What AKDV does

AKDV Automatisierungstechnik GmbH is a German industrial automation firm founded in 1998 in Harsum, Lower Saxony, operating as a turnkey supplier of control systems for conveyor technology and process technology plants. The company designs, builds, programs, and commissions programmable logic controllers (SPS), human-machine interfaces (HMI), and high-level C++ control software for material flow management, complemented by in-house electrical installation (Elektroinstallation) and electrical engineering (E-Konstruktion using E-Plan P8 and ELCAD). Its technology stack integrates peripheral devices such as barcode readers, scales, and measurement systems over TCP/IP and Profinet, with proprietary house standards for SPS/HMI that can be rapidly extended or adapted to customer-preferred platforms such as WinCC, WinCC-flex, or InTouch. AKDV also maintains support for legacy S5 controllers as part of its ongoing maintenance and adaptation service offering.

The firm's primary customer segment is intralogistics — specifically conveyor and sorting systems for major German parcel distribution centers serving the KEP (Courier-Express-Package) and e-commerce sectors. Named enterprise customers include DHL (first project 'PZ Bochum' in 2018), with deployments described as operating in the largest parcel distribution centers in Germany, sorting millions of parcels daily. AKDV holds a long-standing strategic partnership with Transnorm System GmbH, programming the control software for Transnorm's high-performance conveyor modules deployed globally. In October 2025, AKDV was acquired by GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group (Sinsheim, Germany), integrating the firm into GEBHARDT's Smart Sortation business field as part of the parent's Strategy 2030 focused on software and digitalization.

The business model is project-based B2B industrial automation services: AKDV delivers custom solutions from specification through on-site commissioning, with revenue tied to project scope and complexity. The company operates a single-country footprint (Germany, primarily northern Germany), is privately held (now under GEBHARDT ownership), and employs approximately 28-40 specialized engineers across SPS programming, C++ high-level programming, electrical construction, electrical installation, purchasing, IT, documentation, and sales. No public pricing is disclosed and no AI/ML capabilities are evidenced in the company's technology stack or product portfolio.

Name

AKDV

Legal name

AKDV Automatisierungstechnik GmbH

Website

https://akdv.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AKDV Automatisierungstechnik GmbH, founded in 1998 in Harsum, Germany, is a turnkey supplier of PLC controls, HMI visualization, and C++ material flow control software for intralogistics conveyor and parcel sorting systems, serving major German parcel distribution centers including DHL, and acquired by GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation and Control Systems

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation (DCS/PLC/SCADA, SIS, Metering) (EUAEAFAC)

Keywords

• PLC control systems
• Industrial automation
• Material flow control
• Conveyor system integration
• Electrical engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Harsum

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turnkey Control Systems: Complete design, build, programming, and commissioning of PLC control systems for conveyor and logistics plants. Project-based revenue from industrial automation projects including software development, electrical construction, and installation services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AKDV is a turnkey supplier of control systems for conveyor and process technology plants, specializing in the design, build, and programming of PLC (SPS) controllers and HMI visualization solutions. It also develops custom C++ high-level language control software for material flow management in logistics and intralogistics facilities. The offering is rounded out by in-house electrical construction using E-Plan P8 and ELCAD, on-site electrical installation, and ongoing maintenance and support services including legacy S5 controller support.

Product overview

AKDV is a turnkey supplier of industrial control systems and automation solutions for conveyor and process technology plants. Its portfolio comprises two core offerings: (1) high-level C++ control software for material flow management (MFR — Materialflusssteuerung), and (2) PLC/HMI systems (SPS + HMI) for intra-logistics transport automation. These are complemented by in-house electrical installation and E-CAD electrical construction services (E-Konstruktion using E-Plan P8 and ELCAD), and a customizable maintenance and support service covering both current and legacy systems. The company serves major parcel and e-commerce distribution centers, functioning as a specialized engineering and integration partner rather than a packaged software vendor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPS + HMI (Programmable Logic Controllers and Human-Machine Interfaces)
• Material Flow Control Software (Materialflusssteuerung) — C++ High-Level Programming
• Elektroinstallation (Electrical Installation)
• E-Konstruktion (Electrical Construction / E-Plan P8 and ELCAD)
• Wartung, Pflege und Anpassung (Maintenance, Care and Adaptation Service)

Quantifiable outcome

• Systems operate in the largest parcel distribution centers in Germany, sorting millions of parcels daily
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GEBHARDT Intralogistics GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025AKDV was acquired by GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group in 2025. This strategic acquisition strengthens GEBHARDT's Smart Sortation business field and extends capabilities in automation, control, and software development for KEP (Courier-Express-Package) and E-Commerce applications. AKDV brings deep expertise in control software, visualization systems, and data connections for complex conveyor and sorting systems. The acquisition adds engineering capacity through AKDV's specialized automation engineering team. Customers benefit from end-to-end solutions from mechanics through controls to software, while regional presence in northern Germany and Europe is expanded.
• Transnorm System GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership where AKDV programs the control systems ('the brain') for Transnorm's high-performance conveyor modules. Transnorm manufactures conveyor systems used in parcel sorting facilities worldwide. AKDV's software enables these systems to sort millions of parcels daily.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Digital Industries: Dominant PLC/SCADA/HMI platform provider (SIMATIC, TIA Portal, WinCC) and broad industrial automation incumbent. AKDV's SPS/HMI work is built on standards and platforms competed with or specified by Siemens.
• Vanderlande: Global integrator of parcel and warehouse sortation systems with in-house controls and software capabilities. Overlaps with AKDV in the KEP and e-commerce segment for large parcel hub projects.
• GEBHARDT Intralogistics Group: German intralogistics systems integrator offering mechanical conveyor systems, controls, and sortation solutions. AKDV's parent company and the most direct competitor in end-to-end parcel sortation projects.
• Beumer Group: Intralogistics systems integrator with parcel and baggage handling capabilities, including proprietary control software. Comparable to AKDV in providing automation for high-volume parcel sorting facilities.
• ABB Industrial Automation: Global industrial automation provider (including former B&R Automation) offering PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems. Directly competes with AKDV for control system scope in logistics and process automation.

Direct peers

• WAGO Kontakttechnik: German automation specialist offering PLCs, I/O systems, and control software for industrial applications. Direct competitor in the German SPS system integration and programming market.
• Phoenix Contact: German supplier of automation control systems, PLCs, and industrial software (PLCnext). Competes with AKDV in industrial control engineering for material handling and process automation.
• Beckhoff Automation: German PLC and PC-based control specialist providing automation hardware, software, and integration services across intralogistics and material handling. Directly competes with AKDV in SPS programming and HMI for conveyor and sorting systems.
• SICK AG: German sensor and automation solutions provider with strong presence in logistics and parcel handling. AKDV integrates SICK-adjacent barcode readers and measurement systems; competes in adjacent solution scope.

Others

• Transnorm System GmbH: Manufacturer of high-performance conveyor modules used in parcel sorting facilities worldwide. AKDV is a programming partner (not a competitor) for Transnorm modules, but economically intertwined through their joint projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akdv-automatisierungstechnik-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 AKDV