BDT
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersRottweil, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BDT does
BDT Media Automation GmbH is a privately held German family-owned manufacturer founded in 1967 and headquartered in Rottweil, operating two divisions: Storage Automation and Print Media. The Storage Automation division designs and produces LTO tape libraries—FlexStor (entry-level 1U/2U autoloaders), MultiStor (3U scalable), MultiStak (6U scalable), and ORION MC6 (hyperscale with 1,100+ slots and up to 24 drives per rack)—which the company sells primarily to OEM partners IBM, HPE, and Fujitsu for integration into their enterprise and hyperscaler data storage portfolios. BDT holds approximately 70% global market share in LTO tape-based backup and archiving hardware, supported by a worldwide service network offering repair, refurbishment, and upgrades for tape libraries and LTO drives. The Print Media division supplies automated paper and media feeders (TPF and VX series) to digital printing OEMs HP Indigo, Ricoh, and Canon; its TPF feeders incorporate patented Tornado technology that achieves up to 80% energy cost savings by eliminating compressors and vacuum pumps.
The company generates revenue through three streams: (1) hardware sales of OEM-branded tape libraries to IT majors, (2) hardware sales of feeders to digital printing OEMs, and (3) worldwide technical service and refurbishment. For its newer ORION hyperscale line, BDT has added a direct channel motion with regional partners (COMBACK in EMEA, LTZero in APAC, Qualstar and Cambridge Computer in North America), targeting hyperscalers, data centers, and scientific institutions directly rather than solely through OEM rebadge. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and revenue is not reported, but the company describes 2024 as a record year with profitable growth continuing into the first half of 2025.
BDT operates from wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany (HQ and production), USA, Mexico (new manufacturing start in July 2024), Netherlands, Singapore, and China, and is led by Managing Director and CEO Marc Steinhilber (appointed November 2018) together with Managing Director and CFO Dr. Holger Rath. The company is ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certified, issued a Green Bond in 2023 (placed volume €3.25 million at 11.5% coupon, early-terminated in September 2025), and has no identified external equity investor; ownership remains with the founding family and management.
BDT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BDT
- Legal name
- BDT Media Automation GmbH
- Website
- https://bdt.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BDT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Enterprise Data Storage Systems
- NAICS
- Computer Storage Device Manufacturing (334112)
- SIC
- Computer Storage Devices (3572), Magnetic & Optical Recording Media (3695)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tape Storage Systems & Media (LTO, Libraries, Autoloaders) (HDACACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Archive & Preservation Systems (LTO, Optical, Tape Libraries) (MPAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where BDT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rottweil
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
BDT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tape Library Hardware Sales: Design, development, and manufacturing of LTO tape libraries sold to OEM partners who integrate and resell under their own brands. Products include ORION, FlexStor, MultiStor, and MultiStak platforms.
- Print Media Feeders: Manufacture and sale of automated paper and media feeders (TPF and VX series) to major printer manufacturers including HP Indigo, Ricoh, and Canon for integration into digital printing systems.
- Technical Service and Repair: Worldwide repair, screening, upgrade, and refurbishment services for tape libraries and LTO drives. Services provided for own OEM customers and other manufacturers globally.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
BDT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BDT Media Automation GmbH designs, develops, and manufactures LTO tape libraries for enterprise data backup and archiving (ORION, FlexStor, MultiStor, MultiStak) and automated media feeders for digital printing systems (VX and TPF series). Operating with approximately 70% world market share in LTO tape-based data backup and archiving, BDT primarily serves as an OEM development and manufacturing partner to IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fujitsu, Canon, HP Indigo, and Ricoh.
Product overview
BDT Media Automation is a world market leader in data storage systems and media handling solutions, operating through two main divisions: Storage Automation and Print Media. The Storage Automation division offers a comprehensive portfolio of tape library solutions including the ORION MC6 hyperscale library for enterprise data centers, the FlexStor entry-level autoloaders (1U/2U), MultiStor scalable 3U libraries, and MultiStak 6U archival systems. The Print Media division provides automated feeders including the VX Feeder Series for A4-to-banner formats and the TPF Feeder Series for B1-sized media, all featuring patented Tornado technology. Both divisions are supported by a worldwide Technical Service organization offering repair, refurbishment, and upgrade capabilities across multiple continents.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ORION: Hyperscale tape library product line - enterprise-class tape storage solution with over 1,100 tape slots and up to 24 drives in a single rack
- FlexStor
- MultiStor
- MultiStak
- VX Feeder
- TPF Feeder
Products and services
- ORION MC6 Hyperscale Tape Library Enterprise tape library designed for data centers, hyperscalers, enterprise companies, and scientific institutions. Offers over 1,100 tape slots and up to 24 drives in a single 48U rack, supporting LTO-9 and above drives with FC or SAS interface options and S3-to-tape gateway integration.
- FlexStor Tape Libraries Entry-level autoloaders and tape libraries available in 1U and 2U form factors supporting current LTO generations. The 1U model offers 8 slots with 1 HH LTO drive; the 2U model offers 24 slots with 2 HH or 1 FH LTO drives. Includes web management and integrated security features.
- MultiStor Scalable Tape Library Scalable tape library in 3U form factor for managing constantly growing data volumes. Offers 40 slots per module, expandable up to 15 modules for maximum 640 slots and 48U full rack configuration with up to 11.52 PB uncompressed capacity (LTO-9).
- MultiStak Scalable Tape Library Largest scalable tape library in 6U form factor for archiving medium and growing data volumes. Offers 80 slots per module, expandable up to 6 modules for 42U configuration with maximum 560 slots and up to 10.082 PB uncompressed capacity (LTO-9).
- VX Feeder Series User-friendly and flexible sheet feeder for digital printing systems handling media formats between A4 and banner size. The VX 370 supports a wide range of substrates and stack heights up to 500mm, with specific alignment modules for print finishing applications.
- TPF Feeder Series Flexible and reliable feeder solution for media sizes up to B1, including TPF 550 LT, TPF 750 LT, and TPF 780-1280 PT pallet feeders. Handles the industry's widest range of substrates with pile heights up to 900mm and features patented Tornado technology achieving up to 80% energy cost savings.
- Technical Service Worldwide repair, screening, upgrade, and refurbishment services for tape libraries and LTO tape drives, including services for other manufacturers' equipment. Delivered through regional service locations across AME, EMEA, and APJ with refurbishment of used tape libraries using original parts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% energy cost savings with Tornado technology compared to comparable technologies
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BDT
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BDT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
BDT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and primary.
- LTZero PTE. LTD.coreLong-term exclusive supply cooperation in Asia for ORION tape library products. Exclusive distribution partner for APAC region.
- IBMcoreLong-standing OEM technology partnership where BDT develops and manufactures tape libraries (MultiStak, MultiStor, FlexStor) for IBM, who integrates them into their data storage solutions portfolio.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)coreOEM partnership for tape storage products. BDT develops and produces data storage devices for HPE's enterprise customers.
- FujitsucoreOEM technology partner for tape storage solutions. BDT provides strong and flexible support for Fujitsu's tape storage business.
- HP IndigocoreHP Indigo purchases BDT feeders to integrate into their digital printing systems for automated media handling.
- RicohcoreRicoh integrates BDT media feeders into their digital printing equipment for substrate handling.
- CanoncoreCanon sources BDT feeder systems for integration into their printing and packaging systems.
- COMBACK GmbHprimaryRegional channel partner for ORION tape library in EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa).
- Qualstar CorporationprimaryChannel partner for ORION tape library in North America region.
- Cambridge Computer Services, Inc.primaryChannel partner for ORION tape library in North America region.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BDT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BDT social profiles
Digital presenceBDT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
BDT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BDT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
BDT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
BDT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BDT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BDT
What does BDT do?
BDT Media Automation GmbH designs, develops, and manufactures LTO tape libraries for enterprise data backup and archiving (ORION, FlexStor, MultiStor, MultiStak) and automated media feeders for digital printing systems (VX and TPF series). Operating with approximately 70% world market share in LTO tape-based data backup and archiving, BDT primarily serves as an OEM development and manufacturing partner to IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fujitsu, Canon, HP Indigo, and Ricoh.
Is BDT a public or private company?
BDT is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was BDT founded?
BDT was founded in 1967. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is BDT based?
BDT is headquartered in Rottweil, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does BDT make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tape Library Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are print Media Feeders and technical Service and Repair.
Does BDT have an API?
No public API is recorded for BDT.
What industry is BDT in?
BDT's product category is Enterprise Data Storage Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACACAE, Tape Storage Systems & Media (LTO, Libraries, Autoloaders), with a secondary code of MPAHAGAC, Archive & Preservation Systems (LTO, Optical, Tape Libraries). Its NAICS code is 334112 and its SIC code is 3572.