Groschopp: Customer-specific drive technology
In this article, we speak with one of our long-standing partners: Groschopp BV. We talked with co-owner Rob den Uijl not only about their collaboration with Apex Dynamics, but also about their customer approach and what truly sets them apart in the market.
“We are strong in electric motors and control systems, and we actively advise customers from the controller all the way to the output shaft. If a customer asks for something specific, we adapt it ourselves or have it mass-produced at the factory in Germany. The factory is specifically geared towards building custom solutions at scale. This is our core strength. Where necessary, our partners complement our expertise so that our customer has a single point of contact.
We do not offer planetary gearboxes in Groschopp’s product line, which is why we have been collaborating with Apex Dynamics for over 15 years. Because of this, we have become quite familiar with them. However, if a gearbox or backlash application is critical, we ask Apex Dynamics to take a look: we have a challenge here with specific requirements, so let’s brainstorm together. Together, we determine which gearbox fits best to achief the optimal solution.”
Rob den Uijl, Co-owner of Groschopp BV
Who is Groschopp?
Groschopp BV has been in business for 26 years and is an independent Dutch enterprise. The company carries the name of the German electric motor manufacturer Groschopp, a well-established name in the industry. The motors are manufactured in Germany at a facility specifically setup for custom production, equipped with internal development, endurance testing, calculations, and a laboratory where motor behavior is analyzed and tested in full detail.
Around Groschopp’s core product lineup, the Dutch entity builds a broader portfolio featuring components from other suppliers. As a result, Groschopp is much more than just a motor supplier to machine builders.
From connector to output shaft
Groschopp’s clients are primarily OEM machine builders. Rob den Uijl prefers to explain what clients are looking for through the question he hears most often:
“We operate across two main areas. First is that we supply on a recurring basis to existing customers who themselves build machines on a recurring basis. Second, we regularly collaborate with customers to design solutions for specific applications. The client knows what the machine needs to achieve, but the specifics – such as how that shaft should move, the required force, or acceleration – can be complex. Often, they no longer have that specialized knowledge in-house, so they ask us to calculate it.
We analyze the engineering, specifications, suitable bus systems, integration, and more to present a turnkey solution. That is our core strength. Clients don’t want to source a motor from one vendor and a controller from another, because if an issue arises, responsibility becomes unclear. When offered as a complete package, they can simply rely on us to identify and resolve any issues.”
Custom development
Where a standard vendor supplies a motor with a basic shaft and leaves the rest to the client, Groschopp frequently delivers fully assembled components or integrated systems.
A nice example is a laboratory mixer: a compact motor featuring a specialized, elongated stainless-steel shaft with a blade attached at the end. While a standard motor runs at 3,000 RPM, this custom motor rotates at approximately 12,000 RPM to blend products inside a container below. Similarly, the team is currently designing a specialized drive system for opening compartment doors, where custom client specifications require a tailor-made drive unit.
Groschopp offers custom manufacturing for order sizes starting at around 50 units. If a completely new motor requiring a custom stator pack needs to be developed, the threshold is closer to 500 units. Initial delivery for a custom motor takes about six months. Following this, Groschopp maintains local stock in the Netherlands in consultation with the customer and manages timely contract renewals, freeing the customer from tracking lead times. Minor modifications, such as adding a flat keyway to a shaft or custom drilling, are performed directly in Groschopp’s own workshop.
A market requiring technical collaboration
Dutch machine builders specialize in short production runs and custom single units, whereas German machine builders traditionally produce series in the hundreds. Even a bakery equipment manufacturer with a standardized design for bread, pizza, or filled pastries customizes every machine in practice to fit varying factory layouts or product specifications.
At the same time, specialized drive technology expertise is becoming scarcer. Groschopp notes that it takes up to five years for a new engineer to fully master the field, yet job mobility among technicians is increasing. Consequently, Rob observes that client relationships, support, and shared expertise have become far more critical to customers than price alone. Following a quieter period, market activity is rising again as machine builders seek to reduce production costs or upgrade existing designs.
“Washdown capabilities, for example, are a major priority in the food processing industry. Clients often tell us they have a machine that has performed reliably for years, but whereas the motor used to be carefully cleaned with a brush, it is now subjected to high-pressure water jets or chemical foam. The machine must withstand those conditions. As a result, we see a shift toward stainless steel, and we offer stainless-steel motors alongside Apex Dynamics’ stainless-steel gearboxes. While this increases the upfront cost, it significantly expands the machine’s operational versatility.
Processing bread or vegetables is one thing, but meat and fish processing requires aggressive cleaning agents due to rapid bacterial growth. Thorough sanitation is imperative. This is why we focus on smooth-surfaced motors and hygienic gearboxes at the high end of drive technology, rather than standard motors with cooling fins where debris accumulates. We see the exact same requirements in laboratory and pharmaceutical environments where oil leaks are unacceptable. Standard motors might tolerate minor oil weeping, but in a lab, it triggers an immediate concern. In response, we collaborate on custom engineering solutions, such as enhanced sealing systems.”
Practical application: A specialized printing machine
A recent project in paper processing demonstrates how Groschopp and Apex Dynamics integrate into a single drive train. Groschopp developed the drive system for a specialized printing machine sold globally.
“My colleague Steven was involved right from the initial concept phase. First, you evaluate the overall architecture: What must the machine execute? What degree of precision is required? When interpolating multiple axes, high-precision gearboxes are essential because backlash becomes critical. Naturally, we involve Apex Dynamics in these requirements to ensure we select the exact gearbox needed.
Calculations are always executed systematically starting from the end goal. Once the mass to be moved is known, you determine the required torque in Newton meters. That calculation points to a specific gearbox size, such as a frame size 120. With a 10:1 gear ratio, a requirement of 120 Nm at the output translates to 12 Nm required from the motor. From there, you match the appropriate motor, control system, drive controller, and motion control architecture above it. The motion control layer is programmed by another partner in direct coordination with the end client to deliver a complete, integrated solution.
After the sale, service requests for a planetary gearbox or motor are rare. These systems operate reliably for two decades. We occasionally see 25-year-old motors returned that remain fully functional. Because our joint products offer such long service lives, ongoing maintenance requirements are minimal.”
Collaboration with Apex Dynamics
Groschopp has utilized Apex Dynamics planetary gearboxes for over fifteen years. Over that time, the engineering team has developed extensive in-house gearbox expertise. While Groschopp handles most applications independently, critical design requirements still benefit from close consultation.
“We rarely require routine technical assistance because of our internal expertise, but when an application is highly critical, we collaborate directly with Apex. For high duty cycles with frequent start-stop cycles per minute, we verify whether a specific gearbox can sustain the load or if an alternative configuration is required. What we value most is their response speed. Inquiries receive prompt answers, and product orders are delivered quickly, unlike many suppliers with ten-week lead times.”
Thom van Oss, owner of Apex Dynamics, joined the conversation. He welcomes hearing that his client has built significant gearbox expertise, though he adds one point:
“You have built impressive internal expertise, and your team navigates our online selection systems effectively. We can still supply gearboxes introduced fifteen years ago, and they remain high quality. However, we have expanded our portfolio substantially with new product lines optimized for specific applications. That is where we add value. It is easy to reorder familiar components, but newer alternatives can offer smarter or superior engineering solutions.”
Rob den Uijl sees no areas needing improvement in the partnership with Apex Dynamics.
“The collaboration is optimal, truly optimal. They are always ready to assist together, and the system works seamlessly. I have zero complaints. For instance, Eric is an exceptional engineer. Just like at our company, that level of expertise takes years to cultivate, and he performs brilliantly. It is a strong organization. They keep their word, and if an issue arises, they communicate it proactively so you always know where you stand.”
Why machine builders turn to Groschopp
When an OEM faces a drive technology challenge, Rob den Uijl summarizes the approach simply as “giving Groschopp a call”, whether the question involves controls, motors, or planetary gearboxes. The resulting client relationships often span decades.
“What I find most rewarding are client relationships spanning over 25 years. Sometimes a client sends a photo asking, ‘Hey Rob, which motor is installed in this machine?’ and I can immediately identify it. Clients deeply appreciate that continuity. We are measured on delivery reliability, and we consistently achieve near 100% performance. Clients often express that they wish all suppliers operated like us.
What ultimately matters is custom engineering, joint problem-solving, and strong client relationships, standing strong together in the market. Flexibility is crucial for both us and Apex Dynamics. Combined with the deep technical knowledge within our team and our suppliers, that is what sets us apart. A customer doesn’t have to search the market independently to piece together components. They simply consult Groschopp, we integrate the complete system, and it works.”
