Founded in 1925, Vollert Anlagenbau expanded from mechanical workshops into a global engineering supplier. It developed automated material‑flow systems, precast concrete plant systems, intralogistics solutions, and in‑plant shunting and rail‑related systems—such as self‑propelled robots for moving rail wagons.
Within the rail‑related sphere, Vollert is noted for producing shunting systems, including battery‑powered and hybrid robots like the VLEX road‑rail robot, capable of handling loads up to 600 t, offering low‑noise, emission‑free transport on rails and roads alike. Its systems have been used in heavy‑duty industrial environments worldwide—for example, automated shunting equipment in Finland for loading iron‑sulphate, or multiple robots operating in Kazakhstan’s Bogatyr mine to handle entire trains around the clock.
Vollert’s platform spans rail‑associated logistics in industrial settings, especially where automated heavy‑load movement is required. Its global footprint includes subsidiaries in India, Brazil, China, and the USA, serving an export‑oriented mid‑size base with about 259 employees as of late 2024 and reported revenue of approximately € 64 million.
The insolvency filing stems largely from weak global demand over the past 18 months across Vollert’s core sectors—especially precast concrete—and a substantial loss on a terminated steel‑industry contract. Despite recent acquisition of two large projects, the company could not tap into necessary bank guarantees in time, contributing to its precarious financial position. The company has confirmed that operations continue without disruption, and that employee wages are secured for three months through insolvency payments from the Federal Employment Agency.
