Innovation in logistics since 1867

2026 Start of the DFT Lehrwerkstatt

With the training workshop “Lehrwerkstatt by DFT,” the company expands its commitment to education and training, creating a hands-on platform for young talents and skilled professionals. The program combines technical training, seminars, and qualification in areas such as metalworking, electrical engineering, and automation. In doing so, DFT actively strengthens workforce development in the region and positions itself as a reliable partner for future-oriented qualification.

Two men in work uniforms smiling as they operate a large industrial machine in a well-lit factory setting, appearing to collaborate and learn together.

2025 100 adapter systems installed worldwide

DFT has reached a significant milestone: Over 100 adapter systems installed worldwide confirm the technology’s performance and reliability in daily use. The large number of successfully completed projects underscores the practicality of these solutions and the confidence international customers have in DFT’s scalable, efficient intralogistics systems.

2025 Integration of the Gronau site

DFT fully integrates the Gronau site into its organizational structure, strategically consolidating expertise in sorting technology. In particular, the company expands its technological capabilities in the areas of control systems and system integration, strengthening the foundation for the successful implementation of future sorting projects. The site is secured for the long term and will be further developed in a targeted manner.

A group of people stand and smile next to a teal electric van with DFT branding, parked outside a white brick building on a sunny day. Some people are sitting inside the van while others stand around it.

2025 Modular Push Tray Sorter

DFT is expanding its product portfolio with the modular push tray sorter. The scalable system architecture allows for flexible adaptation to growing demands and ensures efficient sorting processes.

A brown cardboard box with a barcode label moves along a blue and white conveyor belt, directed by a Push Tray Sorter inside a modern industrial sorting facility.

2025 Recognized as a family-friendly company

DFT is honored by the city of Bielefeld with the “Family-Friendly Company” award. This recognition acknowledges the company’s holistic commitment to supporting a healthy work–life balance and highlights the importance of modern working conditions as a core element of its corporate culture. At the same time, DFT reinforces its position as an attractive employer, creating strong foundations for attracting and retaining qualified talent in the long term.

2025 Restructuring of the Executive Management Team

DFT reorganizes its management team as part of a long-planned succession process. Dirk Bockelmann, Johannes Holas, and Helmut Schmitz jointly assume leadership of the company, combining expertise in Customer & Service, Strategy, and Operations. Prior to this, Sigurd Völker significantly shaped the company over many years and continues to support DFT in an advisory role. With the new structure, DFT strengthens its innovative capabilities and lays the foundation for further international growth.

Three men in business suits stand smiling in a warehouse aisle with metal shelves and wooden crates in the background, suggesting a professional setting in logistics or management.

2024 Recognition as a bicycle-friendly company

DFT is awarded the “Bicycle-Friendly Company” seal by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of East Westphalia. The award recognizes the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility, the promotion of cycling, and the creation of an attractive infrastructure for employees. In doing so, DFT sets a clear example for climate protection and modern working conditions.

Four people stand indoors, smiling, with two holding a plaque and a certificate. A bright green folding bicycle is in front of them. Behind, a screen displays logos and a yellow safety vest is draped over a chair.

2024 70 Years DFT

DFT celebrates 70 years of company history and looks back on seven decades of innovation in intralogistics. From its origins in conveyor technology, the company has evolved into an internationally established provider of automated systems. DFT stands for quality, technical expertise, and reliable solutions, while consistently focusing on the requirements of future distribution and e-commerce processes.

A large group of people are standing together outdoors, cheering with their hands raised. A white banner above the picture reads: “70 years of consistent value creation.”

2023 New Logo and new external appearance

DFT presents its new logo and new external appearance. After the takeover by Knapp AG, the Duerkopp Adler logo continued to be used with the addition of "conveyor technology". With this change on June 14, 2023, DFT is sharpening its profile as an independent employer in OWL region.

2019 AutoPocket® was introduced

After almost two years of development, DFT presents the AutoPocket®. A transport pocket based on hanging conveyor technology with an automatic opening mechanism for eCommerce and flat goods sorting.

A warehouse scene featuring AutoPocket systems shows a series of overhead conveyors transporting packaged goods in clear bags. The industrial setting is defined by metal frameworks and suspended rails, with numerous identical packages seamlessly moving along the tracks.

2018 DFT invests 4.5 million Euro in new logistics facility

Managing Director Sigurd Völker: “Ten years ago no one would have expected this development.” Now DFT is experiencing significant growth and has more than doubled its workforce. DFT now has a turnover of over 100 million euros per year with 330 employees and benefits from online clothing trading.

A group of men in business attire hold oversized keys while standing in a spacious industrial facility. A crowd of people stands in the background, and large shelving units are visible on one side. The atmosphere appears celebratory.

2010 Knapp AG takes over DFT

The Austrian warehouse logistics and automation provider Knapp has taken over Bielefeld-based Dürkopp Fördertechnik with around 160 employees and an annual turnover of around 30 million euros from the ShangGong Group. Thanks to the DFT takeover, Knapp will be able to offer complete solutions for all types of clothing in the fashion segment - both hanging and lying down.

Modern glass building with KNAPP sign, surrounded by trees, and a line of nine flags including a rainbow pride flag, European Union flag, and various national flags like Italy, France, and Sweden, in front of a road.

2009 EcoPocket® is being introduced

EcoPocket® is presented on the adapter for transporting flat goods. In the future, flat goods will be transported in bags. The pocket sorter was born. EcoPocket® can be combined with EcoFlow® to form a hybrid system that transports flat and hanging goods equally.

A warehouse with an automated system transporting hanging garments on a conveyor. The floor is white, and the ceiling is lined with metal tracks. The garments are in clear bags, moving through an industrial space.

2006 Market launch of EcoFlow™

DFT presents the transport adapter with RFID. The clothes hanger will be replaced as a transport medium and will in future be navigated through the system using the roll adapter. The advantage: a significant reduction in errors and more standardization in warehouse engineering.

Close-up of an industrial machine with a series of black segmented components, likely part of a manufacturing or packaging process. Metal and plastic materials are visible along with part of a transparent surface beneath.

2005 Dürkopp Adler goes to ShangGong Group

The Chinese ShangGong Group has acquired 94.9 percent of the German sewing machine manufacturer Dürkopp Adler AG from INA Schaeffler. ShangGong, like Dürkopp, produces industrial sewing machines and is one of the largest manufacturers in China.

A man in a suit stands in a factory next to industrial sewing machines, smiling and holding up a large red flag with yellow stars. The background shows more sewing equipment.

2001 INA Schaeffler takes over FAG Kugelfischer

In 2001, the traditional company FAG Kugelfischer was taken over by the previously unknown company INA-Schaeffler from Herzogenaurach, which had only existed since 1946, in the third hostile takeover in German post-war history and merged with it to form Schaeffler KG in 2006. Since then, FAG has been a brand of the Schaeffler Group alongside INA and LuK.

Sign for INA Schaeffler Gruppe with parking directions and Visitors in German and English. In the background, four indistinct people walk away on a path.

1995 Spin-off as a company

Dürkopp Fördertechnik is spun off as a GmbH and remains as a 100% subsidiary of Dürkopp-Adler AG on the company property in Bielefeld-Oldentrup.

A modern office building with a brick facade and large windows under a clear blue sky. The structure is surrounded by a few trees and a landscaping feature with rocks. Another building is visible in the background.

1990 Merger of the two competing sewing machine factories

The merger of Dürkopp and Kochs Adler in the late 1980s took place because FAG Kugelfischer, which already held a majority stake in Dürkopp, also acquired a majority stake in Kochs Adler, paving the way for the merger of the two competing sewing machine factories. Since 1990, the company has been operating under the name Dürkopp Adler AG, and production has been consolidated in the new company buildings in Bielefeld-Oldentrup.

Black-and-white vintage ad featuring Doris Day smiling beside an Adler automatic sewing machine on a table, with text promoting her fascination with the product.

1978 Trolleyboy class 763 was introduced

In 1978, DFT presented the Trolleyboy at the Hanover Fair. Trolleyboy, an electrically powered towing device (380 V). enabled the automatic coupling of several transport trailers (trolleys) to form a train,

A vintage advertisement for Dürkopp Trolleyboy featuring a hanging garment conveyor system with multiple clothes, including dresses. The text is in German, showcasing the products compact storage and circular transport solutions.

1970 Introduction of trolleyless Systems „GarmentFlow™“ for single item sortation on hangers

DFT presents the first system without a trolley. Garments on hangers (GoH) can be managed as blocks or as individual items in the system and in this way sorted for store delivery. A groundbreaking innovation for eCommerce order processing, which emerged around 40 years later.

A vintage black and white image of an industrial garment conveyor system in a dry cleaning facility. Numerous clothing items hang from the moving conveyor, covered in plastic bags. The room has a utilitarian, mechanical appearance.

1964 Trolley suspension railway 763

DFT invents the Class 763 ("Trolley") sleigh suspension railway consisting of rails, arches, switches and crossings. The first trolley system was operated manually, later powered and sold into new projects until 2023.

Black and white image of an automated garment conveyor system with dresses hanging on hangers. The dresses vary in patterns and are evenly spaced. The setting appears to be an industrial or factory environment.

1962 FAG-Kugelfischer takes over

The majority of shares in Dürkoppwerke AG are taken over by FAG Kugelfischer. When, around 25 years later, the Kugelfischer Group also took over the majority of shares in Kochs Adler AG, the way was paved for the merger of the two competing sewing machine factories. Since 1990 they have been operating as Dürkopp Adler AG in the new company buildings in Bielefeld-Oldentrup.

A black-and-white photo of a multi-story building at dusk with illuminated windows. Large neon signs on the roof and entrance read KUGELFISCHER and FAG. Bare tree branches are visible in the foreground.

1954 DFT established

Dürkopp conveyor technology is set up as a specialist department within Dürkoppwerke AG. The first product to be presented was the timing belt (Class 713) with a synchronous timer and feed counter for the sewing thread processing industry.

A vintage advertisement for Dürkoppwerke, featuring the Dürkopp-Paktaband Klasse 713. The image showcases a long conveyor system with wooden trays, and an inset shows a control panel. German text describes the product.

1949 Scooter “Diana” is a success

After the Second World War, the production of motorized two-wheelers was resumed and continued until 1961. The successful models of the post-war period included motorcycles such as the Dürkopp MF 100, MF 125, the Fratz and Dianette models and the Diana scooter, which was sold throughout Europe.

Vintage advertisement featuring a woman on a classic scooter interacting with a uniformed man. In the background, illustrations of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. Text reads Dürkopp Diana and Weltklasse.

1933-1945 Armaments production during National Socialism

The Dürkoppwerke were involved in armaments production for the Wehrmacht's rearmament from an early stage, and in the mid-1930s the workforce grew again to over 2,000 people. At times, Dürkopp employed over 3,000 forced laborers and prisoners of war, mostly from the Soviet Union. The company was destroyed in heavy bombing raids on Bielefeld in 1944 and shut down on March 31, 1945. The factory premises were only rebuilt after the end of the war.

People stand amidst debris in front of a damaged building labeled Löwen and Apotheke. A tilted street sign points to Büro. The scene captures a post-destruction urban environment with scattered rubble.

1897 Participation and later takeover of Styria-Fahrradwerke, Graz

From January 15, 1897, Nikolaus Dürkopp took part in the Styria-Fahrradwerke Johann Puch & Comp. KG in Graz, Austria. In February 1897 it was renamed after Johann Puch & Compagie Styria-Werke. Johann Puch left on July 13, 1897 with a non-compete clause. In 1908 the Styria-Werke was completely taken over and renamed Styira-Dürkopp-Werke. A.-G. continued.

Vintage poster featuring a bicycle on an arch above large red text reading STYRIA, with GRAZ below. Background shows a smoky, industrial landscape with a stylized emblem on the left. Framed in a muted green border.

1894 Start car production

In 1894, Dürkopp laid the foundation for car production. However, he failed at the first attempt and paid 2 million marks from his private assets until 1897, when he did manage to finance construction attempts. Truck production was added in 1906. From 1927 onwards, car construction and truck construction in 1929 were abandoned in favor of other branches of production due to the global economic crisis.

A man with a mustache, wearing a cap and suit, sits in an old-fashioned open-top car with large spoked wheels. The car has vintage license plates, and a wooded area is in the background.

1889 Bielefelder Maschinenfabrik AG

The company was converted into “Bielefelder Maschinenfabrik AG, formerly Dürkopp & Co.” and listed with a share capital of 2,250,000 gold marks.

Vintage advertisement for Dürkopp & Co. A.G. Maschinenfabrik, featuring black and white illustration of a large industrial factory complex. Text details various products, including vehicles and sewing machines, with a noted workforce of 5,000.

1885 Start of bicycle production

In the 1880s there were economic difficulties and Nikolaus Dürkopp looked for new sales markets. Dürkopp was one of the first German companies to begin mass production of bicycles. This example was soon followed by Koch & Co. and others; A new, successful economic sector developed in Bielefeld.

Vintage advertisement featuring a sewing machine and a bicycle. The text promotes Dürkopps Nähmaschinen und Diana-Fahrräder, highlighting the reliability and popularity of the products, with details on production and factory location in Bielefeld.

1876 Carl Schmidt leaves, Ferdinand Kaselowsky arrives

Carl Schmidt left with a severance payment, which he later used to found Anker-Werke. In the course of the name change to Dürkopp & Co., Ferdinand Kaselowsky, director of the Ravensberger Spinnerei and at the time one of the richest men in Bielefeld, became a new business partner and financier.

Black and white photo of a seated man with a mustache and beard, wearing a double-breasted coat and trousers. He sits on a carved chair, one arm resting on the armrest, looking slightly to the side. The background is plain.

1867 Early founding

On October 22, 1867, Nikolaus Dürkopp founded his own sewing machine repair shop together with Carl Schmidt under the name Dürkopp & Schmidt. Dürkoppwerke AG later developed from this foundation with sewing machine production.

DFT company history – Innovation in logistics since 1867