ADP ENGINEERING GMBH
Peter Schlitt and Peter Böhm founded ADP Engineering GmbH in 1994. As a leading engineering company in the bicycle industry, it has stood for German engineering and holistic design for three decades. ROTWILD, founded in 1996 as their own brand for high-end bikes, forms the heart of the company, which is still owner-managed. Intensive research, innovative production techniques and continuous innovation characterise the work of the bike manufacturer. ROTWILD specialises in sporty eMTBs in the premium segment and produces at its headquarters in Dieburg, Germany. ADP Engineering is also a sought-after development partner for mobility solutions in the automotive industry, both now and in the past.
Did you know?
Peter Böhm (left) and Peter Schlitt (right) - the two founders of the company - are still actively involved in responsible positions after 30 years with great motivation.
How it all began
The story of ROTWILD and ADP Engineering GmbH began with a groundbreaking component: the carbon brake booster. Developed by two students who met at the Fraunhofer Institute, the brake booster would revolutionise the performance of mountain bikes.First presented at the Lake Garda BIKE Festival in 1994, it quickly became well known and prevailed in a BIKE comparison test. Demand grew rapidly.
The first ROTWILD prototype
The creation of the first ROTWILD bike was an important milestone. During a social evening, the founders of ADP Engineering were offered a double-page spread in BIKE if they built their own bike. The first prototype was not so much a new brand as a demonstration of ADP's engineering expertise. In 1996, when the market was dominated by American brands, ROTWILD started with a completely new approach: raw aluminium, no flashy paint, visible welds, a German brand name and very technical decals on the frame. Unusual technical solutions such as toothed belts, the first Sachs disc brakes, carbon dip tubes and an electric gear change caused a stir in the bike scene.
The launch of ROTWILD
The publication of the article about the RDH P1 bike in the April 1996 issue of the renowned trade magazine BIKE attracted a lot of attention, although many readers thought the bike was an April Fool's joke. But interest was aroused. The first small series was presented at Eurobike 1996. German mountain bike pro Stefan Herrmann took the bike to the World Championships in Australia and surprisingly won the Master's Downhill World Championships on one of the first frames. In the same year, ROTWILD came second in the Motorpresse "Bike of the Year" poll, even though there were only a few frames on the market.
Where are we today?
Over the past 30 years, the bicycle industry has changed fundamentally and with it the demands of cycling. ROTWILD has kept up with these changes and today offers E-Performance bikes for a wide range of applications. As a relatively small manufacturer, we compete with the biggest global players and have repeatedly proven that we are able to develop bikes that meet the highest professional standards.
ROTWILD - Engineering made in Germany
ROTWILD bikes are the result of solid German engineering. ADP Engineering stands for the highest art of engineering and holistic design, this is our DNA. Our team is constantly working on innovations in order to adapt each product optimally to its field of application. Our expertise and development work ensures that our bikes deliver sporty performance and reliability. After the purchase, we continue to provide our customers with professional support and service.
Our mission
ROTWILD has a clear mission: to be the driving force behind your sporting success on the bike. This mission is reflected in every phase of the development process - from the initial idea to the finished product. Every ROTWILD bike is carefully handcrafted in Germany and undergoes strict quality controls. An extensive cooperation network ensures the highest quality and reliability.
A brand with a future
Since its foundation, ROTWILD has undergone an impressive development and established itself as a German high-end brand. With a dedicated team of around 50 employees, we continue to set standards in the bike industry. Our bikes are not just sports equipment, but an expression of passion, engineering skill and technical precision. One principle in particular characterises us: we develop and produce the bikes we want to ride ourselves.
A brand with a future
Since its foundation, ROTWILD has undergone an impressive development and established itself as a German high-end brand. With a dedicated team of around 50 employees, we continue to set standards in the bike industry. Our bikes are not just sports equipment, but an expression of passion, engineering skill and technical precision. One principle in particular characterises us: we develop and produce the bikes we want to ride ourselves.
Join the ROTWILD team
ROTWILD offers exciting career opportunities in the bicycle industry. If you are ready to be part of this success story and bring your passion for cycling into an innovative environment, we look forward to receiving your application.