What SSI SCHAEFER does

SSI SCHAEFER is a privately held, family-owned German intralogistics solutions provider, founded in 1937 in Neunkirchen, Germany, and now operating from more than 80 branches and over 70 legal entities across more than 35 countries with 10,000+ employees. The company designs and delivers integrated warehouse automation for large enterprise customers in e-commerce and retail, pharmaceutical and healthcare, food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, and apparel, functioning either as a general contractor for turnkey automated warehouses or as a components supplier for partial deployments. Consistent with industry analyst rankings that place it among the top 10 global warehouse automation vendors alongside Daifuku, Dematic, and Vanderlande, SSI SCHAEFER is a large-scale established player in a growing market.

Its technology stack combines proprietary hardware (storage-retrieval machines such as SSI Exyz with energy recovery, SSI Miniload, SSI Flexi with supercapacitor energy storage, Sch\u00e4fer Orbiter dynamic channel storage, mobile pallet racking, overhead and small/large load conveyors, plus the FastBots AMR and WEASEL/2Pick/2Stack/2Store/2Move AGV families) with the proprietary WAMAS software suite covering warehouse management (WMS), warehouse control (WCS), material flow (MFS), robotics integration, lift and store, control center, emulation, and certified SAP integration. The portfolio supports manual, semi-automated, and fully automated configurations, including 3D-MATRIX automated picking and storage products such as foldable containers that offer up to 90% storage capacity gain and 40% space reduction.

SSI SCHAEFER generates revenue primarily as a project-based general contractor for turnkey intralogistics systems, with multi-year engineering-led sales cycles that bundle hardware, software, installation, and commissioning, complemented by recurring software licensing and maintenance on WAMAS, and aftermarket services (reactive, preventive, predictive maintenance, spare parts, lifecycle, and retrofit) through its global Customer Service & Support organization. Marketing is anchored at major logistics trade fairs (LogiMAT, CeMAT) and through industry-specific case studies across target verticals, while go-to-market is exclusively direct enterprise field sales. The company is led by CEO Peter Edelmann and continues to operate under family stewardship; its long-running value proposition emphasizes energy efficiency, sustainability (Green Building consulting and CO2-reduced logistics), and full-lifecycle automation.

Name

SSI SCHAEFER

Legal name

Schaefer Systems International, Inc.

Website

https://ssi-schaefer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

SSI SCHAEFER is a family-owned German intralogistics solution provider delivering turnkey automated warehouses, storage systems, conveyors, AGVs/AMRs, and the WAMAS software suite to large enterprise customers across e-commerce, pharma, food and beverage, industrial manufacturing, and apparel in more than 35 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Warehouse Automation and Intralogistics Systems

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Warehouse & Intralogistics Automation Systems (AS/RS, Sortation, Conveyance Controls) (IMAHAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Warehouse Automation Systems (AS/RS, Shuttle Systems, Vertical Lift Modules) (IMAHABAK), Conveyors & Sortation Systems (Warehouse & Parcel) (IMAHABAC)

Keywords

• Warehouse automation systems
• Intralogistics solutions
• Material handling equipment
• Warehouse management software
• Automated storage retrieval

Headquarters

HQ city

Neunkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Intralogistics Systems Design and Integration: SSI SCHAEFER generates revenue primarily through design, engineering, installation, and commissioning of complete intralogistics automation systems. As a general contractor, the company delivers turnkey solutions including automated storage systems, conveyor systems, picking systems, and software integration. Revenue is project-based with typically multi-year engagement cycles for large automated warehouse implementations.
2. Software Licenses and Maintenance (WAMAS): The company derives recurring revenue from WAMAS logistics software licenses, including WMS, WCS, and material flow systems, along with associated maintenance, updates, and support contracts.
3. Aftermarket Services and Maintenance: Customer Service & Support (CSS) provides reactive maintenance, preventive services, predictive maintenance, spare parts, life cycle management, and retrofit services for installed systems globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SSI SCHAEFER designs, manufactures, and integrates modular warehouse and intralogistics systems, combining physical hardware (automated storage and retrieval systems, conveyors, shuttles, AGVs/AMRs, racking, containers) with its proprietary WAMAS software suite for warehouse management, control, and material flow. The company delivers turnkey automated warehouse solutions as a general contractor, semi-automated systems, and individual components to enterprises across e-commerce, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, industrial, and apparel sectors.

Product overview

SSI SCHAEFER is a leading global solution provider for all areas of intralogistics, offering an integrated portfolio of hardware and software solutions spanning the entire warehouse lifecycle. The company's product architecture consists of three core pillars: (1) WAMAS Software Solutions — a comprehensive software platform comprising WMS (Warehouse Management System), WCS (Warehouse Control System), MFS (Material Flow System), Robotics, Lift & Store, Control Center, Emulation Center, and SAP integration; (2) Physical Products including automated and semi-automated storage systems (high-bay warehouses, shelving, containers), picking and handling solutions (manual, semi-automated, and fully automated picking), and conveying/transport systems (overhead conveyors, load conveyors, AGVs/AMRs, and FastBots robotics); and (3) Services encompassing reactive maintenance, preventive maintenance, lifecycle management, predictive maintenance, and warehouse safety management. The WAMAS software platform serves as the intelligent orchestration layer across all hardware, while the physical products range from individual components to turnkey automated warehouse systems. The company also provides green building consulting and sustainability solutions as part of its comprehensive intralogistics offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAMAS: Proprietary logistics software suite including WMS, WCS, and material flow systems
• SSI Exyz
• SSI Miniload
• SSI Flexi
• FastBots
• RackBot
• Schäfer Orbiter
• SSI Autocruiser

Products and services

• WAMAS Software Solutions

Quantifiable outcome

• Storage capacity increased by over 90% through maximum storage consolidation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• European Distribution Centers (Strategic AGV Fleet Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025SSI SCHAEFER announced a strategic AGV fleet partnership for European distribution centers in November 2025, enabling coordinated autonomous mobile robot deployments for logistics automation.
• Moffett AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2025Partnership announced June 2025 combining SSI SCHAEFER's global integration expertise with Moffett Automation's high-density pallet storage systems and free-roaming shuttle technology for high-performance warehouse deployments.
• LiebherrmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSI SCHAEFER secured contracts to deliver fully automated intralogistics solutions including conveyor systems for Liebherr's new logistics center in Mississippi, USA.
• Swiss Coop GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUpgraded WAMAS software partnership with Swiss Coop Group for enhanced warehouse management capabilities.
• Noatum Logistics (AD Ports Group)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSI SCHAEFER partnered with Noatum Logistics Middle East to install the largest mobile pallet racking system for deep-freeze cold rooms in the UAE at Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi, increasing storage capacity by over 90%. Prior collaboration during COVID-19 helped distribute 260 million vaccine doses to 65+ countries.
• SAPcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified SAP Partner providing integrated logistics software solutions. WAMAS software integrates with SAP systems for warehouse management and ERP connectivity.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Daifuku: Japan-headquartered global leader in material handling systems including automated warehouses, conveyors, and cleanroom logistics. Directly comparable to SSI SCHAEFER as a turnkey intralogistics integrator with comparable product breadth and global footprint.
• Swisslog: Warehouse automation and intralogistics provider (owned by KUKA) with strong presence in healthcare, pharma cold-chain, and food retail. Direct competitor to SSI SCHAEFER in pharma/healthcare and food & beverage verticals with overlapping AS/RS and WMS offerings.
• Dematic: Global supplier of integrated automated supply chain and warehouse solutions (AS/RS, conveyors, WMS). Direct competitor to SSI SCHAEFER across e-commerce, grocery, and apparel verticals; both operate as general contractors for turnkey intralogistics projects.
• Knapp: Austrian warehouse automation specialist strong in pharma/healthcare and retail with shuttle-based OSR systems, WMS, and pick solutions. Directly comparable to SSI SCHAEFER in pharma, healthcare, and apparel intralogistics.
• TGW Logistics Group: Austrian-headquartered intralogistics specialist providing turnkey automated warehouses, conveyors, and robotics for retail, grocery, and industrial customers. Direct peer to SSI SCHAEFER in mid-market and enterprise turnkey projects, particularly in Europe.
• Vanderlande: Dutch-headquartered material handling and warehouse automation integrator with strong parcel and airport baggage exposure. Direct competitor to SSI SCHAEFER in AS/RS, conveyors, and integrated software stacks for large enterprise customers.
• Murata Machinery: Japan-based manufacturer of automated storage/retrieval systems, conveyors, and cleanroom automation. Comparable to SSI SCHAEFER in AS/RS and material handling for industrial, semiconductor, and apparel customers.
• Honeywell Intelligrated: Honeywell's warehouse automation business offering conveyors, AS/RS, robotic depalletizing, and WMS/WCS software. Directly comparable to SSI SCHAEFER as an integrated hardware-plus-software provider serving distribution and manufacturing customers.

Broad incumbents

• KION Group: Parent of Dematic and a leading global supplier of forklifts and supply chain solutions. Overlaps with SSI SCHAEFER via Dematic in warehouse automation and competes across industrial trucks, racking, and integrated supply chain software.

Emerging players

• AutoStore: Norwegian robotics company specializing in high-density cube-based storage with proprietary grid and robot system. Competes with SSI SCHAEFER's shuttle and AS/RS offerings in modern automated warehouses and is increasingly specified in enterprise RFPs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SSISchaeferNA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ssischaefer.asia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ssischaefer
• Xx.com/ssischaefer_gp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 SSI SCHAEFER