Corporate press release
September 4, 2025
”Entering the DAX is a major milestone in the history of GEA. We are particularly proud to have achieved this solely based on our own strengths, without any tailwinds – this is a first-class ascent. For years, we have been improving our performance, growing organically, delivering on our guidance, and creating value for employees and shareholders alike,” says CEO Stefan Klebert. “Our strategic focus on profitable growth, efficiency, and sustainability has been decisive for GEA, cumulating in our advancement to the stock market’s top league. Above all, this is a recognition for our more than 18,000 employees, who give their best every single day”
GEA, headquartered in Dusseldorf, develops and manufactures machinery and equipment primarily for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The company is a market and technology leader in its respective business areas. Energy-efficient and resource-efficient equipment and processes by GEA contribute to a cleaner environment as part of numerous industrial applications. GEA’ portfolio ranges from separators, compressors, and milking systems to complete production lines, developed, built, and optimized in-house. In August, GEA moved into a new, sustainable corporate headquarters in the redesigned maxfrei urban district in Dusseldorf.
Over recent years, GEA has transformed itself into a focused technology company for innovative machine and plant engineering. With the launch of its Mission 26 strategy in 2021, the company prioritized profitability, growth, innovation, and the development of new markets through sustainable technologies. Key financial targets were achieved two years ahead of plan.
In October 2024, GEA introduced its Mission 30 strategy to build further on this success and leverage its strengths to accelerate growth and profitability. Key pillars include digitization and automation, deploying AI across the company, and further sharpening the focus on sustainable technologies. The company is also driving forward future-oriented business areas such as New Food, alongside scaling its high-margin service business.
GEA has been listed on the German Stock Exchange for 35 years. The company was a founding member of the MDAX, of which it has been a member ever since. GEA is also included in the STOXX Europe 600 and several leading sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World and the DAX 50 ESG. In both 2024 and 2025, TIME Magazine named GEA one of the world's most sustainable companies, most recently ranking it 12th among more than 5,000 firms assessed. Today's GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft traces its roots back to the merger of the former Frankfurter Metallgesellschaft with Bochum-based GEA AG in 1999.
“As DAX member, GEA will gain even more visibility, particularly among investors and future talent,” says Stefan Klebert. “The recent progress shows we’re on the right path. We have a clear strategic compass, robust markets, and committed teams. This winning formula earned us a place in the DAX – and we’ll keep building on it to drive profitable growth.”
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.