AAT

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).

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Lichtenwörth

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. BoxFreezer Systems: Sale and installation of automated shock freezing systems for food processing facilities. Includes standard and small BoxFreezer models with varying capacities.
3. Special Machines and Custom Solutions: One-off special machines for specific product manipulation requirements. Custom automation solutions for unique industrial challenges.
4. After-Sales Services: Customer support, maintenance, and spare parts services for installed systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• AEI (American Equipment Inc.)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024American partner supporting BoxFreezer installation in USA, Missouri. Critical role in project execution with different standards and regulations.
• PulsfortminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partner presenting at joint booth during IPPE 2024 trade show in USA.
• NAXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partner participating at IPPE 2024 trade show for USA market expansion.
• DAM China (Dynamic Assembly Machines)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Sales and distribution partner for China market. Represented by former AAT employee Johann Pichler. Joint projects include AAT conveyor technology at BMW in China.
• SiemensstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Technology partner providing automation components for digitalization of BoxFreezer plants (Freezer Care & Freezer Control packages).
• BT-AnlagenbaucoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Internal BT-Group company providing electrical systems and control technology for BoxFreezer installations. Collaborated on multiple projects including France and Ukraine installations.
• SB ThailandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Distribution partner for Thailand market. Collaboration began with joint presentation at Thailand Intelligent Warehouse conference.
• BT-Systems GmbH (Parent)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Parent 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)strategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011Long-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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgilGrQl3A8Vl9dKzKTQupA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aat-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 AAT