What Korber AG does

Körber AG is a privately held international technology group headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and wholly owned by the Körber-Stiftung foundation. Founded in 1946, the company employs more than 10,000 people across 100+ locations in 100+ countries and operates three principal business areas: Supply Chain (warehouse automation, intralogistics, WMS/TMS, parcel and mail sorting, now partly operating as the Infios joint venture with KKR); Pharma & Life Sciences (manufacturing execution systems such as PAS-X MES, packaging machinery, inspection systems, packaging materials); and Technologies (tobacco processing machinery, where Körber holds global #1 position with equipment used for two-thirds of the world's filter cigarettes).

Its portfolio integrates proprietary hardware (Multi Segment Maker for tobacco, AS/RS, AGVs/AMRs, layer pickers, inspection machines such as ALVA), software (PAS-X MES suite including the new cloud-native PAS-X Neo, K.optimize AI Suite, STEPLogic Trace/Tracker), and lifecycle services (SAP consulting, MES consulting, validation). AI capabilities span computer vision for pharma and parcel logistics, optimization via K.optimize, digital twins using NVIDIA Omniverse, predictive maintenance, and AI agent development at Infios. Körber has executed an active M&A program (Siemens Logistics' €500M-revenue mail and parcel business, enVista, MercuryGate, Godrej Körber, Stellium, plus the KKR strategic partnership that created Infios), positioning the group as an industrial automation and software ecosystem provider serving pharma, supply chain, tobacco, food and beverage, automotive, e-commerce, and parcel logistics customers.

Revenue is generated across five streams: industrial machinery and equipment sales; software and AI subscriptions (notably PAS-X); pharmaceutical packaging materials; warehouse and intralogistics hardware; and professional services and consulting (SAP/MES implementation, validation). Pricing is enterprise quote-based with annual billing cadence for software, and one-time hardware purchases paired with optional service contracts. Distribution is via direct enterprise field sales supplemented by technology and consulting partner channels, with global GTM reinforced by trade show participation and thought-leadership content.

Name

Korber AG

Legal name

Körber AG

Website

https://koerber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Körber AG is a German, privately held industrial technology group with 10,000+ employees across 100+ locations. It delivers integrated hardware, software, and services for pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain automation, parcel logistics, food and beverage, and tobacco processing, where it is the global market leader.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation & Manufacturing Solutions

NAICS

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Process & Batch Control Software (Recipe Management, ISA-88) (IMAGABAH)

Keywords

• Warehouse automation systems
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing execution
• Tobacco processing machinery
• Supply chain execution software
• Parcel sorting automation

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware - Machinery & Equipment: Körber generates significant revenue from manufacturing and selling industrial machinery including tobacco processing equipment, pharmaceutical packaging machines, inspection systems, and warehouse automation equipment. This includes the Multi Segment Maker (MSM), conveyor systems, sorters, and specialized manufacturing equipment.
2. Software & AI Solutions: SaaS and software license revenue from MES (PAS-X suite), warehouse management systems, transport management software, and AI-powered optimization solutions. Includes cloud-native offerings like PAS-X Neo for small/mid-sized pharma companies.
3. Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials: Sale of pharmaceutical packaging materials including folding boxes, labels, leaflets, and sustainable packaging solutions. Körber acquired remaining stake in Pharma Packaging Materials LLC to strengthen this business.
4. Professional Services & Consulting: Implementation, consulting, and support services including MES consulting, SAP consulting, system integration, validation services, and lifecycle services. Customers have achieved up to 25% OEE improvement through consulting-led process improvements.
5. Warehouse Automation Systems: End-to-end warehouse automation including AS/RS, AGVs, AMRs, picking technologies, conveyor solutions, and palletizing systems with software integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Körber AG is an international technology group that designs, manufactures, and integrates industrial machinery, manufacturing execution software (PAS-X MES), warehouse and supply chain automation systems, parcel sorting solutions, and pharmaceutical packaging equipment for enterprise customers across pharma, life sciences, tobacco, e-commerce, parcel logistics, food and beverage, automotive, and consumer goods industries. The company delivers a hardware-software-services ecosystem sold through direct enterprise sales, complemented by consulting, implementation, and lifecycle services.

Product overview

Körber AG is an international technology group offering an integrated ecosystem of hardware, software, digital solutions, and services across pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, and tobacco processing industries. The product portfolio is organized as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered around the Körber Ecosystem, which unifies machinery, software, logistics, and services. Core offerings include: PAS-X MES Suite (flagship manufacturing execution system for life sciences with versions including PAS-X Neo for small/mid-sized companies and PAS-X Savvy), K.optimize AI Suite for production and logistics optimization, and comprehensive Supply Chain Software (now Infios) encompassing warehouse management, transport management, parcel & mail solutions, and SAP consulting. Hardware divisions cover warehouse automation & intralogistics (AMRs, AS/RS, layer pickers), logistics solutions (sorting, conveying), sensor systems & inspection, parenteral & solids processing, and machinery for tobacco processing including the Multi Segment Maker. Add-on modules include STEPLogic Tracker for FDA food traceability, STEPLogic Trace for pharmaceutical DSCSA compliance, ALVA inspection machines, and SPE6-P2 stickpack packaging lines. Recent strategic additions include MercuryGate TMS (acquired 2024), Stellium SAP consulting (2026), and partnerships with NVIDIA for digital twins and Pepperl+Fuchs for HMI integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PAS-X MES Suite Life Sciences Manufacturing Execution System providing comprehensive shop floor automation for pharmaceutical, biotech, and life sciences companies, including electronic batch recording, process validation, and regulatory compliance (FDA, EU Annex 11). Used by AstraZeneca, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Catalent.
• PAS-X Neo Cloud-native entry-level MES designed for small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies and sites to digitalize shop floor operations quickly with essential GMP functionality, regulatory compliance, and a lean, standardized architecture.
• K.optimize AI Suite AI-powered optimization suite that analyzes data and optimizes performance across production and logistics operations, delivering measurable outcomes including 12% increase in operational availability, 66% reduction in time-to-market, 75% reduction in repetitive errors, and 98% zero-defect production.
• Supply Chain Software (Infios) Comprehensive supply chain execution platform including warehouse management, transport management, parcel and mail software, and SAP supply chain logistics. Now operating as Infios following the 2025 rebrand. Includes MercuryGate TMS acquired in 2024.
• Warehouse Automation & Intralogistics End-to-end warehouse automation solutions including AS/RS, AGVs and AMRs (Geek+ and Hai Robotics partnerships), picking technologies (Layer Picker with 98% SKU format coverage), conveyor solutions, palletizing and depalletizing, advanced robotics and AI, sortation systems, and control software.
• Parcel & Mail Sorting Solutions Automated parcel and mail sorting systems including unloading, conveying, singulation, identification, diverting, inducting, and sorting systems enhanced by AI-based vision systems and predictive maintenance. Originated from the Siemens Logistics acquisition (€500 million revenue at acquisition).
• Sensor Systems & Inspection Machines AI inspection machines and high-speed sensors for quality control, including visual inspection, process inspection, and measurement systems for pharmaceutical and tobacco industries. Capabilities include inspection up to 1,000 containers per minute and 360-degree product photos for defect detection.
• Parenteral & Solids Processing Pharmaceutical processing solutions including aseptic processing, inspection, packaging machines, materials, and handling systems for parenteral and oral solid dosage forms. Modular platforms like NeoTOP achieve up to 90% faster format changeover times.
• Tobacco Machinery & Process Equipment Tobacco processing machinery including sorters, cutters, conditioners, dryers, flavoring systems, filter makers, rod makers, and combiners. Includes the proprietary Multi Segment Maker (MSM) for tobacco heated products operating at up to 12,000 products per minute with patented assembly groups. Körber is the #1 global provider; two-thirds of the world's filter cigarettes are produced using its equipment.
• STEPLogic Tracker FDA Food Traceability Rule compliant software platform providing lot-level tracking and documentation of Critical Tracking Events and Key Data Elements for receiving, transformation, and shipping processes in food manufacturing. Targets mid-sized food manufacturers.
• STEPLogic Trace 9.1 GS1 standards certified traceability solution producing EPCIS data conformant with GS1 Global Standards for pharmaceutical supply chains under DSCSA requirements.
• ALVA Inspection Machine Fully automatic inspection machine targeting High Mix Low Volume applications such as clinical trials and ATMPs, with fast changeovers and automated processes for reduced downtime while maintaining inspection quality.
• SPE6-P2 Stickpack Line Packaging line connecting primary to secondary packaging for powders, granules, liquids, and temperature-sensitive media in pharmaceutical applications.
• SAP Consulting & Implementation Services SAP Supply Chain Logistics consulting and implementation services with over 15 years of experience, now expanded through the Stellium acquisition to operate as Körber Stellium with presence across North America, the Middle East, and India.
• MercuryGate TMS Multimodal, SaaS-based transportation management system acquired in 2024, extending Körber's supply chain execution capabilities through the Infios platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 25% OEE improvement through consulting-led process improvements
• +13 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability12 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Godrej KörberstrategicTechnology or Integration · 25 March 2026Körber completed full acquisition of its Indian joint venture Godrej Körber, marking a key step in the company's evolution into a global strategic partner.
• NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 19 March 2026Körber announced collaboration with NVIDIA to develop physics-accurate digital twins of warehouses using NVIDIA Omniverse libraries. The project aims to enhance logistics operations through scenario testing, robotics training, and facility design. Targets customers across Pharma, FMCG, Food & Beverage, CEP, retail, and e-commerce sectors.
• StelliumstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 January 2026Körber signed binding agreement to acquire majority stake in Stellium, a Houston-headquartered SAP supply chain management consulting firm. Combined entity will operate as Körber Stellium, integrating Stellium's presence across North America, Middle East, and India with Körber's existing consulting footprint.
• Pepperl+FuchsstrategicTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2025Partnership to expand Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) offerings in pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Integrates Pepperl+Fuchs' GMP-compliant VisuNet HMI systems with Körber's PAS-X Manufacturing Execution System, providing simplified installation and rollout for biotech, pharmaceutical, and cell and gene therapy companies.
• H.B. FullerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2025Körber is working with H.B. Fuller to develop sustainable adhesive for the tobacco sector, supporting sustainability initiatives in the nicotine industry.
• Silo AIstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2024Partnership with Silo AI, one of Europe's largest private AI labs, to accelerate AI-driven visual quality control solutions for pharmaceutical inspection machines. Specifically developed visual quality solution for controlling COVID-19 vaccine ampoule quality, leveraging Silo AI's expertise with Körber's manufacturing capabilities.
• MercuryGatestrategicTechnology or Integration · 6 August 2024Körber and KKR announced strategic acquisition of MercuryGate International Inc., a leading provider of transportation management systems. The acquisition extended supply chain execution capabilities by combining MercuryGate's multimodal, SaaS-based TMS with Körber's existing solutions.
• enVistastrategicTechnology or Integration · 21 July 2022Körber acquired enVista's omnichannel platform including Enspire Commerce™ order management system and freight audit and payment services. Expanded Körber's portfolio to comprehensive omnichannel commerce, fulfillment, and transportation software solutions.
• Siemens LogisticsstrategicTechnology or Integration · 9 February 2022Körber signed agreement to acquire Siemens Logistics' global mail and parcel business, a provider of automated solutions for digitized mail and parcel processing. Business reported about €500 million in annual revenue.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dematic: Dematic (a KION Group company) is one of the closest direct peers to Körber's Warehouse Automation & Intralogistics business, offering AS/RS, conveyor systems, AMRs, and warehouse management software to enterprise customers across retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing.
• Swisslog: Swisslog (owned by KUKA) is a direct peer in warehouse automation and intralogistics, particularly strong in pharma and healthcare cold chain — overlapping directly with Körber's pharmaceutical logistics and AS/RS offerings.
• Vanderlande: Vanderlande competes with Körber in parcel and mail sortation (originally acquired from Siemens, like Körber's Siemens Logistics deal) and warehouse automation, serving airports, parcel, and warehouse customers globally.
• Knapp: Knapp is an Austrian-headquartered direct peer in warehouse automation and intralogistics, with particular strength in pharma and healthcare distribution, overlapping with Körber's pharma and life sciences logistics offerings.
• Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates competes directly with Infios (formerly Körber Supply Chain Software) in warehouse management systems, transportation management, and supply chain execution software for retail, 3PL, and manufacturing customers.
• Blue Yonder: Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software, owned by Panasonic) competes directly with Körber's supply chain execution portfolio (Infios/MercuryGate) across WMS, TMS, and end-to-end supply chain planning for enterprise customers.
• TGW Logistics Group: TGW is a direct peer in warehouse automation and intralogistics, particularly strong in retail, fashion, and grocery distribution — competing with Körber's warehouse automation business across European and global enterprise accounts.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell Intelligrated is a broad incumbent offering warehouse automation, sortation, and integrated software for distribution and fulfillment — competing with Körber across multiple verticals including retail, 3PL, and parcel.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Siemens competes with Körber in pharma MES (Opcenter Execution), industrial automation, and historically in mail/parcel logistics (Siemens Logistics was acquired by Körber). A broad incumbent that can bundle hardware, software, and services across plant-level operations.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation competes with Körber in pharma MES (PharmaSuite), process automation, and digital transformation — particularly relevant for regulated life sciences manufacturing environments where PAS-X operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korber AG