Who we are at BITZER and what unites us: people, shared values and our company’s roots. We take a long-term view, act responsibly and collaborate across borders. This creates a global network of customers, partners and employees. We are united by expertise, enduring relationships and the belief that genuine progress comes through collaboration.
Facts and figures
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Regions (EMEA, Greater China, North America, South America, APAC)
Production sites
Research and development
Year established
The Management Board
Christian Wehrle
Chief Executive Officer
Rainer Große-Kracht
Chief Technology Officer
Martin Büchsel
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Frank Hartmann
Chief Financial Officer
Culture at BITZER
BITZER employees collaborate across countries and disciplines
Our culture is founded on trust, responsibility and a passion for technology. At BITZER, we collaborate across countries and functions, creating an environment where people can contribute their strengths, learn from one another and develop further.
The BITZER Group
The BITZER Group comprises specialised companies, each contributing its technological expertise and individual strengths. Together, they expand the BITZER portfolio with solutions for a wide range of applications and markets – from refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology to automation, electronics and energy recovery.
AWA
based in Altenburg, Germany, develops and manufactures components for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology. Its portfolio includes shut-off, check, solenoid and expansion valves, as well as sight glasses, accessories and customised solutions. AWA has been part of the BITZER Group since 2013.
BPOWER
- based in the Czech Republic, specialises in solutions for using industrial waste heat through Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology. The company develops systems for generating electricity from waste heat, recovering heat from combined heat and power plants and using biomass – from planning through to service. BPOWER has been part of the BITZER Group since 2023.
ElectraTherm
based in the USA, develops ORC systems that generate electricity from low-temperature waste heat. Its solutions recover energy from previously unused waste heat, such as that produced by combustion engines or biomass boilers, and convert it into electricity. ElectraTherm has been part of the BITZER Group since 2017.
OJ Electronics
based in Denmark, develops and markets electronic components for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. Its focus is on control solutions for ventilation systems and electric underfloor heating. OJ Electronics has been part of the BITZER Group since 2023.
VaCom
based in the USA, specialises in controls for industrial refrigeration systems. The company provides development, analysis and consultancy services, as well as performance and energy monitoring, particularly for the food, beverage and cold-storage industries. VaCom has been part of the BITZER Group since 2018.
Wurm
based in Remscheid, Germany, develops automation systems for refrigeration systems and technical building management. Its portfolio includes hardware modules and software solutions for system control, remote data transmission and monitoring. Wurm has been part of the BITZER Group since 2019.
THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION
THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION was established in 2005 by Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler, BITZER’s long-standing owner and Managing Director, and his wife, Christiane Schaufler-Münch. The non-profit foundation combines entrepreneurship with science, research and art, and supports charitable causes. As the sole shareholder of BITZER SE, it ensures our company’s independence and continuity, thereby securing jobs for the long term.
Our compass
Our vision, mission and values provide a compass for our day-to-day actions and our long-term direction as an independent company. They express what BITZER stands for, where we are heading and what unites us worldwide. We at BITZER use our combined expertise to provide the HVAC&R market (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) with innovative products and intelligent solutions – with the goal of creating additional value for our partners and the environment all over the world.
Customer orientation
Partnership
Premium quality
Solution orientation
Sustainability
Technological leadership
Platzhalter Herz-Grafik
Our roots
BITZER’s history is part of our identity. It shows where we come from, what we stand for and what continues to shape us today. Drawing on more than nine decades of experience, we look to the future without losing sight of our roots.
Seit 1934
Unsere Anfänge
Alles beginnt 1934 in Sindelfingen mit der Unternehmensgründung durch Martin Bitzer. Die ersten BITZER Verdichter sind Hubkolbenverdichter in Gleichstrombauart.
1934
„[…] und wenn wir heute zurückblicken, so tun wir es mit Dankbarkeit: immer waren wir begleitet von Mitarbeitern, die uns mit einer über die Pflichttreue hinausgehenden Hingabe halfen, Schwierigkeiten zu überwinden.“
1940
Another milestone in compressor technology follows 1940: 2-cylinder reciprocating compressors in an open design. First, we develop types I to IV, and due to their success, we expand our product range to include types V to VII.
1954
Our product portfolio in 1954 includes the BH Hermeta series – a new design of hermetic motor compressors with drive power of up to 0.75 kW.
1959
By 1959, we have expanded our factory five times. BHS semi-hermetic suction gas cooled reciprocating compressors with drive power of up to 10 kW are now part of our range – a trendsetting innovation at that time.
1961
Ulrich Schaufler takes over the company in 1961.
1965
In 1965, our site in the centre of Sindelfingen is once again becoming too small. In order to be able to continue growing,
we start building new premises in Eschenbrünnlestrasse – which we move into
in 1966.
1972
In 1972, we expand our series to include semi-hermetic 4- and 6-cylinder reciprocating compressors with drive power of up to 30 kW.
1976
In 1976, our portfolio of shell and tube condensers and liquid receivers is growing. We already started developing and producing them back in 1950.
Since 1979
The start of a new era
Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler takes over the company with 270 employees. His vision: to make BITZER a leading international company
In 1979, Ulrich Schaufler’s son, Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler, takes over the company with 270 employees. His vision: to make BITZER a leading international company.
Revolutionary: semi-hermetic open drive screw compressors
The market launch of semi-hermetic open drive screw compressors in 1983 is revolutionary. At that time, screw compressors represent the pinnacle of compressor manufacturing in the industry.
The global expansion begins with BITZER Australia – later: Portugal, USA, Brazil, South Africa, China, etc.
The global expansion begins in 1988 with the founding of BITZER Australia. In the following years, further locations are added around the world: Portugal, USA, Brazil, South Africa, China, etc.
Production site in Schkeuditz near Leipzig, Germany, is established as a competence centre for reciprocating compressors
The acquisition of the Schkeuditz location near Leipzig, Germany, follows in 1991, and its expansion into the competence centre for reciprocating compressors begins.
EuroScroll scroll compressors: BITZER becomes the only company to offer all three primary compressor technologies: reciprocating, screw and scroll compressors
With the development of the EuroScroll scroll compressors in 1996,
we become the only company to offer all three primary compressor technologies: reciprocating, screw and scroll compressors.
THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION ensures the future independence of BITZER as an autonomous company
In 2005, THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION is established. The foundation is the sole shareholder of BITZER SE. This ensures the independence and continuity of the company.
2006
In 2006, our GREEN POINT service network is established. With our GREEN POINT network, we are able to provide a comprehensive service – 54 locations worldwide.
Further development of the ECOLINE series with the new CRII (VARISTEP) capacity control with a focus on energy efficiency and a wider application range
In 2013, our ECOLINE reciprocating compressors feature the new CR II (VARISTEP) capacity control system, offering greater energy efficiency and a wider application range.
Since 2015
A firm eye on the future
After the death of Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler, the responsibilities within the management remain unchanged. His wife Christiane Schaufler-Münch becomes Chairwoman of the BITZER SE Supervisory Board as well as Chairwoman of THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION Board of Trustees
After the death of Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler in 2015, Christiane Schaufler-Münch becomes Chairwoman of the BITZER SE Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION Board of Trustees.
Inauguration of the SCHAUFLER Academy as an international training centre in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen, Germany
In 2016, we open the SCHAUFLER Academy – our new 1,500 m² international training centre in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen, Germany, named in honour of Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler.
Acquisition of ElectraTherm: the company uses ORC (ORC = Organic Rankine Cycle) technology to convert waste heat to electricity
We acquire ElectraTherm in 2017. This marks our entry into the market for the generation of electricity from waste heat. ElectraTherm uses ORC (ORC = Organic Rankine Cycle) technology to convert
waste heat to electricity.
Acquisition of VaCom: development, analysis and consulting, as well as performance and energy monitoring, for industrial refrigeration control systems
VaCom has been part of BITZER since 2018. The California-based company focuses on development, analysis, consulting as well as performance and energy monitoring for industrial refrigeration control systems.
New headquarters in Sindelfingen. Joint venture with the German automation expert Wurm
We move into our new company headquarters at Peter-Schaufler-Platz 1 in Sindelfingen in 2019. The building is a sign of our continued commitment to our base. We sign a joint venture agreement with German automation expert Wurm. We are now the majority shareholder of the newly established Wurm Holding GmbH.
Christian Wehrle is named Chairman of the Management Board.
Christian Wehrle is named Chairman of the Management Board in 2021
Rainer Große-Kracht is appointed Vice-Chairman of the Management Board
Rainer Große-Kracht is appointed Vice-Chairman of the Management Board.
Acquisition of BPOWER.
Investment in the use of ORC systems (ORC = Organic Rankine Cycle): we acquire Czech company BPOWER in 2023.
Acquisition of OJ Electronics
The Danish electronics specialist OJ Electronics also becomes part of the BITZER family in 2023.
IQ MODULE CM-RC-02: now standard on ECOLINE reciprocating compressors
Since 2024, the IQ MODULE CM-RC-02 has been standard on ECOLINE reciprocating compressors and, thanks to intelligent functions, forms the basis for even more efficient and reliable compressor operation.