Pfenning Elektroanlagen

What Pfenning Elektroanlagen does

Pfenning Elektroanlagen GmbH is a privately held German industrial automation and electrical engineering company founded in 1979 by Wilhelm Pfenning and headquartered in Ochsenfurt, Bavaria. It operates from three German locations — Ochsenfurt (HQ and manufacturing), Volkach (standard switchgear production, since 2001), and Aub (manufacturing facility, since 2004) — and employs approximately 100 people. The company delivers engineering, plant construction, distribution switchgear manufacturing, refrigeration technology, renewable energy systems, and stationary battery storage to industrial customers in Germany and selected international markets across Europe, Central Asia, and South America.

The company's core proprietary product is the Braumatik process control system for mid-sized breweries, built on Siemens Simatic S7 hardware with Profibus/Profinet communication, complemented by the entry-level Braumatik light variant launched in 2014 and an authorized ProLeiT brewmaxx integration practice for large-scale brewery operations. The product portfolio also includes type-tested low-voltage distribution switchgear up to 4000A (Verteilerbau) per DIN EN61439, the E-SpeicherWerk lithium-ion battery storage system with proprietary battery management software, Energiekonzept PE-A and Tankzonenkühlung PTZ refrigeration optimization modules for breweries, bakery refrigeration solutions, commercial photovoltaic and HSI movable hydropower systems, and STS/RMG/RTG container crane control systems for ports. Certifications include Siemens Solution Provider, Janitza Solution Partner, and compliance with VDE 0660, VDE 0113, and IEC 60204-32.

Pfenning generates revenue through project-based engineering services, custom-built hardware products, and proprietary automation systems sold via direct enterprise field sales to mid-market and large industrial customers, with technical sales teams attending industry trade shows such as BrauBeviale and Energy Storage Europe. Reference customers include Maisel & Friends, Südzucker Fabrik Zeitz, Cropenergies, Gress + Zapp Spedition, Kaspar Schulz Brauereimaschinenfabrik, and multiple mid-sized breweries, dairies, wineries, and ports. Pricing is quote-based on project specifications, with no public pricing or subscription model disclosed. The company is led by co-managing directors Wilhelm Pfenning, Werner Müller (brewery technology division since 2008), and Michael Kerber, with no external equity investment, M&A activity, or public listing.

Name

Pfenning Elektroanlagen

Legal name

Pfenning Elektroanlagen GmbH

Website

https://pfenning-elektroanlagen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pfenning Elektroanlagen GmbH is a German industrial automation integrator founded in 1979, serving breweries, food processors, ports, and energy clients with proprietary process control systems (Braumatik), switchgear, battery storage, and engineering services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation and Electrical Engineering

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

I&C / Controls & Automation Commissioning (DCS/PLC/SCADA) (EUAEAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction Management & General Contracting (EPCM, Scheduling, QA/QC, HSE) (EUAMAFAJ), Refrigeration Systems Maintenance (Commercial/Industrial) (BPABACAI)

Keywords

• Industrial automation
• Brewery process control
• Switchgear manufacturing
• Battery energy storage
• Plant engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Ochsenfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plant Engineering & Construction: Custom electrical plant engineering and construction for industrial facilities, including design, manufacturing, assembly, and commissioning. Revenue generated from project-based contracts for automation and control systems.
2. Distribution Board Construction (Verteilerbau): Type-tested switchgear combinations and low-voltage main distribution systems up to 4000A, sold as custom-built products for infrastructure, commercial buildings, and industrial applications.
3. Braumatik Products: Process control systems for breweries sold as software and hardware packages, including installation, configuration, and ongoing support services.
4. Energy Storage Systems: Lithium-ion battery storage systems sold for commercial, agricultural, and utility applications, including energy management solutions and grid services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pfenning Elektroanlagen GmbH designs, manufactures, and commissions industrial electrical systems and proprietary automation solutions, with a specialization in brewery process control (Braumatik), type-tested low-voltage switchgear/distribution equipment (Verteilerbau up to 4000A), and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (E-SpeicherWerk). The company delivers end-to-end engineering services including plant project planning, process automation, software development, switchgear assembly, on-site commissioning, and after-sales maintenance for industrial customers in food & beverage, ports, renewable energy, and general industry sectors.

Product overview

Pfenning Elektroanlagen is an industrial automation company offering a portfolio of proprietary and third-party-integrated products and engineering services. The core proprietary product is Braumatik, a process control system for brewery automation available in three variants: the full-featured Braumatik for mid-sized breweries, Braumatik light for smaller operations, and Braumatik TIA Portal for Industry 4.0 digitalization. The company also implements ProLeiT brewmaxx for large-scale brewery operations as an authorized integration partner. Beyond brewing, the product suite includes Verteilerbau (type-tested distribution switchgear up to 4000A), Stromspeicher (lithium-ion battery energy storage systems), renewable energy solutions (photovoltaic, hydropower), and Kältetechnik (refrigeration systems for breweries and bakeries). The company provides comprehensive engineering services spanning plant engineering, industrial electrical systems, control system planning, process automation and visualization, software development, IT infrastructure, switchgear manufacturing, assembly and commissioning, and maintenance. The portfolio serves diverse industries including food/beverage, ports/hafentechnik, renewable energy, and general industrial sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Braumatik: Process control system for medium-sized breweries, providing complete brewery process automation with visualization, recipe management, and production data archiving
• Braumatik light
• E-SpeicherWerk
• PE Energiekonzept
• Tankzonenkühlung PTZ

Products and services

• Braumatik Proprietary process control system for mid-sized breweries providing complete brewing process automation including visualization, recipe management, order management, archiving, alarm handling, and energy management; based on Siemens Simatic S7 hardware with PROFIBUS and PROFINET, deployed in 200+ installations worldwide.
• Braumatik light Entry-level automation solution for smaller breweries and gastropubs that automates partial brewing processes with a compact, easy-to-use touch panel, including recipe management and step-chain control.
• Verteilerbau (Distribution Equipment) Type-tested switchgear combinations per DIN EN61439-1/-2/-3 for low-voltage main distribution up to 4000A, including installation distributors, building automation integration (KNX, Dali, DMX, Wago IO), meter panel systems, and energy management solutions for infrastructure, commercial buildings, and industrial applications.
• E-SpeicherWerk (Battery Energy Storage System) Lithium-ion battery energy storage system with proprietary Battery Management System (BMS), AC-coupled storage, emergency power capability, and intelligent energy management for agricultural, commercial, and industrial customers; supports load limiting, peak shaving, Gen-Set optimization, and grid services.
• Kältetechnik Brauereien Energiekonzept PE-A Energy optimization system for brewery refrigeration plants that dynamically calculates optimal condensing and evaporation temperatures based on real-time conditions, reducing energy consumption by up to 30%.
• Brauereien Tankzonenkühlung PTZ Individual tank zone cooling system for fermentation and storage phases in cylindroconical tanks, providing variable refrigerant temperature control across cooling phases to optimize product quality and reduce energy consumption.
• Kältetechnik für Bäckereien Refrigeration solutions for bakeries including shock freezers (ORKAfrost, SOGAfrost, RAPIDfrost), proofing automatics (GÄRmatik, GVmatik), deep-freeze systems, and temperature-controlled storage rooms.
• Photovoltaik Gewerbe Commercial photovoltaic systems for industrial and commercial applications as part of the renewable energy product line.
• HSI-Wasserkraftanlagen Movable hydroelectric power plants in floodable design for renewable energy generation.
• Anlagenprojektierung (Plant Engineering) Complete plant engineering services from customer specifications through bid preparation, including load specifications, technical bid evaluation, and order negotiation support for industrial facilities.
• Elektroanlagen im Industriebereich Engineering and installation of electrical systems for industrial facilities, including medium/low-voltage systems, AC/DC motor technology, drive technology, building installation, camera systems, cable drum systems, diesel generators, and automation systems.
• Prozess-Automatisierung (Process Automation) Process automation services using Simatic S7/S5, ABB AC800M/KT97, GE Fanuc 9070-7xx, and Rockwell Allen Bradley controllers, covering requirement analysis, concept development, and comprehensive documentation.
• Softwareentwicklung (Software Development) Software development for PLC programming (Siemens Step7/Step5, ABB Control Builder, GE Fanuc, Allen Bradley), HMI systems, database applications (Sybase, Access, SQL), and communication drivers (OPC, Profibus, TCP/IP) in C++, Delphi, and .NET.
• Schaltanlagenbau (Switchgear Construction) Custom switchgear manufacturing at Ochsenfurt and Volkach facilities with short lead times, including assembly, wiring, testing, and commissioning per VDE 0660, VDE 0113, and IEC 60204-32 standards.
• Montage und Inbetriebnahme (Assembly and Commissioning) On-site assembly and commissioning with planning, standard components, international experience, and qualified technicians, including construction management, coordination, quality assurance, and acceptance testing.
• Anlagenwartung und Ersatzteilservice Plant maintenance and spare parts service including regular maintenance, cost-effective spare parts procurement, process optimization, and energy consumption analysis.
• Containerkrane STS (Ship-to-Shore Crane Control) STS crane control systems for port container handling, featuring intelligent control, precise movement, and software development for fast, reliable freight operations at container terminals.
• Schulungsprogramm (Training Programs) Training programs for Siemens Step7, ABB Control Builder, inverter and drive technology, Profibus/Ethernet networks, and Pfenning process visualization and Braumatik systems, conducted by experienced engineers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings of up to 35% for refrigeration plants with PE-A energy concept
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Kaspar Schulz BrauereimaschinenfabrikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership for integrating Pfenning's brewmaxx automation solutions with Kaspar Schulz brewing equipment. Successfully implemented at Maisel Brauwerkstatt for craft beer production with 3-vessel 25hl brewhouse using System Optimaischer.
• ProLeiTcoreTechnology or IntegrationActive integration partner for ProLeiT's brewmaxx process control system. Pfenning has been certified for Version V9 implementation and can provide successful references for complex large-scale brewery automation projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: ABB is a global industrial automation, drives, and electrical equipment incumbent whose Control Builder and AC800M platforms are explicitly supported by Pfenning's services. It competes with Pfenning in industrial electrical systems and process automation for breweries, sugar, and ports.
• Siemens AG: Siemens offers the Braumat brewery automation suite and the broader Simatic automation portfolio that Pfenning's Braumatik hardware is built upon. It is both a technology platform supplier to Pfenning and a broad-incumbent competitor across industrial automation, drives, and switchgear.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a major global industrial automation and information incumbent whose Allen-Bradley ControlLogix platform is supported by Pfenning services. It competes broadly across discrete and process automation verticals where Pfenning operates.
• Konecranes: Konecranes is a global port and industrial crane manufacturer offering its own automation and control systems. It competes with Pfenning's STS, RTG, and RMG crane automation services for port terminal automation contracts.

Direct peers

• Janitza electronics: Janitza is a German manufacturer of power quality and energy measurement solutions. Pfenning is a Janitza Solution Partner, and Janitza overlaps with Pfenning's energy management and power-quality offerings within switchgear and storage projects.
• Krones AG: Krones is a German global leader in brewery and beverage process equipment, increasingly bundling its own automation and digital solutions. It competes with Pfenning for brewery equipment-automation integration projects and large brewery greenfield contracts.
• SMA Solar Technology AG: SMA is a leading German inverter and renewable energy systems company. Pfenning's commercial photovoltaic offering and E-SpeicherWerk storage solutions operate in the same renewable-integration ecosystem as SMA's residential and commercial PV/storage inverters.
• Hager Group: Hager is a leading European manufacturer of low-voltage switchgear, distribution boards, and building automation systems — directly comparable to Pfenning's Verteilerbau type-tested switchgear combinations up to 4000A.
• Sonnen (Shell-owned): Sonnen is a German residential and commercial lithium-ion battery storage specialist. It is the closest pure-play domestic peer to Pfenning's E-SpeicherWerk battery storage system and competes for the same German Mittelstand commercial/agricultural storage customers.
• ProLeiT: ProLeiT is a German specialist in process control systems for the brewing and beverage industry, with its flagship brewmaxx platform. Pfenning is an active integration partner for ProLeiT brewmaxx, making them simultaneous competitors and channel partners in brewery automation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Pfenning Elektroanlagen