From Steam Machine to Airbus
Broetje-Automation (BA) emerged from the long-established company August Brötje Maschinenbau und Heizungstechnik in 1979. Since 2016 we belong to Shanghai Electric Corp.
Milestones
2016
In October 2016, Shanghai Electric Group (SEC) acquired a 100-percent stake in Broetje-Automation GmbH. The investment in Broetje-Automation is targeted at expanding the company’s activities in the area of automation technology. Broetje-Automation will act as the lead company in the new business field “Aerospace Automation".
2015
The Company merged the Jaderberg and Wiefelstede sites to one location in Rastede. With this move Broetje-Automation has combined the Know-How of its 450 employees within its headquarters. End of 2015, Broetje-Automation founded BA Japan K.K. in Nagoya (Japan). The company strengthens its local presence and uses the proximity to customers for improved communication and support.
2014
Broetje-Automation acquired the aircraft assembly technology division from Dürr, a machinery and equipment construction company. With this new acquisition BA Assembly & Turnkey Systems GmbH was founded – a move which consequently widened the product portfolio. BA Composites GmbH and Compose 2 Compete GmbH were also established in 2014 thus expanding the Company offerings.
2013
In the first half of 2013 Broetje-Automation established a service company in Jaderberg. The operational business of both locations - BA Jaderberg GmbH and Broetje-Automation GmbH - were consolidated in Wiefelstede. The year 2013 also saw the founding of the subsidiary Broetje-Automation UK Ltd.
2012
During the fiscal year 2012, Deutsche Beteiligung AG, using the co-investment funds entrusted to them joined forces with the management of BRÖTJE-Automation and indirectly acquired all the shares in the Company from CLAAS KGaA mbH. With this solid foundation BRÖTJE-Automation was well poised to further expand the Company and sustain the growth trend, whilst continuing to focus on our customers’ demands. In connection with this development BRÖTJE-Automation also changed the name to Broetje-Automation and launched the new logo.
2011
The turnover in the fiscal year 2011 reaches approx. 100 million euro for the first time. BRÖTJE-Automation now actively works on expanding its service capabilities worldwide to be able to even better support it's global installed base. Subsidiaries in Asia and Russia are currently in the foundation phase. To expand the skill sets of our North American Operations we are also actively looking into moving our USA office.
2010
Assignments to plan production systems for new aircraft programs followed. In 2010, BRÖTJE-Automation takes on two turnkey assignments to equip four complete production halls as a turnkey supplier. Today, BRÖTJE-Automation is a recognized "Strategic Supplier" to many of its main customers.
2007
BRÖTJE-Automation acquires Hydro-Control-Steuerungstechnik and supplies riveting tools and robot-based automation solutions from BA Jaderberg.
2006
Broetje Automation –USA, Inc. is founded.
2003
The Claas Gruppe buys the company in 2003. Company growth requires building expansion in Wiefelstede. In addition to Automated Fastening Machines, BRÖTJE-Automation now supplies joining stations and final assembly lines, significantly expanding its customer base beyond the USA and Europe.
1980-2000
The delivery of the first machine for the automated riveting of aircraft parts is the company's introduction into the aviation industry. Soon after, BRÖTJE-Automation makes sales to the USA and Japan. The company headquarters is moved from Rastede to Wiefelstede. BRÖTJE-Automation establishes itself as a supplier for riveting machines in mulltiple commercial and military aircraft programs of the major aircraft manufacturers - not only in the USA and Europe, but also in Asia and Russia.
1946-1979
After the world war, the company experienced significant growth. By the time "Brötje Heizung" celebrates its 50th company anniversary it has a total of 2,500 employees. In the 70’s, the company not only expands its heat engineering capacities, but also its capacities for mechanical engineering. The subsidiary Brötje-Sümak-Automation builds machine tools and is renamed BRÖTJE-Automation GmbH in 1979.
1919-39
In 1919, August Brötje founded his first workshop for repairing steam machines and motors in Rastede. Later, he expanded the activities to include the production of band saws as well as zigzag and column-type radiators.