Essen, Germany – The KÖTTER Unternehmensgruppe, a leading German facility services provider, reported a 6.6% increase in revenue to €770 million for the 2025 fiscal year, defying a challenging economic climate in Germany. The company as well increased its workforce by 2.5% to 16,400 employees, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
The growth is described as “nearly purely organic” by Friedrich P. Kötter, the company’s administrative board member. “The 2025 fiscal year underscores our reliability as an innovation driver, quality guarantor and top player for 360-degree solutions,” Kötter stated. He attributed the success to “clear strategic decisions and the high commitment of our employees.”
A significant driver of revenue growth within the security division was increased demand for protection of critical infrastructure, including airports, information technology, and data centers. Kötter Security 360, the company’s integrated security offering encompassing consulting, security services, technology, cybersecurity, and specialized services, played a key role in securing these contracts. The company’s monitoring center also surpassed a milestone, processing over 100 million alerts and building automation signals for the first time.
The cleaning division also saw growth, securing novel contracts and expanding existing relationships through its focus on comprehensive cleaning and hygiene concepts. These services, the company says, help industrial clients optimize their economic efficiency and value creation, including specialized services like UV coating for durable floor finishes and maintenance of extensive conveyor systems.
Kötter Personal Service, however, faced headwinds in the temporary staffing sector, which was significantly impacted by the broader economic downturn. Despite this, the division maintained its position through new contracts in the retail and logistics sectors, managing the logistics of nearly 15,000 trucks and tractor-trailers in the past year. The company also provides staffing solutions for industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Looking ahead, Kötter plans to further develop its “Smart Service Solutions,” emphasizing the use of high-tech tools, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. This includes exploring applications like drone defense systems, drone-based security services, and cleaning drones. The company invested over 550,000 hours in training for its employees and customers in 2025, and trained 250 apprentices in ten different professions.
Friedrich P. Kötter used the announcement to renew calls for economic reforms, citing high social security contributions as a significant burden on businesses. He urged the government to prioritize reducing bureaucracy, modernizing infrastructure, and lowering taxes and levies. Kötter warned that the ongoing economic weakness in Germany, marked by record insolvencies and companies relocating abroad, is eroding the potential customer base for service providers.
The company expressed a cautious outlook for the current fiscal year, acknowledging that the economic challenges will continue to impact the demand for business services.