NACE 33.2 – Installation of Industrial Machinery and Equipment | Public Tenders
NACE 33.2: Machinery installation in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and procurement procedures for industrial plant installations.
Definition: NACE 33.2 covers the installation of machinery and industrial equipment, including industrial robots, lifts, escalators, automated installations and other industrial machinery. The group belongs to Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 33.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026
What does NACE 33.2 cover?
NACE 33.2 (Installation of industrial machinery and equipment) classifies companies that assemble, install and commission machinery, plant and technical equipment — a service category indispensable for public construction projects and infrastructure measures.
Group 33.2 covers the following activity areas:
| Activity | Examples | Typical Contracting Authorities |
|---|---|---|
| Lifts and escalators | Passenger lifts, goods lifts, moving walkways | Railway stations, public buildings |
| Industrial installations | Production plants, bottling plants | Municipal utility operations |
| Automation and robotics | PLC controls, conveyor systems | Public utility works |
| Air conditioning and ventilation | Air conditioning systems, HVAC systems | Hospitals, administrative buildings |
| Security installations | Fire detection systems, access control | Authorities, clinics |
Public Tenders: Machinery Installation Public Contracts
Public construction projects regularly require the installation of complex technical installations — from lifts in railway stations to wastewater treatment plant installations and automated sorting systems.
Typical Contract Types
- Lift installations: Installation and modernisation of passenger and goods lifts in railway stations, authorities, hospitals and public buildings (accessibility programmes)
- Wastewater treatment plant technology: Installation of pumping stations, aeration systems, dewatering units and measurement-control-regulation technology in municipal wastewater treatment plants
- Heating technology and heat supply: Installation of district heating transfer stations, combined heat and power plants and heat pump systems in public buildings
- Conveyor technology: Installation of baggage and goods handling systems, sorting systems at airports and railway stations
- Security technology: Installation of fire detection, intrusion detection and video surveillance systems in public properties
Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 33.2
| CPV Code | Title | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 51000000 | Installation services (except software) | General plant installation |
| 51100000 | Installation services of electrical and mechanical equipment | Electrical installations |
| 51200000 | Installation services of measuring, checking, testing and navigating equipment | Automation technology |
| 51300000 | Installation services of communications equipment | Communications installations |
| 51500000 | Installation services of machinery and equipment | Industrial machinery |
| 51700000 | Installation services of fire protection equipment | Fire detection systems, sprinklers |
Contracting Authorities and Bidders
Public Contracting Authorities
Public building operators — federal authorities, federal states, municipalities — commission lift and security technology installations as part of new build and refurbishment measures. Deutsche Bahn and ÖBB as utility contracting entities tender large-volume installation and modernisation contracts for station installations. Municipal utility operations and wastewater associations commission plant installations for water supply and disposal.
Bidders and Suitability Requirements
- Specialist qualification evidence: Relevant specialist business recognition (e.g. lift construction, electrical engineering, heating/air conditioning)
- Safety evidence: DGUV test certificates, ability to obtain TÜV approval, experience with regulatory acceptance processes
- Project management capability: References for comparable installation projects including scheduling and commissioning
- Manufacturer partnerships: Specialist contractor agreements with equipment manufacturers are frequently required
FAQ
When is the installation of machinery part of a works contract and when an independent service contract? For public projects, classification follows the main subject matter of the contract. Where machine installation is part of a construction project and the construction activity predominates, the works contract threshold applies (EUR 5,538,000). Where it is an independent installation service without significant construction activity, the supply or service thresholds are decisive.
How are lift modernisations in existing public buildings awarded? Lift modernisations are tendered either below-threshold (national procedures, e.g. restricted invitation) or EU-wide depending on the contract value. Since lifts must be regularly inspected and maintained after being placed on the market, modernisation and maintenance contracts are often awarded together in one package.
NACE 33.2 in context: Section C and Division 33
- NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
- NACE 33 – Repair and installation of machinery and equipment: Parent division
- NACE 33.1 – Repair of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment: Adjacent group
- NACE 35 – Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply: Related Section D
Last updated: April 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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