TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH

About TREPEL Airport Equipment

TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH, based in Tauberbischofsheim (Baden-Württemberg), is a globally active manufacturer of aviation ground support equipment (GSE). The product portfolio includes pallet/container loaders for lower deck and main deck applications with load and lift capacities from 3,500 kg to 35,000 kg, loader transporters, and transporters for handling Unit Load Devices. In addition, TREPEL manufactures aircraft tractors for towing and pushback of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, including the electrically driven CHARGER 380 and the Challenger700 with a gross vehicle weight of up to 70,000 kg. The company was founded in 1946 in Wiesbaden, relocated aircraft production to Tauberbischofsheim in 1991, and has operated as an independent GmbH since 1996. TREPEL vehicles are in operation at airports in over 150 countries; sales, service, and maintenance are provided through a network of more than 60 partners worldwide. The sales operation is located as a branch office in Wiesbaden.

Site

Tauberbischofsheim

Processes

Service and maintenance, Sales via a worldwide service/representative network (more than 60 partners)

Founded

1946

Industries

Aviation / Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Airport handling, Air freight

1. 01

   Research & Development

2. 02

   Production with globally operating suppliers

3. 03

   Sales

4. 04

   Service and maintenance

Locations

Tauberbischofsheim

DE

Headquarters and production

Wiesbaden

DE

Sales (branch office)

Products

Inside the production

History

1. 1946

   Founded by Ingo Trepel in Wiesbaden as a repair shop for machine tools

2. 1956

   Development of the first scissor lift tables; later lift tables with load capacities up to 500 t

3. 1963

   Production and worldwide distribution of catering vehicles

4. 1973

   Introduction of the first aircraft loader with 12,000 kg load capacity; shortly afterwards the first Mobile Lounges

5. 1985

   Ingo Trepel retires; company taken over by PHB Weserhütte AG

6. 1991

   Relocation of aircraft production from Wiesbaden to Tauberbischofsheim in cooperation with MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH

7. 1996

   Spin-off as the independent TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH based in Tauberbischofsheim; sales remain in Wiesbaden

8. 2000

   Entry into aircraft tractor production with the Challenger700

9. 2008

   Market launch of the CHAMP350, for years the only 35,000 kg main deck loader

10. 2026

    NDW Maschinenbau Holding GmbH sells TREPEL Airport Equipment GmbH and MAFI Transport-Systeme GmbH to Mutares SE & Co. KGaA (closing planned for Q3 2026); the two companies together employ approx. 410 people