The Bechtle story.

Bechtle expanded its international footprint making three acquisitions in the reporting year. Service providers in the Netherlands and United Kingdom become the first outside of the DACH region to join the Bechtle Group. A business volume totalling €7.3 bn (+16.6 %) exemplifies another record year. Revenue also rose significantly by 13.6 % to €6 bn. On 31 December 2022, Bechtle’s workforce counted 14,046 employees, or 1,166 more than in the previous year. Bechtle also published its Climate Protection Strategy 2030 with concrete targets and measures to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

A choppy economy and the IT industry’s pummelled supply chain could not throw Bechtle off its successful course. The overall business volume increased by 7.3 per cent to 6.25 bn euros, while revenue gained 5.1 per cent to settle at 5.3 bn euros (excluding revenue from standard software; see bechtle.com/ifrs15). At the end of the year, there are 12,880 people working for Bechtle, or 700 more than the year before, and backlogged orders surged to a historic 1.8 bn euros. Further highlights: The Global IT Alliance welcomes new partners in Canada, the Caribbean and India, and Bechtle introduces its Sustainability Strategy 2030.

The year is dominated by the COVID 19 pandemic, with all its effects on the economy, everyday working life, and private life. With an outstanding team of now 12,180 employees, Bechtle defies the crisis: revenues increase to 5.8 billion euros, EBT by 14.6 percent, and the margin improves from 4.4 to 4.7 percent. In addition, Bechtle achieves remarkable new records by exceeding 2 billion euros in revenues in the business with public clients, the historically highest parcel output in central logistics, and 30,000 applications received.

After hitting its mark of 10,000 employees, Bechtle also reaches its Vision 2020 revenue goal with a jump of over one billion to now 5.3 billion euros. No less than nine acquisitions see more companies than ever join the Bechtle Group. By the end of the year, 11,487 people work for Bechtle. And the Bechtle share is flying high, soaring 84.5 per cent over the course of the year.

All sights are locked on growth. On 24 September, Bechtle AG debuts on the MDAX, putting it firmly on the list of Germany’s top 90 companies. The acquisition of Inmac Wstore S.A.S in France is Bechtle’s biggest haul to date. Bechtle introduces its own brand, ARTICONA, and in December, the company counts over 10,000 employees. Revenues climb past the four-billion-euro threshold as Bechtle raises the bar with a new Vision 2030.

Two new partnerships are forged in Latin America—Compucentro in Mexico and Microware in Brazil. Shortly after, Bechtle adds yet another member to their Global IT Alliance—Data#3 Limited in Brisbane, Australia. Bechtle expands its existing IT solution portfolio to include its own product and project financing solutions for the first time through Bechtle Financial Services AG. Bechtle merges with Steffen Informatik AG and gains five new locations in Switzerland. At the central logistics hub in Neckarsulm, Bechtle introduces an augmented reality solution, equipping warehouse staff with smart glasses. This is the world’s first live deployment of SAP’s mobile AR Warehouse Picker app. 7,667 dedicated employees smash the three billion euro mark in revenues.

Right at the start of Bechtle's 30th anniversary year, the new office space at Bechtle Platz 1 is ready for use. The headquarters now has 27,600 m2 at its disposal. Acquisition of Viritim Systemhaus GmbH in Karlsruhe expands the Software Division. Bechtle also expands its IT System House segment in Switzerland by acquiring Sedna Informatik AG as well as Sitexs-Databusiness IT-Solutions GmbH in Vienna. Revenue increases to 2.27 billion euros—a new record. The number of employees rises to 6,219.

With its newest subsidiary in Poland, the e-commerce brand Bechtle direct is now present in twelve European countries. Bechtle also acquires the iits group of system houses (taking over four locations in northern Germany) as well as HTH Consulting GmbH, located in St Pölten, Austria. CAD software specialist Solidpro Informationssysteme GmbH, which has nine locations throughout Germany, also joins the Bechtle Group. Revenues reach a record-breaking 1.72 billion euros, and the number of employees rises to 4,800.

In the midst of the worst economic crisis of the post-war era, Bechtle remains confident in the Group’s ability to prevail, establishing yet another e-commerce subsidiary—this time in Portugal, Bechtle’s eleventh country. Group headquarters are also expanded to accommodate 1,000 employees. Vision 2020 sets the course for Bechtle’s future, aiming to achieve 5 billion euros in revenues and 10,000 employees. In 2009, however, Bechtle’s revenues amount to 1.38 billion euros and its workforce totals 4,354 employees.

Bechtle celebrates its 25th anniversary and continues its success story with another record-setting year. While the system house business enters the Austrian market, the e-commerce segment expands into Ireland through Bechtle direct, which is now represented in ten countries. Founder and long-time Executive Board chairman Ralf Klenk steps down after 25 years at the helm. Revenues rise to 1.43 billion euros and staff increases to 4,405 employees.

Four acquisitions in as many countries reinforce both Bechtle’s system house and e-commerce segments. The Group’s ARP brand continues to expand internationally, establishing a new online shop for France, while subsidiary Comsoft direct leads Bechtle further into the software licensing market. The Executive Board raises its earnings guidance three times—a testament to Bechtle’s profitability. Revenues advance by more than 13 percent to 1.38 billion euros and pre-tax earnings gain 29 percent to 59 million euros. Bechtle’s workforce continues to grow as well, numbering 4,250 employees.

Bechtle moves into its new headquarters in Neckarsulm, located at the eponymous address Bechtle Platz 1. The Group’s share is also taken up in the German technology index TecDAX. Bechtle takes over Swiss-based ARP Datacon Group—one of Europe’s largest IT e-commerce providers—marking the start of a multi-brand e-commerce strategy. In addition, Bechtle direkt ÖA is established to cater exclusively to public-sector customers. Ralf Klenk takes over as Chairman of the Executive Board while Gerhard Schick becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Bechtle reaches a significant milestone, surpassing 1 billion euros in revenues through the dedication of its 3,178 employees.

Bechtle AG launches its initial public offering on 30 March at an issue price of 27 euros. Demand for the new share greatly exceeds supply and the Bechtle share oversubscribes twelve-fold. This injection of capital is put to good use expanding the Group into France and Belgium while also establishing an additional location in Dresden and acquiring five further system houses. Thus strengthened, the Group boasts 30 locations, 1,680 employees and revenues of approximately 955,000,000 German marks.  

With the addition of another five offices, Bechtle is now represented in 18 locations across Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony. The Group establishes its own installation centre, and Bechtle direkt also founds a subsidiary in the UK. The investment firm BWK GmbH acquires an interest in Bechtle and remains Bechtle’s second largest shareholder to this day. Revenues total some 250,000,000 German marks, generated by 510 employees.

The number of Bechtle locations increases to 13, extending the Group’s broad coverage to Saxony and neighbouring parts of Thuringia. Bechtle also breaks into the ranks of Germany’s top five IT system houses. For the first time ever, it takes its commerce business across national borders, founding Bechtle direkt AG in Switzerland and doubling its staff to 320. Revenues continue their upward trajectory, reaching 170,000,000 German marks.

The same year Amazon and eBay are founded in the US, Bechtle launches its website, www.bechtle.de, making the Group a pioneer in the e-commerce market. Once again, Bechtle grows rapidly, acquiring Pazdera Computer in Karlsruhe and thereby enabling extensive market coverage in northern Baden-Württemberg. Another location, this time in Leipzig, is also added. These new locations bear fruit immediately, driving a three-fold increase in revenues to some 115,200,000 German marks within a single year and boosting staff numbers to 150.

Following the bankruptcies of two competitors, Bechtle seizes the opportunity to expand further by opening two offices outside Baden-Württemberg. On 1 January, nine former employees of the IBM systems integrator Computer Martin join Bechtle GmbH EDV-Zentrum in Würzburg. In July, Software Direkt (Maier + Partner) in Chemnitz is added to the fold, representing another stone in Bechtle’s foundation for a Germany-wide network of IT system houses. The Vision, published in 1988, aims to achieve 100 million German marks and launch an IPO by the turn of the millennium. For the time being, however, Bechtle revenues continue to grow apace, totalling approximately 33,850,000 German marks. Its staff at the time numbers 100 people.

In late 1991, Bechtle’s first catalogue—consisting of 32 black-and-white pages—paves the way for the company’s commerce brand, Bechtle direct, to cross regional borders. Its system house business focuses on network communications, technical solutions and training, with technical services becoming increasingly important. Now employing 85 people, Bechtle is among southern Germany’s largest IT system houses. Although the hardware market is subject to dramatic price wars, Bechtle’s revenues continue to grow, reaching 23,342,000 German marks.

By 1989, Bechtle has established itself as the market leader in its region. It moves into a new office building at Europaplatz, doubling its office space to more than 1,300 m². For the third time in a row, Bechtle is recognised as Quality Dealer of the Year by IBM—the last time the title is awarded. Through the hard work of its 37 employees, Bechtle’s revenues surge by more than 50 percent to roughly 13,015,000 German marks.

In January, Bechtle becomes a certified IBM distributor and moves into 180 m² of new office space. Its staff now totals six people, including Bechtle’s first vocational trainee. Business is humming along, with revenues climbing to some 2,245,000 German marks.

On 21 July 1983, Bechtle GmbH EDV-Technik is founded as a microbusiness by Professor Klaus von Jan, Ralf Klenk and Gerhard Schick. Operating out of a 70 m² commercial building in the centre of Heilbronn, it focuses on programming and marketing technical calculation software while also selling Apple, BASIS and Victor Sirius computers. In its first abbreviated fiscal year, the fledgling company earns 66,000 German marks.