What berbel does

Berbel Ablufttechnik GmbH is a German premium manufacturer of kitchen ventilation hoods and cooktop extractors, founded in 2001 and headquartered at Sandkampstraße 100 in Rheine, Westphalia, where the company develops and hand-assembles more than 25 range hood models with a workforce of approximately 260 employees. Its core technical differentiator is the patented filterless "berbel Prinzip" centrifugal separation technology, which removes grease from cooking air using centrifugal force rather than conventional grease filters, complemented by the patented permalyt self-regenerating thermokatalytic recirculation filter that neutralizes up to 95% of odor molecules by heating to approximately 140°C, the patented BackFlow secondary airflow technology, and the EcoSwitch hybrid extraction/recirculation mode.

The product portfolio spans island hoods (Skyline Edge Play/Base/Sound, Skyline Frame, Ergoline, Glassline, Smartline), wall hoods (Curveline, Glassline, Smartline), sloped kopffreihauben (Ergoline 2, Formline, Ergoline Base), built-in hoods and fan modules (Firstline, Firstline Touch, Firstline Unseen), and the Downline cooktop extractor series (Infinity Pro, Advance, Performance, Compact). Premium positioning is reinforced by multiple consecutive PLUS X AWARD Best Brand of the Year honors (2025 and 2026), the 2024 Red Dot Product Design Award, the 2025 German Design Award, and the 2026 iF Design Award. Connectivity features include Bluetooth hob-to-hood pairing, the berbel+ smartphone app with up to 16 user-defined scenes, gesture control on the Skyline Edge Play, and the Clever Cook preset cooking programs on Downline Infinity Pro and Advance.

Berbel generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of premium range hoods and cooktop extractors sold exclusively through a network of specialist kitchen dealers (Fachhändler) in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, supplemented by a direct online shop for accessories, replacement parts, and consumables such as activated carbon refills (€79–€120 per unit). Since 30 September 2024, Berbel has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Franke Gruppe (≈CHF 2.42B revenue, ~7,700 employees across 35 countries), following Franke's acquisition of WESCO Gruppe (Berbel's prior Swiss parent, ≈CHF 97M revenue and ~280 employees in FY2022/2023). Greg Oswald has served as CEO since January 2025.

Name

berbel

Legal name

Berbel Ablufttechnik GmbH

Website

https://berbel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

berbel is a German premium manufacturer of filterless kitchen range hoods and cooktop extractors built on patented centrifugal separation technology, sold through specialist kitchen dealers across DACH and Benelux and now operating as a subsidiary of Franke Gruppe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rheine

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Range Hood Sales: berbel generates primary revenue from the sale of premium range hoods and cooktop extractors. Products include island hoods, wall hoods, chimney hoods, built-in hoods, and downdraft cooktop extractors sold through specialist kitchen dealers.
2. Accessories & Consumables: Revenue from online shop sales of activated carbon refills, replacement filters, spare parts, cleaning products, remote controls, ducting components, and other accessories. Consumables like activated carbon last 2-3 years depending on cooking behavior.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

berbel manufactures and sells premium kitchen range hoods and cooktop extractors built around its patented filterless centrifugal separation technology (berbel Prinzip). The product portfolio spans island, wall-mounted, head-free, and built-in hoods as well as downdraft cooktop extractors, sold primarily through specialist kitchen dealers across the DACH and Benelux regions. Recurring revenue is generated through replacement filters, activated carbon refills, cleaning products, and accessories sold via its own online shop.

Product overview

berbel is a German manufacturer of premium range hoods and cooktop extractors developed and assembled in Rheine, Westphalia. The product portfolio centers on the patented filterless centrifugal separation principle (berbel Prinzip) for grease extraction and the self-regenerating permalyt recirculation filter system. The offering comprises island hoods (Skyline series with Edge Play, Edge Base, Edge Sound, and Frame variants; plus Ergoline, Glassline, Smartline), wall-mounted hoods (Curveline, Glassline, Smartline), chimney hoods, built-in hoods and fan units (Firstline, Firstline Touch, Firstline Unseen), and the Downline cooktop extractor series (Infinity Pro, Advance, Performance, Compact). All products operate with either recirculation, exhaust, or EcoSwitch hybrid modes. Smart connectivity is enabled via Bluetooth between compatible berbel cooktops and hoods, with control via the berbel+ app and optional gesture control on premium models. The company operates under the FRANKE Gruppe following acquisition in September 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• berbel: Premium brand for extractor hoods and cooktop extractors, operating under the Franke Gruppe as a brand of Franke Home Solutions.

Products and services

• Skyline Edge Play Premium island hood with lift function, gesture control, and Motion-Lights effect lighting with up to 12 selectable light sequences. Controllable via the berbel+ app with up to 16 custom scenes. Targeted at design-conscious residential kitchens.
• Skyline Edge Base Island hood with lift function and slim linear body. Maximum height adjustment up to 1200mm, available in 100cm and 120cm widths. Targeted at premium residential kitchens.
• Skyline Edge Sound Island hood with lift function and integrated sound system. Targeted at residential kitchens seeking combined ventilation and audio functionality.
• Skyline Frame Ceiling lift hood with industrial design, matte black square tube and anthracite-grey smoked glass. Individually adjustable effect lighting in warm copper tones to cool blue tones. Targeted at premium residential kitchens.
• Ergoline Island Hood Island hood with elegant design and high-performance extraction for residential kitchens.
• Curveline Wall Hood
• Ergoline Base Head-Free Hood Entry-level angled head-free hood, pure recirculation model including Umluftfilter BUF 150+. Available in widths 80cm and 90cm with glass variants in white or black.
• Formline Head-Free Hood Head-free hood in industrial design with fully welded body. Also available as Black Edition in matte black with BackFlow technology and EcoSwitch function. Targeted at residential kitchens.
• Firstline Touch Built-In Hood
• Lüfterbaustein Firstline
• Downline Infinity Pro Cooktop Extractor Premium cooktop extractor with 900mm width and 550mm depth. Quad-slider control, Vertical Flow technology, and Clever Cook functions (water boiling, steaming, temperature hold, pasta, and frying).
• Downline Advance Cooktop Extractor Cooktop extractor with 830mm width and 505mm depth. Features Surface Protect coating, Bridge function, and Clever Cook features.
• Downline Performance Cooktop Extractor Mid-range cooktop extractor with Vertical Flow spiral extraction technology. Targeted at residential kitchens seeking integrated ventilation.
• Downline Compact Cooktop Extractor Entry-level cooktop extractor with compact design, Vertical Flow technology, improved cleaning concept, Surface Protect coating, and new separation unit. Targeted at residential kitchens.
• Grillplatte MAX Accessory grill plate for Downline cooktop extractor models made from recycled aluminum cast with LOTAN coating. Available in smooth or ribbed versions, with 5-year warranty.
• permalyt Recirculation Filter Self-regenerating recirculation filter using thermokatalytic process. Neutralizes up to 95% of odor molecules without requiring filter replacement. Activated carbon mats regenerate at approximately 140°C, converting odors to CO2 and oxygen.
• Umluftfilter BUF 150+/BUF 125+ Activated carbon filter units for odor binding in recirculation mode, also available with front cover (FK variant). Lifetime 2-3 years depending on cooking habits.
• Hybridfilter BHF Hybrid filter combining recirculation and exhaust capabilities for EcoSwitch operation with up to 97% odor binding.
• Mauerkasten (Wall Box) Heat-insulated wall outlet for exhaust air operation, automatically opening during hood operation and closing afterwards.
• Drehknebel (Rotary Knobs) Haptic control knobs for cooktop extractors, available in stainless steel look or black finish. Offers intuitive and precise control of cooktop and extractor.
• berbel+ App Smartphone app for controlling Skyline Edge hoods, enabling remote adjustment of lift height, fan speed, and lighting. Supports up to 16 customizable scenes. Available on iOS and Android.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 97% odor binding with recirculation filters
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Freckenhorster WerkstättenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for over 20 years with facilities for people with disabilities contributing to production processes. This partnership has contributed to growth and development at Berbel.
• CaritasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term social partnership with Caritas organization for inclusion production, supporting fair employment practices for people with disabilities.
• WESCO AGcoreOthersWESCO AG is the Swiss subsidiary of WESCO Gruppe, an expert for range hoods and air filtration for residential, schools and offices in Switzerland. Berbel operates as the German subsidiary under WESCO Gruppe.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Smeg: Italian premium kitchen appliance brand with a range hood line competing on design-led aesthetics. Comparable to Berbel on premium positioning and European dealer distribution, though Smeg's portfolio extends across small and large kitchen appliances.
• Gaggenau: Ultra-premium kitchen brand within BSH (Bosch-Siemens). Competes with Berbel in luxury residential kitchen ventilation as part of a broader premium kitchen portfolio rather than a dedicated hood specialist.
• Miele: German premium kitchen appliance manufacturer whose range hoods compete with Berbel at the high end. Overlap is in premium residential kitchens rather than dedicated ventilation, but Miele's scale and dealer network make it the dominant incumbent Berbel must displace.
• Bosch (BSH Hausgeräte): Mass-market and mid-premium kitchen appliances from BSH, with a large range hood line that competes on price and dealer scale. A broad incumbent rather than a direct specialist, but a key competitive reference for any European hood brand.

Direct peers

• Falmec: Italian premium range hood and cooktop extractor specialist with strong design positioning in Europe. Closely comparable to Berbel on product mix, premium positioning, and European dealer-led distribution.
• Airforce: Italian range hood specialist offering premium built-in and integrated extraction products. Comparable to Berbel on category, premium positioning, and European specialist-dealer distribution, though with a stronger Mediterranean footprint.
• Elica: Italian range hood manufacturer and one of the global category leaders, with overlapping premium and design-led offerings. Comparable on product category (range hoods and cooktop extractors), channel (specialist kitchen dealers), and target customer (design-conscious residential kitchens).
• Faber: Italian range hood specialist (Franke subsidiary) competing head-to-head with Berbel in European kitchen ventilation. Directly comparable product portfolio and channel overlap, including under Franke ownership.
• Bora: German premium specialist in cooktop extractors (downdraft systems), the most direct competitor to Berbel's Downline family. Both target design-led, open-plan kitchens in the DACH region with proprietary extraction technology and a premium price point.

Regional players

• Novy: Belgian range hood specialist active across Benelux and parts of Europe with a comparable premium design-led positioning. Strong regional overlap with Berbel's Benelux footprint and similar technology narrative around efficient extraction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgVQ32UM398siOU5vG3scag
• Facebookfacebook.com/berbelgmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berbel-ablufttechnik-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/berbel_gmbh
• Pinterestpinterest.de/berbelgmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 berbel