2025 was a year of clear strategic decisions. Despite headwinds in Europe, we were able to set important course directions for sustainable growth and consistently implement the strategy we presented a year ago.Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group
One of the most important strategic steps in the past year was the acquisition of NITREX, which was completed in the fall. NITREX brings deep technological expertise in nitriding and nitrocarburizing, as well as a global network of production and service locations. With subsidiaries such as GM Enterprises, a long-standing and renowned partner of the aerospace industry, the Group is successfully positioned across various industrial segments.
Integration into the AICHELIN Group is progressing according to plan. The realization of synergies – in the product portfolio, market presence, and customer support – will be a key focus in 2026. The goal is to position the AICHELIN Group as a full-service provider in industrial heat treatment, serving customers worldwide with one of the most comprehensive technology portfolios in the industry – from large-scale industrial furnaces to highly precise vacuum and nitriding systems.
International expansion: Focus on India and China
A key pillar of the growth strategy is the consistent expansion of the international presence following the principle “think global, act local.”
In India, the AICHELIN Group opened a new office in Pune on April 1, 2026. In addition, another site with production and office space is currently under construction, with commissioning planned for the second half of 2026. India is one of the most dynamic growth markets worldwide, and the Group is specifically strengthening its local presence there – with its own teams, technical expertise, and a strong on-site organization. The AICHELIN Group has also expanded its activities in China: last year, the Group moved into its new headquarters in Future Science City in Beijing. With AICHELIN Metal Heat Treatment, Ma’anshan, a new production site was opened, and another new site for the production of NITREX systems in Wuxi is about to be launched. These expansion steps underline the strategy of serving customers locally with regional value creation, high technological expertise, and short response times.
The ongoing digitalization of industrial processes is one of the central strategic levers of the AICHELIN Group. With QMULUS, the Group has its own business unit dedicated to digitalization topics, providing both customers and internal units with intelligent solutions.
QMULUS is a cloud-based process control system for analyzing heat treatment processes, focusing on predictive maintenance and data-driven optimization. In close integration with existing control systems and automation expertise, this creates a seamless connection between plant control, automation, and data-driven process optimization. In addition, the Group is developing an AI-supported knowledge database to support employees and sustainably secure internal know-how.
Our goal is not only to deliver individual products, but to provide holistic solutions along the entire process chain. The combination of proven heat treatment technology, process know-how, and digital IIoT applications is a key component of our strategic direction.Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group
The consistent regional setup will remain a key differentiating factor of the AICHELIN Group in the future. As global supply chains become increasingly regionalized, the Group offers its customers worldwide a combination of technological excellence and local proximity – with its own subsidiaries, production capacities, and expert teams in the respective markets. This approach proves particularly effective in an environment of geopolitical uncertainty and increasing requirements for supply chain resilience.
In the first half of 2026, the AICHELIN Group will roll out its revised brand architecture across the entire Group. By mid-year, new websites, harmonized communication, and a consistent visual identity will make the Group’s strength visible both internally and externally. The relaunch accompanies the strategic repositioning and clearly demonstrates what the Group stands for: technological leadership, global strength, and reliable partnership.
If we act as one group, we must also communicate as one group. The brand relaunch is not just cosmetic – it clearly reflects what we have built and already live over the past years.Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group
With expected revenue growth driven, among other factors, by the consolidation of NITREX, new locations in India and China, and the Group-wide brand relaunch, the AICHELIN Group is entering 2026 with a clear course. The focus lies on combining global growth with strong local anchoring.
We want to grow in a meaningful way – technologically excellent, regionally present, and consistently focused on customer value. And in 2026, we will clearly demonstrate what this Group is capable of.Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group
