Goldhofer and EFM recently signed a major framework agreement at Goldhofer’s headquarters in Memmingen, Germany

The agreement involves the delivery of 14 ultra-modern Goldhofer Phoenix E battery-powered aircraft tractors by 2028, ushering in a new era in zero-emission ground support at Munich Airport.

The contract signing ceremony was attended by EFM’s managing director Jörg Abel, CFO Dirk Eichhorn and CTO Bernhard Stelzle, while Goldhofer was represented by CEO Matthias Ruppel, Stavros Hatziioannou, vice president sales and service, and Peter Potthast, area sales manager. The framework agreement further strengthens a longstanding and forward-looking partnership, according to Goldhofer.

Jörg Abel said, “This latest investment in Goldhofer equipment is a further milestone for future-proof ground handling by EFM at Munich Airport. As a pioneer in the field of zero-emission ground support, our goal is to make ground support fit for a sustainable future. Goldhofer’s Phoenix E tractors make a valuable contribution to this and will help us achieve our vision of a green future.”

The Goldhofer and EFM team met at Goldhofer HQ in Memmingen
The Goldhofer and EFM team met at Goldhofer HQ in Memmingen Goldhofer

Matthias Ruppel highlighted the significance of the 14 towbarless aircraft tractors ordered for Munich, saying: “Collaboration with EFM underscores our position as a technology leader in the field of e-mobility. We are proud to be making a decisive contribution to zero-emission ground support with our Phoenix E tractors and thus leading the way to a sustainable future.”

With a range of battery configurations and a powerful drive system, the Phoenix E provides instant torque availability, which is essential for precise and efficient aircraft marshalling. The battery technology used in the tractor is designed for a long service life and high cycling stability, which means that the batteries retain a high percentage of nominal capacity even after multiple charging cycles.

Matthias Ruppel, CEO Goldhofer (left) and Jörg Abel, managing director EFM (right) sign the contract
Matthias Ruppel, CEO Goldhofer (left) and Jörg Abel, managing director EFM (right) sign the contract Goldhofer