Goldhofer AG

What Goldhofer AG does

Goldhofer AG, headquartered in Memmingen, Germany, and operating since 1705, is a foundation-owned industrial manufacturer that designs and builds heavy-duty transport vehicles and airport ground support equipment (GSE). The company operates two divisions: Transport Technology — trailers, semi-trailers, heavy-duty modules, and special applications (e.g., TRAILSTAR, STEPSTAR, FT SERIES, ADDRIVE, PST/SL) covering loads from 25 tonnes to over 15,000 tonnes for construction, energy (wind, hydro, transformers), mining, port, and petrochemical customers — and Airport Technology — conventional and towbarless aircraft tractors (BISON, PHOENIX, AST, ATLAS), cargo/pushback tractors (SHERPA), aircraft recovery systems (ARTS), and a dedicated defense line. Differentiated technology includes the proprietary IonMaster high-voltage lithium-ion electric drive platform, LINK telemetry, GOTIS safety/diagnostics, and easyVERSION/easyLOAD configuration and load-calculation software. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time capital-equipment sales (large-ticket, custom-engineered projects with long sales cycles) supplemented by recurring after-sales service and overhauls, spare parts (filter packages with ~45% savings vs. individual orders), Goldhofer Akademie training (€79–€649 per participant), and rental/leasing. Goldhofer sells via direct enterprise field sales, regional subsidiaries in the US, UK, India, and UAE, an authorized service partner network, and the Goldhofer eShop, serving customers across 160+ countries with a 40,000+ vehicle installed base. The business employs roughly 1,000 people globally, reports approximately €300 million in annual revenue, and is wholly owned by the Alois Goldhofer Stiftung, whose stated mission is employment preservation rather than profit maximization.

Name

Goldhofer AG

Legal name

Goldhofer Aktiengesellschaft

Website

https://goldhofer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1705

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Goldhofer AG is a German foundation-owned manufacturer (since 1705) of heavy-duty transport vehicles (trailers, semi-trailers, modules for loads up to 15,000+ tonnes) and airport ground support equipment (towbarless/conventional aircraft tractors, cargo tractors, electric GSE), serving construction, energy, mining, aviation, and defense customers in 160+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Memmingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Heavy Transport Equipment Sales: Sale of trailers, semi-trailers, heavy-duty modules, and special transport vehicles. Products are custom-engineered for specific industrial applications including construction, energy, mining, and wind power sectors. Single large-ticket transactions with long sales cycles.
2. Airport Ground Support Equipment Sales: Sale of cargo/pushback tractors, conventional tractors, and towbarless aircraft tractors to airports and ground handling companies. Includes electric vehicle options with IonMaster technology.
3. After-Sales Service, Repair and Overhaul: Factory-owned service workshop providing complete maintenance, repair, vehicle overhauls, accident repairs, modifications, and painting services. Offers spare parts supply and replacement vehicles.
4. Spare Parts Supply: Supply of original Goldhofer parts and filter packages for maintenance. Filter packages offer up to 45% savings compared to individual orders.
5. Training and Academy Services: Goldhofer Academy provides classroom and online training programs for drivers, technicians, and workshop personnel on vehicle operation, maintenance, and safety. Includes certification programs and e-learning modules.
6. Vehicle Rental and Leasing: Short-term and long-term rental of trailers, semi-trailers, and heavy-duty vehicles with flexible contract terms. Attractive leasing and financing options available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Goldhofer AG manufactures and sells heavy-duty transport vehicles (trailers, semi-trailers, heavy-duty modules, and special transport systems) for loads from 25 tonnes to over 15,000 tonnes, serving construction, energy, mining, and industrial sectors. The company also produces airport ground support equipment including conventional and towbarless aircraft tractors, cargo/pushback tractors, and aircraft recovery systems for airlines, airports, and ground handling companies globally.

Product overview

Goldhofer AG is a German premium provider of transport solutions headquartered in Memmingen, founded in 1705. The company operates two main business divisions: Transport Technology and Airport Technology. Transport Technology develops and produces trailers, semi-trailers (including TRAILSTAR, STEPSTAR, SPZ, STZ, VENTUM, and ARCUS series), heavy-duty modules (FT SERIES, THP/SL, ADDRIVE, PST/SL), and special applications (FTV 930, BLADES, FAKTOR, KTB455, RA series) for loads ranging from 25 tonnes to over 15,000 tonnes. Airport Technology provides aircraft ground support equipment including SHERPA cargo/pushback tractors, BISON and PHOENIX conventional and towbarless aircraft tractors, ATLAS 2, aircraft recovery systems, and electric vehicles powered by the proprietary IonMaster technology. The company also offers LINK telemetry for real-time GSE monitoring, easyVERSION/easyLOAD configuration software, GOTIS diagnostics, comprehensive training through the Goldhofer Akademie, and overhaul/repair services. Goldhofer maintains global production facilities in Germany (Memmingen, Stuttgart), India, UK, US, and UAE, employing approximately 1,000 people with annual revenues of approximately €300 million.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transport Technology: Business division focused on transport solutions for heavy-duty, special, and long material transport, including trailers, semi-trailers, heavy-duty modules, and special applications for loads up to over 15,000 tonnes.
• Airport Technology
• IonMaster Technology

Products and services

• SHERPA D Cargo and Pushback Tractor Diesel-powered cargo and pushback tractor for aircraft ground handling, designed for aircraft up to 50 tonnes takeoff weight. Used by airports and ground handling companies.
• SHERPA E Electric Cargo and Pushback Tractor Electric-powered cargo and pushback tractor for zero-emission aircraft ground handling, suitable for aircraft up to 50 tonnes takeoff weight. Powered by proprietary IonMaster technology.
• BISON Conventional Aircraft Tractors (D and E variants) Conventional aircraft tractors available in diesel (BISON D) and electric (BISON E) variants, covering aircraft weights from 70 tonnes up to 1,500 tonnes takeoff weight. The BISON E features IonMaster technology for electric drive.
• PHOENIX Towbarless Aircraft Tractors (P/X and E variants) Towbarless aircraft tractors in diesel/petrol (P/X) and fully electric (E) variants, capable of moving aircraft up to 400 tonnes. Features advanced steering and telemetry systems including GOTIS diagnostic and safety system.
• ATLAS 2 Towbarless Aircraft Tractor Towbarless aircraft tractor unveiled at GSE Expo 2025, designed for modern aircraft handling operations.
• AST-1X Towbarless Aircraft Tractor Advanced towbarless aircraft tractor for heavy aircraft up to 600 tonnes takeoff weight.
• Aircraft Recovery Systems (ARTS) Combination systems for large aircraft damage recovery scenarios, providing safe and efficient aircraft retrieval solutions for airports, airlines, and defense operators.
• Defense Airport Technology Specialized aircraft ground support equipment for defense applications, including BISON D/E models (370, 620, 1000, 1500), SHERPA D/E, and STT systems designed for military airport operations.
• TRAILSTAR Series Trailers Trailer series for various transport applications, offering models for compact, long, and self-propelled cargo transport.
• SPZ Flatbed Semi-Trailers (L/GL/H/GP and VENTUM variants) Flatbed semi-trailers including SPZ-L, SPZ-GL, SPZ-H, SPZ-GP, and VENTUM models for versatile general-purpose cargo transport applications.
• STZ Low Loader Semi-Trailers (L/H/MPA and VL/VH/VP variants) Semi-trailer low loaders for heavy and oversized cargo transport, including models with wheel recesses. STZ-VP variants offer 245mm and 285mm tire clearance.
• ARCUS Semi-Trailer Flatbeds (P and PK variants) Semi-trailer flatbeds (ARCUS P, ARCUS PK) for specialized transport applications.
• FT SERIES Heavy-Duty Modules Drawn heavy-duty transport modules for loads up to over 15,000 tonnes, suitable for the most challenging heavy-load transport scenarios including transformer and wind component transport.
• THP/SL Heavy-Duty Modules (S/L/standard variants) Drawn heavy-duty modules for various heavy transport applications, available in small, large, and standard configurations. Used by enterprises such as MAMMOET for extreme-load transport.
• ADDRIVE Self-Propelled Heavy-Duty Modules Self-propelled driven heavy-duty transport modules enabling maneuverability and power for the most demanding transport operations on challenging terrain.
• PST/SL Self-Propelled Heavy-Duty Modules (including electric E variants) Self-propelled driven heavy-duty modules including electric variants (PST/SL-E, PST/ES-E) for sustainable heavy transport operations.
• FTV 930 Wind Power Transport Vehicle Special transport vehicle for the North American wind power market, designed for transporting large wind turbine components.
• FAKTOR 5 / FAKTOR 5.5 Special Application Modules Special application modules for heavy transport operations.
• BLADES Wind Turbine Blade Transport Solution Specialized wind turbine blade transport solution.
• Kesselbrücke KTB455 Tank Bridge System Tank bridge system for cable drum transport and other specialized applications.
• RA Trailing Combination Systems (RA 2 / RA 3-100 / RA 4) Trailing combination systems for long material transport.
• Goldhofer Akademie Training Programs Comprehensive training programs including seminars on load securing for heavy transport (VDI 2700), steering and securing large-volume transports, permits and regulations, and e-learning modules for aircraft tractors (AST-2P/X PHOENIX series). Pricing ranges from €79 to €649 per participant.
• Overhaul and Repair Services Factory-owned service workshop providing complete maintenance, repair, vehicle overhauls, accident repairs, modifications, painting including sandblasting, TÜV inspections, and certified brake testing for trailers of all makes.
• Spare Parts Supply (including Filter Packages) Supply of original Goldhofer spare parts and filter packages for vehicle maintenance. Filter packages offer up to 45% savings compared to individual spare parts orders.
• Vehicle Rental and Leasing Short-term and long-term rental of trailers, semi-trailers, and heavy-duty vehicles with flexible contract terms and attractive leasing/financing options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Project processing time in work preparation reduced by approximately 50 percent
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HSi (HSi GmbH)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Software company that developed HSplan/IS SAP, the work planning solution implemented alongside Goldhofer's SAP migration in 2024. This solution enabled semi-automatic work plan creation, reducing project processing time in work preparation by approximately 50 percent while improving data quality and planning reliability.
• ZWATRA B.V.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership focused on setting new standards in ground support equipment and services.
• Krasyliv Technoport Industrial ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUkrainian industrial park where Goldhofer launched production of components and spare parts for semi-trailers as part of €4.5 million investment. Currently producing 7-8 semi-trailers per month with 36 workers.
• EFM GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for developing and delivering emissions-free ground support solutions. EFM GmbH works with Goldhofer to implement electric GSE technology at airports.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Peers

• DOLL Fahrzeugbau GmbH:

Direct peers

• TII Group (Scheuerle / Kamag / Nicolas): TII Group is the most direct competitor to Goldhofer's Transport Technology division, offering Scheuerle heavy-duty modules, Kamag transport systems, and Nicolas industrial trailers. The two compete head-to-head in SPMT, modular heavy-haul, and semi-trailers for wind, transformer, and project cargo logistics worldwide.
• Cometto S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of self-propelled modular transporters, heavy-duty modular trailers, and special transport equipment. Direct peer to Goldhofer's FT, THP/SL, and ADDRIVE/PST product lines in European and international heavy-haul markets.
• JBT AeroTech: JBT AeroTech (a JBT Corporation division, including legacy TUG and Trepel brands) is the largest dedicated airport ground support equipment manufacturer and competes directly with Goldhofer's SHERPA, BISON, and PHOENIX towbarless and conventional aircraft tractors globally.
• Tronair Inc. US-based manufacturer of aircraft ground support equipment including towbarless and conventional aircraft tow tractors, ground power units, and jacks. Direct competitor to Goldhofer's BISON and PHOENIX product families, particularly in North American airports.
• Schopf Maschinenbau GmbH: German manufacturer of aircraft tow tractors and heavy-duty airport ground support equipment. Schopf competes with Goldhofer in the conventional and towbarless aircraft tractor segment, especially in European and military aviation markets.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkflMKg1S72mewulmSJrfzg
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoldhoferTransport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goldhofertransport
• Instagraminstagram.com/goldhofertransport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Goldhofer AG