What REFCO Manufacturing does

REFCO Manufacturing Ltd. is a Swiss manufacturer of professional tools and accessories for refrigeration and air-conditioning (HVAC/R) service technicians, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Hitzkirch, Switzerland. The company's portfolio spans condensate handling (VAMP-F, VAMP-X, VAMP-C, VAMP-CK, COMBI, GOBI II, KAROO pumps), wireless measurement instruments under the REFMESH ecosystem (REFCLAMP temperature/humidity clamps, REFVAC-RC vacuum gauges, REFMATE manifolds, TRITECTOR leak detectors), manifolds and gauges for legacy and low-GWP refrigerants (R32, R290, R410A, R452A, R448A, R449A, R404A, R134a, R407C), vacuum and charging hoses, electronic charging scales (REFSCALE-S), diagnostic kits (INVERTER-CHECK-KIT), and battery-driven installation tools (FLARE-e-Z). Underlying technology centers on precision sensing (Pirani vacuum sensors, optical condensate level sensors), miniaturized pump form factors, and wireless interoperability through the REFMESH app and REFMATE devices.

REFCO sells more than 1500 SKUs directly from stock via its own e-commerce platform, through dedicated sales representatives in Switzerland and via the wholly-owned US subsidiary REFCO Manufacturing (US) Inc. in Springfield, Massachusetts, and through a network of international distribution partners. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; B2B customers transact via account-based login. The company targets professional HVAC/R technicians, small commercial/industrial installers, and residential split-system installers globally (excluding Russia/Belarus). REFCO is a privately held subsidiary of the WIKA Group, a diversified German industrial conglomerate. No venture capital or external equity funding is disclosed. The company positions itself on Swiss Premium Quality, high SKU availability, and products developed through direct dialog with end-user technicians.

Name

REFCO Manufacturing

Legal name

REFCO Manufacturing Ltd.

Website

https://refco.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Swiss manufacturer (est. 1972) of professional HVAC/R service tools — condensate pumps, wireless measurement instruments, manifolds, vacuum equipment, and installation tools — sold globally to refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians via e-commerce, sales representatives, and distributors, and owned by the WIKA Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC/R Service Tools and Equipment

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigeration & Cold-Chain Equipment Service (IMAIABAE), HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution (CRAOAFAJ)

Keywords

• HVAC/R service tools
• Condensate removal pumps
• Refrigeration manifolds
• Vacuum measurement gauges
• Battery flaring tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Hitzkirch

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. HVAC/R Tools and Equipment Sales: One-time hardware sales of professional HVAC/R tools and equipment including condensate pumps, manifolds, gauges, charging hoses, vacuum equipment, leak detectors, test equipment, and installation tools. Products are sold directly through e-commerce and sales representatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

REFCO Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and distributes professional HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) service tools and equipment. The portfolio spans condensate removal pumps (VAMP series), manifolds, wireless vacuum gauges (REFVAC), electronic charging scales (REFSCALE-S), leak detectors, charging hoses, and battery-driven flaring tools (FLARE-e). The company delivers more than 1,500 catalog items from stock and operates the REFMESH wireless ecosystem for interoperable service equipment.

Product overview

REFCO Manufacturing is a Swiss premium supplier of tools and accessories for refrigeration and climate technology (HVAC/R). The product portfolio is organized into distinct categories: condensate handling products including the VAMP series (VAMP-F, VAMP-X, VAMP-C, VAMP-CK), COMBI, GOBI II, and KAROO condensate pumps; REFMESH wireless equipment system comprising REFCLAMP temperature clamps and REFVAC-RC vacuum gauges; vacuum equipment including hoses and accessories; recovery and charging tools; manifolds (2-way and 4-way configurations for various refrigerants including R32, R452A, R448A, R449A, R404A, R134a, R410A, R407C, R290, and R744/CO2); charging hoses and valves; connectors and valve core tools; leak detection equipment including TRITECTOR and INVERTER-CHECK-KIT; electronic charging scales (REFSCALE-S); test equipment; and installation tools including FLARE-e battery-driven flaring tools, hydraulic expanders, tube benders, and deburring tools. The company offers more than 1500 products directly from stock with Swiss premium quality standards. Products are designed for technically trained HVAC/R service engineers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REFMESH: Wireless equipment product line including wireless digital vacuum gauges, temperature clamps, and connected devices for HVAC/R systems.
• VAMP Series
• REFSCALE-S

Products and services

• VAMP Series Condensate Pumps

Quantifiable outcome

• VAMP-F condensate pump is the smallest of its kind on the market
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• STFW (Swiss Federal Institute for Trade and Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Collaboration announced April 16, 2026 focused on 'Shaping the future of refrigeration technology together.' This strategic partnership aims to advance refrigeration technology development through joint efforts between REFCO and STFW.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Testo: Testo manufactures measurement instruments including HVAC/R-specific gauges, manifolds, leak detectors, and wireless probes. Overlaps with REFCO's REFMESH wireless vacuum gauges and temperature clamps and competes in the same technician channel.
• Inficon: Inficon manufactures leak detectors, vacuum gauges, and service tools for HVAC/R and refrigeration applications. Competes with REFCO's TRITECTOR leak detector and REFVAC wireless vacuum gauge lines.
• Mastercool: Mastercool manufactures HVAC/R service equipment including manifold gauges, recovery/recycling machines, leak detectors, and electronic scales. Direct overlap with REFCO's manifolds, charging tools, and leak detection lines.
• Aspen Pumps: Aspen Pumps specializes in air-conditioning condensate removal pumps and accessories, directly overlapping with REFCO's VAMP, GOBI, KAROO, and COMBI condensate pump product family.
• Robinair: Robinair, a SPX Technologies brand, supplies HVAC/R service tools including recovery/recycling/recharging equipment, manifold gauges, and leak detectors - matching REFCO's HVAC/R service portfolio.
• Sauermann: Sauermann designs and manufactures condensate pumps and HVAC/R detection instruments, closely overlapping with REFCO's VAMP series and water-leak/level sensing capabilities. Both target HVAC/R technicians with installation and service accessories.
• Fieldpiece Instruments: Fieldpiece designs instruments exclusively for HVAC/R professionals, including wireless manifolds, refrigerant scales, and vacuum gauges. Competes directly with REFCO's REFSCALE-S, REFVAC-RC, and REFMESH ecosystems among technicians.
• Appion: Appion focuses on HVAC/R refrigerant recovery and vacuum tools including recovery machines and vacuum pumps. Adjacent to REFCO's recovery and charging category with similar technician customer base.
• Yellow Jacket (CPS Products): Yellow Jacket, a CPS Products brand, supplies HVAC/R service tools including manifolds, gauges, recovery machines, and charging equipment - directly mirroring REFCO's core product portfolio. Both compete head-to-head for technician tool purchases.

Broad incumbents

• Danfoss: Danfoss is a much larger manufacturer of HVAC/R components including compressors, valves, sensors, and controls. While broader than REFCO's tool-focused scope, Danfoss increasingly competes in connected/service-adjacent product categories relevant to REFCO's REFMESH and component offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/REFCO-Manufacturing-Ltd-2202957833367981

Compliance33 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 REFCO Manufacturing