Company History

The historical roots

From Zeppelin Systems GmbH

Global plant engineering with a tradition since 1950!

The connection to Ferdinand Count von Zeppelin and

Zeppelin Systems, a plant engineering company, is part of the globally operating Zeppelin Group headquartered in Garching near Munich. The company’s entrepreneurial roots trace back to the renowned aviation pioneer Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who founded the Zeppelin Foundation in 1908.

It was this very foundation that, in 1950 in Friedrichshafen, established the “Metallwerk Friedrichshafen GmbH” as the successor to the Zeppelin airship manufacturing business. This not only laid the foundation for today’s Zeppelin Group but also established the basis for Zeppelin plant engineering. A large portion of the original workforce previously worked in aviation-related companies and brought extensive technical expertise. This marked the starting point for the production of aluminum containers and lightweight metal constructions. Shortly thereafter, Metallwerk Friedrichshafen also took over maintenance work for military vehicles of the French Allies.

Another business area opens up for the Zeppelin Group

Das technische Know-how, die Erfahrung in der Wartung der Fahrzeuge sowie der gewohnt hohe Qualitätsanspruch der Mitarbeitenden in den 1950-er Jahren waren für den US-amerikanischen Baumaschinenhersteller Caterpillar ausschlaggebende Gründe, das Metallwerk Friedrichshafen im Jahr 1954 mit dem Vertrieb und Service von Baumaschinen und -geräten in Westdeutschland zu betrauen. Aus dieser Entwicklung entstand das auch heute noch sehr erfolgreiche Geschäft mit dem Vertrieb und Service von Baumaschinen unter der Federführung der Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH.

The founding of Zeppelin Systems GmbH

At the same time, the plant engineering division of the Zeppelin Group continued to evolve steadily. Numerous acquisitions and international expansions followed, especially during the 1990s, when a total of nine Zeppelin Systems subsidiaries were established abroad. These included Zeppelin Systems companies in Belgium, Italy, India, Singapore, the USA, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. Today, Zeppelin Systems remains active worldwide in over ten countries.

In 1993, the company name was changed from Zeppelin Metallwerke GmbH to Zeppelin Silo- und Apparatetechnik GmbH. From 2005 onwards, the company operated under the name “Zeppelin Silo & Systems GmbH.” Since 2010, the international plant engineering division of the Zeppelin Group has been operating under the current name “Zeppelin Systems” and the respective country-specific legal entity names (in Germany, Zeppelin Systems GmbH).

A foundation-owned company surrounded by strong brands

Zeppelin Systems GmbH, including all its subsidiaries worldwide, covers the plant engineering division of the globally operating Zeppelin Group and, like its parent company, is a foundation-owned enterprise. Other business areas within the Zeppelin Group include rental services, construction logistics, and site management led by Zeppelin Rental GmbH; power and energy systems through Zeppelin Power Systems GmbH; and the sales and service of construction machinery via Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH. More information about the business sectors of the Zeppelin Group can be found here.

The business sectors of Zeppelin Systems

Food

Plastics

Rubber & Tire

Batteries

Chemistry

From Friedrichshafen to the world

Zeppelin Systems GmbH, headquartered in Friedrichshafen, is part of the globally operating Zeppelin Group and, as a foundation-owned company, is active in more than ten countries worldwide. Numerous international subsidiaries are part of the global Zeppelin Systems network. Locations on nearly every continent guarantee local expertise, first-class, fast consultation, and top-quality service tailored to the respective regional conditions.

The wide-ranging portfolio of Zeppelin Systems includes, among others: