Company history

Shortly after it was founded, the company initially focused on the development of fuels and lubricants. In the following years, extensive tests were carried out on internal combustion engines, and this area of research continues to play an important role today.

In 1999 the opening of the APL location in Wolfsburg was celebrated. This is now located at another location in Wolfsburg and has around 150 employees.

The famous APL Christmas parties for the whole family started in 2000. To this day they are a highlight for the entire workforce and their partners and children. Due to the constant growth in the number of employees, the festival now extends over a period of three days.

The first tests of alternative drives began in 2003. First with electric machines including power electronics and then with high-voltage batteries.

The second location is opened in Landau in der Pfalz and at the same time the e-drive and battery testing center is founded. No exhaust gases and no CO2 emissions make it possible to set up a location near the city.

For the “R&D Services” category, Daimler AG Stuttgart presents the Daimler Supplier Award 2012 and thus recognizes the APL for achievements in drive train testing of passenger car transmissions as well as functional and endurance testing of commercial vehicle engines – a great honor.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the APL is holding an Oktoberfest. In addition to a chain carousel and box cars, a variety of food and drink stands provide entertainment and joy.

The third APL location will be opened in the Bietigheim-Bissingen district of Stuttgart and will be equipped with several roller dynamometers, which will be expanded in the future. A total of around 200 employees work for customers at the location.

The multifunctional building offers space for the expanded chemistry and analysis laboratory on the entire upper floor, a (fine) measuring room with the latest technology, prototype assembly and another eight test stand rooms in the basement.

The APL is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a complete fairground for the APL employees and family. Chain carousel, box car as well as food and drink stands provide fun and games and are still remembered today.

The third APL location is opened in Landau and offers the opportunity to carry out battery, EMC and environmental tests. In total, a further 16 battery module test stands, eight battery test stands for PTCE and 8 high-performance battery test stands are being built.

After 33 years, Hermann Josef Scholl and Daniel Bühl are moving to the advisory board of APL GmbH. At the same time, Dr. Volker Zimmermann appointed as the new CEO of APL GmbH. Cornelia Mast takes on the role of CFO and Christian Lensch-Franzen remains CTO.