Peter Schaufler, Bitzer CEO, dies
The air conditioning and refrigeration industry has been saddened by the news of the passing of Bitzer CEO and owner Peter Schaufler.
A giant of the refrigeration industry who transformed the German company into becoming the largest independent refrigeration compressor manufacturer in the world, Peter Schaufler passed away unexpectedly at the weekend in Salzburg. He was 74.
Originally founded in 1934 by Martin Bitzer, the company was acquired by Peter Schaufler’s father, Ulrich, in 1934. Peter took over in 1979, following his father’s death.
At that time, the company had 270 employees and boasted sales of DM30m (around €15m). Peter gave the company an international focus, turning the company into a global player and a driver of innovation for the entire refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Bitzer now counts on 3,400 employees in more than 90 countries and turnover of €657m, making it 50 times the size it was when he took the helm …