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CEO Joachim Ley is pleased with the revenue growth in 2025 and the strong start to 2026.
Ziehl-Abegg (Künzelsau, Germany) has released preliminary business figures for 2025: for the first time in the company’s 116-year history, revenue exceeded one billion euros (previous year: EUR 893 million). With year-on-year growth of more than 12 percent, the globally active manufacturer of fans and drive motors reaches a major milestone. The company’s global headcount increased from 5,300 to 5,800 employees.
“This milestone is more than just a number to us – it represents the performance, commitment and cohesion of our teams around the world,” says Joachim Ley, CEO of Ziehl-Abegg. “2025 was not an easy year. Exchange rates, tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties put many markets under pressure. That makes this result all the more impressive and demonstrates what we are capable of as a company.” As is tradition, Ziehl-Abegg does not disclose earnings. However, Ley notes: “Due to global disruptions, profit came under massive pressure.”
Artan Shahini is mounting the traction sheave onto an elevator motor that is currently still produced using rare-earth magnets. This year, Ziehl-Abegg will start serial production of its world-first innovation: elevator motors equipped with ferrite magnets.
International markets are becoming increasingly important
A key driver of growth was strong international business: the United States is now Ziehl-Abegg’s most important foreign market, accounting for well over 20 percent of total revenue. The EUR 100 million investment launched in 2024 to build a new plant came at exactly the right time, strengthening local presence and delivery capability across the North American market.
China remains the company’s second-largest foreign market. Given intense competition, Ziehl-Abegg is deliberately pursuing a regional development approach there, offering products optimally tailored to market requirements in terms of both technology and pricing. “If you want to succeed in China, you must not only understand the market – you must actively shape it locally,” Ley emphasizes.
World first: rare-earth-free synchronous elevator machine
In 2025, Ziehl-Abegg became the first company worldwide to develop an electric synchronous elevator machine without magnets made from rare earths – while maintaining the same high performance and identical installation size. An innovative motor design strengthens technological independence and ensures stable long-term production, regardless of geopolitical risks or export restrictions. “Being clearly ahead of the competition technologically – that is our guiding principle,” says CEO Joachim Ley.
Despite challenging conditions, Ziehl-Abegg continued to expand its position as a technology leader. A decisive factor in this success was the company’s high level of vertical integration – including its own foundry, sheet-metal production and plastics processing – as well as its innovative strength in bionic fan designs.
Ziehl-Abegg employs around 5,800 people worldwide, including 3,000 employees at its Southern German production sites (previous year: 2,800). Ziehl-Abegg’s energy-efficient fans and precision drive systems are used in HVAC and refrigeration technology, elevators, cleanrooms, agricultural facilities and medical technology, among other applications. The company’s products are sold in more than 100 countries.
