History of Memmert
a history of success

Globally active, always promoting innovation, but at the same time committed to tradition and responsibility towards customers, employees and the environment: this is the company philosophy for success, according to founder Willi Memmert.

Founder Willi Memmert
Founder Willi Memmert

Willi Memmert - an entrepreneur of the post-war area

In 1947, there was an urgent need from the Red Cross to rid hot-air sterilisers of infections and epidemics. The innovation was commissioned to Willi Memmert, an electric engineer. In those times of economic hardship, he found the perfect material for his first temperature control chamber Aeolus: recycled aluminium from old aircraft parts.

Willi Memmert turned the Aeolus into one of the typical success stories of the years of the Economic Miracle. In a very short time, he brought further models to the production line and distributed these beyond the borders of his home market.

A few years later, world-wide deliveries were shipped from the newly built headquarters in the south of Germany. When the production capacity in the main factory was no longer sufficient, Memmert built another factory in 1974 in Büchenbach. This ensured the ideal conditions for efficient manufacturing and product quality. As a result, the internal value added is more than 90%.

Memmert - Peter Riefler & Grete Memmert Riefler
Peter Riefler & Grete Memmert Riefler

Memmert on its way into the new millennium

In 1976, after the sudden accidental death of Willi Memmert, Grete Memmert Riefler and Peter Riefler took over the management. True to the founder's tradition, they also focused on export and expanded personal contacts, especially to Asia.. However, under their management, further technological milestones were set as well: The first electronic controller, the introduction of Peltier appliances and the 2003 generation of appliances  were a good start for Memmert into the new millennium.

Memmert managing director Ms Christiane Riefler-Karpa
Managing Director Ms Christiane Riefler-Karpa

The third generation takes over

On April 1, 2007, Grete Memmert Riefler and Peter Riefler handed over management to their daughter.

Christiane Riefler-Karpa, who had several leading positions in international companies her national and international studies, took over as managing director and with it all responsibilities for the family company.

Traditional values such as customer satisfaction, quality, innovation and reliability were to be upheld. This was the new Managing Director's vision for the company: restore strength and faith in core values of the company. It was followed by success in customer orientation and product development. The global market presence was enhanced as a result of this new direction. Outstanding examples for this new orientation were the opening of a distribution company in Shanghai (2010), a distribution company in India (2012) and especially the introduction of the Generation 2012 of appliances on the occasion of ACHEMA 2012.

Willi Memmert, the company founder, was an inspiring pioneer and inventor. He maintained product innovation and development to be primary concerns. It helped serve the customer base and push the industry forward. Memmert continues to live by that mantra.