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.
Consolidated Sales (million, 2025)
Employees Worldwide
Locations
Regions (EMEA, Greater China, North America, South America, APAC)
Production sites
Research and development (million)
Year established
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Chief Financial Officer
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 comprises specialized 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 shutoff, check, solenoid, and expansion valves, as well as sight glasses, accessories, and customized solutions. AWA has been part of the BITZER Group since 2013.
BPOWER, based in the Czech Republic, specializes 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, specializes 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.
Philosophy
Our philosophy describes how we think and act at BITZER:
It combines entrepreneurial thinking with our commitment to developing reliable solutions for our customers and partners – and shows why BITZER is more than a compressor.
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 nonprofit 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.
Through SCHAUWERK Sindelfingen, THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION operates a museum open to the public that showcases contemporary art from the Schaufler collection. This museum has changing exhibitions of selected works from the collection.
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.
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.
Our beginnings
It all starts in Sindelfingen, Germany, in 1934 when the company is founded by Martin Bitzer. The first BITZER compressors are reciprocating compressors with co-current flow design.
“[…] and when we look back today, we do so with gratitude. We have always been supported by employees whose dedication, extending far beyond their duty, helped us overcome difficulties.”
Another milestone in compressor technology follows in 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.
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.
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.
Ulrich Schaufler takes over the company in 1961.
In 1965, our site in the center of Sindelfingen once again becomes too small. In order to be able to continue growing, we start building new premises on Eschenbrünnlestrasse – which we move into in 1966.
In 1972, we expand our series to include semi-hermetic 4- and 6-cylinder reciprocating compressors with drive power of up to 30 kW.
In 1976, our portfolio of shell and tube condensers and liquid receivers is growing. We had already started developing and producing them back in 1950.
The Start of a New Era
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.
“Diligence, a spirit of innovation, and quality rooted in tradition – these are BITZER values brought to life by our employees. They are our greatest asset.”
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 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.
The acquisition of the Schkeuditz location near Leipzig, Germany, follows in 1991, and its expansion into the competence center for reciprocating compressors begins.
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.
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.
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.
In 2013, our ECOLINE reciprocating compressors feature the new CR II (VARISTEP) capacity control system, offering greater energy efficiency and a wider application range.
A Firm Eye on the Future
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.
“For me, BITZER is more than a company – it is like a family. Our strength comes from the ideas, commitment, and trust of our employees. Every day, they dedicate themselves to serving our customers around the world and enable us to grow and develop together.”
In 2016, we open the SCHAUFLER Academy – our new 1,500 m² international training center in Rottenburg-Ergenzingen, Germany, named in honor of Senator h. c. Peter Schaufler.
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.
VaCom has been part of BITZER since 2018. The California-based company focuses on development, analysis, consulting, and performance and energy monitoring for industrial refrigeration control systems.
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 in 2021.
Rainer Große-Kracht is appointed Vice-Chairman of the Management Board.
Investment in the use of ORC systems (ORC = Organic Rankine Cycle): We acquire Czech company BPOWER in 2023.
The Danish electronics specialist OJ Electronics also becomes part of the BITZER family in 2023.
Since 2024, 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.
