Ziehl-Abegg breaks the one-billion-euro barrier
Southern German technology leader grows by more than 12 percent
Strong international business in the USA and China fuels success
Ziehl-Abegg (Künzelsau, Germany) has released preliminary 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). With year-on-year growth of more than 12 percent, the globally active manufacturer of fans and drive motors reaches a major milestone. The company’s global headcount increased from 5,300 to 5,800 employees.
“This milestone is more than just a number to us – it represents the performance, commitment and cohesion of our teams around the world,” says Joachim Ley, CEO of Ziehl-Abegg. “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.” As is tradition, Ziehl-Abegg does not disclose earnings. However, Ley notes: “Due to global disruptions, profit came under massive pressure.”
International markets are becoming increasingly important
A key driver of growth was strong international business: the United States is 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 came at exactly the right time, strengthening local presence and delivery capability across the North American market.
China remains the company’s second-largest foreign market. Given intense competition, Ziehl-Abegg is 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 emphasizes.
World first: rare-earth-free synchronous elevator machine
In 2025, Ziehl-Abegg became the first company worldwide to develop an electric synchronous elevator machine without magnets made from rare earths – while maintaining the same high performance and identical installation size. An innovative motor design strengthens technological independence and ensures stable long-term production, regardless of geopolitical risks or export restrictions. “Being clearly ahead of the competition technologically – that is our guiding principle,” says CEO Joachim Ley.
Despite challenging conditions, Ziehl-Abegg continued to expand its position as a technology leader. A decisive factor in this success was the company’s high level of vertical integration – including its own foundry, sheet-metal production and plastics processing – as well as its innovative strength in bionic fan designs.
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, elevators, cleanrooms, agricultural facilities and medical technology, among other applications. The company’s products are sold in more than 100 countries.
About Ziehl-Abegg
Ziehl-Abegg (Künzelsau, Germany) is one of the leading global companies in the field of ventilation, control and drive technology. In the 1950s, Ziehl-Abegg established the basis for modern fan drives: external rotor motors which even today are still seen as state-of-the-art worldwide. Another area of business is electric motors which provide the power, for example, for elevators or medical applications (computer tomography equipment).
The high-tech company has an impressive innovative capability (all figures and statements refer to the year 2025). Ziehl-Abegg employs 3,000 personnel in its production plants in southern Germany. The company has a global workforce of 5,800 spread between 17 production plants, 30 companies and 114 sales locations. The products, approx. 30,000 in all, are sold in more than 100 countries. Turnover totals more than one billion euros.
Emil Ziehl founded the company in Berlin in 1910 as a manufacturer of electric motors. After World War II the company’s headquarters were relocated to southern Germany. Ziehl-Abegg SE is not a listed company but instead is family-owned.
For more information go to https://www.ziehl-abegg.com/en/
