GfKK mbH

What GfKK mbH does

GfKK mbH is a privately held German industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning contractor founded in 1970 and headquartered in Cologne, with a Berlin subsidiary (Climatic GfKK mbH) and approximately 100 employees in total. The company designs, builds and services refrigeration and HVAC systems across industrial process cooling, commercial air conditioning, ice-sports arena cooling and food/dairy cold-chain applications, with a specific technical emphasis on natural refrigerants (ammonia/NH3, CO2, propane).

The firm's technology stack is built around in-house engineering, CAD/ECAD and ERP systems, together with proprietary SPS programming on Siemens S7 and Saia control platforms. Layered on top of the hardware business, GfKK operates the GFMATIC teleservice platform, offered in tiered COMFORT and PROFESSIONAL variants that combine remote monitoring, condition-based maintenance signaling, operational-cost optimization and automatic technician dispatch. The company holds a dense stack of certifications relevant to regulated German tenders — ChemKlimaschutzV §6, VDI 6022, WHG §19, SCC, VDKF and PQ-VOB — and is a member of VDKL, eurammon, IAKS, VDKF, BIV and ÜWG.

GfKK monetizes through a mix of project-based capital expenditure (disclosed project values in the EUR 0.48M–2.8M range), long-tail service contracts supported by a 24/7 nationwide service network, and recurring teleservice subscriptions via GFMATIC. Customer segments are diversified across ice-sports venues (Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin, LANXESS Arena, Eishalle Chemnitz, Eishalle Willingen), dairy and food processing (Arla Pronsfeld, EGETÜRK, food retail cold stores), brewing (Brauerei Park & Bellheimer), financial services (Commerzbank) and public administration (Rotes Rathaus Berlin). The firm is managed by two Geschäftsführer, Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Just and Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Jörg Schwerdtfeger, with no external investors or parent company disclosed.

Name

GfKK mbH

Legal name

GfKK - Gesellschaft für Kältetechnik-Klimatechnik mbH

Website

https://gfkk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GfKK mbH is a Cologne-headquartered German industrial refrigeration and HVAC contractor founded in 1970, serving ice-sports venues, food and dairy processors, breweries, banks and public-sector clients with natural-refrigerant systems, proprietary GFMATIC teleservice and a nationwide 24/7 service network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Refrigeration & HVAC Engineering Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigeration & Cold-Chain Equipment Service (IMAIABAE), Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Storage Equipment (IMAHAKAJ), Ice Machine Installation, Cleaning & Repair (HSAOAJAH)

Keywords

• Industrial refrigeration systems
• Process cooling engineering
• HVAC plant construction
• Ice sports facility cooling
• Natural refrigerant cooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln, NRW

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Anlagenbau (Plant Construction): Design, engineering, construction, commissioning, and project management of industrial cooling, process cooling, HVAC, and ice sports cooling systems. Revenue is project-based, typically large-scale infrastructure contracts ranging from EUR 0.48M to EUR 2.8M per project.
2. Vertrieb (Equipment Sales): Sale of liquid chillers, precision climate control units, and ice storage systems. Equipment is sourced from and distributed in partnership with established manufacturers.
3. Service und Wartung (Service and Maintenance): Ongoing maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, emergency service, and remote monitoring services (GFMATIC). Service operations are decentralized across Germany with response centers in Cologne and Berlin, providing round-the-clock support. Revenue includes annual maintenance contracts and per-incident service calls.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GfKK mbH designs, engineers, constructs, commissions and services industrial refrigeration, process cooling, HVAC and ice sports cooling systems, with in-house SPS control programming (Siemens S7, Saia). The firm sells distributed equipment (liquid chillers, precision climate units, ice storage systems) and operates the proprietary GFMATIC web-based teleservice platform for remote monitoring, control, maintenance and diagnostics of installed plants. Service is delivered through decentralized 24/7 field technicians covering all of Germany.

Product overview

GfKK mbH is a refrigeration and air conditioning systems company offering both project engineering services and a proprietary teleservice product. The core product portfolio consists of four service areas: Industriekälte (industrial refrigeration down to -50°C), Prozesskälte (process cooling), Kälte-Klimatechnik (HVAC), and Eissportkälte (ice sports cooling). The proprietary GFMATIC teleservice system provides remote monitoring, diagnosis, and maintenance capabilities across all cooling installations. The company also offers comprehensive Kälteservice (maintenance and repair) and distributes liquid coolers, precision air conditioning units, and ice storage systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GFMATIC: Web-based teleservice system for remote monitoring, remote control, remote maintenance and remote diagnostics of refrigeration systems and heat pumps

Products and services

• Industriekälte (Industrial Refrigeration) Industrial refrigeration solutions for applications down to -50 °C using two-stage refrigeration systems or single-stage technology, including project planning, specification development, implementation and ongoing service. Targeted at industrial manufacturing customers requiring reliable process cooling.
• Prozesskälte (Process Cooling) Customized process cooling solutions for manufacturing companies with tailored SPS controls based on Siemens and Saia, programmed in-house using high-quality components from established manufacturers.
• Kälte-Klimatechnik (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning) Complete HVAC solutions for hospitals, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels and data centers, including consultation, project planning, realization and reliable support for cooling and air conditioning systems.
• Eissportkälte (Ice Sports Cooling) Specialist construction partner for ice sports facilities including ice rinks and speed skating tracks, supporting CO2, NH3 and brine-cooled systems for both new construction and renovation projects.
• GFMATIC Remote Monitoring & Teleservice Platform Web-based teleservice system enabling remote monitoring, remote control, remote maintenance and remote diagnostics of refrigeration plants and heat pumps via SSL-encrypted open VPN worldwide access. Provides portal server data storage, trend visualization and plant history tracking for operational customers.
• Kälteservice (Refrigeration Service & Maintenance) Round-the-clock maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, function checks, chemical cleaning, hygiene inspections per VDI 6022 and refrigerant management services for refrigeration systems, IT cooling and process cooling installations across Germany.

Quantifiable outcome

• Central NH3 refrigeration system for a food retail cold storage facility achieves energy optimization through FU-controlled compressor and condenser motors and heat recovery from oil cooling.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered moderate and minor.

• VDKL (Verband Deutscher Kühlhäuser & Kühllogistikunternehmen e.V.)moderateOthersIndustry association for cold storage and cold logistics companies in Germany. GfKK is a member, providing networking, industry intelligence, and regulatory updates.
• eurammon (Natürliche Kältemittel)moderateOthersIndustry initiative promoting natural refrigerants (ammonia, CO2, hydrocarbons). GfKK is a member, reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible cooling solutions using natural refrigerants.
• IAKS (Internationale Vereinigung Sport- und Freizeiteinrichtungen e.V.)moderateOthersInternational association for sport and leisure facilities. GfKK is a member, supporting its ice sports facility projects and industry visibility.
• VDKF (Verband Deutscher Kälte-Klima-Fachbetriebe e.V.)moderateOthersGerman association of refrigeration and air conditioning specialist companies. GfKK holds a VDKF certificate and maintains membership for industry representation and technical standards alignment.
• BIV (Bundesinnungsverband des Deutschen Kälteanlagenbauerhandwerks)moderateOthersFederal guild association for German refrigeration system constructors. GfKK maintains membership for industry representation, training standards, and regulatory updates.
• ÜWG (Überwachungsgemeinschaft Kälte- und Klimatechnik e.V.)minorOthersMonitoring association for refrigeration and air conditioning technology. GfKK is a member for technical standards compliance and quality assurance purposes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Global refrigeration/HVAC manufacturer with strong European presence in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems — competing incumbent for large Anlagenbau projects in food retail and food processing.
• Johnson Controls: Global building technologies incumbent with a dedicated Industrial Refrigeration business (YORK, Sabroe, Frick) — competes for large NH3/CO2 process cooling and cold-storage projects in Europe.
• Danfoss: Global component and controls supplier for refrigeration and HVAC systems — adjacent incumbent whose controls/components and increasingly packaged solutions overlap GfKK's GFMATIC and system integration scope.
• Bitzer: Global German-based manufacturer of refrigeration compressors and a key equipment supplier that GfKK integrates into its plant builds — represents both an upstream partner relationship and adjacent incumbent competitor.
• ENGIE Refrigeration: German subsidiary of ENGIE group (formerly Cofely/GTU) specializing in industrial refrigeration, HVAC and chillers with national field service — directly comparable industrial cooling portfolio and service network to GfKK.
• Stiebel Eltron: German-established manufacturer of heating, ventilation and refrigeration technology with strong commercial/industrial service operations — competes for the same enterprise HVAC projects as GfKK.
• Viessmann: Major German HVAC/R manufacturer and system provider covering commercial/industrial refrigeration and climate solutions — broad incumbent competitor for GfKK's Kälte-Klimatechnik and process cooling offerings.

Direct peers

• FrigorTec: Specialist German manufacturer and service provider for industrial refrigeration, process cooling and ice-sports facilities — directly comparable product scope and customer base to GfKK.
• Riedel Cooling: Specialist German industrial refrigeration contractor focused on process cooling and natural-refrigerant (NH3/CO2) systems — closest comparable niche player to GfKK in industrial and ice-sports refrigeration plant construction.

Regional players

• Winkler Kältetechnik: Independent German refrigeration contractor offering plant construction, service and maintenance for industrial/HVAC applications — comparable mid-sized contractor competing for similar German enterprise projects.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gfkk-mbh

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 GfKK mbH