Services · Retrofit
ATM Retrofit
Make your plant fit for the future.
All process steps from a single source: our in-house hydraulics, mechanical, electrical, and welding experts work hand in hand — manufacturer-independent and Industry 4.0-ready.
From the Existing Unit to a Modern Plant
The base structure remains, everything else is rebuilt from scratch — control system, drives, peripherals, and safety concept.
Existing Plant in As-Delivered Condition
Proven mechanics, but outdated electrics, no data access, and dwindling spare parts availability.
Modernized Complete Plant in Operation
New control system, handling technology, and safety concept — performance figures like a new machine.
Plant During RetroFit Conversion
Disassembled and reconditioned: wear parts are replaced, hydraulics and electrics renewed.
Rebuilt and ready for operation
Safety equipment added, control system modernized — ready for the next lifecycle.
Why RetroFit Works for Industrial Plants
In production plants, mechanically extremely robust base structures meet rapidly aging electronics — this is exactly where RetroFit delivers maximum leverage.
CAPEX advantage — modernization costs on average only 30–50% of a new plant; for heavy machinery the savings are even greater.
No loss of training time — familiar geometry and operating logic are retained, and operator know-how continues to be used directly.
Embodied energy remains bound — cast beds and guideways don't need to be re-melted and transported.
Replacing outdated hydraulics and main drives with frequency-controlled motors reduces energy consumption and CO₂ during ongoing operation.
Figures based on TU Chemnitz / Digitalzentrum Chemnitz, VDI Zentrum Ressourceneffizienz (study “Industrie 4.0 RetroFit Measures on Machine Tools”) and the VDMA guideline “Machine Capability”. Values depend on the specific machine and project.
Value Preservation or Value Enhancement
A repair restores the condition prior to the failure. A RetroFit elevates the plant to a new technological level.
Value Preservation
- Defective part is replaced 1 : 1 with an identical spare part
- Technical status of the original model year is retained
- Productivity stagnates at the level of initial commissioning
Value Enhancement
- Modern drives, sensor technology, PLC control, and software are integrated
- Technological leap to the current state of the art
- Higher throughput rates, fewer downtimes, measurably better OEE
The Difference: Repair is pure value preservation — RetroFit is value enhancement through performance and functional optimization.
The Three Types of RetroFit
Each type solves its own problem — individually feasible, building on one another, and freely combinable.
- New PLC (Siemens TIA) & Touch HMI
- Current safety technology
- IoT Gateway & ATM IoT Portal
- Spare parts supply secured long-term
- Frequency inverters on main drives
- No more standby consumption
- cos φ 0.97–0.99 without compensation
- Investment subsidies available
- Handling and conveying technology
- Additional recycling technology
- Vision, inspection, and marking stations
- New product variants possible
Freely Combinable: Control system and energy efficiency RetroFits are most commonly combined — one conversion, one downtime, double the effect.
Which Type Delivers What
Technological scope, purpose, and customer benefit of the three RetroFit types compared directly.
| Criterion | 1 · Control System & Digitalization | 2 · Energy Efficiency | 3 · Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus & Core Activity | Replacement of outdated electronics, connection to the ATM IoT portal. | Inverter technology on the main drives, reduction of energy consumption. | Structural expansion through entirely new technologies and stations. |
| ATM In-House Expertise | Electrical design, PLC programming, control cabinet construction. | Drive sizing, electrical design, performance measurement, and verification. | Entire value chain including design, manufacturing, and assembly. |
| Typical measures | New PLC (TIA) · Touch HMI · IoT Gateway · Safety | Frequency inverters · Speed control · Standby shutdown | Handling & Robotics · Vision Systems · Inspection and Marking Stations |
| Main Economic Effect | Spare parts security, less downtime, data transparency. | Directly measurable reduction in energy and reactive power costs. | Higher throughput and entirely new product variants. |
| Production flexibility | Remains at the level of the existing plant — safe operation. | Slightly increased through speed increase up to 60 Hz. | Significantly increased — new product variants and processes possible. |
| Funding eligibility | Partially (control/measurement technology, sensors, energy management). | Regularly eligible for funding — investment subsidies in Austria and Germany. | Proportionally, where energy or resource efficiency can be demonstrated. |
| Investment Risk & ROI | Very low; fast ROI through secured spare parts availability. | Low; ROI can be calculated directly from the energy savings. | Calculated; excellent ROI, since a new purchase is avoided. |
Building On This: The types are not mutually exclusive — the expansion RetroFit ideally builds on a modern control system baseline.
Take advantage of investment subsidies
Energy efficiency retrofits on existing plants are regularly eligible for funding in Austria and Germany — provided the application is submitted in time.
Domestic Environmental Support Programme
„Energy Savings in Businesses“ — Administered by: KPC
- Existing plant is modernized, not newly procured
- Measurable final energy savings compared to the current state
- Demonstrable CO₂ reduction from the savings
- Application before the first legally binding order
Federal Funding for Energy Efficiency in Industry (EEW)
Energy & Resource Efficiency — Administered by: BAFA
- Module 1: Cross-cutting technologies — electric drives and pumps
- Module 3: Control/measurement technology, sensors, and energy management systems
- Module 4: Optimization of plants and processes
- Condition: min. €10,000 per measure, proof of final energy savings required
Timing Is Decisive: Both programs require the funding application to be submitted before the first legally binding order. Anyone who places the order first and applies afterward forfeits eligibility. ATM provides the technical evidence for energy savings. As of August 2026 — programs, funding rates, and deadlines change continuously and must be reviewed on a project-specific basis; ATM does not provide funding consultancy.
The ATM Advantage: 100% In-House Value Creation
Our in-house hydraulics, mechanical, electrical, and welding experts work hand in hand to make your plant fit for Industry 4.0 — everything from a single source, with no interface losses.
In-House Development
Existing mechanics are measured on-site and digitally reverse-engineered.
Electrical Design
EPLAN circuit diagrams are created in direct coordination with the programmers.
PLC Programming
Clean, modularly expandable code including custom HMI visualization.
Manufacturing & Assembly
In-house control cabinet construction with functional testing prior to delivery.
Service & Support
One point of contact throughout the entire lifecycle — single source.
Single Source: We realize projects that provide a genuine benefit and make your life easier — with no finger-pointing between suppliers.
Clear Competitive Differentiation
ATM RetroFit Compared to the Market Standard
Many providers only modernize individual trades or exclusively plants of their own brand. ATM covers the complete modernization — manufacturer-independent, from a single source.
Implementation & Trades
Multiple subcontractors for mechanics, electrics and PLC programming must be coordinated — interface risk included.
Hydraulics, mechanics, electrics, and PLC programming from a single source, one point of contact from planning through commissioning.
No gaps in responsibility between trades.
Manufacturer Dependency
Many providers exclusively modernize plants of their own brand — third-party makes are left out.
RetroFit independent of the original manufacturer, also available for third-party makes and older model years after technical inspection.
Investment in existing plants remains possible, regardless of manufacturer.
Cost & Transparency
Flat-rate quotes without a comprehensible cost basis.
Clear cost-benefit calculation including possible investment subsidies, transparent before awarding the contract.
A sound basis for decision-making instead of gut feeling.
Warranty & Risk
When problems arise between trades, responsibility is often passed back and forth.
One warranty provider for the complete modernization — from mechanics to control system.
Clear responsibility in the event of a claim.
In 6 Simple Steps to a Modernized Plant
The first three steps are free of charge for you — an investment only arises after approval of the estimated price.
Checklist
You fill out our free checklist, giving us an overview of your requirements.
Initial Analysis
Our team gets back to you with an initial analysis and an estimated price for the modernization.
Feasibility
You approve the initial assessment — we evaluate feasibility and scope together with you.
Project Analysis
Detailed project analysis, functional specification, and binding quotation including a schedule.
Implementation
Engineering, PLC programming, manufacturing, and in-house control cabinet construction with functional testing.
Commissioning
Installation, commissioning, CE acceptance, and training — the plant is handed over ready for operation.
Start Without Risk: The checklist, initial analysis, and estimated price cost you nothing — you decide on the investment only afterward.
Highlights at a glance
The key arguments for a RetroFit with ATM — summarized concisely.
Old Made New
The robust mechanical base structure is retained; the control system, drives, and operation are rebuilt from scratch.
Manufacturer-independent
ATM modernizes ATM plants as well as machines of similar technologies from competitors.
Three Types, Freely Combinable
Control system & digitalization, energy efficiency, and expansion — individually or in combination.
Fundable energy efficiency
Inverter technology eliminates standby consumption and reactive power costs — subsidies available in Austria and Germany.
Everything From a Single Source
Hydraulics, mechanical, electrical, and welding experts in-house, working hand in hand.
CE and Spare Parts
Current standards compliance with conformity assessment, plus secured spare parts supply.
Request a quote
Interested in a RetroFit?
Tell us briefly about your existing plant — our team will assess the modernization potential and get back to you with a no-obligation assessment.
- No obligationNo costs or obligations from the inquiry itself.
- Personal contactAlfred Ortner, Hans-Jürgen Steinlechner, and Sergei Shaveko are responsible for RetroFit inquiries and will contact you directly.
