20 YEARS OF BÜTEMA: FROM A SMALL COMPANY FROM BIETIGHEIM-BISSINGEN TO THE LEADING PROVIDER OF INSTORE SOLUTIONS FOR THE GERMAN FASHION AND LIFESTYLE RETAIL SECTOR

Bütema AG is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, a milestone that not only allows us to look back on what we have achieved, but also on the exciting journey that lies behind us. In this blog post, we look back at the highlights, successes and innovations of the last two decades. 

FOUNDATION AND BEGINNINGS

The management buy-out to Bütema AG took place in 2004. With a focus on customers in the wholesale and retail sectors, we took over the software, barcode printers and readers and MDE devices divisions of Bütema Daten Elektronik GmbH. This laid the foundation for what was to follow: a clear focus on retail and mobile merchandise management. The development of the BarcodeChannel and mERP solutions significantly characterised our first years.

The company was not only founded on paper. A new company building was also constructed in the Laiern industrial area in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

GROWTH AND EXPANSION

In the years that followed, Bütema AG experienced steady growth and expanded into new markets. The acquisition of Bütema Computer Systeme in 2006 enabled the company to set up its own service division. A significant milestone was winning the first major mERP project at the German division of Woolworth in 2007. With the founding of Butema France SAS in 2009 and the acquisition of B + L Systeme in 2011, we consolidated our presence on the market and exceeded the 10 million euro turnover mark for the first time.

Article on the takeover of B + L Systeme in the Bietigheimer Zeitung

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS AND SUCCESSES

At the heart of our success are the technological innovations that we have driven forward over the years. The development of the sovia framework in 2008 made it possible for a single customer to use more than 5000 MDE devices per day for the first time. With products such as the InStore Assistant and Digital Signage in 2013, we began to break new ground in retail. The focus on processes and solutions for fashion and lifestyle retail from 2014 and the official launch of soviaRetail in 2015 emphasise our claim to play a pioneering role in retail. 

One of our first digital signage installations at Bär Schuhe

CUSTOMERS

Our customers are at the centre of everything we do. With the claim "Consumer Centric Retailing" in 2015 and the acquisition of international customers such as Orsay in 2017, we have established ourselves as a reliable partner in the retail sector. By expanding our marketing activities to include InStore Consulting in 2019 and opening a new Bütema showroom at the Microsoft EMEA headquarters in Munich, we are even closer to our customers and their needs. 

In 2021, the MTC showroom in Munich was redesigned and equipped with the latest Bütema solutions

The 20th anniversary of Bütema AG is not only an occasion to celebrate, but also to look to the future. With a growing team of over 70 employees and a clear focus on innovative solutions for the retail sector, we are ready for the next 20 years. New products such as payment solutions and the continuous development of our digital signage software show that we will continue to be at the forefront of technological development in the future.