Hochtief expands into the electricity grid market

Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office, while the acquisition price has not been disclosed.

Autmatec was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany. The company works with major electricity transmission and distribution system operators and is expected to generate approximately €50 million in revenue in 2026. It employs around 80 specialised professionals.

From foundations to transmission line installation

Autmatec’s activities cover the entire value chain for overhead electricity transmission lines. These include, among other things, site preparation, the construction and installation of transmission towers, foundation works, electricity line installation and project management.

For Hochtief, the acquisition forms part of its strategy to expand in markets characterised by long-term investment trends, such as the modernisation of electricity grids and the development of energy infrastructure.

Grid operators across Europe are planning significant investments to support the electrification of the economy, integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy generation and strengthen energy security. These developments are driving growing demand for specialised services in the transmission line sector.

“Autmatec’s acquisition is fully aligned with our strategy of investing in high-growth infrastructure markets benefiting from long-term structural demand,” said Hochtief CEO Juan Santamaría.

He added that energy infrastructure represents one of the key investment trends of the current era, with modern and resilient electricity grids considered essential to the energy transition.

Combining expertise with greater scale

Through the acquisition, Hochtief gains access to Autmatec’s technical expertise, required certifications and relationships with grid operators in a market that ranks among Europe’s fastest-growing infrastructure markets.

Autmatec is expected to complement the activities of Hochtief Infrastructure and Hochtief Engineering, enabling a more integrated combination of engineering, procurement and project management services for electricity transmission infrastructure.

Peter Hingott, CEO of Hochtief Infrastructure, said that Autmatec has specialised expertise, strong customer relationships and a highly skilled workforce—capabilities that can be combined with Hochtief’s technical capabilities, scale and experience in delivering major projects.

Following completion of the transaction, Autmatec’s existing management team is expected to remain in place. At the same time, joining the Hochtief Group will provide the company with access to greater resources, an expanded customer base and the ability to pursue larger projects.

German order backlog doubles

Hochtief notes that its order backlog in Germany has doubled over the past four years, reflecting the country’s increased need for new infrastructure.

The opportunities created by the German government’s €500 billion investment programme are also a key focus. The programme is expected to boost demand for infrastructure projects, including in the energy sector.