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Story

Zeilhofer Handling Technology GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1999 by Johann Zeilhofer as a company for lifting aids and manipulators. The company was initially based in Feldkirchen near Munich.

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In the first few years, the company gathered the necessary know-how for the corresponding customer-specific column and ceiling manipulators. Due to ever-increasing demand, Johann Zeilhofer decided in 2005 to move to a larger administration and production building. In addition to production in Germany, existing production in Italy was also further expanded.

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Since growth continued continuously and very dynamically in the following years, the company decided in 2017 to build a spacious and modern production hall including an administration building on Konrad-Zuse-Str. 7 in Holzkirchen.

Over 50 employees now work there on around 2,000 square meters.

 

The Holzkirchen location is around 45 minutes from Munich Airport and only around 25 minutes from the city of Munich. The new building offers not only employees, but also existing and potential customers optimal opportunities to experience our know-how live. Not only are there expansion options for office and production areas, but with the spacious showroom there is also the opportunity to test the lifting aids and manipulators yourself.

 

We can also check all products and special solutions in detail together with national and international customers during a preliminary acceptance test. Zeilhofer Handling Technology also offers potential customers the opportunity to use their products in a test run in advance in order to develop a tailor-made solution.

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At the same time as the construction of the new headquarters, the second generation also started working in the family business. Since 2017, Julian Zeilhofer has been managing director of Zeilhofer HHT GmbH & together with his father Johann Zeilhofer. Co. KG.

 

Since 2020, new products such as the ZH lifting axis and the ZH hoist have been added
the portfolio. These offer customers from different industries a wide variety of handling solutions.

Manipulator / Articulated arm manipulator

A manipulator is a mechanical lifting aid used to move, position, or handle loads without the operator having to directly touch the load. More specifically, a manipulator is a mobile handling system that can grasp, hold, move, and precisely place objects. It can be manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically operated—often a combination of these.

Typical components 🔧

  • Gripper or suction/clamping device (to hold the load)

  • Arms and joints (for mobility in multiple axes)

  • Control (manual, semi-automatic or automated)

  • Counterweight system or weight compensation

Typical areas of application and use 📚

  • Automotive industry (e.g. installing windows or dashboards)

  • Mechanical engineering (e.g. parts handling on CNC machines)

  • Logistics (e.g. carton or bag handling)

  • Packaging and palletizing

  • Medical and cleanroom technology

Advantages of the manipulator / articulated arm manipulator ✅

  • Ergonomic working

    • Reduces physical strain on operators

    • Supports overhead work or hard-to-reach areas

  • Security

    • Dangerous or hot parts can be moved without contact

    • Reduces the risk of injury from lifting, crushing or tipping over

  • flexibility

    • Grips a wide variety of shapes and materials (e.g., cartons, sheet metal parts, barrels)

    • Adaptable to different workpieces and production areas

  • precision

    • Sensitive movements and precise positioning, e.g. in assembly or when inserting parts

  • Increased productivity

    • Faster cycle times than manual handling

    • Reduces downtime due to fatigue or incorrect operation

  • Space saving

    • Compact designs allow use even in confined work areas

  • Combinability

    • Can often be combined with lifting axes, rotary modules or swivel arms (e.g. to form a complete handling system)

Rope manipulator / rope articulated arm manipulator

A rope manipulator is a special type of manipulator in which the load is picked up and guided via one or more ropes. A rope manipulator is a hand-held lifting and positioning system in which power is transmitted via flexible ropes. This allows the operator to move heavy objects smoothly and precisely.

Typical areas of application and use 📚

  • Assembly workstations (e.g. engine hoods, glass panes, tool changes)

  • Logistics & packaging (e.g. cartons, barrels, crates)

  • Food industry (with hygienic rope systems)

  • Laboratory or clean room technology (sensitive handling required)

Advantages of the rope manipulator / rope articulated arm manipulator✅

  • Ergonomic, easy handling

    • Load appears almost weightless due to automatic weight compensation

    • Operation with minimal effort possible (ideal for manual movement)

  • Sensitive positioning

    • Very precise, slow and controlled lowering or lifting possible

    • Ideal for assembly processes or sensitive workpieces

  • Fast, intuitive operation

    • Hand-held without complicated controls

    • Works with natural movement of the operator (direct, reactive control)

  • High flexibility

    • Can be combined with various grippers, suction lifters or special tools

    • Adaptable for changing products and tasks

  • Low stress on structures

    • The rope ensures that the load acts in a straight pulling direction – no lateral leverage forces

    • Gentle on load-bearing systems (e.g. cantilevers, aluminum portals)

  • Security

    • Balancers with load securing or automatic rope retraction prevent loads from falling

    • Optionally with two-hand operation, braking systems or emergency stop function

Lifting lift ZH / floor trolley

A mobile floor trolley / lifting aid ZH – often referred to as a mobile manipulator or mobile pallet truck with lifting and handling aid – is a flexible, mobile solution for lifting, transporting and positioning loads in production, storage or assembly environments.

Typical areas of application and use 📚

  • Tool changes on machines

  • Picking and inserting components into assembly lines

  • Loading CNC machines or presses

  • Support with packaging and palletizing

  • Temporary assembly work for changing products

Advantages of the ZH lifting lift / floor trolley✅

  • Mobility & Flexibility

    • Freely movable in the room – ideal for changing workstations or open production areas

    • No fixed rail system or overhead crane required

  • Ergonomic working

    • Lifting and positioning without physical strain

    • Height adjustment for different body sizes and working heights

  • Independence from location

    • Particularly useful for temporary assembly, maintenance or prototype construction

    • Can be used in multiple departments or halls

    • Space-saving solution

    • Compact design, often foldable or modular

    • Perfect for tight production cells or when space is limited

  • Safe load guidance

    • Stable stand thanks to lockable castors

    • Robust construction for loads of often up to 150 kg

  • Combinability

    • Can be equipped with grippers, suction cups, tool holders or rotating flanges

    • Can be integrated with electrical or pneumatic control

  • No complicated installation

    • Ready to use – no foundation, no power supply from above required

    • Ideal for flexible production lines

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