Hubbry Logo
Benteler InternationalBenteler InternationalMain
Open search
Benteler International
Community hub
Benteler International
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Benteler International
Benteler International
Benteler International
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Benteler International Austria GmbH (BENTELER) is a holding company in German family ownership. The Group companies operate worldwide in the fields of automotive technology, steel and tube production and engineering.[2] The headquarters of Benteler International Austria GmbH is in Salzburg (Austria), as of 2010. The owner is the Benteler family.

Key Information

Under the umbrella of the holding company BENTELER International Austrie GmbH, based in Salzburg, Austria, the Group is structured in the Divisions of BENTELER Automotive Components, BENTELER Automotive Modules, BENTELER Steel/Tube and HOLON. As well as BENTELER International Austria GmbH, BENTELER Business Services GmbH, based in Paderborn, Germany, also carries out additional holding functions.[3] The Benteler Group employs more than 20,000 people at 90 locations in 26 countries;[4] approximately 9,000 of those employees are in Germany. Revenue in the 2024 financial year was €8.170 billion.[1]

History

[edit]

Foundation, first delivery of tubes, expansion of production

[edit]

In 1876 Carl Benteler opened an ironmongery store in Bielefeld, which his son Eduard Benteler took over in 1908. In 1916 Eduard Benteler then bought an engineering factory in Bielefeld in which drawn tubes were manufactured for the first time in 1918. In 1922 Eduard Benteler founded the Benteler-Werke Aktiengesellschaft, which in 1923 started production of seamless and welded tubes in Paderborn and Schloß Neuhaus. In 1935 the company won its first major order from the automotive industry: Benteler produced exhaust pipes for the Ford Eifel. During the Second World War anti-aircraft guns were made in the Benteler factory in Bielefeld (including anti-aircraft guns 2-cm-Flak 38 and 2-cm-Flak-Vierling 38), until the factory was destroyed in 1944 in an air raid.[5]

Following the Second World War Eduard Benteler's sons Erich and Helmut built up the works again and greatly expanded the product range. Benteler was now supplying to the bicycle and car industries, it was producing seamless and hot rolled tubes and machinery for textile fishing, plastics and glass processing. In the buildings of the former military airfield Paderborn-Mönkeloh Benteler worked with the racing driver and car-maker Hermann Holbein:[6] Between 1950 and 1952 about 2,000 "Champion" cars were produced. After that, for a short time, Delta refrigerators were made in Mönkeloh.[7]

The Benteler logo - a triangle, made up of three smaller triangles and standing on its tip - has been used since 1949. The three small triangles stood for Eduard Benteler's children - Ilse, Erich and Helmut - who became owners of the company, in equal parts, after the death of their father. The enclosing larger triangle is meant to symbolize the continuation of the company as a whole.

Consolidation and development of the main business areas

[edit]

Steel/Tube

[edit]

In 1955 the first steel was poured in the newly built steel works at Paderborn-Schloß Neuhaus, and in 1958 the world's first continuous casting plant went into operation there. In 1974 the electric steel mill in Lingen (Ems) started production, and still today this plant is producing steel for the company's own hot rolling mills in Dinslaken and Paderborn and for external customers.[8]

In 2007 Benteler took over the Swiss company Rothrist Rohr AG, which makes precision welded tubes, mainly for the automotive industry. With this steel tube plants in Rothrist and Bottrop passed into Group ownership.[9] In 2011 there was a major fire in the hot rolling mill of Benteler Steel Tube GmbH in Dinslaken and production had to be stopped for several months.[10] In 2015 Benteler Steel/Tube opened a hot rolling mill in Shreveport, Louisiana.[11][12]

Automotive

[edit]

In 1977 car axles were produced for the first time at the Benteler location in Paderborn-Talle, which was founded in 1956. Today this plant is the most important components factory in the Automotive Division.[13] In 1985 a transfer line[14] was installed for the first major order to manufacture rear axle beams.

In 1979 the company started to expand worldwide with the opening of its first plant in the US. From 1991 onwards Benteler specialized also in the just-in-time production[15] and delivery of pre-finished components for automotive manufacturers. The automotive technology business area was now larger than the steel tube area.[16] From now on new Benteler plants were opened almost every year. In order to deliver efficiently to local automotive manufacturers, production locations were opened or taken over in North America (from 1979, 9 plants to 2018), South America (from 1996, 6 plants), Southern Europe (from 1990, 15 plants), Eastern Europe (from 1995, 10 plants), Northern Europe (from 2009, 3 plants) and Asia (from 2000, 15 plants).[17] In 2018, the plant in Chongquing was opened as a further production facility in China, as part of a joint venture with the Chinese company Changan Automobile Group.[18] Benteler also opened a new plant in Klášterec nad Ohří in the Czech Republic in 2018.[19] In 2019, a new plant was opened in Mos, Spain.[20]

In 2008, in cooperation with the Wiesbaden-based SGL Group,[21] Benteler set up the company Benteler SGL,[22] a joint venture specialized in lightweight carbon materials, to supplement the focus on steel with competence in lightweight engineering. In early 2009 this joint venture took over Fischer Composite Technology GmbH in Ried im Innkreis, Austria. In November 2017 Benteler and the SGL Group agreed on the sale of Benteler's 50-percent joint venture participation in the SGL Group; this sale then took place in the same year.[23] Also in 2009 Benteler acquired the Automotive Structures division of the Norwegian company Norsk Hydro, an international aluminum producer based in Oslo.[24] In 2012 the company purchased the aluminum pressure-casting operations of Farsund Aluminium Casting (FAC) in Norway.[25]

Distribution

[edit]

In 1957, in Berlin, Benteler opened its first tube and steel warehouse, which today is a part of the Distribution Division. Over the years Benteler founded or took over more than 50 distribution and warehouse subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and Australia.[26] Benteler Most recently, before the sale, Benteler Distribution had 24 national companies in Europe and Asia, and other associated distribution companies in Germany, Switzerland, Northern and Eastern Europe.[27] In April 2014 construction work officially started on the new central warehouse in Duisburg port. Completed in 2015 this location, which has Europe's biggest high-bay facility, has over 35,000 square meters of storage space for 27,000 tons of tubes.[28]

On August 27, 2019, the BENTELER Group announced the sale of the BENTELER Distribution Division (trading of steel tubes) to the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group. Background of this divestment is an increased focus on the automotive business. The sale was completed on November 29, 2019. The Distribution Division is now part of the Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group.[29]

Restructuring

[edit]

In 1999 Benteler was reorganized as a holding company with initially four independently operating business areas of Automotive, Steel/Tube, Engineering (integrated in 2005 into Automotive) and Distribution.[30]

In 2010 the newly founded Benteler International AG, headquartered in Salzburg, took over the strategic management function of the Group.[31] The operational business, with the Divisions Automotive and Steel/Tube has since then been organized in Benteler Business Service GmbH (until 2016 Benteler Deutschland GmbH[32]) which is headquartered in Paderborn.[33]

In April 2017 the long-standing Chairman of the executive board moved to the supervisory board. Ralf Göttel, until then Head of the Automotive Division, took over as CEO. For the first time in the company's 140-year history, the reins are not in the hands of a family member.[34]

[edit]

In 1976, one hundred years after the company was founded, Benteler employed 9,000 people and for the first time it surpassed DM1 billion in revenues. In 1995 company revenue broke through the €3 billion level.[35] In 2001 the Group employed 17,000 people worldwide.

According to a survey by the trade publication "Die deutsche Wirtschaft", Benteler was ranked 27th in 2017 in the list of the largest family-owned businesses in Germany.[36]

Business activity

[edit]

Business areas

[edit]

Automotive

[edit]

With approximately 17,000 employees (counted in full-time equivalents),[37] more than 70 plants in 22 countries and revenue (2022) of around €7.3 billion, Benteler Automotive is the biggest Division.[37] This business area develops and manufactures components and modules in the areas of chassis, body, engines and exhaust systems as well as solutions for electric vehicles.[38] The following areas are part of Benteler Automotive[39]

  • Chassis & Modules: Lightweight-optimized chassis components, development and assembly of highly complex modules (e.g. axle modules and front-end modules)
  • Engine & Exhaust Systems: Powertrain systems and components (engine and exhaust systems) to reduce emissions and CO2
  • Electro-Mobility: Lightweight-optimized systems for use in electric vehicles[40] (scalable battery trays, electrified front and rear axles, battery storage systems with thermomanagement)
  • Mechanical Engineering: Glass machinery manufacture; machines, systems and tools for the automotive industry
  • Lightweight Protection: Weight-optimized products for vehicle protection

Steel/Tube

[edit]

The Benteler Steel/Tube Division employs around 3,000 people (full-time equivalents) in Europe and the US. The Division owns five production sites as well as several sales offices and generated around €1.2 billion in 2024.[1]

Benteler Steel/Tube develops and produces steel and standard and customized seamless and welded steel tubes for a diverse range of applications, for example in the chemicals and petrochemicals industry, in vehicle and machine engineering and in the energy sector. Also offered is first-stage processing, for example surface coating, bending of U-pipes and serpentine tubes, cutting to desired lengths and processing of tube ends.

The following areas are part of Benteler Steel/Tube

  • Energy: Tubes for oil and gas exploration (drill pipes, casings[41] tubing, hollow carriers for perforating guns[42][43]), for pipelines[44] and for heat transfer in energy-generation plants and in the chemicals industry (boiler tubes, heat exchanger tubes, multi-lead rifled tubes – for use in high-pressure boiler systems and power stations with fossil fuels, individually processed serpentine tubes).[45]
  • Automotive: Custom-made steel tube solutions for vehicle construction (incl. drive shafts, lines and injection tubes, camshafts, structural parts for vehicles, seat-belt tensioners, shells for airbag generators and hood-lifting systems, precision tubes for steering and gas springs)[46]
  • Industry: With its sections on construction (steel tubes for engineering and plant construction, for the construction and machining industries, for wind turbines)[47] and hydraulics (corrosion-protected cylinder tubes, piston tubes, line tubes for agricultural and construction machinery and commercial vehicles)[48]

Glass Processing Equipment

[edit]

The business area Glass Processing Equipment, associated to the division Automotive, generated revenues of around €55 million in 2019.[49] This business develops and builds glass-processing machinery and plant for flat glass that is used in the construction, automotive, solar and display glass industries. For the areas of architectural glass, automotive glass and technical glass, the company supplies grinding machines, drilling machines, washing machines and screen-printing machines, plus complex processing lines (combination of machines), CNC processing centers, systems to manufacture laminated glass,[50] systems for assembling solar modules, mirror-coating lines, production lines for automotive glass (windscreens, side lites and rear windows), and handling systems for automatic loading of systems and production lines (robots, portal stackers, specialized systems for automotive glass).[51]

Associated activities

[edit]

The wider BENTELER network covers additional companies that maintain entrepreneurial connections to the Benteler Group. One of these is Benteler Trading International AG (BTI), a global supply chain services company specializing in third‑party inventory ownership. The company buys, holds, and sells inventory on behalf of its clients, assuming ownership at various points in the supply chain to support operational continuity and flexibility. BTI’s services cover inbound logistics, warehousing, production line integration, outbound distribution, and global trade compliance, including Importer of Record (IOR) and Exporter of Record (EOR) capabilities. Operating across multiple industries and geographies, BTI supports the management of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods. BTIs inventory ownership and Asset-as-a-Service models are used to mitigate supply chain risk, manage demand variability, and optimise working capital while maintaining scalable and resilient supply chain operations.[52]

Locations

[edit]

Benteler has around 90 locations in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.[1]

In Germany Benteler has subsidiaries (plants, sales and engineering offices, warehouses, offices) in 22 cities. Benteler plants are located in the German cities of Paderborn-Talle, Bielefeld, Düsseldorf, Saarlouis, Siegen-Weidenau, Kleinenberg, Warburg, Eisenach and Schwandorf (Automotive and Glass Processing)[53] and in Schloß Neuhaus, Paderborn, Lingen, Dinslaken.[54]

Miscellaneous

[edit]

Research and development

[edit]

In 2024 the Group invested €59 million in these areas and filed 29 patent applications.[1] The research and development activity focused on the fields of lightweight construction, safety and efficiency in automotive technology and on materials development in Steel/Tube.[55]

Social engagement and sponsoring

[edit]

At the University of Paderborn the company has been funding an endowed professorship in lightweight construction in cars since 2007.[56][57] Benteler is also the main sponsor of the “UPBracing Team” of the University of Paderborn, which takes part each year in the competition to build a racing car in the “Formula-Student-Events”.[58][59] Since 2012 Benteler has been a name sponsor of the Benteler Arena[60] of the football club SC Paderborn 07.

In Paderborn/Schloß Neuhaus Benteler has been operating the children's day nursery “Rohrspatzen” since 2008.[61]

Company structure

[edit]

The strategic holding company of the Benteler Group is Benteler International Austria GmbH, headquartered in Salzburg (Austria). The 2024 Annual Report lists 89 subsidiaries and associated companies.[1] In 2024 the automotive business comprised a total of 62 companies.[1] As well as national Automotive companies, these include companies that belong to the business areas Aluminum Systems, JIT (Just-in-Time production), Lightweight Protection and Engineering, joint Ventures with Chinese companies: Benteler JianAn Automotive (since 2015), Shanghai Benteler Huizhong (since 2002)[62] and the joint venture with the German SGL Group, the end of which (through the sale of Benteler's shares) was announced in November 2017 by the partners.[23] The Steel/Tube Division comprised in 2024 8 companies,[1] the Distribution Division 27 companies[63] – among them the national companies and a 75-percent share in the Swedish steel tube trading company Heléns Rör (the remaining shares are held by the steel company SSAB[64]).[65] The Distribution division has been sold to Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group on November 29, 2019 (please see paragraph "Consolidation and development of the main business areas" in this article).

Notes

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Benteler International

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Benteler International AG is the strategic of the Benteler Group, a family-owned multinational enterprise founded in 1876 by Carl Benteler in Bendorf, , specializing in the development, production, and distribution of metal-based products, systems, and services primarily for the automotive, /tube, and sectors. The group operates as a global leader in innovative metal processing, with a focus on lightweight construction, components, and exhaust systems for vehicles, while also advancing sustainable solutions such as electric production and battery storage technologies. Headquartered in , , Benteler International AG oversees the group's , mergers, acquisitions, , and compliance under CEO Ralf Göttel, who has led the company since April 2017, and CFO Dr. Tobias Braun, appointed in 2022. As of 2024, the Benteler Group employs approximately 21,000 people across around 90 locations in 24 countries, with a significant presence in Europe (54% of revenue), the Americas (31%), and Asia-Pacific (15%). In the 2024 financial year, the group reported revenues of €8.17 billion and an adjusted EBITDA of €594 million, reflecting resilience amid challenging automotive market conditions, including a decline from €8.79 billion in 2023. Its core divisions include BENTELER Automotive Components (BAC), which generated €4.55 billion in revenue through precision metal parts like axles and body structures; BENTELER Automotive Modules (BAM), contributing €2.81 billion via integrated systems such as exhaust and chassis modules; and BENTELER Steel/Tube, with €1.19 billion from seamless and welded tubes used in automotive and industrial applications. Owned by the fifth generation of the Benteler family—split 50% between Dr. Ing. E.h. Helmut Benteler GmbH and 50% between CAB Holding GmbH and CAB II GmbH—the company emphasizes values of innovation, sustainability, and employee-driven progress, as chronicled in its "Book of Pioneers" and demonstrated through milestones like 50 years of electric steel production in Lingen, Germany, since 1974.

History

Founding and Early Expansion

Benteler International traces its origins to 1876, when Carl Benteler, then 23 years old, acquired a hardware and ironware store in , , establishing the foundation of what would become a major industrial group. This modest beginning focused on trading iron goods and basic metal products, reflecting the era's growing demand for hardware in industrializing . Under Carl's leadership, the business operated as a family enterprise, setting the stage for generational succession and expansion into manufacturing. The company's early diversification into occurred in the early , led by Carl's son Eduard Benteler, who assumed control in 1908 with 22 employees. In 1916, Eduard purchased a machinery factory in , enabling initial forays into metal processing and fabrication. By 1918, Benteler began producing drawn tubes, and this momentum continued into the with a pivotal in tube manufacturing. In 1923, Eduard acquired a former spinning mill and streetcar depot in Schloss Neuhaus near , where the company commenced production of seamless and welded steel tubes, delivering its first such products and solidifying its expertise in metal tube technology. World War II devastated much of Benteler's operations, but post-war recovery was swift under the third generation. In 1947, brothers Erich and Helmut Benteler, Eduard's sons, rebuilt the facilities and reoriented production toward steel processing and emerging automotive needs, leveraging the company's metalworking heritage to meet reconstruction demands. By the 1950s, Benteler had established core manufacturing capabilities in steel and automotive-related products, including exhaust systems following its first order from Ford in 1935. A notable milestone came in 1952 when the company produced its own small car, the Benteler Champion, a compact two-seater with around 2,000 units sold, demonstrating its growing proficiency in vehicle components. In 1956, Benteler initiated in-house steel production at its Paderborn site, enhancing vertical integration and self-sufficiency in raw materials for tube and parts manufacturing.

Development of Core Business Areas

Benteler's expansion into automotive components accelerated in the , with the company broadening its offerings to include and body parts production, leveraging its established expertise in tubes for applications. This period marked a shift toward more integrated , supported by the initiation of in-house production in 1956, which provided essential raw materials for these components. The /Tube division underwent substantial development starting in the , focusing on the production of welded and seamless tubes for diverse industrial uses, including structural and fluid transport applications. A pivotal advancement occurred in with the commissioning of the in , which enabled more efficient and environmentally conscious production of high-quality for tube manufacturing. In the , Benteler entered the machinery sector through its Maschinenbau division, specializing in equipment for processing tailored to automotive and architectural needs, such as edge grinding and washing systems for glazing. This complemented the automotive by supporting the production of safety-critical components, while international growth in the core automotive area advanced with the opening of the first U.S. production facility in , , in 1980. Key acquisitions and partnerships in the further consolidated these core areas, particularly through the establishment of new production sites to enhance global supply chains. In 1993–1994, Benteler opened automotive plants in , focusing on components for North American markets, and in 1995, it launched its first facility in the at Stráž nad Nisou for chassis and body-in-white production. These moves, including the 1999 Chrastava site in the for painted components, strengthened partnerships with major automakers and expanded tube and module capabilities.

Restructuring and Strategic Shifts

In response to evolving demands, Benteler International began emphasizing e-mobility and lightweight materials in the post-2010 era, adapting to trends such as and reduced for improved . This strategic pivot involved investments in innovative manufacturing processes and materials like advanced high-strength steels and aluminum alloys to support architectures. A key organizational change occurred in 2017 with the establishment of BENTELER International AG as the strategic holding company in , , centralizing management and oversight of global operations. This move enhanced governance efficiency amid expanding international activities, with the Salzburg headquarters serving as the group's executive base thereafter. To bolster its e-mobility focus, Benteler opened new production facilities in 2024, including a plant in , , dedicated to advanced and body components for electric vehicles. Similarly, construction began on a 315,000-square-foot facility in , USA, to manufacture battery trays and lightweight metal structures for a major U.S. automaker's electric models, with production slated to start in 2026 and create 147 jobs. In 2022, Benteler launched Autonomous Mobility AG as a dedicated for developing fully electric, autonomous movers aimed at urban solutions. This initiative represented a forward-looking diversification into shared mobility technologies. By July 31, 2024, Benteler completed a partial sale of 37.9% of 's shares to TASARU Worldwide Investments Company for USD 250 million, resulting in full deconsolidation and a one-time gain of €329 million for the group. As part of streamlining non-core operations amid geopolitical challenges, Benteler divested its Russian subsidiary, OOO BENTELER Automotive in , selling 100% of shares to PromAvtoConsult on October 31, 2024, for €8 million. This transaction, which incurred a €6 million deconsolidation loss, allowed Benteler to refocus resources on core markets in and . Benteler International's experienced fluctuations amid global economic pressures, reaching €8.95 billion in 2022 before declining to €8.79 billion in 2023 and €8.17 billion in 2024. Despite the downward trend in , the company achieved an adjusted EBITDA of €594 million in 2024, reflecting resilience through cost efficiencies and operational adjustments. The average full-time equivalents (FTEs) showed a gradual decline from 24,908 in 2020 to 20,668 in 2024, influenced by restructuring efforts and market conditions. The fluctuation rate increased to 15% in 2024, up from 6.8% in 2023, indicating higher employee turnover amid economic uncertainty. At year-end 2024, the workforce headcount was distributed as follows:
RegionEmployees (headcount)
14,709
5,531
2,233
This distribution highlights 's dominant role, accounting for approximately 65% of the total headcount. Economic factors, including persistent disruptions from geopolitical tensions and material shortages, impacted performance in 2023 and 2024, leading to production volatility and increased costs. Nevertheless, 2024 marked the company's third-best financial year, bolstered by one-time gains from the sale of its business unit as part of ongoing restructuring.

Business Segments

Automotive Components and Modules

Benteler International's automotive division is divided into two primary segments: BENTELER Automotive Components (BAC) and BENTELER Automotive Modules (BAM), which together develop and produce essential parts and systems for , body structures, engines, and integration. These segments serve as Tier 1 suppliers to major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), emphasizing lightweight construction and sustainable solutions to enhance vehicle efficiency and safety. In 2024, the division employed approximately 17,055 full-time equivalents (FTEs) across 73 locations worldwide, generating combined sales of €7.36 billion. BENTELER Automotive Components (BAC) specializes in the production of individual components for systems, body-in-white structures, and engine-related parts, operating at 57 locations with 15,223 FTEs and achieving sales of €4.55 billion in 2024. offerings include front and rear axle carriers, twistbeam axles, control arms, and knuckles, manufactured using high-strength steel and aluminum to meet durability and crash performance standards, such as battery protection in electric vehicles. Body structures focus on lightweight designs, producing over 100 million components annually, including instrument panel supports and crash management systems that integrate multi-material solutions for weight reduction and recyclability. For engines, BAC provides thermal and tubular products like (EGR) systems, high-pressure lines, and exhaust manifolds, supporting combustion, hybrid, and electric powertrains. A key innovation in BAC's portfolio is the CliMore® crash-absorbing tube, a CO₂-reduced solution that enhances in structures by optimizing absorption during impacts. The segment prioritizes e-mobility components, such as hot-formed battery trays and cooling systems, using up to 28% secondary materials in production to promote sustainability. BAC supplies OEMs including , , , and Hyundai-Kia, tailoring components to regional demands through advanced tools and automated manufacturing processes. BENTELER Automotive Modules (BAM) focuses on pre-assembled modules for seamless integration, operating at 16 locations with 1,832 FTEs and sales of €2.81 billion in 2024. These include modules like front suspension, rear multilink, , and corner assemblies, delivered just-in-sequence (JIS) to OEM assembly lines for efficient integration. BAM's expertise lies in coordinating suppliers, validating interfaces, and optimizing to minimize , supporting low- and high-volume production with robotic and vision-based technologies. In e-mobility, BAM develops modular battery housings and assembly systems that incorporate materials for enhanced range and safety, aligning with sustainable goals such as reduced waste and water use. The segment serves OEMs like , Ford, Daimler, and , providing end-to-end solutions from concept to series production. In October 2025, BAM opened a new module plant in , , as part of a to strengthen presence in the Asian market. BAM draws on internal and tube products for , ensuring quality and in automotive applications. In June 2025, the group began construction of a new automotive plant in Morocco's Kenitra Free Zone to support regional production.

Steel and Tube Products

The Steel/Tube Products division of Benteler International specializes in the development and production of seamless and welded tubes, serving as a key upstream supplier for precision manufacturing in multiple industries. In 2024, the division operated across 10 locations worldwide, employing 3,033 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and generating sales of €1.19 billion, reflecting a 21.7% decline from the previous year due to market challenges in volumes and pricing. These tubes are engineered for high performance, with applications extending beyond automotive exhaust systems—where they integrate into vehicle components—to include and energy sectors. Benteler employs advanced technologies such as hot-finished seamless tubes, produced via rolling processes at facilities like Schloss Neuhaus in and Shreveport in the , offering diameters from 21.3 to 164.5 mm in carbon and steels with up to 13% content. Complementing this are cold-drawn precision tubes, manufactured in one of Europe's largest drawing shops, achieving tensile strengths up to 160 tons and diameters as small as 4 mm with tight tolerances, supported by AI-driven quality controls and 3D surface inspections for defect detection. These capabilities enable the division to supply diverse sectors, including for machine construction and wind turbines, as well as for stationary and mobile systems enduring extreme conditions like high pressure and temperature variations. In the energy domain, Benteler's tubes support oil and gas extraction through OCTG and line pipes with precise material properties, while also facilitating renewable infrastructure such as solar power plants, geothermal systems, and hydrogen generation and transport solutions. The division emphasizes circular economy principles, notably at its Lingen steelworks in Germany, where an electric arc furnace utilizes over 95% recycled steel scrap to produce CO₂-reduced steel under the CliMore® brand, contributing to 28% secondary material usage across resource inflows totaling 714,413 tons in 2024. This approach not only lowers emissions but also promotes recyclability in end products for sustainable applications in renewable energy and industrial infrastructure. In October 2025, the group received the EcoVadis Silver Medal for its sustainable practices, including those in steel production.

Machinery and Equipment

The Machinery and Equipment segment of Benteler International, operated through BENTELER Maschinenbau in , , specializes in the design and delivery of advanced systems for automotive production lines and industry applications. This division provides customized engineering solutions, including automation technologies that enhance manufacturing efficiency for industrial clients such as glass manufacturers and automotive suppliers. With a focus on precision and reliability, it has completed over 4,500 projects across more than 60 countries, supporting global operations in diverse sectors. In glass processing, BENTELER Maschinenbau offers comprehensive equipment for flat and curved used in architectural, automotive, and technical applications, including grinding and machines, systems, complete pre-processing lines for cutting, breaking, grinding, and , CNC centers, laminating lines, and mirror coating systems. Specialized solutions extend to and tempering systems, particularly for automotive , enabling high-precision shaping and strengthening to meet stringent industry standards. These systems are designed for adaptability, with standardized variants and optional features to accommodate varying customer requirements, ensuring seamless integration into production workflows. For automotive assembly, the division develops machinery such as hot-forming furnaces for high-strength and structural components, supporting materials like and AISi-coated blanks up to 2,950 mm wide. Automation solutions include loading/unloading, synchronized transfer systems for presses, equipment with hydraulic dies, and technologies encompassing projection, , spot, and arc methods, all tailored to optimize production lines. These services emphasize modular designs, allowing for flexible adaptation to specific needs in the automotive sector. A key part of the segment is , a established in 2022 focused on autonomous urban mobility solutions. develops fully electric, autonomous movers meeting automotive standards, such as the urban shuttle for public roads. In 2025, milestones included a for a new production facility in (announced October 2025), a showcase at IAA Mobility (September 2025), and plans for deployment with in the starting 2026. The historical roots of BENTELER Maschinenbau in glass processing equipment trace back over 60 years, evolving from early specialization in flat glass systems to a combined portfolio that now integrates automotive tooling under the Maschinenbau umbrella. Recent advancements incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies, such as and production monitoring systems, to enable real-time component tracking and process optimization for enhanced efficiency. This focus on innovative automation and customized services positions the division as a key partner for clients seeking scalable, high-performance manufacturing solutions.

Global Operations

Production Facilities and Locations

Benteler International AG maintains its global in , , at Schillerstraße 25–27, which serves as the strategic management holding overseeing operations across the company's divisions since its establishment as the central entity in , with enhanced global coordination under current leadership from 2017. This headquarters coordinates the activities of 82 fully consolidated companies operating at approximately 90 locations in 24 countries as of 2025, providing a robust network for automotive components, modules, tubes, and related products. In , Benteler's production facilities form the core of its operational scale, with key sites including the facility in , which functions as a major hub for production, , and employee training programs, supporting metal processing and automotive component assembly. The site in specializes in aluminum processing, particularly forming innovative crash boxes and deformable systems from aluminum profiles for applications. In the , Benteler operates multiple manufacturing plants, including those in Klášterec nad Ohří, Rumburk, and , employing 2,782 workers across three companies focused on automotive parts production and . The Americas represent a growing region for Benteler, with the new plant in , , announced in 2024 as part of a $105 million to produce components, featuring a 315,000-square-foot facility set to commence operations in 2026 and create around 150 jobs. In , the facility serves as the regional headquarters for automotive components, encompassing production lines for cold-forming and assembly, with expansions including innovative systems capable of up to 3,200 tons capacity. These sites, alongside others in and additional U.S. locations like , underscore Benteler's emphasis on localized manufacturing to support North and South American automotive markets.

International Network and Expansion

Benteler International's international expansion began in the late , marking a shift from its German roots to a global presence in the automotive and steel sectors. The company's first major step outside occurred in 1980 with the establishment of its initial production facility in , , , focusing on automotive components to serve North American markets. This was followed by entry into in 1993 and 1994, where Benteler opened automotive plants to support regional for export-oriented customers. By the early 2000s, expansion reached with the opening of its first plant in , , in 2002, targeting the growing demand for steel tubes and automotive parts in the region's burgeoning vehicle industry. In the region, Benteler has pursued targeted growth to align with local automotive production hubs. The company opened a dedicated plant in , , in 2016, specializing in automotive modules such as and suspension systems, primarily supplying BMW's joint ventures and enhancing supply chain efficiency in northeastern . Further diversification came with operations in , including the commencement of production at a new facility in in 2023, emphasizing sustainable manufacturing practices like rooftop solar panels to support the local ecosystem. In September 2024, Benteler founded BENTELER Automotive Components () Co., Ltd., expanding its presence in for precision metal components. These initiatives reflect Benteler's strategy of localizing production to reduce costs and meet regional regulatory standards. Strategic partnerships and joint ventures have been pivotal in accelerating Benteler's global network, particularly in emerging mobility technologies. Following the launch of its division in 2022 for autonomous vehicle solutions, Benteler formed a key with TASARU Mobility Investments in 2024, securing multi-million-dollar funding to industrialize and scale the Mover, an electric autonomous shuttle. This partnership, approved by and German authorities, aims to deploy production in multiple regions, fostering in shared mobility. Looking ahead, Benteler is focusing on e-mobility expansions in emerging markets to capitalize on the global shift toward electrification. In , the company expanded its Kariega plant in 2023 by over 9,000 square meters, adding hot-forming capabilities to produce components for electric vehicles and strengthening its African footprint. Investments in , including upgrades at the facility since 2017, position Benteler to serve Europe's proximity while tapping into regional growth. In January 2025, Benteler broke ground on a new smart automotive plant in , , set to open by the end of 2025, integrating Industry 4.0 technologies and enhancing its presence in . These moves underscore a commitment to sustainable, localized strategies in high-potential areas.

Innovation and Sustainability

Research and Development Efforts

Benteler International invests significantly in to drive innovation in its core sectors, with a dedicated R&D budget of €59 million in , marking a slight decrease from €65 million the previous year. This funding supports advancements in key technologies, including digitalization through AI pilot projects for and component optimization, as well as the SMART SCM initiative for efficiency. The company's R&D workforce comprises 667 specialized staff members operating across 42 locations in 18 countries, enabling a global approach to collaborative innovation. Focus areas encompass Industry 4.0 applications, such as automation of development tools and virtual product development, alongside remnants of autonomous driving technologies from the division, which partners with TASARU on fully electric autonomous vehicles. In November 2025, received approval for Level-4 autonomous testing on German public roads, marking a key advancement in electric autonomous mobility. Additional priorities include e-mobility solutions like hot-formed battery trays for vehicles such as the and NIO ONVO L60, lightweight construction using aluminum and high-strength steel components, and practices through projects like CliMore® sustainable steel tubes and the RecAL initiative for recycled materials. In , Benteler filed 29 applications, highlighting progress in sustainable tube production and other advancements. The facility in serves as a central hub for R&D, hosting training programs, pilot projects in precision , large-format , and the HOLON GmbH unit for autonomous technologies.

Environmental and Social Initiatives

Benteler International has established ambitious environmental targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, aiming for a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, alongside a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over the same period. The company also targets net-zero emissions across operations by 2050, with an interim goal of climate-neutral production by 2040. In , Benteler achieved a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to the 2019 baseline, totaling 482,951 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, and a 25% reduction in Scope 3 emissions compared to the 2019 baseline. For water management, Benteler set a goal of 20% reduction in withdrawals at sites in water-stressed areas by 2030 relative to 2019, surpassing this with a 30.09% decrease in . These efforts were recognized in 2025 with the EcoVadis , placing Benteler in the top 15% of globally assessed companies for performance across environment, labor, , and . Additionally, the company received the Austria's Leading Companies (ALC) Award in the category, highlighting its progress in and emissions mitigation. On the social front, Benteler supports education through university partnerships, such as its collaboration with in , which includes scholarships, internships, and training programs for young academics in mobility engineering. In sports, the company serves as an official partner to , providing exclusive training sessions at the club's youth development center and maintaining long-term for the Benteler Arena. Employee development is prioritized via comprehensive training initiatives, including mandatory e-learning on and , with 535 global trainees in 2024 and a focus on diversity through women's leadership networks aiming for 25% female management representation by 2030. Community engagement includes open house events, such as the November 2025 gathering at the Paderborn Training and Development Center, which attracted over 1,300 visitors for hands-on demonstrations of programs. Benteler upholds strict standards through its zero-tolerance policy and B-AWARE whistleblower system, with mandatory annual training for administrative and management staff. In 2024, a single material incident occurred in involving a ; the two implicated employees were dismissed, and the case was reported to authorities, resulting in no fines or convictions.

Corporate Governance

Ownership and Leadership

Benteler International has remained a family-owned enterprise since its founding in 1876 by Carl Benteler in Bielefeld, Germany, with the Benteler family maintaining control through a network of holding companies that divide ownership 50% by Dr. Ing. E.h. Helmut Benteler GmbH in Germany and 50% by CAB Holding GmbH in Liechtenstein and CAB II GmbH in Switzerland. This structure ensures the family's strategic influence while supporting the company's global operations as a privately held entity without public shareholders. The company's leadership is headed by Ralf Göttel, who has served as Chairman of the Executive Board and (CEO) of Benteler International AG since 2017. Göttel, a mechanical with prior experience at , oversees key areas including strategy, , , compliance, , , and the coordination of the group's four divisions. The Executive Board, which Göttel chairs, consists of two members and is responsible for approving consolidated and implementing core policies such as global HR standards and supplier payment frameworks. Dr. Tobias Braun joined the Executive Board as () in September 2022, bringing expertise in economics from his prior roles at Stern Stewart & Co. and within Benteler's Steel/Tube division since 2018. Braun manages accounting, controlling, treasury, legal affairs, tax, and functions, contributing to the board's focus on financial oversight and . The Executive Board is supported by an eight-member as of early 2024, comprising non-executive directors including Chairman Henri Steinmetz, Deputy Chairman Dr. Georg Pachta-Reyhofen, and family representative Hubertus Benteler, with 75% of members classified as independent and expertise in automotive and industrial sectors; note that member Joachim Limberg passed away in October 2024, and further changes occurred in 2025. Benteler International employs a decentralized approach, granting significant to its four divisions—Automotive Components, Automotive Modules, Steel/Tube, and —while the holding company in , , handles overarching strategy and coordination. This structure fosters divisional agility in responding to market demands, aligned with the family's long-term vision for sustainable growth.

Organizational Structure and Compliance

Benteler International AG, headquartered in , , serves as the strategic overseeing the group's operations through a decentralized structure designed to enhance customer proximity and agility across global markets. The organization is divided into four primary divisions: BENTELER Automotive Components, which focuses on component manufacturing; BENTELER Automotive Modules, specializing in ; BENTELER /Tube, handling steel and tube production; and , dedicated to autonomous mobility solutions. In 2025, notable leadership updates included Markus Schlitt appointed as CEO of in May and Claudia Freitag as CFO of BENTELER /Tube in July. These divisions are supported by centralized global functions, including , communications and marketing, compliance, , and controlling, legal, and strategy managed by Benteler International AG, as well as IT, , law and , and additional and services provided by BENTELER Business Services GmbH in , . The group's reporting structure consolidates activities under Benteler International AG, encompassing 82 fully consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2024, primarily located outside , with additions such as BENTELER Verwaltungs AG in and BENTELER Automotive Components () Co. in during the year. This structure also includes associates and joint ventures, such as the partial deconsolidation of Autonomous Mobility AG in July 2024 following a minority stake sale to TASARU Worldwide Investments Company, after which it is accounted for using the equity method with Benteler retaining approximately 78.79% ownership. Other joint ventures include partnerships like the one with in , , for aluminum components, ensuring integrated operations while maintaining financial oversight through the . Compliance is embedded throughout the organization via a comprehensive management system that promotes ethical standards, legal adherence, and risk mitigation, with key focus areas including anti-corruption, antitrust and competition law, and export controls. The Chief Compliance Officer, supported by Group Regional Compliance Officers, Divisional Compliance Officers, and dedicated audit teams, oversees the implementation of the BENTELER Code of Conduct and annual compliance reporting to the executive board. Regional officers ensure localized enforcement of ethics programs, including the B-AWARE whistleblower system for anonymous reporting of violations by employees, partners, and third parties, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability across all entities.

References

  1. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/BENTELER_Group/2025_Faktenblatt-BENTELER_EN.pdf
  2. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Annual_Reports/BENTELER_Annual_Report_2024.pdf
  3. https://www.benteler.com/en/about-benteler/who-we-are/
  4. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/50-years-of-steel-production-in-lingen-bentelers-electric-steel-mill-celebrates-anniversary/
  5. https://www.benteler.com/en/about-benteler/values-tradition/
  6. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/BENTELER_Group/2024_Faktenblatt-BENTELER_EN.pdf
  7. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-celebrates-100th-anniversary-of-its-schloss-neuhaus-site/
  8. https://www.tharawat-magazine.com/fbl/benteler-family/
  9. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/BENTELER_Group/BENTELER_Company_Presentation_2024_EN.pdf
  10. https://www.benteler-glass.com/en/
  11. https://www.marklines.com/en/top500/benteler-group
  12. https://career.benteler.cz/en/benteler-in-the-czech-and-slovak-republic/regional-specifics/benteler-automotive/
  13. https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/anniversaries-around-the-globe-benteler-plants-celebrate-decades-of-metal-processing-competence-898460600.html
  14. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Non-financial_Reporting/BENTELER_Sustainability_Report_2022.pdf
  15. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Non-financial_Reporting/BENTELER_NHB_2017_en_final.pdf
  16. https://www.benteler.com/en/about-benteler/company-structure/
  17. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-inaugurates-new-plant-in-bratislava/
  18. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-strengthens-us-presence-with-new-e-mobility-plant/
  19. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-establishes-holon-a-new-brand-for-the-autonomous-mobility-of-the-future/
  20. https://leave-russia.org/benteler-international
  21. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Annual_Reports/BENTELER_Annual_Report_2022_EN.pdf
  22. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Annual_Reports/BENTELER_Annual_Report_2023.pdf
  23. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-on-track-with-solid-financial-year-in-2024-despite-challenging-market-conditions/
  24. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/Non-financial_Reporting/BENTLER_Sustainabilityupdate_2020.pdf
  25. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/automotive-products/chassis-components/
  26. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/automotive-products/structures/
  27. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/automotive-products/thermal-tubular/
  28. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/automotive-products/
  29. https://www.chrobinson.com/en-us/resources/resource-center/videos/benteler/
  30. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/automotive-products/module-assemblies/
  31. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-strengthens-presence-and-partnerships-in-china/
  32. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-starts-construction-of-new-automotive-plant-in-morocco-1/
  33. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/steel-tube-products/
  34. https://www.benteler.com/en/technologies-competences/steel-tube-technologies/tube-manufacturing-seamless/
  35. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/steel-tube-products/tubes-for-industry-applications/
  36. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/steel-tube-products/tubes-for-energy-applications/
  37. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/steel-tube-products/climore/
  38. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-recognized-for-sustainable-practices/
  39. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/mechanical-engineering/
  40. https://www.benteler-glass.com/en/business-segments/
  41. https://www.benteler-glass.com/en/business-segments/automotive-glass/
  42. https://www.benteler-glass.com/en/business-segments/technical-glass/
  43. https://www.benteler.com/en/products-services/holon/
  44. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/holon-to-establish-autonomous-shuttle-manufacturing-facility-in-jacksonville-florida-pioneering-the-future-of-mobility-in-the-united-states/
  45. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/bentelers-holon-to-showcase-autonomous-all-electric-urban-shuttle/
  46. https://www.glassglobal.com/directory/glass/profile/print/pdf.asp?ID=7269&extended=1
  47. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/07-Meta-Navigation/Downloads/BENTELER_Group/BENTELER_Company_Presentation_2025_EN_high_res.pdf
  48. https://www.benteler.com/en/about-benteler/global-presence/
  49. https://www.benteler.com/en/technologies-competences/hot-cold-forming/
  50. https://www.autonews.com/china/benteler-launches-shenyang-plant-supply-suspension-parts-bmw/
  51. https://projectxindia.com/2023/04/19/benteler-automotive-commences-operations-from-a-new-plant-in-pune/
  52. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/approval-for-multi-million-investment-in-autonomous-holon-mover/
  53. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/benteler-is-about-to-secure-a-multi-million-investment-for-autonomous-holon-mover-302056266.html
  54. https://www.thedtic.gov.za/minister-patel-welcomes-benteler-expansion/
  55. https://www.marklines.com/en/top500/cf/s500_046_hl2017
  56. https://www.marklines.com/en/news/320938
  57. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/milestone-for-mobility-holon-receives-approval-for-autonomous-testing-on-german-roads/
  58. https://www.benteler.com/en/sustainability/environmental/
  59. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/working-together-for-tomorrows-mobility-benteler-and-tongji-university-enter-into-partnership/
  60. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/benteler-becomes-official-partner-of-sc-paderborn-07/
  61. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/open-house-benteler-brings-training-to-life/
  62. https://www.benteler.com/en/press-media/latest-news/new-ceo-for-holon-markus-schlitt-takes-the-lead-on-the-road-to-series-production/
  63. https://www.facebook.com/BENTELER.Career/posts/-change-in-the-financial-management-of-benteler-steeltubeas-of-july-1-2025-claud/1574652550039590/
  64. https://www.benteler.com/fileadmin/user_upload/01-About_BENTELER/Corporate-Governance-Compliance/2025-01_BENTELER_CMS_Manual__1_.pdf
  65. https://www.benteler.com/en/about-benteler/corporate-governance-compliance/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.