The Liebherr Hydraulic Excavators GmbH from Kirchdorf an der Iller achieves a top ranking in the ranking of leading German companies. This underscores the manufacturer's position in the market for hydraulic excavators – especially in a year when stricter emissions standards and electrification are reshaping the industry.
Liebherr manufactures track excavators from 6 to 300 tons operating weight as well as mobile excavators up to 50 tons at its Kirchdorf location. Production capacity is several thousand machines per year. The manufacturer employs over 3,500 employees directly at the site.
The ranking evaluates companies based on revenue, growth, number of employees, and innovation capabilities. For Liebherr, early development of electric excavators pays off: Since 2019, the manufacturer has been testing battery-electric prototypes in field trials. The R 9400 E reaches 400 tons operating weight and has been in continuous operation at German quarry operators since 2024. Operating costs: 40 percent below the diesel-powered counterpart, but 30 to 35 percent higher acquisition cost.
For fleet managers, the ranking position means above all one thing: Liebherr remains able to deliver and continues to invest in development. The Liebherr Group announced three new excavator models with hybrid drive for 2025. The machines are intended to reach 20 to 35 tons operating weight – exactly the segment where inner-city construction sites demand stricter emissions regulations.
Anyone investing now should pay attention to retrofit options: Liebherr retrofits existing machines from 2020 onwards with telematics and 3D control. Amortization is 18 to 24 months when machine downtime is reduced through predictive maintenance. This makes older models ready for BIM-supported construction sites.
The ranking also shows: German construction machinery manufacturers are holding their own against Asian suppliers. While Chinese brands are growing strongly in the price segment below 30 tons, Liebherr dominates the premium segment above 50 tons. Decisive factors are service networks and spare parts availability: Liebherr guarantees 24-hour spare parts delivery in the German-speaking region – an advantage when downtime translates directly into losses.
For the industry, the ranking position is a signal: Those who invest early in electrification and digitalization secure market share. Liebherr plans at least 40 percent of new registrations to be electric or hybrid by 2030. The manufacturing of the 100,000th wheel loader demonstrates the manufacturer's production depth – and the basis for further growth.
