What Rupert App does

Rupert App GmbH & Co. is a German specialist facade contractor that plans, manufactures, and assembles building envelopes in steel, aluminum, and glass. Founded in 1939 by Rupert App in Leutkirch im Allgäu as a locksmith workshop, the company has evolved into a third-generation, family-owned Fachhandwerk operator focused on complex facades and demanding mounting conditions for commercial, public, and cultural buildings across Germany. Reported Betriebsleistung for fiscal year 2023 stood at €73 million and the company employed approximately 240 staff, including roughly 20 apprentices and dual-study students trained annually in its own training facility.

The company's product portfolio, marketed under the "app" sub-brand, spans five core lines: app-Fassaden (element, mullion-transom, sheet, single-skin, double-skin, cold facades, and roof glazing), app-Fenster (windows in aluminum or steel systems), app-Türen (sliding, revolving, automatic doors with security integration), app-Sonderkonstruktionen (object-specific engineered solutions including light domes and covered connecting bridges), and app-Sonnenschutzanlagen (fixed and movable sun and glare protection). Production is conducted across three co-located facilities in Leutkirch: Werk 1 for steel construction, Werk 2 for metal construction (aluminum), and Werk 3 for facade element fabrication. The company works in partnership with system providers such as Wicona (Assa Abloy) for specific projects — most notably a custom Wicona Wicline EL evo SK facade solution for the Senckenberg Tower — and combines metal with non-metallic materials including glass, ceramics, natural stone, and fiber cement/concrete.

Commercially, Rupert App operates a B2B project-based model under a dedicated in-house sales department (app-Vertrieb), winning work through competitive tenders and direct enterprise engagement with property developers, building owners, architects, and general contractors. Pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed; revenue streams derive from facade construction contracts, standalone production of facade elements, and installation/assembly/maintenance services. The customer base comprises marquee enterprise and institutional accounts across Germany, including Bundeskanzleramt Berlin, DZ-Bank (City-Haus Frankfurt), Lidl Hauptverwaltung, Stihl, Testo AG, Vector Informatik, Museum Reinhard Ernst, Experimenta Heilbronn (winner of Deutscher Metallbaupreis 2020), and The Cradle in Düsseldorf. Geographic footprint is single-country (Germany), and the company pursues no external private equity or institutional investment.

Name

Rupert App

Legal name

Rupert App GmbH & Co.

Website

https://app.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rupert App GmbH & Co. is a German facade construction specialist that plans, manufactures, and installs metal-glass facades, windows, doors, and sun protection systems. The family-owned firm serves commercial, public, and cultural building developers, architects, and contractors in Germany from three integrated production facilities in Leutkirch im Allgäu.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Facade Construction and Metal-Glass Building Envelope Systems

NAICS

Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321), Glass and Glazing Contractors (238150)

SIC

Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442), Prefabricated Metal Buildings & Components (3448), Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass (3231)

akta.pro primary industry

Storefronts, Curtain Wall & Window Wall Systems (IMADAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural & Building Glazing Systems (Curtain Wall/Storefront/Canopies) (IMADAHAB), Windows (IMADAIAC), Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings) (IMADAIAN)

Keywords

• Metal-glass facades
• Facade construction
• Steel and aluminium fabrication
• Building envelope systems
• Custom facade engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Leutkirch Im Allgäu

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Facade Construction Projects: Project-based revenue from planning, manufacturing, and installing metal-glass facades, windows, doors, sun protection systems, and special constructions for building developers, architects, and general contractors. Projects range from commercial office towers to public buildings, industrial facilities, hotels, and residential buildings.
2. Production Standalone Products: Sale of windows, doors, and facade elements as standalone manufactured products.
3. Installation and Assembly Services: On-site installation, assembly, and maintenance services for facade systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rupert App plans, manufactures, and assembles high-quality metal-glass facades (app-Fassaden), aluminium and steel windows (app-Fenster) and doors (app-Türen), integrated sun protection systems (app-Sonnenschutzanlagen), and object-specific special constructions (app-Sonderkonstruktionen) for building developers, architects and general contractors. The company delivers complete envelope solutions across three integrated production facilities in Leutkirch im Allgäu, from engineering through factory fabrication to on-site installation, serving commercial, public, museum, hotel and residential buildings primarily in Germany.

Product overview

Rupert App is a specialist facade construction company offering a comprehensive portfolio of building envelope solutions under the 'app' brand. The core product line includes high-quality metal-glass facades (app-Fassaden), windows (app-Fenster), doors (app-Türen), sun protection systems (app-Sonnenschutzanlagen), and special constructions (app-Sonderkonstruktionen). The company operates three production facilities in Leutkirch: Werk 1 for steel construction, Werk 2 for metal/aluminum construction, and Werk 3 for facade element production. This integrated manufacturing approach enables the company to deliver complete facade solutions from planning through production to installation, serving demanding public buildings, commercial towers, and corporate headquarters designed by leading national and international architects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• app-Fassaden (Metal-Glass Facades) High-quality metal-glass facades including element, post-and-rail, sheet, single-skin, double-skin, and cold facades as well as roof glazing, manufactured using aluminium, steel and non-metallic materials such as glass, ceramics, natural stone and fiber cement/concrete. Delivered to building developers, architects and general contractors as complete envelopes.
• app-Fenster (Windows) Windows predominantly built with aluminium or steel systems, available with facade or perforated installation and manual or motorized operation of all standard opening types in single or double-skin construction, integrated with the company's facade projects.
• app-Türen (Doors) Doors in aluminium or steel-glass construction realized as single or multi-leaf configurations with diverse opening, operating, and drive systems, including sliding, revolving, automatic doors and door portals each including integrated security technology.
• app-Sonderkonstruktionen (Special Constructions) Object-specific developed special constructions for facades, windows and doors including light domes (Lichtkuppeln) and covered connecting bridges, with all required testing and approvals, addressing demanding architectural designs and challenging mounting conditions.
• app-Sonnenschutzanlagen (Sun Protection Systems) Fixed and movable sun and glare protection systems, including electrical components for automated operation, integrated as part of complete facade solutions to deliver high facade durability and value.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 85 years of experience with continuous operation since 1939
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 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

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wicona (part of Assa Abloy)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped the Senckenberg Tower facade together with Wicona using the Wicline EL evo SK facade system as a foundation. The project involved custom modifications to the system including outward-mounted glazing, integrated ventilation flaps, and vertical sun protection lamellas. The custom solution achieved excellent thermal insulation, soundproofing, wind resistance, and driving rain tightness inift Rosenheim testing. Wicona project managers were closely involved in the development of the bespoke facade solution.
• Knippers Helbig GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and facade consulting partner for The Cradle project in Düsseldorf. Knippers Helbig provided structural engineering and facade consulting for this first wood-hybrid office building in Germany built to Cradle to Cradle principles.
• AplusF Fassadenplanung GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacade consultant for the Museum Reinhard Ernst project in Wiesbaden, working alongside the architect schneider+schumacher.
• DHBW Mosbach (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for the dual study program Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering/Facade Technology. The company serves as the industrial partner, providing practical training phases for students while they study theory at the university. This partnership supports the company's talent pipeline for engineering roles.
• IHK Bodensee OberschwabenminorOthersListed as a competent chamber of commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer) for the company, alongside Handwerkskammer Ulm. Both chambers provide oversight and support for the company's training programs.
• Handwerkskammer UlmminorOthersListed as the competent crafts chamber (Handwerkskammer) for the company, providing oversight and support for apprenticeship programs in the metal construction trades.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wicona (Assa Abloy): Wicona is the aluminum facade systems brand of Assa Abloy and a confirmed technical partner of Rupert App (e.g., Senckenberg Tower). It is both a collaborator and a structural competitor — supplying system IP that Rupert App customizes and installs.
• Schüco International: Schüco is one of Europe's largest facade system manufacturers, supplying aluminum window, door, and curtain wall systems to installers and contractors. As a system supplier, it occupies an adjacent layer to Rupert App's manufacturing and installation business and competes for architect specifications.
• Reynaers Aluminium: Reynaers is a leading European manufacturer of aluminum solutions for windows, doors, curtain walls, and sliding systems. It is a system-level peer and alternative supplier to the same architect and developer customer base that Rupert App serves.
• Heroal: Heroal is a German family-owned manufacturer of aluminum window, door, and curtain wall systems serving both residential and commercial markets. As a system supplier, it overlaps with Rupert App's aluminum window/door/facade product lines.

Regional players

• Alukönigstahl: Alukönigstahl is a Central European (Austria-headquartered) distributor and fabricator of aluminum facade and window systems from Schüco, also active in Germany. It overlaps with Rupert App's aluminum facade and window business in the DACH region.
• Florian Leuthe Metallbau: Florian Leuthe is a Southern German metal construction and facade contractor offering aluminum/steel windows, doors, and facades — a regional mid-sized competitor with a similar Mittelstand profile and customer focus.

Emerging players

• Priedemann Facade Experts: Priedemann provides facade engineering, consulting, and project management services for complex building envelopes. It competes for the same architect-led, technically demanding projects as Rupert App, though at the engineering/consulting layer rather than full manufacturing and installation.

Direct peers

• Seele: Seele is a German premium facade construction specialist known for complex steel-and-glass envelopes on landmark buildings (e.g., Apple Park, Tower 1 of the new Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof). Like Rupert App, it combines engineering, manufacturing, and installation for high-end custom facades for architects and developers.
• Gartner (Permasteelisa Group): Gartner is a German subsidiary of Permasteelisa specializing in steel, aluminum, and glass facades for complex, architecturally demanding buildings. It directly competes with Rupert App in the high-end bespoke facade market in Germany and internationally.
• Roschmann Steel & Glass: Roschmann is a German specialist in steel and glass facades for high-end architectural projects, offering design, engineering, fabrication, and installation — a closely comparable model to Rupert App's integrated three-Werk approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RupertApp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rupert-app-gmbh-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Rupert App