The ALMEX Story
Innovation since 1978 – From the beginnings to a global Build-to-Run partner
The pioneering spirit as a driver of innovation
For almost 50 years, ALMEX has been developing innovative IT systems and hardware solutions for demanding markets. What began in 1978 as a pioneer of mobile data capture devices is now an internationally active engineering and manufacturing partner that supports customers from the first prototype through to ongoing operations.
The ALMEX story is shaped by the courage to innovate, technical excellence and a deep understanding of customers. Major contracts with Deutsche Bahn, international public transport operators and leading retail companies testify to decades of expertise. ALMEX brings together a wide range of capabilities under one strong umbrella. Time and again, the company has ventured into new industries – from public transport and robotics to custom software solutions.
ALMEX stands for pioneering spirit, exceptional flexibility and the ambition to always be at the forefront. We are driven by tangible results and pride in what we achieve together. Whether on trains, at airports or in retail: our solutions reach millions of people every day.”
Milestones in ALMEX history
From the founding in 1978 to today: the key milestones on the path to becoming an international technology partner.
ALMEX Build to Run – The New Era
ALMEX positions itself as a holistic partner, from the initial idea through consulting, engineering, and manufacturing to operation with accompanying services, consistently guided and controlled by project management. Industrializing innovation – that is the future.
Contract from Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG
Order for 119 ALMEX mini.cashless PIN mobile vending machines from Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG
ALMEX mini.cashless & Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe
Development of the small, mobile ticket vending machine ALMEX mini.cashless. Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe is the first customer to order 600 units – one of the largest individual orders.
Development of ALMEX mini.cashless
Development of the small, mobile ticket vending machine ALMEX mini.cashless
Contract from Rostocker Straßenbahn AG
Order for 148 ALMEX mobile.cashless mobile vending machines from Rostocker Straßenbahn AG
Development of a hybrid self-checkout terminal
10,000 MDEs (mobile computing equipment): Delivery of mobile data entry devices for retail companies
Deutsche Bahn: 500+ RTA 2.x ticket vending machines
Order for at least 500 RTA 2.x ticket vending machines from Deutsche Bahn AG
Delivery of 1,000 info terminals
Delivery of 1,000 info terminals for the food retail sector
Windows CE migration to Android
First migration from Windows CE to the "Android world"
5-year service contract for ALNATURA Produktions- und Handels GmbH
More than 600 ALMEX allegro.Tx units with a 5-year service contract for ALNATURA Produktions- und Handels GmbH
Delivery of 100 ALMEX optima.BL units
Delivery of 100 ALMEX optima.BL units to Odenwald – Regional – Gesellschaft mbH
PC update for 3,000 ticket vending machines
PC update for 3,000 ticket vending machines of Deutsche Bahn AG
Contract conclusion with Hamburger Hochbahn AG
Contract conclusion for 200 self-service terminals with cash acceptance and 15 cashless self-service terminals with Hamburger Hochbahn AG
The cashless self-service terminals are latest-generation machines in a smartphone design with a double-sided display.
Delivery of 33 video vending machines with PIA
(Personal Information Assistant)
Development of a service-friendly vending machine generation
Development of a new service-friendly vending machine generation with higher availability and a significant reduction in operating costs
Innovation partnership between Deutsche Bahn & HVV
ALMEX develops a new, service-friendly vending machine generation. Hamburger Hochbahn AG orders 200 self-service terminals in smartphone design.
Coin processing with redundant components
Complete new development of a coin processing system with redundant components
Development of the ALMEX assistator
Vending machine with 32" display, soundproof, fully equipped full-service cabin for data transfer and video communication
ALDI-Nord contract
ALDI-Nord commissions ALMEX allegro.LSi for branch use
Development of the ALMEX mobile.POS
Development of the ALMEX mobile.POS conductor device for Deutsche Bahn
Another major order from Deutsche Bahn
Major order from Deutsche Bahn for 12,000 MTx devices
Development of ALMEX allegro.LSi
Development of the ALMEX allegro.LSi with Windows AND Android operating systems
770 ALMEX station vending machines
770 ALMEX station series vending machines for SNCB (Belgian State Railways)
5,200 ALMEX optima.BL units
5,200 ALMEX optima.BL units for FirstGroup, the No. 1 bus company in the UK
14,000 allegro LS units
Swiss Post orders 14,000 ALMEX allegro.LS units
Another major order from Deutsche Bahn
Major order for 3,500 vending machines for Deutsche Bahn
Another major order from Karstadt
Karstadt orders a further 3,000 ALMEX allegro.LS units
3,500 ALMEX optima.BL units
3,500 ALMEX optima ticket printers for Transport Scotland
2,500 ALMEX mobile units
2,500 ALMEX mobile units for SBB and ÖBB as conductor devices
Development of the ALMEX mobile
Major order from Karstadt
Karstadt orders 3,500 ALMEX allegro.LS units
Development of ALMEX mobile & ALMEX allegro.LS
ALMEX develops the ALMEX allegro.LS, the first MDE device with a landscape display, and delivers 2,500 ALMEX mobile conductor devices to SBB and ÖBB.
Allegro1: One-handed MDE
Development of the Allegro1: One-handed MDE
skeye.pad – first system with Windows CE
ALMEX presents the skeye.pad at CeBIT, the first system with Windows CE, setting new standards in mobile data entry.
2,700 outdoor and indoor vending machines
ALMEX delivers 2,700 outdoor and indoor vending machines for TollCollect.
Major order from Deutsche Bahn (3,500 ticket vending machines)
ALMEX delivers a further 3,500 ticket vending machines, consolidating its position as a leading provider in the public transport segment.
Major order from ÜSTRA (over 500 stationary ticket vending machines)
ALMEX delivers over 500 ticket vending machines from the tix family to ÜSTRA.
Major order from Deutsche Bahn (16,000 terminals)
A milestone: ALMEX receives an order for 16,000 terminals from Deutsche Bahn – the beginning of a long-standing partnership.
Handheld computers & intelligent data registers
ALMEX expands its portfolio to include handheld computers and intelligent data registers for the retail and logistics sectors.
First mobile data entry (MDE) devices
ALMEX develops the first mobile data entry devices and positions itself as a technology pioneer in a still young market.
Start of development activities
Development activities and the laying of the foundation stone for over four decades of innovation in IT and hardware development.
Development of business areas
From a specialist in mobile data capture to a versatile innovation and engineering partner.
The pioneering phase
ALMEX establishes itself as a specialist for mobile data capture devices and intelligent cash registers. The focus is on retail and logistics.
First MDE devices (1981)
Handheld computers (1987)
Cash registers for retail
Public transport becomes home
Major contracts with Deutsche Bahn and international public transport operators make public transport the strongest business area. ALMEX becomes a leading provider of ticketing and telematics solutions.
16,000 terminals for Deutsche Bahn (1994)
3,500 ticket vending machines (1996)
Internationalization (UK, Belgium, Denmark)
Development of ALMEX mobile for SBB/ÖBB
Diversification & innovation
allegro LS for Karstadt & Swiss Post
ALMEX Video-RTA (video vending machine with 32" display)
Development of mobile POS for Deutsche Bahn
12,000 MTx devices for Deutsche Bahn
Engineering excellence & Build to Run
ALMEX establishes itself as a specialist for mobile data capture devices and intelligent cash registers. The focus is on retail and logistics.
Innovation partnership with Deutsche Bahn
Entry into robotics (service robots)
Development of mini.cashless
Build to Run as the new umbrella brand (2025)
AI-supported engineering processes
ALMEX today – In figures
Global
The future: ALMEX Build to Run
Where is ALMEX heading? From product focus to service excellence.
ALMEX is driving its further development by focusing specifically on its existing business areas.
From a pure product provider to a holistic innovation and engineering partner. The new approach ALMEX Build to Run supports customers throughout the entire product lifecycle – from the first idea through to ongoing operations.
This change is not a break with the past, but an evolution: the engineering excellence built up over decades, flexibility and deep customer understanding form the foundation.
However, ALMEX is thinking further: not only delivering products, but industrializing innovation.
The vision: industrialize innovation
ALMEX is a reliable partner for a fast and competent path from idea to market-ready solution. With global manufacturing capacities, agile engineering processes and AI-supported development, time-to-market and investment risks are dramatically reduced.
The future does not belong to manufacturers of individual products – but to partners who master the entire innovation process.
Become part of our story?
ALMEX is looking for partners who want to industrialize innovation together – and talents who want to help write our success story.