.
Interview with Merlin Seitz, Sales & Application Engineer at Magswitch.
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Merlin Seitz: Magswitch is a US-based technology company with global operations. We have subsidiaries in Germany for more than 10 Years. (Back from that time i personally had my first projects running with Magswitch sill as a customer) The company specializes in switchable permanent magnetic solutions. Its patented technology allows controlled activation of permanent magnets through mechanical or electric actuation. No continuous power is required to maintain the magnetic state. The magnet remains secure even in the event of media or power loss. The solutions enable safe and energy-efficient handling, fixturing, and positioning of ferrous materials. The technology is designed for industrial environments where reliability, simplicity, and robustness are critical.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
M.S: Our activities are structured around two primary fields: Fabrication and Automation. In Fabrication, we provide solutions supporting manual operations such as welding, metalworking, and woodworking. In Automation, we focus on engineered magnetic systems for robotic handling and automated production lines. We see ourselves not as a conventional component supplier, but as solution architects. Our technology enables measurable improvements — reducing cycle times, simplifying mechanical design, and optimizing processes, ultimately lowering operating costs.
This approach serves a wide range of industries including automotive, machinery, general industry, and shipbuilding. Within automated systems, our solutions are integrated into robotic cells, assembly lines, and handling stations, where they stabilize workpieces, grip steel components, and support flexible fixtures. Bin picking is a particularly strong application, as our switchable permanent magnetic technology ensures robust, repeatable handling independent of vacuum or pneumatic infrastructure.
What’s the news about new products/services?
M.S: Recent developments focus on automation and robotics. Magswitch is expanding its end-of-arm tooling portfolio, transitioning from pneumatic activation to fully electric solutions, with plug-and-play units planned for simplified commissioning.
New systems combine magnetic gripping with integrated sensing functions. This enables reliable part detection and process monitoring. The approach supports flexible production concepts and stable operations. Magswitch also provides turnkey gripper systems. Services range from engineering and design to commissioning. electrical clamps are part of the native product portfolio. They support production concepts without compressed air.
What I would additionally like to highlight: We cannot only be found a the robots wrist, but also on the base: With our Cobot Base we make Cobots even more flexible than they already are, by allowing to place them, wherever needed, without screwing.
What are the ranges of products/services?
M.S: The product spectrum extends from manual magnetic clamps, welding angles, and lifting devices to highly engineered automation components. Key offerings for modern production include switchable magnetic grippers, magnetic tooling modules, and integration-ready robotic solutions. We also provide a range of lifting systems, from manual lifters, to ergonomic lifting solutions up to heavy lifting systems.
Beyond individual components, we provide complete engineered solutions, including full gripper systems and application engineering. Our involvement in early production line planning maximizes the impact of our technology on process efficiency, equipment layout, and investment optimization.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
M.S: The European automation market remains resilient. Companies continue to invest, but projects are evaluated with stronger emphasis on economic justification and risk reduction. Capital allocation is increasingly tied to measurable performance gains and long-term cost efficiency.
Decision-makers prioritize solutions that generate visible financial impact. Technologies that shorten cycle times, lower energy consumption, and reduce system complexity are gaining preference. Investment logic is shifting from pure capacity expansion toward efficiency, stability, and lifecycle optimization.
These priorities correspond directly with Magswitch’s technological approach, which is designed to support efficiency gains, reduced complexity, and predictable lifecycle economics.
What can you tell us about market trends?
M.S: Key trends include increasing automation density, higher production variability, and stronger sustainability focus. Production systems are expected to handle smaller batches, faster changeovers, and diverse components with minimal downtime. Solutions that reduce energy consumption, maintenance, and infrastructure dependencies are increasingly favored.
Another significant trend is the diversification of Tier 1 suppliers beyond the automotive sector, creating demand for modular, transferable technologies applicable across multiple industries. Demographic shifts, particularly in Central Europe, intensify labor constraints, making automation a strategic necessity. These developments closely match Magswitch’s technological strengths, particularly in applications requiring flexibility, robustness, and reduced infrastructure dependency.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
M.S: Our innovation lies in system-level performance. Switchable magnetic technology reduces cycle times, minimizes auxiliary equipment, and optimizes installation space, contributing directly to efficient layouts and investment returns.
Innovation also comes from our engineering approach. We don’t simply replace conventional clamps or grippers with magnetic equivalents; we rethink handling concepts. By considering new configurations early in production planning, we deliver solutions with fewer interfaces, reduced infrastructure, and higher robustness, ultimately improving process stability and long-term operating costs.
What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2026?
M.S: Expectations for early 2026 are cautiously positive. Despite sensitivity to broader economic conditions, the structural shift toward automation continues. Efficiency, modularity, and energy reduction will remain decisive factors. Magnetic handling technologies are well positioned due to their simplicity, reliability, and low operating overhead.
From a personal perspective, coming from automotive plant engineering and experience with German OEMs, robust, low-complexity solutions are critical. Switchable permanent magnetic technology represents a pragmatic, forward-looking approach for modern manufacturing.
International Website: Magnetic Solutions for Industrial Automation, Welding, Woodworking– Magswitch Technologies
European Website: Magswitch Deutschland
