What Kälte Eckert does

Kälte Eckert GmbH is a German, family-owned refrigeration and air-conditioning engineering firm founded in 1966 in Markgröningen near Ludwigsburg, now led in the second generation by managing directors Holger Eckert and Steffen Widmaier following the September 2025 death of co-director Michael Eckert. The company designs, plans, installs, and services bespoke commercial and industrial cooling systems, operating at temperatures down to -40°C and specializing in natural refrigerants — particularly ammonia (NH3/R717) and CO2 (R744) — using two-circuit architectures with primary refrigerant and secondary coolant loops, glycol-cooled ammonia condensers, and Siemens S7 PLC controls with remote monitoring from its Markgröningen headquarters.

The Kälte Eckert Gruppe comprises several majority-owned operating subsidiaries: Günther Kältetechnik GmbH (Plüderhausen, gastronomy/food service refrigeration), SOS Kältetechnik GmbH (Königsdorf, refrigeration/air conditioning plus dispense technology for beer systems), aeria GmbH & Co KG (Neustadt an der Weinstraße, climate and ventilation technology), Gartner, Keil & Co. Kälte und Klimatechnik GmbH (Neulußheim, cold storage and special systems plus swimming-pool dehumidification), the newly opened Commercial Solutions Standort Allgäu in Sulzberg (2025), and the sub-brand Der Klimafachmann for residential climate control.

Revenue mechanics are B2B and project-based: one-time installation contracts (large custom builds such as 647 kW ammonia chillers for Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg, IKEA store conversions covering 7 of 10 German locations, and a 141 kW NK bio-kitchen for Rebional) combined with recurring maintenance and 24-hour emergency service contracts. The firm sells direct via technical field sales into enterprise accounts across food service and hospitality, financial institutions, industrial manufacturing, healthcare/senior living, retail, and cultural institutions, and is a member of the bluu unit partner alliance. Pricing is non-standard and quote-based, determined by capacity, refrigerant, and customization.

Name

Kälte Eckert

Legal name

Kälte Eckert GmbH

Website

https://kaelte-eckert.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kälte Eckert is a German family-owned refrigeration and air-conditioning engineering firm specializing in ammonia and CO2 natural-refrigerant systems for commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, banks, and hospitals, with planning, installation, maintenance, and 24-hour service across multiple subsidiaries in southern Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Refrigeration and HVAC Services

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems (IMAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigeration Systems Maintenance (Commercial/Industrial) (BPABACAI), Refrigeration Installation & Replacement (Commercial) (HSAOAJAD)

Keywords

• Commercial refrigeration systems
• Industrial cooling solutions
• Natural refrigerant HVAC
• Custom refrigeration construction
• HVAC maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Markgröningen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Refrigeration System Installation: Design, planning, and installation of custom refrigeration and air conditioning systems for commercial and industrial customers. Revenue generated through project-based contracts for new installations, replacements, and upgrades.
2. Maintenance and Service Contracts: Ongoing maintenance services for installed refrigeration systems, including regular servicing, repairs, and emergency support. 24-hour emergency service available for customer facilities.
3. Custom System Construction (Sonderanlagenbau): Special/custom system construction for large commercial kitchens, industrial refrigeration, and climate control applications. Focus on projects requiring specialized expertise and environmental solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kälte Eckert designs, plans, installs, and maintains commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems, with a focus on custom system construction (Sonderanlagenbau) using natural refrigerants such as ammonia (NH3) and CO2. The company serves large commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, banks, healthcare and senior living facilities, retail chains, automotive manufacturers, and cultural institutions, delivering full-lifecycle services from planning through installation, maintenance, and 24-hour emergency support.

Product overview

Kälte Eckert ist eine Unternehmensgruppe für Klimaanlagen und Kältetechnik mit Sitz in Markgröningen bei Ludwigsburg. Das Kernunternehmen Kälte Eckert GmbH ist spezialisiert auf Sonderanlagenbau für Gewerbekälte mit Fokus auf Großküchen, Industriekälte und Klimatisierung und fungiert als Technologieführer bei natürlichen Kältemitteln. Die Gruppe umfasst mehrere spezialisierte Tochterunternehmen: Günther Kältetechnik (Gastronomie/Lebensmittel), SOS Kältetechnik (Kälte/Klima/Schankanlagen), aeria (Klima/Lüftung), Gartner Keil & Co. (Kühlhaus/Tiefkühltechnik), Commercial Solutions Allgäu sowie Der Klimafachmann für private Klimatisierung. Zum Leistungsportfolio gehören Planung, Anlagenbau, Wartung und 24-Stunden-Notdienst. Die Gruppe arbeitet schwerpunktmäßig mit natürlichen Kältemitteln wie Ammoniak (NH3/R717) und CO2 (R744) für nachhaltige Kühlösungen.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Der Klimafachmann: Private Solutions - Modern climate control for home and home office in the Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart area.

Products and services

• Custom Refrigeration and Air Conditioning System Construction (Sonderanlagenbau) Design, engineering, and installation of custom-built refrigeration and HVAC systems for commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, banks, hospitals, retail, and cultural institutions. Delivered as project-based contracts.
• Maintenance and Service Contracts Ongoing scheduled maintenance, repair, and 24-hour emergency service for installed refrigeration and HVAC systems, ensuring continuous operation for enterprise customers.
• 24-Hour Emergency Service (Notdienst) Round-the-clock emergency response for installed refrigeration and air conditioning systems, available to contracted customers to minimize operational downtime.
• Natural Refrigerant Ammonia (NH3) and CO2 Systems Refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants (ammonia and CO2) with proprietary two-circuit architecture that reduces refrigerant charge to below 30 kg, prioritizes energy efficiency, and supports compliance with F-Gas regulation phase-outs.
• Refrigeration and HVAC Planning Services Technical planning and consulting services for refrigeration and HVAC projects, providing requirement analysis, system design, and project specification for commercial and industrial customers.
• Refrigeration and HVAC Installation Execution (Ausführung) On-site installation and execution of refrigeration and HVAC systems at customer facilities, including capability to perform work on active operating sites without business disruption.
• Pressure Vessel Technology Services (Druckbehältertechnik) Specialized services for pressure vessels used in refrigeration and HVAC applications, addressing regulatory compliance and safety requirements.
• Provisional Refrigeration Solutions (Provisorien) Temporary refrigeration and cooling solutions deployed during system upgrades, replacements, or service events to maintain customer operations without interruption.
• Günther Kältetechnik GmbH – Gastronomy and Food Sector Refrigeration Subsidiary offering specializing in refrigeration system assembly, installation, service, and maintenance for the gastronomy and food sector, with a Plüderhausen-based team of approximately 15 employees.
• SOS Kältetechnik GmbH – Refrigeration, Climate, and Dispense Technology Subsidiary offering consultation and sales of refrigeration, air conditioning, and beverage dispense technology for private and commercial customers in the Königsdorf region, with 11 employees.
• aeria GmbH & Co KG – Climate and Ventilation Technology Subsidiary providing climate and ventilation technology services, including installation, maintenance, and repair for multiple industries, based in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.
• Gartner, Keil & Co. Kälte und Klimatechnik GmbH – Cold Storage, Deep-Freeze, and Special System Construction Subsidiary providing climate and refrigeration technology, cold storage and deep-freeze systems, special system construction (Sonderanlagenbau), and swimming pool dehumidification, based in Neulußheim.
• Commercial Solutions Allgäu (Sulzberg) Regional subsidiary location in Sulzberg (Allgäu) providing the complete Kälte Eckert service range including planning, installation, maintenance, modernization, and 24-hour emergency service for refrigeration and air conditioning customers in the Allgäu region.
• Der Klimafachmann – Private Residential Climate Solutions Sub-brand offering residential air conditioning solutions including consultation, planning, installation, and maintenance for homeowners and home office users in the Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart area.
• Industry-Specific Refrigeration and HVAC Solutions (Lösungen nach Branchen) Refrigeration and HVAC solutions tailored to specific industries including food service, financial institutions, industrial manufacturing, healthcare and senior living, retail, and cultural institutions, addressing sector-specific compliance, safety, and operational requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual electricity savings of approximately 70,000 kWh compared to conventional systems (Rebional project)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hochschule KarlsruheminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Kälte Eckert supports the International Summer School on Sustainability organized by Hochschule Karlsruhe. This initiative brings together students from around the world to intensively address sustainability challenges and opportunities.
• Günther Kältetechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company specializing in gastronomy and food sector refrigeration with 15 employees. Strong growth of approximately 10% per year. Provides full range of services including assembly, installation, service, and maintenance of refrigeration systems.
• SOS Kältetechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company based in Königsdorf, Bavaria, specializing in consultation and sales of refrigeration, air conditioning, and dispense technology for private and commercial customers. 11 employees.
• aeria GmbH & Co KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary based in Neustadt an der Weinstraße providing climate and ventilation technology services. Leading provider of climate and ventilation solutions with comprehensive installation, maintenance, and repair services.
• Gartner, Keil & Co. Kälte und Klimatechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary based in Neulußheim providing climate, refrigeration, cold storage, and special system construction services. Also provides swimming pool dehumidification solutions with sustainable service approach.
• bluu unitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKälte Eckert is a member of bluu unit alliance, a strong alliance of future-oriented and reliable partners. The alliance positions Kälte Eckert Group as the first address for qualified consulting, planning, installation, and service of modern, economical, and environmentally conscious cooling and air conditioning technology.
• STAR CARE e.V. StuttgartminorOthersCharity organization supported through the 'Die Sitzbank' (The Bench) project. Donations of 100 euros per bench sold go to support sick children, disabled children, and children in social distress through Daimler AG's employee and partner network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Viessmann: German family-rooted HVAC and refrigeration specialist with strong installed base across commercial and industrial customers and active push into natural refrigerants; closest direct comparable to Kälte Eckert on geography, customer type, and technology orientation (now part of Carrier).
• Stiebel Eltron: German Mittelstand HVAC and hot-water specialist serving residential and commercial customers with installed-service and project-engineering capabilities; comparable on German engineering culture, direct-sales motion, and Mittelstand scale, though with stronger residential weighting.

Others

• Bitzer SE: German manufacturer of refrigeration compressors and a key technology supplier into the same industrial and commercial refrigeration value chain; adjacent rather than directly competitive, but a useful comparable for German Mittelstand refrigeration economics.
• Danfoss: Danish global supplier of refrigeration controls, compressors, and components widely used in ammonia and CO2 systems; not a direct installer competitor but supplies much of the control technology underpinning Kälte Eckert's two-circuit architectures.

Broad incumbents

• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Global refrigeration giant with a strong European footprint in commercial and industrial refrigeration, now including Viessmann; competes for the same enterprise customers (retail chains, food service, industrial) and is investing in natural-refrigerant solutions.
• GEA Group (Refrigeration Technologies): Large German industrial engineering group with a dedicated Refrigeration Technologies division serving food, dairy, and beverage customers with industrial ammonia/CO2 systems; broader portfolio but directly comparable on industrial-refrigeration engineering and natural-refrigerant expertise.
• Trane Technologies: Global HVAC and refrigeration incumbent with Thermo King and Trane commercial brands serving industrial and commercial customers; overlaps with Kälte Eckert on commercial refrigeration installations and after-sales service, but at significantly larger scale.
• ENGIE Refrigeration: European refrigeration and cooling specialist (formerly Cofely/Cofathec) offering industrial and commercial refrigeration installation and service; comparable on industrial customer segments and recurring service model, with significantly larger scale.
• Johnson Controls: Global HVAC, refrigeration, and building-controls incumbent with deep European service network; competes for the same large commercial and industrial refrigeration contracts and offers remote-monitoring service capabilities analogous to Kälte Eckert's S7-based offering.

Regional players

• Hauser Kältetechnik: Austrian refrigeration specialist serving commercial and industrial customers with custom system construction and service — closely comparable to Kälte Eckert on Mittelstand positioning, custom-engineering model, and natural-refrigerant orientation, but primarily serving the Austrian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kälte Eckert