History

Five strong companies merge:
Under the name SPIE Automation GmbH, five companies (SPIE ESCAD Automation, SPIE AUTOMATION, SPIE INDUSTRIEUMZÜGE, SPIE TEC, and SPIE KAT) from SPIE's Industry Service & Wind division have merged.

The merger combines many years of experience, regional strength, and future-oriented expertise. This makes us an even stronger automation partner for our customers.

We are joining SPIE. An important step in the company's development that sustainably strengthens our position in the international market.

SPIE ESCAD: The "Asset Management with HoloLens" application is a game-changer for maintenance technicians. Via HoloLens, QR or barcodes are read, and asset information is retrieved from HxGN EAM. This information is displayed directly in the HoloLens (Augmented Reality).

SPIE ESCAD is now a “Certified System Integrator (CSI) with Direct Sourcing” from Universal Robots in both Germany and Austria. This allows us to create even more synergies between the SPIE ESCAD locations.

ESCAD AUTOMATION develops the comprehensive Fleet Management Software eRAMP. This offers maximum utilization and efficiency through extensive monitoring and analysis options. ifm is the first customer to use eRAMP to optimize its robot fleet.

Following outstanding performance in the DACH region, ESCAD receives the "MiR Excellent Partner +" award from Mobile Industrial Robots.

Robur TEC: Successful execution of several relocation projects in battery manufacturing.

ROBUR AUTOMATION surpasses the 100-employee mark.

KAT: Further digitalization with the introduction of an ERP system.

ESCAD AUTOMATION: We celebrate our 25th company anniversary in Pfullendorf.

UR AWARD Recognition: Smart Robotics AUSTRIA GmbH is the Best Performing Certified System Integrator (CSI) in the entire DACH region.

Effective January 1, 2021, ESCAD AUTOMATION, ESCAD AUSTRIA, Softwerk Automation, and Smart Robotics AUSTRIA become part of ROBUR.

Smart Robotics GmbH becomes a partner of ROEQ - expanding the portfolio in the field of AGVs.

Certification: ESCAD AUTOMATION receives UL certification (UL508A) for control cabinet construction.

Robur TEC: In the wake of the flood disaster in Wuppertal, a long-standing customer faced enormous challenges. Thanks to our rapid response and strong dedication, we were able to provide short-term support and subsequently received an exceptionally large order.

100% integration of SOFTWERK AUTOMATION GmbH into ESCAD.

Smart Robotics GmbH becomes a partner of Global AGV - expanding intralogistics.

MiR Excellent Partner Status: Smart Robotics GmbH receives the award for the third consecutive time.

Softwerk Automation GmbH expands its collaboration with UNIS Group in the field of industrial electronics repairs to include the sales territory in Switzerland.

Robur TEC: Strategic expansion of the Dormagen site through the acquisition of a company in Gescher.

ESCAD AUSTRIA acquires a stake in SOFTWERK AUTOMATION GmbH - Expansion of automation in Austria.

Smart Robotics GmbH becomes a partner of DOOSAN - expanding collaborative lightweight robotics.

MiR Excellent Partner Status: Smart Robotics GmbH receives the award for the second time.

Smart Robotics GmbH becomes a partner of EasyRobotics - expanding the portfolio in the field of collaborative lightweight robotics.

APE Engineering GmbH becomes part of ROBUR as ROBUR AUTOMATION GmbH.

Founding of Smart Robotics Austria.

ESCAD AUSTRIA: Opening of the Graz location.

Award: Smart Robotics GmbH receives MiR Excellent Partner Status for the DACH region.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: Expansion of the company building in Haßfurt by an additional 300 m².

Robur TEC: Successful execution of a large-scale relocation project in Cologne.

Founding of ESCAD TECHNOLOGY. Acquisition of a stake in KMS-Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH and entry into 3D printing technology.

Smart Robotics becomes a Certified System Integrator of Universal Robots.

Expansion of activities in Middle East & Africa. TEC becomes Robur TEC.

ESCAD: We celebrate our 20th company anniversary in Pfullendorf.

Smart Robotics has had a good start. This year sees its 100% integration into the ESCAD GROUP and the entry into the Austrian market.

ESCAD AUSTRIA establishes a new location in Feldkirchen.

AWARD Nomination: ESCAD AUTOMATION is nominated for the Dürr Supplier Award.

Establishment of TEC Egypt.

TOP100 Certification: The ESCAD GROUP receives the award for the second time.

Founding of Smart Robotics at the main location in Pfullendorf: This expands our product portfolio to include collaborative lightweight robotics and driverless transport systems.

ESCAD DESIGN opens a new location in Oldenburg.

Continuation of international expansion with the establishment of TEC Turkey.

Our business unit ESCAD MEDICAL receives the Red Dot Award for the product design of the endoSTORE neo. A great achievement we are very proud of.

Due to TEC GmbH's continuous growth, it is relocating. The new location in Dormagen offers a significant increase in production space from 500m² to 3,000m².

TOPJOB AWARD 2013: The ESCAD GROUP is among the 100 best employers in Germany.

Founding of a new ESCAD AUTOMATION location in Friedrichshafen.

ESCAD DESIGN acquires IKF Elektroplanung + Konstruktion in Ludwigshafen.

Expansion of TEC GmbH's service portfolio to include the development of drone & rover designs.

Inauguration of the expanded building of APE Engineering GmbH in Niedernberg with approx. 70 employees.

ESCAD MEDICAL is awarded the Innovation Award of the State of Baden-Württemberg for its storage system “endoSTORE”.

Opening of the new ESCAD AUSTRIA location in Linz.

Elections are held for ESCAD AG: Rudolf Rauch and Reiner Hafen are elected as the new Executive Board members of the stock corporation. Hans-Jürgen Eckert takes over the chairmanship of the Supervisory Board.

TEC GmbH receives SCC certification, which underlines the high standards in occupational safety and management.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: Introduction of a document management system in Haßfurt.

We celebrate our 15th company anniversary at the ESCAD Pfullendorf site and are particularly proud to honor employees who have been with us since the company's founding.

Acquisition of top in Time (Reinbek) and INGPLAN by ESCAD DESIGN, as well as the establishment of a new location in Lübeck.

TEC relocates several lines from Germany to Turkey.

We found ESCAD TOP DESIGN and open a new location in Reinbek near Hamburg. With ESCAD ENERGY, we open a business unit focusing on renewable energies and alternative energy concepts. In this context, we also establish new energy centers in Dettingen and Ettenheim.

TEC implements further major projects, such as a relocation project from Germany to Nigeria.

The year of the economic crisis – yet we are proud to be able to retain all jobs for our employees even in difficult times. The only structural change this year is the rebranding of the ESCAD AEROSPACE business unit to ESCAD DESIGN.

International expansion with the founding of TEC South Africa.

A big step in our company history: We found ESCAD AG. Our business units ESCAD AUTOMATION and MEDICAL continue to develop very well. We now develop testing systems for the photovoltaic industry and enter into a development cooperation with the University Hospital Tübingen. Furthermore, we strengthen our international presence with a new location in Austria: Founding of ESCAD AUSTRIA with its registered office in Mondsee.

Expansion of SPIE TEC's research department to include process studies and engineering services.

Founding of ESCAD PCM DESIGN.

We expand our engineering portfolio in the areas of planning and component development with ESCAD DESIGN. Through the acquisition of ENDOMED Endoskopie + Hygiene GmbH in Alsbach, we also expand into the field of private practitioners.

Rebranding of ESCAD AW to ESCAD AEROSPACE.

Stefan Besendorf (Dipl.-Ing. FH) and Silvia Kraus-Besendorf take over the management in Haßfurt, continuing the company in its second generation.

TEC GmbH establishes its own research and development department for "turnkey solutions."

We celebrate our 10th company anniversary in Pfullendorf and reflect on positive company growth. With an "Open Day in Hesselbühl," we welcome friends, family, and many interested parties to look back at the past and forward to the future together.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: Haßfurt gains Airbus as a new customer with a machine that manufactures parts for the wings of the A380.

Dennis Mausberg and Stefan Schlenzig take over the management of TEC GmbH and, for the first time, achieve 500,000 accident-free working hours.

ESCAD: Move into Escad-Straße at the new headquarters in Pfullendorf. Founding of ESCAD MEDICAL in Pfullendorf: Development of proprietary medical technology products in endoscopy, sales partnership with MSI Medserv International (including initial orders from the University Hospital Tübingen).

Founding of the new ESCAD DESIGN location in Melle (partnership with the CLAAS Group and initial orders from CLAAS Fertigungstechnik for Airbus and Boeing).

Founding of ESCAD AUTOMATION (expansion in the field of automation technology).

Eastern Europe Expansion: Founding of ESCAD SLOVAKIA in Martin, Slovakia.

TEC GmbH: 5th company anniversary of the Grevenbroich site. Following the successful completion of the first major international project, further projects in international markets ensued.

Construction work for our new ESCAD headquarters in Pfullendorf begins. Our 200th employee is not the only milestone this year – the ESCAD training center also welcomes its 30th apprentice.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: Expansion of the portfolio in Haßfurt to include testing and measurement technology.

Achieving a milestone with the realization of TEC GmbH's first major project in Egypt.

Since 2004, the APE Engineering GmbH Niedernberg site has been an apprenticeship provider.

Expansion in Northern Germany through the founding of ESCAD AW at the Wolfsburg location.

Founding of WIR GmbH.

TEC GmbH: Acquisition and implementation of initial relocation and installation projects in Grevenbroich, along with initiatives to expand the service portfolio into international markets.

“TOP 100” Award: The ESCAD GROUP is now among the 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany. Due to enormous growth, an additional location is added in Aftholderberg.

The newly founded ESCAD SOLUTIONS becomes a development and sales partner for Microsoft Business Solutions – Navision.

Founding of ESCAD SYSTEMTECHNIK in Kempten.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: First-time certification of the Haßfurt site according to DIN ISO9001-2015.

APE Engineering GmbH: Relocation of the Elsenfeld site to Niedernberg.

TEC GmbH: Expansion of the business area in Grevenbroich to include relocation & installation projects.

We celebrate ESCAD's 5th anniversary with a special team experience: a company outing to Zadar (Croatia).

ESCAD Elektrotechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH becomes ESCAD ENGINEERING. With the acquisition of the König & Sessler engineering office in Ravensburg, we found ESCAD K&S. In this process, a restructuring into three divisions also takes place: ENGINEERING, PRODUCTION, AUTOMATION.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: The apprenticeship "Electronics Technician specializing in Automation Technology" is permanently established in Haßfurt.

TEC GmbH: Following significant growth, the decision is made to expand the Neuss site, followed by the relocation to Grevenbroich.

ESCAD: Founding of new sites in Augsburg and Kempten. Concurrently, we receive new major orders in aerospace technology, automotive engineering, plant engineering, and special machine construction.

KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH: Relocation to the modern new building with approximately 600 m² of space in the Haßfurt industrial area.

Founding of TEC GmbH Technologies Engineering & Construction on May 4, 2000, in Neuss with Thomas Mausberg as Managing Director.

ESCAD: Founding of a new site in Wolfsburg.

Further highlights include the acquisition of renowned new customers, the expansion of the automotive technology and body-in-white sectors, and the launch of the ESCAD Training Center, through which we offer the first training program for a Diploma Engineer in Mechanical Engineering (BA) in cooperation with the Ravensburg University of Cooperative Education.

ESCAD: Move into the new site in Heiligenberg-Wintersulgen: We also use this step to restructure into two specialized departments: TBE (Technical Department Electrical Engineering) and TBM (Technical Department Mechanical Engineering).

ESCAD: After just one year, the company in Pfullendorf demonstrates strong growth. Therefore, in 1997, construction work begins for a new business building in Heiligenberg-Wintersulgen.

Founding of APE Engineering in Elsenfeld.

Founding

• of ESCAD Elektrotechnik und Maschinenbau GmbH in Überlingen on Lake Constance, with Hans-Jürgen Eckert and Alfred Stärk as Managing Directors.
• of KAT Kraus Automatisierungstechnik GmbH in Haßfurt, by Ingbert Kraus.