What ELAFLEX - Gummi Ehlers GmbH does

ELAFLEX - Gummi Ehlers GmbH, operating commercially as ELAFLEX HIBY GmbH & Co. KG, is a Hamburg-headquartered industrial manufacturer specializing in safe connections and refueling equipment for hazardous goods and sensitive media. Founded in 1923 and operating as part of the ELAFLEX Group, the company designs and produces a catalog of tank and chemical hoses, hose fittings with proprietary clamping systems (SPANNFIX, SPANNLOC), tank-truck and tank couplings including TW couplings per EN 14420-6 and MannTek dry disconnect couplings, rubber expansion joints (ERV) in 13 types from DN 25 to DN 1000mm, and dispensing valves. The product portfolio also covers specialty lines for aviation refueling, LPG, CNG, LNG, hydrogen (H2+ ERV and hoses for hydrogen, methane, and Hythan mixtures), marine bunkering, and food/pharmaceutical transfer, with materials and assemblies certified to DGRL 2014/68/EU and a range of EN, FDA, KTW, and WRAS standards.

The business model is a hardware-led, quote-based sale of components and pre-assembled hose lines, distributed primarily through stocking distribution partners who provide local configuration, mobile pressure testing, and on-site services. End customers span petrol station retail, road and rail tanker operators, chemical and process industry, aviation fueling, marine, and emerging alternative-fuel segments, with specialized internal sales teams (EHT for gas station products, SAT for chemical/industrial products) supporting partner and direct inquiries. Revenue mechanics rely on catalog breadth — supported by one of Europe's largest ERV inventories (30,000+ bellows in Hamburg) and an exclusive ContiTech supply relationship — plus a direct US subsidiary in Greater Los Angeles for North American LPG, CNG, LNG, H2, and aircraft refueling customers. Recent inorganic moves (majority acquisition of ditec Gruppe in 2024; prior acquisitions of Oasis Engineering in 2018 and Dantec Ltd. in 2016) and active trade-fair participation across fuel, hydrogen, and process-industry shows indicate ongoing portfolio and geographic extension.

Name

ELAFLEX - Gummi Ehlers GmbH

Legal name

ELAFLEX HIBY GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://elaflex.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ELAFLEX HIBY manufactures industrial hoses, couplings, dry-disconnect fittings, and rubber expansion joints for safe refueling and transfer of fuels, chemicals, gases, and sensitive media, serving petrol stations, tank-truck operators, chemical processors, aviation, and alternative-fuel customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fluid Handling Equipment

NAICS

Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing (32622), Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Hoses & Tubing (Rubber/Elastomer) (IMANALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hoses, Tubing & Fittings (Hydraulic/Pneumatic Lines & Connectors) (IMAHAGAH), Seals, Gaskets & Fluid Connectors (O-rings, packings, rotary seals, quick couplers) (IMAHAGAI), Aerospace Seals, Gaskets, O-Rings & Elastomeric Components (IMABANAF)

Keywords

• Industrial hose systems
• Tank truck couplings
• Rubber expansion joints
• Refueling equipment
• Chemical transfer hoses

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Hose and Fitting Sales: Revenue from manufacturing and selling tank hoses, chemical hoses, hose couplings, fittings, and accessories. Products sold as individual components or pre-assembled hose lines.
2. Rubber Expansion Joint (ERV) Sales: Revenue from ERV rubber expansion joints, available in 13 types for different media applications (water, oil, chemicals, gas, food) in sizes DN 25-1000mm. Products sourced as premium bellows from ContiTech.
3. Refueling Equipment and Systems: Revenue from nozzles, tank truck fittings, dry disconnect couplers, and complete systems for petroleum, aviation, LPG, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen refueling applications.
4. Custom Assembly and Services: Pre-fabricated hose assemblies per customer specifications, pressure testing, and quality certification services for pressure equipment per DGRL 2014/68/EU.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ELAFLEX designs and manufactures industrial hoses, hose fittings, tank truck couplings, dry disconnect couplings, rubber expansion joints (ERV), and dispensing valves for the safe transfer and handling of hazardous goods and sensitive media including fuels, chemicals, gases (LPG, CNG, LNG, H2), and pharmaceutical substances. Products are sold as individual components, pre-assembled hose lines with factory test certificates, and complete refueling systems, distributed through stocking partners and direct sales teams.

Product overview

ELAFLEX HIBY is a leading international specialist in refueling technology and safe connections for handling hazardous goods and sensitive media, operating since 1923. The product portfolio consists of five main catalog groups: (1) Tank and Chemical Hoses including the Gelbring series, FLUORLINE, ELAPHARM, and PTFE/FEP-lined universal hoses; (2) Hose Fittings with SPANNFIX and SPANNLOC clamping systems; (3) Tank Truck and Tank Couplings including TW Kupplungen (EN 14420-6), DDC Dry Disconnect Couplings, and MannTek products; (4) Rubber Expansion Joints (ERV) available in 13 types for various media and temperature requirements; and (5) Dispensing Valves and Accessories. Additional offerings include products for alternative fuels (CNG, LNG, H2+, LPG), hose reels, and marine applications. The company also provides web-based configurators (ERV, Hose Assembly, Dispensing Valve, MannTek, Oasis) and acquired ditec Gruppe for expansion joint manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ERV: Elastischer Rohrverbinder (Elastic Pipe Connector) - rubber expansion joints
• Gelbring
• ORANGERING
• ROTRING
• ROTEX
• SPANNFIX
• SPANNLOC
• MannTek
• ELAFLON
• FLUORLINE
• ELAPHARM
• POLYPAL
• Slimline

Products and services

• ELAFLON PTFE Universalschlauch (Universal Chemical Hose) Universal chemical hose with PTFE lining for all common media up to 150°C, OHM-conductive, FDA-compliant, suitable for self-assembly with standard fittings. Built to EN 12115 for chemical transfer applications.
• ELAFLON PLUS FEP Universalschlauch Universal hose with FEP lining per EN 12115 for all common media up to 100°C, used in chemical and process industry applications.
• FLUORLINE Universal-Zapfschlauch EFL Universal dispensing hose DN 16-21 for AdBlue, pure fuel dispensing, and high-purity delivery applications at petrol stations.
• ELAPHARM Schlauchleitungen Hose assemblies for biotech and pharmaceutical industry applications, designed for hygienic transfer of sensitive media.
• H2+ Gummikompensator (ERV-H2+) Type ERV-H2+ rubber expansion joint for hydrogen, methane and their mixtures ('Hythan'), temperature range -40°C to +65°C. Targeted at industrial hydrogen low-pressure applications.
• CNG Betankungssystem CNG refueling system for passenger cars providing dispensing of compressed natural gas with known quality and highest safety standards.
• ERV Gummikompensatoren (Rubber Expansion Joints) Elastischer Rohrverbinder (elastic pipe connector) rubber expansion joints for flexible pipe connections, available in 13 types from DN 25 to DN 1000mm in various standard lengths. Uses premium ContiTech bellows.
• SPANNFIX Sicherheitseinband (Safety Clamping System) Reusable clamping system with locking pin for hoses ID 25-100mm, used in Type MX and VX hose couplings and fittings. Proprietary ELAFLEX safety clamping technology.
• SPANNLOC Sicherheitseinband (Safety Clamping System) Screwed clamping halves for hoses ID 13-200mm, used in Type MC and VC hose couplings and fittings. Proprietary ELAFLEX safety clamping technology.
• DDC Trockenkupplungen (MannTek Dry Disconnect Couplings) MannTek Dry Disconnect Couplings (DDC-M/V per NATO STANAG 3756) for leak-free fluid transfer in tank truck and rail tanker operations, compatible with EMCO, Avery Hardoll, and TODO systems.
• TW Kupplungen (Tankwagenkupplungen) Tank truck couplings per EN 14420-6 (DIN 28450) including Vaterkupplungen VK (male couplings), Mutterkupplungen MK (female couplings), and Blindkappen MB (blank caps) for road and rail tanker applications.
• ELAPAC Flanschdichtungen (Flange Gaskets) Flange gaskets including round, square, oval, and PTFE-coated variants (FD, QFD series) for tank truck and industrial flange connections.
• LNG Systeme LNG systems for marine bunkering and loading/unloading operations, including cryogenic-compatible hoses and couplings for LNG transfer.

Quantifiable outcome

• High delivery capability through 30,000+ ERV bellows inventory
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ContiTechcoreTechnology or IntegrationContiTech (Germany) supplies premium-quality bellows/bladders exclusively for ELAFLEX's ERV rubber expansion joints. This is a strategic supplier relationship for core product quality. ContiTech and ELAFLEX together stand for reliability and longevity.
• ditec GruppemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELAFLEX Group acquired a majority stake in ditec Gruppe, a German manufacturer of rubber and fabric expansion joints. This acquisition expands ELAFLEX's product portfolio in expansion joint technology and strengthens its market position.
• MannTekcoreTechnology or IntegrationMannTek dry disconnect couplings (DDC per NATO STANAG 3756 and DGC series) are distributed by ELAFLEX. Products are compatible with EMCO, Avery Hardoll, and TODO systems. MannTek products are integrated into ELAFLEX's product catalog.
• ELAFLEX GroupcoreOthersELAFLEX HIBY GmbH & Co. KG is the main operating company of the ELAFLEX Group. The Group coordinates international operations including ELAFLEX HIBY and other group members such as ELAFLEX US Inc. for global market presence.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ditec Gruppe: ditec Gruppe is a German manufacturer of rubber and fabric expansion joints, majority-owned by ELAFLEX Group. It is a direct peer in expansion joint technology and is now part of the ELAFLEX corporate family.
• Continental ContiTech: ContiTech (a Continental AG division) manufactures industrial rubber hoses, hydraulic hoses, and rubber expansion joints globally. It is ELAFLEX's primary supplier for premium ERV bellows and a direct competitor in industrial hose and expansion joint product lines.
• Trelleborg: Trelleborg's industrial solutions include rubber hoses, expansion joints, and sealing products for chemical, oil & gas, and marine applications. It is a direct peer in rubber expansion joints (competing with ERV) and industrial hose assemblies.
• Kuriyama of America: Kuriyama manufactures industrial rubber and PVC hoses, couplings, and accessories for chemical transfer, petroleum, and food applications. It directly competes with ELAFLEX in chemical and tank hose segments.
• Manuli Rubber Industries: Manuli specializes in hydraulic and industrial hoses, fittings, and assemblies for oil & gas, chemical, and food applications. It is a direct peer in chemical hose and hose assembly product categories.
• MannTek: MannTek manufactures dry disconnect couplings (DDC/DGC per NATO STANAG 3756), which ELAFLEX distributes. It is a direct peer in dry-break coupling technology for chemical, petroleum, and aviation fluid transfer.
• Dantec Ltd. Dantec manufactures hose assemblies and crimped fittings for industrial applications. Previously acquired by ELAFLEX Group, it remains a comparable specialist in hose assembly and fitting technology.
• Oasis Engineering: Oasis Engineering manufactures dry break couplings and tank truck equipment for fuel and chemical transfer. Previously acquired by ELAFLEX Group in 2018, it is a direct peer in dry disconnect coupling product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Gates Industrial: Gates manufactures industrial and hydraulic hoses, couplings, and fluid power solutions globally. It competes with ELAFLEX in industrial hose product categories and serves overlapping end markets including chemical, energy, and manufacturing.
• Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin is a global leader in motion and control technologies, including industrial hose, fittings, couplings, and sealing solutions across aerospace, chemical, and energy markets — directly overlapping with ELAFLEX's product portfolio at greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ELAFLEX - Gummi Ehlers GmbH