What Erlus does

ERLUS AG, founded in 1842 and headquartered in Neufahrn, Bavaria, is a German manufacturer of premium ceramic building materials — specifically roof tiles (Dachkeramik), chimney systems (Schornsteinsysteme), and residential ventilation networks (Lüftungsnetzwerk) — operating three production facilities in Germany (Neufahrn, Ergoldsbach, Teistungen) plus a partner-operated GIMA-Werk in Marklkofen, with five logistics centers. The company employs approximately 570 people and positions itself as "one of the largest companies in the industry that produces exclusively in Germany." Its core proprietary technologies include the patented Edelkeramik-Rohr (acid- and temperature-resistant noble ceramic pipe for chimney systems), Ringverfalzung (corbeled sealing technology enabling rainproof roofs at pitches as low as 10°), the high-reflectivity Level RS Cool Roof (R = 68.4%), the Via Vento S narrow-shaft ventilation system (fits in 17.5cm walls), the Erlutherm storage stove (integrated into the chimney with DIBt approval), and the Energiedach in-roof PV system for Level RS tiles.

ERLUS generates revenue through one-time hardware sales across a portfolio spanning 20+ roof tile models in 30+ color variations, complete chimney systems (SL, L, CI, S series with up to 3 flue configurations), branded accessories (ALU-SYSTEM), and specialty sub-brands (ERLUS Manufaktur for custom tiles, Erlutherm, Via Vento S). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; transactions occur through a three-tier B2B2C distribution channel — Handwerksbetriebe (roofers, carpenters, stove builders) purchase products from Baustoff-/Bedachungsgroßhandel (building materials wholesale), supported by ERLUS Fachberater (specialist consultants) and Anwendungstechniker (application technicians). A follow-on revenue stream is generated by the 30+30 guarantee (30-year material warranty plus 30-year repurchase guarantee at current market prices) and accessories replacement.

The company's primary customer segments are professional craft businesses and property owners (Bauherren) in the German residential construction market, with secondary reach into Austria, Switzerland, and France via export operations. Competitive positioning rests on the 180-year brand heritage, ten international design awards (including Red Dot: Best of the Best 2024 for Karat RS and dual 2026 awards for Erlutherm), industry-leading hail resistance (HW 4 minimum across the full range, HW 5/HW 5+ for premium products), and ISO 9001/14001/50001 certifications. Certification by Sentinel Haus Institut enables customer access to KfW and QNG subsidies. Recent strategic activity has focused on product expansion into adjacent categories — building-integrated photovoltaics (Energiedach), residential ventilation (Via Vento S), and climate-resilient construction (Cool Roof) — alongside a 2025 leadership transition bringing Andreas Wilhelm (formerly of Knauf Gips) into the Marketing and Vertrieb Vorstand role.

Name

Erlus

Legal name

ERLUS Aktiengesellschaft

Website

https://erlus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1842

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

ERLUS AG is a 180-year-old German manufacturer of premium ceramic roof tiles, chimney systems, and residential ventilation networks, producing exclusively in Germany across three facilities and serving professional crafts businesses and property owners in the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ceramic Building Materials (Roofing & Chimney)

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material Merchant Wholesalers (42333)

SIC

Asphalt Paving & Roofing Materials (2950), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Skylights, Roof Windows & Daylighting (IMADAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO)

Keywords

• Ceramic roof tiles
• Chimney systems
• Ventilation networks
• Clay building materials
• Roofing ceramics

Headquarters

HQ city

Neufahrn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Roof Tiles (Dachkeramik): Sale of clay roof tiles in over 20 models and more than 30 color nuances. Products include flat tiles, barrel tiles, and specialty shapes. Revenue is one-time transactional, though warranty and replacement programs (30+30 guarantee) generate follow-on purchases.
2. Chimney Systems (Schornsteinsysteme): Sale of complete chimney systems including Edelkeramik-Rohr, mantle stones, and accessories. Systems include multi-flue installations (up to 3 flue options) allowing combination of heating systems. Products include SL, L, CI, S series with various configurations.
3. Via Vento S Ventilation Network: Complete ventilation network system including Vento S shafts (single or double-flue, individual or floor-high elements), Via horizontal distribution, valves, and accessories. Sold as system packages with component pricing.
4. Brand Accessories (ERLUS Markenzubehör): ALU-SYSTEM (aluminum cast accessories), ceramic accessories, storm clamps, fastening, lighting, and other branded accessories specifically designed for ERLUS roof tiles. High-quality accessories priced at premium.
5. Erlutherm Storage Stove: Premium storage fireplace combining stove and chimney. Four variants: Basic, Keramik, Keramik Deluxe, and Kreativ. Optional accessories include fine dust separator, firing control, and pressure monitor. Distributed through building materials wholesale and exclusive through stove builder trade.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ERLUS AG manufactures and sells premium ceramic roof tiles, complete chimney systems, comfort ventilation networks, storage stoves, and integrated in-roof PV systems for the German and broader European construction industry. The company produces exclusively in Germany at three production facilities (Neufahrn, Ergoldsbach, Teistungen) plus the GIMA-Werk Marklkofen partner facility. Core product lines are ERLUS Dachkeramik (roof tiles in 20+ models and 30+ colors), ERLUS Schornsteinsysteme (chimney systems with patented Edelkeramik-Rohr), Erlutherm Speicherofen (chimney-integrated storage stove), Via Vento S ventilation network, and Energiedach in-roof PV system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ERLUS Manufaktur: Custom manufactured roof tiles including ERLUS Bibermanufaktur, Mönch-/Nonnenmanufaktur, and ERLUS Studiolinie for custom colors.
• Erlutherm
• Via Vento S
• Energiedach

Products and services

• ERLUS Dachkeramik (Roof Tiles)

Quantifiable outcome

• Level RS Cool Roof achieves 68.4% solar reflectance (R-value), reducing heat absorption and building temperature
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Premium Manufacturers of Underlays (Unterdächer, Unterdeckungen, Unterspannungen)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerERLUS cooperates with premium manufacturers of underlays, underdeckings, and undersheeting rather than offering complete system solutions. These synergies benefit customers with mature roof solutions while ERLUS focuses on core competency of high-quality roof tiles.
• Bundesverband der Deutschen Heizungsindustrie (BDH)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerERLUS collaborated closely with BDH (Federal Association of German Heating Industry) to develop a comprehensive chimney height calculation tool. This free online tool considers all relevant parameters for calculating required chimney height above roof.
• Sentinel Haus InstitutcoreTechnology or IntegrationSentinel Haus Institut certified ERLUS chimney systems and Via Vento S ventilation network as low-pollutant and healthy. Products are listed in Sentinel's online database and are suitable for KfW promotion and QNG (Quality Seal New Buildings) requirements.
• Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.supportingOthersIssued Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for ERLUS roof tile manufacturing, confirming the company's sustainability strategy in development and production.
• Intechnica Cert GmbHsupportingOthersAnnual surveillance and repeat audits for integrated management system covering quality (ISO 9001), environment (ISO 14001), and energy (ISO 50001) for development, manufacturing, and distribution of ceramic building products.
• Girnghuber GmbH (GIMA-Werk Marklkofen)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGIMA-Werk Marklkofen operated by Girnghuber GmbH is a partner production facility for ERLUS roofing products. Location provides logistics center and production capacity.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Wienerberger AG: World's largest brick and roof tile manufacturer with the Koramic brand for clay roof tiles in Germany. Direct competitor in ceramic roof tiles across the same German and DACH markets with broader geographic reach and product portfolio.
• BMI Group (Braas Monier): Major European roof systems group operating the Braas brand in Germany, directly competing in clay and concrete roof tiles, roof waterproofing, and integrated roof solutions across the same residential construction channel.
• Creaton GmbH: German manufacturer of clay roof tiles with comparable product range and German-made positioning. Direct competitor in the same residential roofing market with overlapping distribution through German building materials wholesale.
• Nelskamp GmbH: Family-owned German manufacturer of clay and concrete roof tiles with comparable product breadth. Direct competitor in German residential roofing with similar focus on quality and German production.
• Schiedel GmbH: Leading European chimney systems manufacturer (owned by BMI Group), directly competing with ERLUS in chimney systems, fireplace integration, and flue gas technology across the same German installer channel.
• Plewa Schornsteintechnik GmbH: German chimney systems manufacturer offering competing chimney and flue gas systems for residential heating. Direct competitor in ERLUS's chimney business segment with comparable technical offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Saint-Gobain S.A. French multinational building materials giant with broad portfolio including roofing-related products, insulation, and building envelope solutions. Larger and more diversified incumbent operating across multiple European markets with overlapping customer base.
• CRH plc: Irish building materials conglomerate with extensive European operations in roofing, masonry, and adjacent building products. Diversified incumbent serving construction professionals across multiple geographies with broader scale than ERLUS.
• Holcim AG: Swiss global building materials and roofing solutions provider offering integrated roof systems, including through its Firestone Building Products division. Broader incumbent in roofing category with international scale and adjacencies to ERLUS's PV-integrated roofing direction.

Emerging players

• Tesla Energy (Solar Roof): Solar Roof PV-integrated roofing tiles competing conceptually with ERLUS's Energiedach for Level RS in the building-integrated photovoltaic segment. Emerging player with focus on US market but representing the strategic direction of roof-integrated energy generation.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHEulK7LQeV-GK80u8XO9mA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Dach.Schornstein.Lueftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/erlus-baustoffwerke-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/dach.schornstein.lueftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Erlus