World leader in industrial heating, cooling and ventilation, Schwank, celebrates its 90th anniversary and looks to energy transformation
At the end of May this year, Schwank celebrated its 90th anniversary. It was founded by Günther Schwank in 1933 in Fegersheim in Alsace. The company was originally named Schwank Gasgeräte GmbH and focused on the manufacturing and distribution of industrial gas appliances. The founder, a mechanical engineer, has already been researching the effect of electromagnetic wavelengths on people’s perception.
The main goal was to develop a device that would efficiently transmit infrared heat from high heights to areas where people move. In 1939, Günther Schwank obtained a patent for a special ceramic plate that became the basis of today’s gas infrared heating technology and influenced the heating industry worldwide. Gas infrared heaters have been established as to a core product of efficient heating of industrial heating.
In 1951, Schwank started mass production in Hamburg and marketed the radiant heater technology under its own name. In 1952, the company moved to Cologne, Germany where it is still based today, and was able to expand its production and staff capacity. In the early seventies, Schwank expanded its presence abroad and established branches in the Netherlands, Italy, England, France, Austria and Monaco.
Schwank today
Oliver Schwank, grandson of founder Günther Schwank, leads the third generation of the family as managing director. The key change of focus in recent years have been on hydrogen and other renewable energies. Next to successfully building the heat pump business, this year, they introduced the world’s first industrial hydrogen heater, which is able to use both natural gas or liquid gas as fuel and 100% hydrogen – a breakthrough in this field. This innovation gives industrial halls the ability to easily adapt to future conditions. Today they use natural gas as their main heating fuel, but thanks to Schwank technology they will be able to switch seamlessly to hydrogen in the future.
Photo: Party at Schwank
