Our History
We have been focusing on the future for over 50 years with our Reflex brand. Learn about our brand history and our guiding principle, Thinking Solutions.
The first impulses
The foundation of our company is based on solution orientation and pragmatism: In 1898, Heinrich Winkelmann and Caspar Pannhoff founded a workshop for the production of kitchen and household appliances made of enamelled metal in Ahlen, Germany.
Always driven by improving convenience
In the 1950s, along with the industrial boom of the post-war era, the needs of the population for more comfort, such as hot water and central heating, also increased. For us it meant the birth of the membrane pressure expansion vessels.
Reorientation towards steel sheet forming – special parts for mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and heating and water supply technology were produced.
THE RIGHT PRESSURE Breakthrough in maintaining pressure
When the Reflex brand was established in 1972, our vessels quickly developed into prestige products under their own brand. Having been installed millions of times, they still stand as the core product of the Reflex brand today. Since 1972, high quality and reliable – the original from Reflex!
Thus the Reflex brand was established, and the vessels were produced and sold under their own brand.
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The Reflexomat
We have always been driven to find ever better solutions to our customers’ challenges. Then in 1975, we developed the compressor-controlled maintaining station: the Reflexomat
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The Reflexomat has been continuously optimized and further developed to include additional applications – from compact design to compatibility for large projects.
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In 2013, the Reflexomat shone in Reflex green and received a Control Touch control, making intelligent networking with degassing and back feeding even easier.
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Our solutions for pressure maintenance are used in a wide range of industries worldwide - from simple vessels to compressor- and pump-controlled pressurisation stations.
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Founding of Reflex Winkelmann + Pannhoff GmbH + Co. KG
INTELLIGENT NETWORKING AND SUPPORT: A head start through smart technology
When transitioning from the industrial age to the digital one, we took advantage of the new possibilities of digitalization early on, to improve the lives of our customers.
The Reflex Control Smart App control was introduced in 2018, enabling easy adjustment, control and maintenance.
2020 saw the new generation of the design software Reflex Solutions Pro that facilitates the planning and design of all Reflex and SINUS products – including complete documentation and BIM data.
ECONOMICAL AND CLIMATE-FRIENDLY: Pioneers of energy efficiency
In the early 90s, the topic of ‘energy efficiency’ was already more than just a catchword at Reflex. Our responsibility for resource conservation has always been part of our DNA and this appreciation resulted in the development of ‘vacuum spray tube degassing’ which is still unparalleled today. Naturally, the technology has been further developed over the years and transferred into a complete product portfolio under the name ‘Servitec’, which can be used as today’s industry standard from single-family homes to large scale plants.
Founding of Reflex-POLSKA Sp. z o.o., Wabrzezno, Poland.
THE REFLEX PORTFOLIO: Successful with sustainability
The goal of our company is to help our customers achieve their decarbonization and sustainability goals. In doing so, we set a good example: As a consistently forward-looking company, we are committed to a sustainable energy policy and are leading the way toward green production.
When Heinrich Winkelmann, in the fourth generation of owners, took over the management of the Winkelmann group of companies, he heralded a stronger international orientation while making the the topics of energy efficiency and sustainability his personal priority,
'WE DON’T THINK IN TERMS OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BUT IN TERMS OF GENERATIONS'
REFLEX WORLDWIDE: Innovative ideas are international
Innovation prevails – internationally as well. Our Think global – Act local approach meets both customer needs and country-specific requirements.
Our production and sales locations
Our production and sales locations
Brand relaunch with new claim 'Thinking Solutions' and our distinctive colour Reflex green.
THE REFLEX PORTFOLIO: From sheet steel to holistic solutions
The story of our company is one of evolution. From the kitchen appliances that became steel forming and the individual components and products that became holistic systems that communicate with each other in a smart network.
Today, the Reflex product portfolio ranges from pressure maintenance, degassing and separation, back feeding and water treatment to hot water storage tanks, heat exchangers and hydraulic distribution and storage components.
Acquisition of the company Sinusverteiler GmbH
The business unit in which Reflex is anchored has been renamed Winkelmann Building + Industry, thus enabling a strategic opening for future product ranges.
Successfully shaping tomorrow together
Tomorrow’s adventures bring with them great, global challenges that offer opportunities for us, but also bring responsibility. We are happy to accept them. We are also considering the important mega trends and future fields – today and tomorrow.
- Digitalization
- Smart Cities
- Shortage of skilled workers
- Climate change
Tomorrow holds many more challenges in store that will require us to keep finding new solutions. We know our roots very well. We are proud of them! They stand or quality, continuity and long-standing partnerships.
These values, coupled with our drivers of energy efficiency, sustainability, and comfort, form the basis for continuing to write our successful corporate history together with you.
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50 years future
THE REFLEX BRAND IS ESTABLISHED
Up to this date the membrane expansion vessels were manufactured for various customers. In 1972, the Reflex brand was established and the vessels were produced and sold under their own brand name. Since then, the question concerning how we can make our customers’ lives even simpler and more comfortable, has been at the forefront of every innovation. Our product developments therefore focus on maximum climate and thermal comfort as well as excellent service for all customer groups.
Reflex Control
Smart and digital solutions have played a central role at Reflex ever since. Numerous digital services including multiple award-winning tools and apps, ensure that workflows can be designed as efficiently and as simple as possible. Since 2018, for example, our intelligent control concept Reflex Control Smart has enabled devices to communicate with each other and to be integrated into the central building control system.
ECONOMICAL AND CLIMATE-FRIENDLY: PIONEERS OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY
An important factor in Servitec’s success in its proven energy-saving potential of up to 10,6 %. Servitec is not an isolated case: Reflex is proud of its role as a pioneer in the development of sustainable and efficiency-enhancing technologies for heating and cooling systems.
Our primary focus in on considering plant water as the most important system component of heating and cooling water systems: With optimally conditioned water and system operation, we increase heat transfer and thus overall system performance. Energy losses are minimized and CO2 emissions reduced. In addition, better water quality significantly increases plant service life – another big plus in terms of sustainability.
Das Reflex Training Center
Damit wir und unsere Kunden immer auf dem neuesten Stand von Technik und Know-how sind, investieren wir mit dem Reflex Training Center in Ahlen in ein Kompetenzzentrum für interne und externe Schulungen. Darüber hinaus führen wir Trainings in vielen eigenen Showrooms rund um den Globus durch – von Moskau über Dubai bis Shanghai.
Seit 2022 ist zudem der Reflex on Tour CUBE im Einsatz und bietet damit Trainingsmöglichkeiten direkt vor Ort beim Kunden.
Mehr erfahrenTHE REFLEX PORTFOLIO: FROM SHEET STEEL TO HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS
In recent years, we have evolved from a pure component manufacturer to a holistic solution provider. We offer a wide range of standard products and also customized special solutions – from single-family homes to major projects. To make it even easier for you, we also deliver prefabricated product solutions as well as complete turnkey systems, e.g. as a container or skid solution, directly to the construction site. In addition we offer Reflex After Sales & Service, standardized or customized services to ensure the highest safety and functionality of the systems.
In 2013, in the course of a brand relaunch, we will be putting our decades-long orientation in a nutshell – in our new claim: Thinking Solutions. Reflex has always been more than a manufacturer – it’s a holistic solution provider. Its solutions cover numerous areas of application, simplify operations and installations, and increase the efficiency of systems. Solutions that make heating systems even safer – and life more comfortable.
SPECIAL SOLUTIONS FOR URBANIZATION & SMART CITIES
Changing lifestyles and demands for comfort are challenging all trades with ever-increasing demands on building services and utilities. To handle the increasing complexity and scale, we are working together with our customers to develop customised solutions – both individual and networked.
CONSULTING AND SERVICE FOR SHORTAGE OF SKILLED WORKERS
The shortage of skilled workers in our industry will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. We support our customers by offering simple and smart services as well as comprehensive consulting and planning support. This allows you more time for the essentials.
SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT FOR DIGITALIZATION AND DATA CENTERS.
Rapidly advancing digitalization is creating a flood of data centers whose cooling means high CO2 emissions. Our special systems help to ensure that the numerous high-performance computers worldwide are cooled safely, easily and, above all, efficiently.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
We are actively shaping the energy transition and steering against climate change. As a company, we take responsibility and support our customers with energy-efficient, durable and sustainable solutions. As a manufacturing company, we also set a good example.
GREEN AS A CORPORATE COLOUR AND PHILOSOPHY: SUCCESSFUL WITH SUSTAINABILITY
What about some examples? Reflex’s orientation is clearly defined by the goal of implementing sustainable and innovative concepts at all locations of the Winkelmann Group worldwide. At our headquarters in Ahlen, the Winkelmann Powertrain Components production has been completely self-sufficient in its electricity needs since 2018. An innovation project where Reflex system solutions also play a critical role.
Reflex green is not just a colour but our philosophy. We are successively switching more and more raw materials to sustainable alternatives and components. The powder coatings of our vessels are already solvent-free, oversprays are recycled and reprocessed, and our residual powder quantities are not hazardous but residual waste. By sourcing carbon dioxide-free “green steel” for the production of our products as of 2023, we are also making an important contribution to decarbonization.