Broetje-Automation GmbH
German aerospace automation specialist supplying aircraft assembly machines, production systems, and integrated manufacturing solutions.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Broetje-Automation GmbH is a German special-machine manufacturer and systems integrator focused primarily on aircraft production and aerospace assembly. Based in Rastede, Lower Saxony, the company designs and builds automated equipment for assembling aircraft and aircraft components, while also integrating the machines, tooling, software, engineering, and production processes required for complete assembly lines. Its capabilities cover fastening and riveting, joining, composite-material processing, assembly stations, jigs and tools, factory integration, and services supporting the operation and modernization of production equipment. The business originated within August Brötje, a German mechanical-engineering and heating-technology company founded in 1919. During the 1970s, the subsidiary Brötje-Sümak-Automation was involved in machine-tool construction. It became Brötje-Automation GmbH in 1979, marking the beginning of the company’s distinct identity as an automation and special-machine supplier. The company established itself in aerospace during the 1980s and 1990s by supplying automated riveting machines for aircraft components. It subsequently broadened its offering from individual machines to more extensive joining stations, assembly systems, and complete production-line solutions. Ownership and organizational changes shaped the company’s later development. The CLAAS Group acquired the company in 2003, after which Broetje-Automation expanded its portfolio and international presence. A United States subsidiary was established in 2006. In 2012, the company’s shares were bought back from CLAAS KGaA mbH in cooperation with Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, and the spelling was changed from Brötje-Automation to Broetje-Automation to support international use. In 2015, operations at Wiefelstede and Jaderberg were consolidated at a new headquarters in Rastede, and BA Japan K.K. was founded. Shanghai Electric Group acquired the company in 2016. Broetje-Automation serves aircraft manufacturers and aerospace suppliers in major production regions. Reference customers identified in public company descriptions include Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Premium AEROTEC, and Mitsubishi, among others. The company has been described as operating at approximately 23 international locations, with production facilities in Rastede, Chicago, Shanghai, and Toulouse. Its global footprint enables it to provide engineering, installation, commissioning, maintenance, upgrades, and other support close to customer manufacturing sites. The company’s technology scope includes equipment for metallic structures as well as lightweight and composite materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. In addition to machinery, Broetje-Automation provides production planning, process engineering, software solutions, operational tooling, service, and integration of multiple manufacturing steps into turnkey factory systems. Its positioning is therefore broader than that of a standalone machine vendor: it acts as an aerospace production-technology partner responsible for planning, designing, integrating, commissioning, and supporting automated assembly environments.
History
Broetje-Automation traces its origins to August Brötje, a German company founded in 1919 with activities in mechanical engineering and heating technology. During the 1970s, an affiliated business known as Brötje-Sümak-Automation built machine tools. In 1979, that activity was renamed Brötje-Automation GmbH, creating the corporate identity that later developed into a specialist supplier for aircraft manufacturing. The company’s aerospace trajectory began with automated machines for riveting aircraft components. Between the 1980s and 2000, it established a position in aviation production by supplying equipment that improved the repeatability and productivity of fastening operations. Its activities expanded geographically into the United States, Europe, and Asia as aircraft manufacturers and aerospace suppliers increasingly adopted automated production methods. A major ownership transition occurred in 2003, when the CLAAS Group acquired Broetje-Automation. Under CLAAS ownership, the company extended its portfolio beyond individual riveting machines. It added joining stations, final assembly lines, and broader production-system capabilities, moving toward the role of an integrator able to plan and implement complete aircraft-assembly environments. In 2006, Broetje Automation-USA, Inc. was established, strengthening the company’s presence in North America. In 2012, the company bought back its shares from CLAAS KGaA mbH in cooperation with Deutsche Beteiligungs AG. The same period brought a change in international branding: the spelling “Brötje-Automation” was changed to “Broetje-Automation,” replacing the umlaut with “oe” for easier use across international markets. In 2015, the Wiefelstede and Jaderberg sites were consolidated at a new headquarters in Rastede. The company also established BA Japan K.K., extending its direct presence in an important aerospace-manufacturing region. Shanghai Electric Group acquired Broetje-Automation in 2016. The company continued operating as an aerospace automation and special-machine business within the Chinese industrial group. Public descriptions place its activities at about 23 international locations, including Germany, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and Japan. Production facilities have been identified in Rastede, Chicago, Shanghai, and Toulouse. Broetje-Automation’s modern scope encompasses both equipment manufacture and systems integration. It develops automated assembly stations, fastening and riveting machinery, composite-processing systems, jigs, tools, software, and factory-integration solutions. Its engineering role can extend from production planning and process design through installation, commissioning, and operational support. The company’s equipment is designed for metallic aircraft structures and lightweight composite materials, including carbon-fiber- and glass-fiber-reinforced plastics. It also provides maintenance, upgrades, modifications, and other industrial services for installed systems. The company’s customer references include major aircraft manufacturers and aerospace suppliers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Premium AEROTEC, and Mitsubishi. These relationships reflect its role in the global aircraft-production supply chain rather than a consumer-facing brand position. Broetje-Automation is principally recognized as a business-to-business technology provider that combines special-purpose machinery, automation engineering, tooling, software, and lifecycle service for aircraft assembly.
- 2016
Shanghai Electric Group takes ownership
[1]Shanghai Electric Group acquires Broetje-Automation.
- 2015
Rastede headquarters and Japanese subsidiary
[1]The Wiefelstede and Jaderberg sites are merged into a new headquarters in Rastede, and BA Japan K.K. is founded.
- 2012
Ownership restructuring and international name change
[1]Shares are bought back from CLAAS in cooperation with Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, and the company adopts the Broetje-Automation spelling for international use.
- 2006
United States subsidiary founded
[1]Broetje Automation-USA, Inc. is established.
- 2003
CLAAS acquires the company
[1]The CLAAS Group acquires Broetje-Automation, which subsequently expands into joining stations and final assembly lines.
- 1980
Automated aircraft riveting becomes a core activity
[1]The company establishes itself in aerospace through machines for automated riveting of aircraft components during the period beginning around 1980.
- 1979
Brötje-Automation GmbH is established
[1]The Brötje-Sümak-Automation machine-tool activity is renamed Brötje-Automation GmbH.
- 1919
August Brötje is founded
[1]The mechanical-engineering and heating-technology company August Brötje, from which Broetje-Automation later emerged, is established in Germany.
Products and positioning
Specialist aerospace automation and aircraft-assembly systems integrator
Aircraft assembly equipment
Assembly Stations
Production stations designed to support repeatable aircraft-assembly operations. Broetje-Automation supplies these as individual units or as components of larger integrated production lines, combining automation, tooling, process equipment, and controls for aircraft structures and subassemblies.
Riveting and joining equipment
Fastening Machines
Automated equipment for fastening and riveting aircraft components. This product area represents the company’s historic entry into aerospace and is intended to improve consistency, throughput, and process control in the assembly of aircraft structures.
Composite-material production systems
Composites Systems
Systems for aircraft manufacturing processes involving lightweight composite materials, including carbon-fiber-reinforced and glass-fiber-reinforced plastics. The scope includes automated fiber placement, preforming, and related production technologies.
Aerospace tooling
Jigs & Tools
Production jigs, fixtures, and tools used to position, support, and assemble aircraft structures. These products can be delivered as part of a broader manufacturing concept or integrated into automated assembly environments.
Factory equipment and integration
Assembly Line Integration
Turnkey integration of aircraft assembly lines, covering the coordination of machines, tooling, software, process technologies, and production steps. Broetje-Automation’s role can extend from planning and engineering to installation and commissioning.
Industrial software
Software Solutions
Software and control capabilities supporting automated production, process management, and integrated aerospace manufacturing systems. Public descriptions identify software solutions as part of the company’s factory-equipment and integration offering.
Lifecycle services
Industrial Services
Services for the continued operation of aerospace production equipment, including machine maintenance, upgrades, modifications, and related operational support.
Brand decisions
2016
Shanghai Electric Group acquisitionM&ABackground
Broetje-Automation was an internationally active aerospace automation supplier with operations in several major aviation markets.
Action taken
Shanghai Electric Group acquired the company.
Aftermath
Broetje-Automation became part of Shanghai Electric Group while continuing its aerospace automation activities.
2015
Site consolidation and Japanese expansionStrategyBackground
Broetje-Automation adjusted its operating footprint while extending its presence in Asia.
Action taken
The Wiefelstede and Jaderberg sites were consolidated at a new Rastede headquarters, and BA Japan K.K. was established.
Aftermath
The restructuring created a consolidated German base and a dedicated Japanese subsidiary.
2012
Share buyback and international brand spellingStrategyBackground
The company sought a new ownership arrangement and a spelling better suited to international markets.
Action taken
Shares were bought back from CLAAS in cooperation with Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, and the spelling changed from Brötje-Automation to Broetje-Automation.
Aftermath
The company continued under the Broetje-Automation name for international business.
2003
CLAAS acquisitionM&ABackground
Broetje-Automation had developed from a machine-tool activity into an aerospace automation supplier and entered a new ownership phase.
Action taken
The CLAAS Group acquired the company.
Aftermath
The company expanded its portfolio from riveting machinery into joining stations and final assembly lines.
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