BDT

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.

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

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

• LTO tape libraries
• Data storage automation
• Media handling feeders
• Digital printing feeders
• Enterprise backup solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Rottweil

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and primary.

• LTZero PTE. LTD.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2024Long-term exclusive supply cooperation in Asia for ORION tape library products. Exclusive distribution partner for APAC region.
• IBMcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLong-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/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM partnership for tape storage products. BDT develops and produces data storage devices for HPE's enterprise customers.
• FujitsucoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOEM technology partner for tape storage solutions. BDT provides strong and flexible support for Fujitsu's tape storage business.
• HP IndigocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerHP Indigo purchases BDT feeders to integrate into their digital printing systems for automated media handling.
• RicohcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerRicoh integrates BDT media feeders into their digital printing equipment for substrate handling.
• CanoncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCanon sources BDT feeder systems for integration into their printing and packaging systems.
• COMBACK GmbHprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional channel partner for ORION tape library in EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa).
• Qualstar CorporationprimaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for ORION tape library in North America region.
• Cambridge Computer Services, Inc.primaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for ORION tape library in North America region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BDTMediaAutomation
• Instagraminstagram.com/bdt_media_automation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 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 BDT