AAT
AAT GmbH is an Austrian B2B engineering firm that designs, manufactures, and installs custom conveyor systems and proprietary BoxFreezer industrial freezing equipment for enterprise customers in automotive, food processing, and heavy industrial sectors globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersLichtenwörth, Austria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AAT does
AAT GmbH is an Austrian industrial engineering firm headquartered in Lichtenwörth (50 km south of Vienna), operating as a competence center of BT-Systems GmbH since its acquisition by the BT-Group in March 2015. Founded in 1975 as a conveyor systems specialist with two employees, AAT has grown to roughly 80 staff plus a Hungarian production subsidiary (AAT Steel Hungary Kft, Pécsvárad) and reports an export quota exceeding 90%. The company sells engineered material-handling solutions — industrial conveyor and storage systems, automotive conveyor technology, custom automated special machines, and a proprietary line of industrial freezing equipment marketed as BoxFreezer and Small BoxFreezer.
The technical core of the freezing business is the BoxFreezer, a continuous-flow shock-freezing system for food products packed in cartons or trays. Standard BoxFreezers process 3 to 30 tonnes per hour through multiple refrigeration stages with side-mounted air coolers for uniform freezing; the Small BoxFreezer extends the range down to 100 kg–2 tonnes per hour in a modular, Industry 4.0-ready format. Conveyor systems cover medium-to-large piece goods, heavy-duty applications including 4-tonne paper rolls, and full automotive production lines including body construction, painting, final assembly, and — as of 2023 — battery system production for Volkswagen via Siemens.
AAT operates as a B2B project contractor, pricing each system to customer specification rather than via list pricing, and generating revenue across hardware sales of conveyor systems, BoxFreezers, and special machines, plus recurring after-sales service and spare-parts support. Sales run through direct enterprise engagement with manufacturers in automotive (Siemens/Volkswagen, BMW via DAM China partner), paper, metal processing, assembly, and household appliances, and through a food-processing vertical that has delivered named installations for Crysbro, MHP, El Pozo, Sen Pilic, Hunent, Fipso, and Active Refrigeration. Geographic reach spans at least 17 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Oceania, with channel partnerships supplementing direct sales in China (DAM), Thailand (SB Thailand), and the USA (AEI).
AAT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AAT
- Legal name
- BT-Systems GmbH
- Website
- https://aat.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- AAT GmbH is an Austrian B2B engineering firm that designs, manufactures, and installs custom conveyor systems and proprietary BoxFreezer industrial freezing equipment for enterprise customers in automotive, food processing, and heavy industrial sectors globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AAT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lichtenwörth
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
AAT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Conveyor Systems: Design, manufacture, and installation of complete conveyor systems for industrial applications including automotive, paper, metal processing, and assembly industries. Revenue generated through project-based custom system sales.
- BoxFreezer Systems: Sale and installation of automated shock freezing systems for food processing facilities. Includes standard and small BoxFreezer models with varying capacities.
- Special Machines and Custom Solutions: One-off special machines for specific product manipulation requirements. Custom automation solutions for unique industrial challenges.
- After-Sales Services: Customer support, maintenance, and spare parts services for installed systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Project-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
AAT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AAT develops, produces, and installs custom industrial conveyor systems for medium-to-large piece goods in automotive, paper, metal processing, assembly, and household appliance industries, alongside specialized industrial freezing systems. The company also produces one-off special machines for unique product manipulation requirements and operates as a general contractor delivering complete turnkey solutions from design through on-site installation. The BoxFreezer line offers shock freezing of food products in cartons/boxes at capacities from 3 to 30 tonnes per hour (standard) or 100 kg to 2 tonnes per hour (Small BoxFreezer).
Product overview
AAT (Automatisierte Fördertechnik) is a competence center of BT-Systems GmbH specializing in complete conveyor systems and industrial freezing technology. The product portfolio centers on two main divisions: conveyor systems (Industrial Conveyor and Storage Technology, Automotive Conveyor Technology, Specialized Automated Solutions) and freezing technology (BoxFreezer and Small BoxFreezer product lines). BoxFreezer systems are powerful industrial units for process freezing of food in cartons/trays with 3-30 tonnes/hour throughput, while the Small BoxFreezer offers compact 100 kg-2 tonnes/hour capacity for smaller operations. Both freezing systems feature digital monitoring via mobile devices, remote preventive maintenance, and Industry 4.0 compatibility. The conveyor systems handle medium to large piece goods across automotive, paper, metal processing, assembly, and household appliance industries. The company acts as general contractor implementing complete solutions, from design through manufacturing to on-site installation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BoxFreezer Powerful industrial freezing unit for process freezing of food products packed in cartons or trays from continuous processing lines. Passes products through multiple refrigeration stages until ready for storage/transport, with throughput of 3 to 30 tonnes per hour, digital control with mobile monitoring, and remote preventive maintenance capabilities. Sold to large food processors (poultry, meat, fish).
- Small BoxFreezer Compact, economical automated refrigeration and freezing system for small production volumes with capacity of 4 tonnes per unit, expandable up to 24 tonnes (6 units). Range from 100 kg to 2 tonnes per hour. Modular design for easy extension or relocation. Designed ready for Industry 4.0. Handles cartons, crates, ice cream containers, dairy products, convenience food, and various packaging types. Sold to mid-market food processors.
- Industrial Conveyor and Storage Technology (Industrie Förder- und Lagertechnik) Conveyor systems for medium to large piece goods in the medium-heavy to heavy range or difficult-to-convey products. Includes storage facilities for heavy-duty applications such as paper rolls up to 4 tonnes with integrated fire protection. Designed for applications where standard conveyor technology reaches limits due to goods properties or environmental conditions. Sold to paper, metal processing, assembly, and household appliance manufacturers.
- Automotive Conveyor Technology (Automotive Fördertechnik) Conveyor systems for all production areas of the automotive industry including body construction, painting, and final assembly. Specializes in optimal mix of price, performance, and short implementation times. Systems for electromobility including battery system production (e.g., ZSB battery systems for Volkswagen via Siemens Austria). Sold to automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
- Specialized Automated Solutions (Automatisierte Sonderlösungen) Custom one-off special machines for specific manipulation of products and materials. Automatically transports, lifts, or manipulates bulky, heavy, or large conveyed goods according to customer requirements. Provides clear competitive advantage where individual special solutions are required. Sold to manufacturers facing unique automation challenges across industries.
- After-Sales Service Customer service and support for installed AAT conveyor and freezing systems, accessible via dedicated phone line and email. Includes technical support, maintenance, and spare parts services for installed BoxFreezer systems and conveyor installations globally.
Quantifiable outcome
- Staff requirements in freezing and logistics departments reduced by 50%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AAT
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AAT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
AAT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.
- AEI (American Equipment Inc.)strategicAmerican partner supporting BoxFreezer installation in USA, Missouri. Critical role in project execution with different standards and regulations.
- PulsfortminorPartner presenting at joint booth during IPPE 2024 trade show in USA.
- NAXminorPartner participating at IPPE 2024 trade show for USA market expansion.
- DAM China (Dynamic Assembly Machines)strategicSales and distribution partner for China market. Represented by former AAT employee Johann Pichler. Joint projects include AAT conveyor technology at BMW in China.
- SiemensstrategicTechnology partner providing automation components for digitalization of BoxFreezer plants (Freezer Care & Freezer Control packages).
- BT-AnlagenbaucoreInternal BT-Group company providing electrical systems and control technology for BoxFreezer installations. Collaborated on multiple projects including France and Ukraine installations.
- SB ThailandminorDistribution partner for Thailand market. Collaboration began with joint presentation at Thailand Intelligent Warehouse conference.
- BT-Systems GmbH (Parent)coreParent company of AAT competence center. Acquired AAT in March 2015. BT-Systems operates multiple competence centers including BT-Anlagenbau, ECE-LOG, and BT-Marketing Center.
- MHP (Myronivsky Hliboproduct)strategicLong-term customer partnership with multiple BoxFreezer installations since 2011. One of the world's largest meat producers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AAT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Marel: Iceland-based supplier of advanced food processing equipment, with a strong portfolio in poultry, meat, and fish processing lines including freezing solutions. Competes head-to-head with AAT-FREEZING for industrial meat-processing customers and provides turnkey line integration.
- GEA Group: German-headquartered global leader in food processing equipment, including industrial freezing and refrigeration systems. Directly comparable to AAT's BoxFreezer franchise in the meat and poultry processing market and similarly sells capital equipment into food-processing customers worldwide.
- OctoFrost: Sweden-based specialist in individual quick-freezing (IQF) equipment for seafood, meat, poultry, and prepared foods. Directly competes with AAT's BoxFreezer/Small BoxFreezer in industrial shock-freezing applications, particularly in the seafood and convenience-food segments.
- JBT Corporation: US-listed provider of food processing and air transportation equipment, including industrial freezing (Frigoscandia) and protein processing lines. Closely comparable to AAT's BoxFreezer product range and serves the same global poultry, meat, and prepared-food customer base.
- Bühler Group: Swiss family-owned manufacturer of food processing machinery with global reach across grain, feed, and food production. Comparable to AAT in scale of food machinery manufacturing and serves many of the same enterprise food-processing customers, though with a different product focus.
- TGW Logistics Group: Austrian-headquartered intralogistics specialist providing conveyor and automated warehousing systems. Directly comparable to AAT's industrial conveyor business and competes for the same European manufacturing, e-commerce, and retail distribution customers.
Broad incumbents
- Middleby Corporation: US-listed conglomerate that acquires and operates food processing and commercial kitchen equipment brands. Overlaps with AAT in industrial food processing/freezing through its processing segment, though Middleby's portfolio is far broader and includes cooking and packaging systems.
- Dematic: Global intralogistics provider offering conveyor, sortation, and automated storage systems. Overlaps with AAT's industrial conveyor and storage technology in heavy-duty and automated material handling applications, though Dematic operates at a much larger scale.
- Linde Industrial Gases: Global industrial gases giant whose cryogenic freezing technologies (LIN/CO2) compete with mechanical shock-freezing systems like the BoxFreezer in the same meat/poultry customer base. Differentiates through cryogenic alternatives rather than mechanical freezing.
- Air Liquide Industrial: Major industrial gas supplier with cryogenic (LIN/CO2) freezing solutions for food processors. Competes indirectly with AAT's mechanical BoxFreezer in the same end markets and has the global service network advantage that AAT is building toward.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AAT social profiles
Digital presenceAAT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
AAT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AAT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
AAT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
AAT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AAT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AAT
What does AAT do?
AAT develops, produces, and installs custom industrial conveyor systems for medium-to-large piece goods in automotive, paper, metal processing, assembly, and household appliance industries, alongside specialized industrial freezing systems. The company also produces one-off special machines for unique product manipulation requirements and operates as a general contractor delivering complete turnkey solutions from design through on-site installation. The BoxFreezer line offers shock freezing of food products in cartons/boxes at capacities from 3 to 30 tonnes per hour (standard) or 100 kg to 2 tonnes per hour (Small BoxFreezer).
Is AAT a public or private company?
AAT is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AAT founded?
AAT was founded in 1975. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is AAT based?
AAT is headquartered in Lichtenwörth, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does AAT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Conveyor Systems are the primary driver. The others are boxFreezer Systems, special Machines and Custom Solutions and after-Sales Services.
Who are AAT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Marel, GEA Group, OctoFrost, JBT Corporation, Bühler Group and TGW Logistics Group. Broad incumbents are Middleby Corporation, Dematic, Linde Industrial Gases and Air Liquide Industrial.
Does AAT have an API?
No public API is recorded for AAT.