Acquisition-related increase in headcount
Focus on vocational training and professional development
As of 30 June 2026, the Bechtle Group employed a total of 16,418 people, including 672 vocational trainees. This represents an increase of 810 employees, or 5.2%, compared with 30 June 2025. International acquisitions brought 1,033 new colleagues to Bechtle, making them the sole driver of this growth. Excluding acquisitions, employee numbers declined by −1.4%.
Compared with 31 December 2025, the total workforce increased by 58 employees, or 0.4%.
Given the persistently challenging economic environment, Bechtle continues to take a selective, needs-based approach to workforce planning. Employee numbers in Germany and France decreased slightly year on year, by −1.9% and −2.8% respectively, while acquisitions in Benelux and Other Europe drove significant headcount growth in these regions.
|
|
H1/2026 |
|
H1/2025 |
|
Change in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group |
|
16,418 |
|
15,608 |
|
5.2 |
Germany |
|
10,240 |
|
10,435 |
|
−1.9 |
France |
|
1,199 |
|
1,234 |
|
−2.8 |
Benelux |
|
1,329 |
|
1,220 |
|
8.9 |
Other Europe |
|
3,650 |
|
2,719 |
|
34.2 |
Expressed as full-time equivalents (FTEs), Bechtle employed an average of 15,859 people between January and June 2026. This is 648 more than in the prior-year period, an increase of 4.3%.
Personnel and social expenses amounted to €662.8 million in the period from January to June 2026, 8.0% higher than in the prior-year period (€613.6 million). The expense ratio decreased from 20.8% to 20.1%. Personnel and social expenses per employee were €43.0 thousand in the first half of the year, compared with €41.5 thousand in the previous year.
Developing young talent and building skills remain key priorities in our HR strategy. Our many vocational training and dual-study programmes are an important part of Bechtle’s long-term approach to securing skilled professionals. As of 30 June 2026, 672 young people were enrolled in these programmes at Bechtle, with 517 at our German locations and 155 outside Germany. At the same time, we invest consistently in the professional and personal development of our employees, with an extensive range of opportunities for career starters, experienced specialists and managers alike. In this way, we aim to build skills where they are needed and retain talent over the long term.
In January, the Top Employers Institute renewed Bechtle’s Top Employer certification for 2026, confirming our position as a leading employer in Germany. This distinction underlines our commitment to offering every Bechtle employee meaningful work, a modern working environment and excellent opportunities for development.