Stiebel Eltron's 20 million milestone for instant hot water
In June 2012, electronics giant Stiebel Eltron reached a manufacturing milestone by producing its 20 millionth instantaneous water heater. Sold around the world under the Stiebel Eltron, AEG and Zanker brands, the company’s water heaters are produced on the 15 assembly lines at the Holzminden site in the Lower Saxony region of Germany.
The company launched the first fully electronic instantaneous water heater to the market in 1987. Today, 34 different types of instantaneous water heaters are manufactured with 180 different versions. More than four million of the electronic models have been produced in the 25 years since their introduction. According to Darren Fletcher, Stiebel Eltron Australia Sales Director, instantaneous water heaters provide the best environmental performance possible with the smallest footprint. He said, “compared with gas-fired alternatives, instantaneous electric water heaters have better heating efficiencies, and a greater freedom to be positioned exactly where needed—thereby reducing water wastage.”
The Australian subsidiary contributes to the global success of the group. At the beginning of 2012, Stiebel Eltron International CEO, Rudolf Sonnemann, announced “We have experienced significant growth in the Australian market from a wide range of products, particularly the custom products.” The contribution prompted the parent company to become a majority shareholder in the Australian subsidiary and strengthen its presence within this region.
Stiebel Eltron is an international group with five production plants around the globe. The company has 16 subsidiaries worldwide as well as sales organisations and agencies in more than 120 countries. The prime facilities, including the site for all high-tech research and development, are located in the German cities of Holzminden and Eschwege.
During the past ten years, the group has invested more than 20 million Euros (A$25 M) on new product development and construction of specialised production lines. All the electronics used in Stiebel Eltron appliances are developed and built in Holzminden, while the plastic components for every type of instantaneous water heater come from the Stiebel Eltron ‘centre of excellence’ in Eschwege.
The group produces nearly all components itself—from the plastic pellets, to the cables, heating wires through to the sheet metal. This affords greater flexibility in production and at the same time guarantees consistently high quality. During the past eight decades, the original small production runs have steadily grown so that several thousand appliances are manufactured every day.
Stiebel Eltron is a genuine, international success story. Founded in 1924, the company is a market and technology leader in the hot water, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration and renewable energy sectors. For more than 85 years, technical efficiency, quality, innovation, reliability and customer-oriented service have been crucial factors in the success of the group.