You have known our family business, Automationstechnik GmbH, as a reliable partner for many years. We are pleased to announce that, effective 1 July 2025, our company has become part of the SCHÄFER WERKE Group, which is also family-owned. In SCHÄFER Container Systems, a leading global manufacturer of stainless steel IBCs and special containers, we have found a partner that shares our values and high standards of quality, innovation and customer focus. Both companies' respective production sites and global sales structures remain unchanged.
Two strong family-owned companies are combining their expertise: This merger brings together over 80 years of expertise in metalworking container construction. For our business partners and customers, this means:
• Continuity: our manufacturing location in Langenwang, our team and your usual contacts and processes will remain unchanged. Nothing will change in our daily cooperation with our business partners and customers.
• Enlarged product portfolio: Together, we offer you the most comprehensive range of stainless steel containers – from standard IBCs to heating and hazardous goods containers to the specialized aseptic solutions you are already familiar with.
• Innovation and future-proofness: Benefit from digital services such as condition monitoring and smart logistics integration for greater efficiency and quality.
Two family businesses – one goal
SCHÄFER Container Systems offers an extensive range of stainless steel IBCs for various applications, for liquids, pastes or solids. The company focuses on innovative technologies and has sales activities across the world.
Automationstechnik GmbH is the global technology leader in the manufacture of aseptic stainless steel containers with volumes of 200 to 2000 litres for a wide range of applications and is the world market leader in the production of aseptic containers for the fruit processing food industry. The company is also a reliable partner for customers in the chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
The aim of the partnership is to offer the most comprehensive range of stainless steel containers on the market – from standard IBCs and heating and hazardous goods containers, through to special aseptic solutions for highly sensitive applications. Our industrial customers, rental companies and small and medium-sized enterprises alike therefore benefit from a comprehensive range of products from a single source. The expansion of digital services, for example for container monitoring or process integration, will also be the focus of future development.
Stronger together: Ready for opportunities and challenges
International demand for stainless steel IBCs is expected to continue to grow in the coming years – fuelled by regulations such as the EU packaging regulation, requirements from insurance companies and the general trend towards switching from plastic to sustainable and safe stainless steel containers. Through our partnership with SCHÄFER Container Systems, we are well equipped to meet the opportunities and challenges that arise and are even better positioned for the future.
Locations remain unchanged – focus on synergies
Automationstechnik GmbH will continue to operate independently on the market, particularly in sales and customer support. Both production sites will remain in operation. At the same time, synergies in purchasing, production and digitalisation are to be leveraged in a targeted manner. You can continue to rely on your usual contacts at Automationstechnik GmbH.
A strong partnership as the foundation for growth and innovation
"With the acquisition of Automationstechnik GmbH, we are further sharpening our technological expertise and emphasising our claim to be a holistic provider in the IBC sector,” explains Marcus Düber, Managing Director of the SCHÄFER Werke Group. "Together, we are creating a strong platform for further growth and innovation.”
We are delighted to have found a strong partner in the SCHÄFER WERKE Group that shares our values and offers our company long-term development prospects. Our customers can continue to rely on high-quality, aseptic container solutions and the best service.
Thilo Reich
C.E.O, Automationstechnik GmbH
