230-year-old-company-leading-the-ai-revolution

This 230 Year Old Company Is Not Just Surviving the AI Revolution Its Leading It

Published on 27 March 2026 at 15:00

Adapting a Two‑Century Legacy to the AI Revolution

How does a company with over two centuries of industrial heritage adapt to the most profound technological shift of our time? For many, the answer is “slowly and cautiously.” But STADLER, a 230‑year‑old leader in recycling plant engineering, is proving that legacy and innovation can go hand in hand. The company is fundamentally reshaping its knowledge work by deploying ChatGPT Enterprise, unlocking new levels of efficiency and accelerating productivity for its 650 employees across the globe.

About STADLER

Founded in 1791, STADLER is a global specialist that designs, builds, and maintains sorting plants for the recycling industry. This is a world of complex engineering, precise technical documentation, and international collaboration. In this environment, barriers like language and access to specialized knowledge can create significant friction.

Stephan Plattner, Head of Digitalization and IT, recognized an opportunity not just to streamline tasks, but to empower every employee. The goal was to use generative AI to break down silos, democratize information, and give their team a powerful co‑pilot for their daily work, transforming a potential challenge into a powerful competitive advantage.

Key Use Cases of ChatGPT Enterprise

Instant Translation

Employees can now instantly translate technical manuals, internal communications, and client correspondence with a high degree of accuracy, fostering seamless collaboration across international teams.

Code Assistance and Automation

The IT department has seen a dramatic boost in productivity, using the AI as an assistant for writing and debugging code in specialized languages like SAP ABAP and building new automations in Power Automate—tasks that previously required extensive time and niche expertise.

Result: Time savings of several hours per week per employee.

Adoption Strategy

The implementation began with a “champion‑led” rollout, starting with a pilot group of 20 enthusiastic employees. After seeing immediate, tangible benefits, the program was expanded to 100 employees and is now being scaled company‑wide. This strategy built momentum and created internal advocates, ensuring the tool was integrated into workflows organically.

The team is also building custom GPTs tailored for specific internal processes, moving from being users of a tool to creators of bespoke AI solutions.

Takeaway for Other Companies

STADLER’s story demonstrates that generative AI is not a tool reserved for tech giants or digital‑native startups. It is a transformative force that can unlock immense value in any industry, provided it is deployed with a clear vision and a focus on empowering people.

A company’s age is no barrier to its agility; in fact, deep industry knowledge combined with cutting‑edge AI defines the next chapter of its history.