What AFT Automatisierungs does

AFT Automatisierungs- und Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German industrial automation company founded in 1985 in Schopfheim, and operates today as part of the AFT Group under the corporate ownership of CERTINA Holding AG (Munich). The company designs, manufactures, and installs tailor-made conveyor systems and intralogistics automation solutions, organized into three product pillars: ceiling-mounted conveyors (Electric Overhead Monorails / EMS, Power & Free, circular and manual transfer systems); floor conveyors (pallet, chain, belt, inverted monorail, electric in-floor track systems); and storage and robotic order-picking systems. A specialized AWT (Automatischer Warentransport) product line serves hospitals with automated transport of food, laundry, waste, and supplies. Two patent-pending proprietary technologies differentiate the offering: the AFTeco PMSM direct-drive system for energy-efficient monorail operation, and the AFT-comb-screw universal fastening system developed by the Bautzen subsidiary.

The company serves three primary verticals: automotive manufacturing (BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, ZF, SAF Holland, and PowerCo for battery gigafactories), intralogistics and cold-chain logistics (DHL, NewCold, DAW SE, Panem Backstube), and healthcare (multiple German university hospitals). Operations span 8 subsidiaries across Germany (Schopfheim, Bautzen), China (Shanghai), and Mexico (Puebla), with active project delivery into Spain and the United States. The business model is project-based custom engineering sold through direct enterprise sales, supplemented by recurring revenue from multi-year maintenance contracts with 24/7 hotline service, retrofit and modernization projects, and a spare parts business where suppliers commit to up to 15 years of post-delivery parts availability. With 251–500 employees and approximately 9,000 projects completed across roughly 40 years, AFT functions as a mid-sized specialist with deep installed-base relationships rather than a mass-market equipment vendor.

Name

AFT Automatisierungs

Legal name

AFT Automatisierungs- und Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://aft-group.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AFT Automatisierungs is a German industrial automation specialist founded in 1985 that designs, manufactures, and installs custom conveyor, intralogistics, and hospital material-transport systems for automotive OEMs, logistics operators, and healthcare facilities across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Conveyor and Automation Systems

NAICS

Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conveyors & Sortation Systems (Warehouse & Parcel) (IMAHABAC), Conveying, Feeding & Accumulation Systems (Packaging Lines) (IMAHAOAK), End-of-Line Integration & Packaging Line Systems (IMAHAOAN)

Keywords

• Industrial conveyor systems
• Material handling automation
• Intralogistics solutions
• Automotive production equipment
• Warehouse automation systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Schopfheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Conveyor Systems: Design, manufacturing, and installation of custom conveyor systems including ceiling-mounted conveyors (EHB/EMS), floor conveyors, storage systems, and specialized equipment for automotive, intralogistics, and healthcare applications. Revenue is project-based with long sales cycles and custom engineering.
2. Maintenance and Service Contracts: Ongoing maintenance services including 24/7 emergency hotline, spare parts supply, and scheduled servicing for installed conveyor systems. Multi-year service agreements with healthcare and industrial customers.
3. Retrofit and Modernization: Upgrading existing conveyor systems with new components, drive technology, and control systems. Extends useful life of customer installations and creates recurring revenue opportunities.
4. Spare Parts: Supply of replacement components and wear parts for conveyor systems. Suppliers must maintain spare parts capacity for up to 15 years after original delivery per AFT's purchasing terms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AFT Automatisierungs- und Fördertechnik GmbH & Co. KG designs, engineers, manufactures, and installs tailor-made conveyor systems and automation technologies. Its portfolio spans ceiling-mounted conveyors (Electric Overhead Monorails / EMS, Power & Free, circular conveyors), floor conveyors (pallet, chain, belt, inverted monorail, electric in-floor track), storage and automated picking systems, plus dedicated AWT hospital material transport solutions. The company also operates global maintenance, spare parts, and retrofit services.

Product overview

AFT Automatisierungs- und Fördertechnik is a provider of industrial conveyor and automation systems, operating since 1985 with 8 companies worldwide and 9,000 realized projects. The product portfolio centers on three main categories: Ceiling Mounted Conveyors (Deckenförderer) including Elektrohängebahnen (EMS/Electric Overhead Monorails), Power & Free, circular and manual transfer systems; Floor Conveyors (Bodenförderer) encompassing pallet conveyors, push-skid systems, skid roller-rail conveyors, inverted monorails, chain/belt conveyors, electric pallet conveyors, rubber belt conveyors, and automated floor conveyance vehicles; and Storage Systems (Lagersysteme) including storage technology and robotic picking systems. Specialized offerings include AWT Healthcare for hospital material transport and White Goods handling. Notable proprietary technologies include the patented AFTeco Antrieb (permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system for energy-efficient EMS operation) and the patented AFT-comb-screw fastening system. The company provides comprehensive services including maintenance with 24/7 hotline, spare parts supply, and retrofit upgrades. Solutions serve three primary industry verticals: Intralogistics, Automotive (major OEMs including BMW, VW, Audi, and automotive suppliers), and Healthcare (hospital transport systems).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AFTeco: Energy-saving drive system using Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) for electric overhead monorail systems. Patented drive concept that eliminates gearbox, reducing weight by ~50% and maintenance costs.

Products and services

• Ceiling-Mounted Conveyor Systems (Deckenförderer) Overhead conveyor product family covering Electric Overhead Monorails (EMS), Power & Free conveyors, circular conveyor systems, and manual overhead transfer systems, used to transport workpieces through automotive and intralogistics production facilities.
• Floor Conveyor Systems (Bodenförderer) Floor-level conveyor family including pallet conveyors, push-skid systems, skid roller-rail conveyors, inverted monorail, chain/belt conveyors, electric pallet conveyors, rubber belt conveyors, and automated floor conveyance vehicles for horizontal material transport in warehouses and production environments.
• Storage and Automated Picking Systems (Lagersysteme) Automated storage and order picking systems, including rack warehouses, high-bay storage, and robotic commissioning / order picking technology for efficient warehouse operations.
• AWT Healthcare Transport System (Automatischer Warentransport für Kliniken) Dedicated automated material transport system for hospitals, using AWT vehicles with lifting devices and EHB container transport to move food, laundry, waste, and supplies between hospital departments with high reliability and 24/7 availability.
• White Goods Handling Solutions (Weiße Ware) Conveyor and handling systems tailored for white goods manufacturers producing large household appliances and similar bulky products.
• AFTeco Drive System (AFTeco Antrieb) Patented PMSM-based direct drive system for Electric Overhead Monorails that eliminates the gearbox, halving drive weight, reducing maintenance, and delivering significant energy savings compared with conventional three-phase motor drives with gearbox.
• AFT-comb-screw Fastening System (AFT-Kamm-Schraube) Patented universal fastening system developed by AFT Bautzen that enables fast, top-down mounting of conveyor systems onto steelwork platforms, allowing parallel installation work and eliminating the need for special mounting devices or costly steel construction modifications.
• Maintenance and 24/7 Service Hotline (Wartung / Rufbereitschaft) 24/7 maintenance, on-call service, scheduled servicing, and multi-year service contracts covering installed AFT conveyor and automation systems, including emergency hotline and scheduled preventive maintenance.
• Spare and Wear Parts Supply (Ersatz- und Verschleißteile) Supply of replacement and wear parts for installed conveyor and automation systems, with guaranteed availability for up to 15 years after original delivery to minimize customer downtime.
• Retrofit and Modernization (Retrofit) Modernization and upgrade services for existing conveyor installations, including replacement of worn components, drive system upgrades to AFTeco, and control system modernization to extend equipment lifespan and improve energy and operating performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings with AFTeco drive compared to conventional three-phase motors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Klingele Technik GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2020During COVID-19 pandemic, AFT partnered with Klingele Technik GmbH from Schönau to jointly produce approximately 1,000 face shields for district hospital in Lörrach using combined 3D printing capabilities. Five printers operated continuously for several weeks to manufacture protective equipment for healthcare workers.
• Volkswagen SlovakiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2015AFT Schopfheim cooperated with VW Slovakia in Bratislava for testing the AFTeco drive system in the existing EHB 200-2 installation. Five control units with motors were supplied for vehicle retrofits to be tested under realistic production conditions alongside existing three-phase motor vehicles. This partnership enables AFT to gather unique real-world data and experience not achievable on prototype test tracks.
• DobülogminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAFT worked with planning office Dobülog during the offer phase to support DAW SE customer with experience and know-how in finalizing the automated warehouse concept. Dobülog provided planning expertise as part of the general contractor proposal for the logistics center modification.
• CERTINA Holding AGcoreOthersAFT Group is a company of CERTINA Holding AG based in Munich, Germany. CERTINA Holding AG is the parent company providing strategic oversight for the AFT Group and its subsidiaries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dematic: Dematic (a KION Group company) is one of the leading global suppliers of integrated intralogistics automation, including conveyors, sortation, AS/RS and warehouse software. It directly overlaps AFT's core intralogistics and conveyor systems portfolio, particularly in distribution centers and automotive supply chain.
• Swisslog: Swisslog (KUKA Group) designs and delivers automated warehouse, conveyor and material-flow solutions for healthcare, retail and industrial customers. It directly competes with AFT in the hospital AWT/automated transport and intralogistics conveyor segments.
• TGW Logistics Group: TGW is a leading European-based integrator of highly automated warehouses, conveyor systems and robotic picking — directly comparable to AFT's floor conveyor, pallet conveyor and storage-system businesses for distribution and manufacturing customers.
• SSI Schäfer: SSI Schäfer manufactures conveyors, storage systems, and integrated intralogistics solutions across industrial, retail and healthcare. Its conveyor and automated storage portfolio is a direct match to AFT's Bodenförderer and Lagersysteme product lines.
• Vanderlande: Vanderlande (Toyota Industries) provides material handling and warehouse automation including conveyor systems for parcels, airports and distribution centers. It is a direct competitor on large-scale conveyor and sortation system projects similar to AFT's NewCold and DAW SE-style installations.
• Interroll Holding: Interroll is a global manufacturer of key conveyor and handling components (rollers, drum motors, conveyors) used inside warehouse and production automation systems. It is a direct component-level peer to AFT's conveying equipment business across food, logistics and industrial customers.
• FlexLink (Coesia): FlexLink, part of Coesia Group, designs and manufactures conveyor systems and assembly solutions for industrial manufacturing, including automotive and electronics. Its modular conveyor platform directly overlaps AFT's Bodenförderer and assembly line scope.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Rexroth: Bosch Rexroth is a broad industrial automation and factory equipment supplier with conveyor, assembly, and factory automation capabilities. While much larger and more diversified, it competes for automotive assembly line and conveyor scope that AFT also targets.
• Siemens Logistics: Siemens Logistics (formerly Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics) and the broader Siemens Digital Industries portfolio address airport, parcel and factory automation with significant overlap to AFT's conveyor/intralogistics footprint, but at much larger scale.
• Daifuku: Daifuku is one of the world's largest material handling system integrators, with conveyor, AS/RS, sortation and automotive assembly systems. It is comparable to AFT's end-to-end conveyor/integrator offering but at vastly greater scale and global reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/pages/aftautomatisierungs-undfordertechnikgmbh-co-kg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRrHnGlJJE1bHVBQ6gwo7xA
• Facebookfacebook.com/aftgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aft-automatisierungs--und-f%C3%B6rdertechnik-gmbh-&-co.kg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 AFT Automatisierungs