Artan Shahini mounts the traction sheave on a lift machine that is still produced with rare earth magnets. This year, production will begin with a world-first – lift machines without ferrite magnets. (Photo: © Ziehl-Abegg)
April 2026
The industrial company Ziehl-Abegg based in Künzelsau (Germany) has released business figures for 2025: for the first time in the company’s 116-year history, revenue exceeded one billion euros (previous year: EUR 893 million).
This represents year-on-year growth of more than 12 percent. The company’s global headcount increased from 5,300 to 5,800 employees.
"2025 was not an easy year. Exchange rates, tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties put many markets under pressure. That makes this result all the more impressive and demonstrates what we are capable of as a company," said Joachim Ley, CEO of Ziehl-Abegg. As is tradition, Ziehl-Abegg does not disclose earnings. However, Ley noted that due to global disruptions, profit came under massive pressure.
A key driver of growth was strong international business: the United States was now Ziehl-Abegg’s most important foreign market, accounting for well over 20 percent of total revenue. The EUR 100 million investment launched in 2024 to build a new plant had come at exactly the right time, strengthening local presence and delivery capability across the North American market, according to the press release.
China remained the company’s second-largest foreign market. Given intense competition, Ziehl-Abegg was deliberately pursuing a regional development approach there, offering products optimally tailored to market requirements in terms of both technology and pricing. "If you want to succeed in China, you must not only understand the market – you must actively shape it locally," Ley emphasized.
According to the company, in 2025 Ziehl-Abegg became the first company worldwide to develop an electric synchronous elevator machine without magnets made from rare earths (the LIFTjournal reported).
Ziehl-Abegg employs around 5,800 people worldwide, including 3,000 employees at its Southern German production sites (previous year: 2,800). Ziehl-Abegg’s energy-efficient fans and precision drive systems are used in HVAC and refrigeration technology, lifts, cleanrooms, agricultural facilities and medical technology, among other applications. The company’s products are sold in more than 100 countries. The company is unlisted and in family ownership.
More informations: ziehl-abegg.de
Digitalpaper
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