Efficient, durable, aesthetic: SCHÄFER Perforated Metal designs ALDI Nord’s new façades

Neunkirchen, 13 August 2025. Building envelopes permanently protect buildings from weather influences – and can do much more. Their architecture conveys design, value and emotion. In this way, the outer shell becomes a visible expression of a company’s corporate identity. As an integrated process partner for metal building envelopes, BEMO Systems undertakes the planning and system production of the façades for the discount stores of ALDI Nord. The large-scale building skin of these subsidiaries combines transparent glass surfaces with numerous square metres of aluminium perforated sheets which is fitted with an easy-to-clean coating. SCHÄFER Perforated Metal is responsible for the precise manufacturing of the perforated sheets.

ALDI Nord has around 2,200 stores in Germany. The stores are part of the Aldi Group, which has a total of over 4,200 shops in Germany. New subsidiaries continue to open and existing stores are regularly modernised. The façade systems for both refurbished and new discount stores are supplied by BEMO. Perforated sheets from SCHÄFER Perforated Metal are procured as required. To date, over 200,000 square metres of perforated aluminium strips from SCHÄFER Perforated Metal have been supplied to BEMO Systems.

“Our partnership-based business relationship with SCHÄFER Perforated Metal has steadily deepened over the years – fuelled by consistently efficient and reliable cooperation. The response times and communication are first class. Flexibility, cost-effectiveness and consistently high product quality are particularly important to us. SCHÄFER Perforated Metal is always able to deliver even large quantities on time and within the shortest possible time – and always to our complete satisfaction,” says Johannes Huber, Sales Manager at BEMO Systems.

Large quantities in a short time – precision under pressure

Coils are processed as roll goods in a thickness of one millimetre with approximately 1,000 metres per coil of aluminium coated with BEMO-FLON. BEMO-FLON is a special coating developed for BEMO, from which even heavy soiling or paint – think graffiti vandalism – can be removed. The colours of white aluminium (RAL 9006) and grey aluminium (RAL 9007) are used.

The coated aluminium coils arrive at SCHÄFER in Neunkirchen by the truckload in quantities of around 20 to 22 tonnes. Three to four tonnes of material are required for a single façade. The decisive factor is availability in the required quantity: Within a quarter, SCHÄFER supplies perforated aluminium coils for up to 30 ALDI Nord subsidiaries – needless to say, in consistently high quality.

After delivery, the coils undergo further processing. They are given the RV 5-8 perforation and are then wound up again as a coil. Processing is fully automated on modern lines. Punching tools from the in-house tool shop are used for the precise perforations – a guarantee for consistent production quality and delivery reliability.

“Our collaboration with BEMO Systems is based on mutual trust. We know the requirements exactly – and BEMO appreciates both our short response times and our reliability in production and processing. The processes interlock smoothly,” reports Rüdiger Boller, Project Manager in Sales at SCHÄFER Perforated Metal.

Strong in versatility – confident in every challenge

The SCHÄFER Perforated Metal portfolio includes more than 400hole patterns, which are produced in various shapes such as round, square, oblong or hexagonal perforations. These hole patterns are perforated in steel, stainless steel and aluminium.

In addition to the wide range of perforations, the company offers a comprehensive spectrum of processing services, including laser cutting, folding, notching, punching, degreasing, powder coating, painting and anodising. This allows for the delivery of ready-to-install components – even just-in-time.

BEMO, the façade specialist from Baden-Württemberg, is a global system partner for metal building envelopes of all sizes. With its own planning office, which is one of the largest specialist planning offices for metal building envelopes, BEMO Systems offers specialised services from planning and statics to the delivery of roof and façade systems from a single source. BEMO works closely with building owners, general contractors, architects and engineers and supports them in all project phases. The metal semi-finished products are procured via trusted partners, including SCHÄFER Perforated Metal.