History

OUR HISTORY

Progress and growth are always closely linked to change. The history of SKYLOTEC is a prime example of this. Founded in 1947 as a sole proprietorship, we have experienced turbulent times and undergone numerous transformations. Today, as a manufacturer of protective equipment, we have grown into a group of companies with 12 locations worldwide and around 950 employees, almost 300 of whom work at our headquarters in Neuwied.

THE HISTORY OF THE MANAGEMENT

Since 1 January 2022, the management of SKYLOTEC GmbH has officially consisted of the duo that has been successfully writing company history for over twenty years: Alongside Kai Rinklake, Alexander Merl is now also Managing Director.
manager. This not only broadens the management team, but is also an explicit acknowledgement of Alexander Merl's many years of commitment and the trusting cooperation.

SKYLOTEC GmbH celebrated its seventy-fifth birthday in May 2022. The company has now been successfully run by the Rinklake family for forty years. The SKYLOTEC team led by Wolfgang and Kai Rinklake has long since transformed the former one-man business, which Eduard Kaufmann founded in the post-war period in southern Sauerland with a small workshop for abrasive baskets for mine rescue, into a global player that is one of the world's performance leaders and trendsetters in the market for personal fall protection equipment.

THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME IN BOOK FORM

As part of the company's 75th anniversary celebrations, the exciting history of SKYLOTEC has been brought to life in book form. The journey through time takes place over almost 200 pages, divided into four chapters:

• Chapter 1: 1947 to 1982
  The founding and development years - from Eduard Kaufmann to Wolfgang Rinklake
• Chapter 2: 1983 to 2000
  The company on its way into the third millennium
• Chapter 3: 2000 to 2022
  Expansion of the company, internationalisation, pioneering product development
• Chapter 4: from 2022
  SKYLOTEC 75 PLUS - a look ahead

THE CONTINUATION AFTER 2022

• 2022: SKYLOTEC establishes foundation for charitable purposes
• 2022: SKYLOTEC takes over SECUPOHL, the inventor of the SECURANTEN®
• 2022: SKYLOTEC presents "DEUS ONE" - The world's first fully automatic personal evacuation device
• 2023: SKYLOTEC receives start-up award from Sparkasse Koblenz
• 2024: Company acquisition of Sweden Entry Tools (SET) Breaching completes portfolio of tactical access solutions