Siemens to acquire drive technology business of ebm-papst

Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology (IDT) business of German company ebm-papst. The business, which employs around 650 people, manufactures intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low-voltage range and motion control systems. These systems are used in free-range driverless transport systems. The planned acquisition will complement the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio and strengthen Siemens’ position as a solutions provider for flexible production automation.

“ebm-papst’s innovative portfolio of mechatronic drive systems and its highly qualified people are an excellent fit for Siemens,” said Cedrik Neike, CEO of Siemens Digital Industries. “The acquisition will enable us to tap new business and customer potential in the rapidly growing market for intelligent, battery-powered drive solutions in intralogistics as well as mobile robot solutions.”

IDT products are intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems that support the automation and digitalisation of production processes. Through their use in mobile robots and driverless transport vehicles as well as in the automation of auxiliary processes, such as the retooling of modern production machines, Siemens sees them as an important lever for greater flexibility and productivity. For this reason, high market growth is expected in this market segment.

The transaction is to be completed by mid-2025, subject to the necessary foreign trade and merger control approvals. The IDT business of ebm-papst is located in St. Georgen and Lauf an der Pegnitz, Germany, and in Oradea, Romania. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

“The acquisition by Siemens is a strategically significant step for us,” said Dr Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the ebm-papst Group. “What our industrial drive technology business had lacked until now was a global sales organisation for maximum growth. Siemens is a long-standing customer and a company with strong international market penetration and an extensive customer base. The integration that has now been agreed upon will give our IDT business global market access. It will open up new horizons for innovation and further growth.”

The ebm-papst Group is a family-run company headquartered in Mulfingen, Germany, and was founded in 1963.