The Bechtle journey.

As of 31 December 2024, Bechtle employs 15,801 people—including 883 vocational trainees and dual-track students. Six acquisitions strengthen the portfolio—two in Germany, two in the UK, one in Spain, and one in Italy. For the first time in its history, Bechtle introduces a bold new visual identity—complete with a reimagined logo. Other highlights include the creation of a charitable foundation, winning the Best Managed Company Award, and the widespread rollout of Copilot for Microsoft 365. Bechtle also focuses on developing its Rostock location into an innovation hub for AI-powered applications from PLANET AI, which the Bechtle Group sells across Europe. Despite challenging economic conditions in 2024, business volume grows by 2.0 per cent to €7,949.0 m.

On 21 July, Bechtle celebrates its 40th anniversary. What began in 1983 as a small IT service provider in Germany’s industrious south has grown into a European player in the digital industry. Bechtle strengthens its market presence with seven acquisitions across France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland—including a 51 per cent stake in Rostock-based AI company, PLANET AI. Key financial figures show clear growth—business volume increases by 7 per cent to €7.8 billion, and revenue rises by 6.5 per cent to €6.4 billion. By year-end, Bechtle employs 15,159 people—1,113 more than in the previous year.

Bechtle significantly strengthens its international services business with three acquisitions in the Netherlands and United Kingdom—the group’s first IT service providers based outside the DACH region. Business volume rises by 16.6 per cent to €7.3 billion, marking another record year. Revenue also climbs significantly, up 13.6 per cent to €6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, Bechtle employs 14,046 people, which is 1,166 more than in the previous year. Bechtle also publishes its Climate Protection Strategy 2030, setting out concrete targets and measures to reduce emissions and become net zero by 2030.

Despite a challenging economic environment and significant supply chain disruptions in the IT industry, Bechtle stays firmly on course. Business volume increases by 7.3 per cent to €6.25 billion, while revenue rises by 5.1 per cent to €5.3 billion (excluding revenue from standard software; see bechtle.com/ifrs15). By year-end, Bechtle employs 12,880 people—700 more than the previous year—and the order backlog reaches a record €1.8 billion. Other highlights include the expansion of the Global IT Alliance, welcoming new partners in Canada, the Caribbean and India, and Bechtle introducing its Sustainability Strategy 2030.

The COVID-19 pandemic turns the economy upside down and upends our working and private lives. Undeterred, Bechtle’s 12,180-strong team rises to the challenge, lifting revenue to €5.8 billion, EBT by 14.6 per cent, and the margin from 4.4 to 4.7 per cent. The year also brings new all-time highs—B2G revenues exceeds €2 billion, the central logistics hub processes a record number of parcels, and Bechtle receives over 30,000 job applications.

Following the achievement of its 10,000-employee milestone in 2018, Bechtle now also reaches its Vision 2020 revenue target—growing by more than €1 billion to €5.3 billion. It’s also a record year for acquisitions—nine companies join the Bechtle Group, more than ever before. By year-end, Bechtle employs 11,487 people. And on the financial markets, the Bechtle share performs better than ever—rising 84.5 per cent over the course of the year.

All signs point to growth. On 24 September, Bechtle AG joins the MDAX, placing it among Germany’s 90 largest listed companies. The acquisition of Inmac Wstore S.A.S in France marks the largest takeover in Bechtle’s history. The company also launches its own brand, ARTICONA, and in December, the number of employees surpasses 10,000. Revenue breaks through the €4 billion mark as Bechtle sets its sights on the next chapter—Vision 2030.

Bechtle expands its Global IT Alliance into Latin America with two new partners: Compucentro in Mexico and Microware in Brazil. Shortly afterwards, the alliance adds another partner in Australia—Data#3 Limited, based in Brisbane. Bechtle also extends its IT solutions portfolio to include in-house product and project financing through the newly established Bechtle Financial Services AG. The merger with Steffen Informatik AG adds five new locations in Switzerland. At the logistics hub in Neckarsulm, Bechtle launches the world’s first live deployment of SAP’s AR Warehouse Picker app—powered by smart glasses and augmented reality. By year-end, 7,667 employees help drive revenue past the €3 billion mark.

Bechtle marks its 30th anniversary with a move into the newly completed extension at Bechtle Platz 1—bringing total office space at headquarters to 27,600 square metres. The Software Division grows with the acquisition of Viritim Systemhaus GmbH in Karlsruhe. In Switzerland, the system house business expands with the purchase of Sedna Informatik AG, while in Austria, Bechtle acquires Sitexs-Databusiness IT-Solutions GmbH, based in Vienna. Revenue reaches a new record of €2.27 billion, and the number of employees rises to 6,219.

Bechtle launches its e-commerce business in Poland, bringing the brand to twelve European countries. Bechtle also takes over iits, a group of IT service providers with four sites in northern Germany, along with HTH Consulting GmbH, based in St Pölten, Austria. CAD specialist Solidpro Informationssysteme GmbH with nine sites across Germany also joins the Bechtle Group. Revenue reaches a new record of €1.72 billion, and the number of employees rises to 4,800.

Amid the most severe economic crisis of the post-war era, Bechtle continues to invest in the group’s long-term future. The launch of an e-commerce subsidiary in Portugal brings Bechtle’s presence to eleven countries. The expansion of the headquarters creates space for 1,000 employees. And with Vision 2020, Bechtle sets a clear course for the future, targeting €5 billion in revenue and a workforce of 10,000. For now, 4,354 employees generate a revenue of €1.38 billion

Bechtle celebrates its 25th anniversary and continues its success story with another record year. The IT System House segment enters the Austrian market, while Bechtle direct expands into Ireland—bringing the e-commerce business to ten countries. Founder and long-time CEO Ralf Klenk steps down after 25 years at the helm of the company. Revenue rises to €1.43 billion, and the number of employees grows to 4,405.

Four acquisitions in four countries strengthen both Bechtle’s System House and E-commerce segments. Bechtle subsidiary ARP continues its international expansion with the launch of an online platform in France, while Comsoft direct drives growth in the software licensing market. The Executive Board raises its earnings guidance three times—a clear sign of Bechtle’s profitability. Revenue increases by more than 13 per cent to €1.38 billion, and EBT rises by over 29 per cent to €59 million. Bechtle’s workforce grows to 4,250 employees.

Bechtle moves into its new headquarters in Neckarsulm, at the aptly named address, Bechtle Platz 1. The company’s share is included in the TecDAX, Germany’s technology index. With the acquisition of the Swiss-based ARP-Datacon Group, one of Europe’s largest IT e-commerce providers, Bechtle launches its multi-brand strategy in its direct sales business. Bechtle direkt ÖA also begins operations, focusing exclusively on public-sector customers. Ralf Klenk takes over as CEO, while Gerhard Schick becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board. A major milestone: 3,178 employees drive revenue past the €1 billion mark.

Bechtle AG goes public on 30 March. Demand for the share far exceeds supply—the IPO is oversubscribed twelve-fold at an issue price of €27. The capital raised supports further expansion. Bechtle establishes a new location in Dresden and launches Bechtle direkt subsidiaries in France and Belgium. Five acquisitions in the System House segment also strengthen the group’s position. With 30 locations and 1,680 employees, Bechtle generates a revenue of approximately DM 955 million.

With the addition of five more locations, Bechtle is now active at 18 sites across Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony—covering much of southern and eastern Germany. The company sets up a staging line for configuring and preparing customer systems. Bechtle direkt opens a new location in the United Kingdom. Investment firm BWK GmbH acquires a stake in Bechtle and remains its second-largest shareholder to this day. Revenue reaches approximately DM 250 million, generated by 510 employees.

Bechtle expands to 13 locations, establishing full regional coverage in Saxony and neighbouring parts of Thuringia. The company also joins the ranks of Germany’s top five IT system houses. For the first time, its e-commerce business crosses national borders with the founding of Bechtle direkt AG in Switzerland. The expansion doubles the workforce, now numbering 320. Revenue rises to approximately DM 170 million.

The same year Amazon and eBay are founded in the US, Bechtle becomes a pioneer of IT e-commerce in Germany with the launch of its online platform, www.bechtle.de. The group continues its rapid growth, acquiring Pazdera Computer in Karlsruhe and achieving full market coverage in northern Baden-Württemberg. A new location in Leipzig is also added. The momentum pays off quickly as revenue triples within a year, reaching approximately DM 115.2 million, while the workforce grows to 150.

Two bankruptcies in the industry create an opening for Bechtle to expand beyond Baden-Württemberg. On 1 January, nine former employees of Computer Martin, an IBM systems integrator, become the founding team of Bechtle GmbH EDV-Zentrum in Würzburg. In July, Software Direkt (Maier + Partner) in Chemnitz is added. The two locations lay the foundation for a future nationwide network of Bechtle IT system houses. The company’s first strategic Vision, adopted in 1988, sets out two clear goals: to reach DM 100 million in revenue and take the company public by the year 2000. For now, Bechtle generates approximately DM 33.85 million in revenue, with a team of 100 employees.

In late 1991, Bechtle publishes its first catalogue—32 black-and-white pages that lay the foundation for its cross-regional trading business under the Bechtle direkt name. The system house focuses on computer-to-computer communication, technical solutions and customer training. IT services play an increasingly important role. Now with 85 employees, Bechtle ranks among the largest system houses in southern Germany. Despite fierce price competition in the hardware market, revenue continues to grow, reaching approximately DM 23.34 million.

Bechtle is now a recognised market leader in the region. With the move to new premises at Europaplatz in Heilbronn, the company doubles its floor space to over 1,300 m². For the third year in a row—and for the last time the title is awarded—Bechtle is named IBM Quality Dealer of the Year. With 37 employees, revenue climbs by more than 50 per cent to approximately DM 13.02 million.

In January, Bechtle becomes a certified IBM partner and moves into 180 m² of new office space. The team grows to six employees, including the company’s first vocational trainee. Business is humming along, with revenue rising to approximately DM 2.25 million.

On 21 July 1983, Klaus von Jan, Ralf Klenk and Gerhard Schick establish Bechtle GmbH EDV-Technik. Initially a one-man operation, the company is based in a 70 m² shop unit in Heilbronn’s City Süd Centre. The fledgling company focuses on developing and marketing technical computing software, while also selling Apple, BASIS, and Victor Sirius computers. Revenue in Bechtle’s first abbreviated financial year totals DM 66,000.