What MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH does

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH is a German manufacturer of heavy-duty transport vehicles founded in 1957 and headquartered in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany, operating under the privately held NDW Neckar Drahtwerke Group. The company designs and produces tractors and trailers for seaports, heavy industry, and logistics/distribution centers, with system loads up to 250 tonnes and trailer payloads up to 320 tonnes. Its core technology is the hydraulically operated fifth wheel coupling, integrated into a product portfolio spanning diesel terminal tractors (T 230, T 230F), the T 230e electric terminal tractor (ZF Cetrax, 300 kW), the T 230LPG propane variant, distribution tractors (T 225D), heavy-duty tractors (HD 445/HD 445Z), and RoRo tractors (R 332/R 332Z/R 336), complemented by industrial trailers, container chassis, roll/cargo trailers, and gooseneck equipment.

MAFI pioneered the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) roll trailer system in 1963/64, an architecture (tractor + gooseneck + roll trailer) that became the global standard for seaport cargo handling by replacing crane lifting with ramp-based loading/unloading. Production takes place at a 75,000 square meter facility in Tauberbischofsheim, with the company holding ISO 9001 (since 1997), ISO 14001:2015 (since 2018), ISO 45001:2018 (since 2019), and ISO 3834-2 welding certifications. Approximately 400 employees support manufacturing, engineering, and a global after-sales and spare-parts operation with over 95% spare parts availability for standard products.

The business model is anchored in customized heavy-equipment sales via direct enterprise engagement and a worldwide dealer and service partner network spanning over 50-60 partners in approximately 30 countries. Revenue is generated through quote-based, multi-year hardware contracts (diesel, electric, and LPG terminal tractors; RoRo tractors; heavy-duty tractors; industrial and cargo trailers) plus a recurring after-sales stream covering spare parts, commissioning, driver training, inspection, diagnostics, warranty, and full-service contracts. Primary customer segments are seaport operators (terminal tractors and RoRo systems) and heavy industry (in-plant heavy-load transport), with secondary exposure to logistics/distribution centers and, via sister brand TREPEL Airport Equipment within NDW Group, airport ground support equipment. In 2024, MAFI entered an autonomous-driving retrofit partnership with Arnold Next to extend automation to its installed base.

Name

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH

Legal name

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH

Website

https://www.mafi.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH is a German manufacturer of heavy-duty tractors and trailers for seaports, heavy industry, and logistics centers, offering diesel, electric, and LPG terminal tractors, RoRo systems, and industrial trailers with payloads up to 320 tonnes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy-duty transport vehicles and port logistics equipment

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (3362), Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing (336120), Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Truck Trailers (3715)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal & Port Vehicles (Yard Tractors, RoRo Tractors, Straddle Carriers) (IMAHAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Class 7–8 Heavy-Duty Truck & Tractor Manufacturing (IMACABAC), Semi-Trailer Manufacturing (Dry Van/Reefer/Tanker/Lowboy) (IMACAGAB)

Keywords

• Heavy-duty tractors
• Terminal tractors
• RoRo transport systems
• Industrial trailers
• Port logistics equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tauberbischofsheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Heavy-duty vehicle and trailer sales: MAFI generates revenue primarily from the manufacture and sale of heavy-duty tractors (terminal, RoRo, heavy-duty, distribution) and trailers (industrial, cargo/roll trailers, container chassis) to seaports, industry, and logistics companies.
2. After-sales service and spare parts: MAFI provides comprehensive after-sales services including spare parts supply, commissioning, driver training, inspection, diagnostics, warranty work, repair and maintenance contracts, and full service contracts. Spare parts availability for standard products exceeds 95%.
3. Spare parts supply: MAFI maintains spare parts warehouse in Tauberbischofsheim and supplies through international dealers, with over 95% spare parts availability for standard products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH manufactures and sells heavy-duty tractors and trailers for seaports, industry, and logistics/distribution centers. The product range includes diesel, electric, and LPG-powered terminal tractors (T 230 series), RoRo tractors, heavy-duty tractors (HD 445 series), distribution tractors, industrial and heavy-duty trailers (payloads up to 320 tons), container chassis, roll/cargo trailers, and goosenecks — all featuring hydraulically operated fifth wheel couplings.

Product overview

MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transport equipment for seaports, industry, and logistics/distribution centers. The product portfolio centers on two main product lines: (1) Tractors including diesel, electric, and LPG-powered terminal tractors (T 230, T 230e, T 230F, T 230LPG), distribution tractors (T 225D), heavy-duty tractors (HD 445, HD 445Z), and RoRo tractors (R 332, R 332Z, R 336), all featuring hydraulically operated 5th wheel couplings with system loads up to 250 t; and (2) Trailers and equipment including industrial/heavy-duty trailers (up to 320 tons), container chassis, cargo/roll trailers, goosenecks for tractors and forklifts, and parking stands. The company also offers stock units for immediate delivery and comprehensive after-sales service including spare parts. MAFI pioneered the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) system in the 1960s, revolutionizing cargo handling in seaports worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TREPEL: World market leader for Ground Support Equipment on airports. Part of the MAFI/TREPEL two-brand strategy under NDW Neckar Drahtwerke Group.

Products and services

• Terminal-Tractor T 230 Diesel-powered terminal tractor with hydraulically operated 5th wheel coupling for internal transport in seaports, industry and logistics. Available with 5th wheel lifting capacity up to 45 t and system loads up to 250 t.
• Terminal-Tractor T 230e Electric terminal tractor with ZF Cetrax electric central drive delivering max. output 300 kW. Designed for zero-emission operations in seaports and indoor logistics environments.
• Terminal-Tractor T 230F Terminal tractor variant designed for distribution and industrial applications with enhanced features.
• Terminal-Tractor T 230LPG LPG-powered terminal tractor with PSI 8.8L-NA-LPG engine producing 201 kW, meeting Tier 4 final exhaust emission standards.
• Distribution-Tractor T 225D Diesel distribution tractor designed for distribution center operations and last-mile logistics applications.
• Heavy-Duty-Tractor HD 445 Heavy-duty tractor for extreme loads in port and industrial applications, designed for system loads up to 250 t.
• Heavy-Duty-Tractor HD 445Z Heavy-duty tractor variant with enhanced specifications for demanding port and industrial operations.
• RoRo-Tractor R 332 RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) tractor designed for ship loading and unloading operations in seaports, featuring robust construction for steep ramps.
• RoRo-Tractor R 332Z RoRo tractor variant optimized for efficient RoRo ship operations with enhanced performance characteristics.
• RoRo-Tractor R 336 RoRo tractor variant for handling larger cargo units in roll-on/roll-off shipping operations.
• Industrial and Heavy-Duty Trailers Drawbar trailers for in-house transport of heavy loads up to 320 tons. Includes various steering systems (axle pivot, turntable, axle tree bed bolster), loading platforms, and customizable configurations.
• Container Chassis Container chassis trailers for efficient container handling and transport in ports and intermodal operations.
• Roll-/Cargotrailers Cargo and roll trailers forming the MAFI roll trailer system revolutionized in the 1960s for RoRo ship loading, consisting of tractor, gooseneck and roll trailer components.
• Forklift Goosenecks Gooseneck attachments for forklifts enabling efficient handling of heavy loads with various forklift truck configurations.
• Goosenecks for Tractors Tractor-mounted goosenecks and C-hooks for connecting trailers and handling cargo in port and industrial applications.
• MAFI Stock Units Pre-configured stock units available for immediate delivery including tractors and trailers in various specifications (diesel, electric, LPG).

Quantifiable outcome

• Spare parts availability for standard products exceeds 95%
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• Arnold NextstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MAFI partnered with Arnold Next to advance the retrofitting of heavy-duty tractors with automated driving systems. The collaboration aims to make autonomous heavy load transport available as an aftermarket solution.
• TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH is a sister company within the NDW Neckar Drahtwerke Group. MAFI manufactures products for TREPEL as well. TREPEL is the world market leader for ground support equipment at airports. Both MAFI and TREPEL share management leadership and follow a two-brand strategy under the same parent company.
• NDW Neckar Drahtwerke GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH is part of the NDW Group based in Eberbach, Germany, which owns both MAFI and TREPEL brands. The group provides strategic oversight and shared resources across the two brands.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Konecranes: Finnish manufacturer of port cranes, lift trucks, and container handling equipment. Overlaps with MAFI in seaport operator customers and competes in adjacent yard/logistics equipment categories.
• Terex Port Solutions: Division of Terex offering terminal tractors and port handling equipment including RoRo tractors. Direct peer in port-vehicle categories with significant North American presence.
• Capacity Trucks: Specialized US manufacturer of yard spotter/terminal tractors for ports, distribution, and intermodal terminals. Comparable terminal-tractor focus to MAFI's T-series products.
• Goldhofer: German manufacturer of heavy-duty and modular trailers (lowboy, flatbed, SPMT) for oversized load transport, comparable to MAFI's industrial and heavy-duty trailer portfolio.
• TII Group (SCHEUERLE / KAMAG): German-based manufacturer of heavy-duty modular transporters, self-propelled modular trailers (SPMTs), and terminal tractors (KAMAG). Direct competitor to MAFI in heavy-haul trailers and port-logistics vehicles.
• Autocar Industries: US manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks including terminal tractors (ACT/Spotter series) for port and distribution applications. Comparable terminal-tractor product category to MAFI.
• Cometto: Italian manufacturer of heavy-duty modular transport solutions (SPMT, hydraulic trailers). Direct competitor in the high-capacity industrial and heavy-haul trailer market.
• Terberg Special Vehicles: Dutch manufacturer of terminal tractors and RoRo tractors for ports, distribution centers, and heavy industry. Direct competitor to MAFI in European port terminals with overlapping diesel and electric terminal-tractor product lines.
• Kalmar (Cargotec): Part of Cargotec, Kalmar offers terminal tractors (including electric T2E), reachstackers, and port equipment globally. The most direct large-scale competitor to MAFI in port-vehicle categories with broader portfolio and stronger R&D budget.

Broad incumbents

• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling: US-listed manufacturer of forklifts, container handlers, and port equipment. Overlaps with MAFI in industrial material-handling vehicles and serves similar distribution-center customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mafitransport-systemegmbh396
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• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/mafi-transport-systeme-gmbh

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH