From the first centrifugal atomiser to a comprehensive range for air conditioning and spas. Get a quick overview of the major milestones in our company history.
WE HUMIDIFY THE AIR.
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2020
Company foundation and development of modern principles and types of device
Internationalisation and standardisation of company processes
Expansion of services offered and customer orientation
Expansion of the company range to include Span and Wellness
Energy efficiency and sustainability will become even more important in the future
HygroMatik turns 50
1970 Rolf Meier and Ullrich Hoehler found the company Lufttechnischer Apparatebau (Air Technology Equipment Construction). They are convinced that controlled air humidification can bring major benefits in many areas, and aim to develop the technology even further. The first devices in the range included centrifugal atomisers, which are mainly suitable for greenhouses and warehouses.
1971 Exports of these highly-efficient, cost-effective systems to France, Japan and Spain begin.
1973 Not long after the company is founded, guiding principles on sustainability are developed, which are still decisive today, helping shape our profile: The newly developed range of electrode steam air humidifiers has a longer working life, saves running costs and protects the environment. Instead of the usual disposable cylinder, a new type of cylinder is developed, which is easy for customers to clean, and can be re-used.
1974 This year sees the addition of a new type of device, which can be operated with almost no maintenance; The heater steam air humidifier works with distilled water, which means that almost no hardeners can build up in the cylinder.
1977 The company is given the new name “HygroMatik” and is entered as such in the Companies Register. This name isn’t just shorter. In a single word, it expresses the central objective of the company.
1988 HygroMatik becomes part of the SpiraxSarco Group. This successful English public company is active worldwide in the treatment of process steam, and for that reason alone it offers outstanding opportunities for synergy, which ultimately benefit the customer.
1988 Eberhard Langheld takes over at the helm of HygroMatik. He expands the product range even further and makes the company truly international.
1995 HygroMatik starts to have its production and company processes inspected in line with strict international ISO standards for companies operating worldwide. Since then, HygroMatik has been certified in accordance with DIN ISO 9001, and this inspection is repeated at regular intervals.
1997 In keeping with the product philosophy based on sustainability, a special waste water / sludge pump is developed. The SuperFlush doesn’t just help extend the cylinder service intervals. It also means the units are lest prone to faults.
1997 While other companies start to outsource their customer communication to call centres, HygroMatik sets new standards in personal customer service: This year saw the introduction of a highly-qualified customer service team in a telephone HotLine, with direct contact to experts and engineers.
1999 The growth of the company doesn’t stop with the building. The company headquarters expands and moves to Henstedt-Ulzburg, near Hamburg. The expanded, modern surroundings make it possible to improve product availability even further for our customers.
In the years that followed, the key device types, atomisation humidifiers, electrode and heater steam air humidifiers are completely re-worked. New devices are launched in all four categories:
Electrode steam air humidifiers:
CompactLine, HyLine and MiniSteam
Heater steam air humidifiers:
HeaterLine, HeaterCompact, HeaterSlim
Pressurised steam systems:
Pressure steam humidifiers
Atomisation humidifiers
Adiabatic high and low pressure systems
Vortex modules Vortex Steam,
2002 HygroMatik achieves certification in accordance with the extended customer and process oriented DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. More than ever before, the customer and customer satisfaction are at the heart of this self-imposed inspection.
2005 Maike Nielsen takes over the management of HygroMatik. She has been involved with the company since 1988, and has been active in our customers’ interests since then. Under her leadership, products, processes and above all, service, have been further optimised. This means these have all become an essential component of the expanded quality promise from HygroMatik.
2005 HygroMatik creates another pillar in the spa industry. The experience in the air humidification industry gained over many years is now applied to the manufacture of steam room generators.
2010 HygroMatik celebrates its 40th anniversary. Right from the foundation of the company, success and continuous growth are part of the tradition of user-oriented thinking. Continuous development and improvement of new and existing products, plus the cost, service and waste saving concept form the basis for the company’s success.
2011 Dirc Menssing, Technical Director / Quality Management takes over management of the company.
Dirc Menssing has been at HygroMatik since 2000, and so has an excellent range of experience and specialist expertise, on which he can build in his new role.
2016 Introduction of the StandardLine unit series. The product range, deliberately reduced to the essentials, is positioned as an economically priced solution of the highest standard: Reliable steam humidification at a particularly attractive price-performance ratio. The first step is to start with the electrode steam humidifiers, but a heater type version is launched in the next few months and a stainless steel version by the end of 2018.
This marks the beginning of the restructuring of the entire HygroMatik product range, which reaches its peak with the introduction of the innovative FlexLine series in 2017.
2017 With the launch of the FlexLine unit range, the product portfolio is now being consistently renewed and optimally geared to individual customer requirements: The flexible modular principle of the FlexLine enables every customer to assemble the components of his humidification solution himself as required. The FlexLine steam humidifiers are available as electrode and heater type variants and of course also as steam generators for the spa and wellness area.
The units of the FlexLine series successively replace the previous HyLine, CompactLine, HeaterLine, HeaterLine Professional and HeaterCompact steam humidifiers by autumn 2018.
2018 FlexLine wins the coveted Plus X-Award several times in spring 2018: For 15 years, outstanding products have been honored by renowned industry experts from publishing houses and companies. The FlexLine wins in the three categories of high quality, ease of use and functionality and is also voted "Best Product of the Year 2018" by the Plus X Award jury.
Introduction of FlexLine Plus and FlexLine Process: These heater type units are equipped with stainless steel cylinders which are corrosion resistant, robust and durable. The FlexLine Process series with a control accuracy of +/-0.5% was specially designed to meet the humidification requirements of the manufacturing industry.
2018 The SpiraxSarco Group separates from HygroMatik after 30 successful years. Carel Industries S.p.A. becomes the new owner. Through the merger, Carel strengthens its activities in the humidification segment and offers HygroMatik a mature control concept with trend-setting technology for the IoT (Internet of Things).
2019 As part of the consistent updating of the entire HygroMatik product portfolio, the energy-efficient heater type steam generator HeaterSlim is optimised for small spa and wellness facilities. The electrode direct room humidifier MiniSteam E and the new ventilation unit VU for direct room humidification are perfectly adapted to the present air-conditioning requirements. With the SteamKits E and H, the electrode and radiator steam humidifiers are now also available as installation kits and round off the innovation of the isothermal product portfolio.
2020 HygroMatik turns 50 - restrictions in all areas of life due to the worldwide spread of the Corona virus overshadow this event.
In the company, working conditions are adapted to the exceptional situation: Work in the home office is made possible, online meetings and webinars replace physical meetings and further training.
In order to stay in contact with customers and interested parties and to keep them up to date with the latest news, HygroMatik also presents itself as an air humidification expert via the online network LinkedIn.
The 40-60% RH campaign focuses on the importance of optimal indoor humidity to prevent the spread of viruses.
Optimisation of the adiabatic low- and high-pressure systems LPS and HPS. In comfort and process humidification, they ensure hygienic and efficient humidification and cooling.
In addition, the product portfolio is expanded to include ultrasonic humidifiers, adiabatic direct room humidification systems and numerous probes and sensors from the parent company CAREL's programme.
2021, the pandemic continues to have us firmly in its grip - we digitise our HVAC trade fair presence and a spa showroom.
The WaterLine RO series for the treatment of water by reverse osmosis for effective protection against viruses and bacterial contamination in air humidification and cooling systems is introduced to the market.
2023 Rolf F. Oberhaus takes over the management of HygroMatik.He is also CEO of Klingenburg GmbH, which, like HygroMatik, is part of the CAREL group.
