Skylotec

Skylotec GmbH is a German manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from height, headquartered in Neuwied, Rhineland-Palatinate. Founded in 1947 as a sole proprietorship by Eduard Kaufmann, the company began by producing safety belts for the mining industry and rescue baskets for mine rescue. Over more than seven decades it has grown into an international group with 12 locations worldwide and around 950 employees, almost 300 of whom work at the Neuwied headquarters. The company has been known under the Skylotec name since 2005. Skylotec's product range covers harnesses, lanyards, fall arrest devices and blocks, helmets, descenders and belay devices, rescue devices, carabiners, pulleys, rope clamps, anchors, mobile anchors, life-saving equipment, ropes and cords, as well as collective protection systems such as cable and rail systems. The company serves industries including professional work at heights, outdoor and climbing, and special operations. Its products are certified to numerous international standards, including EN, ANSI, CSA and AS/NZS norms. Skylotec positions itself as a full-service provider, offering consulting, risk assessments, installation, training, rental, maintenance and inspection services alongside its hardware. Skylotec has expanded through acquisitions, including the Swiss mamuttec AG's rescue and securing division, the Swedish motorized winch producer ActSafe in 2019, and the Italian carabiner manufacturer Climbing Technology in 2021. In 2022 it acquired the fall protection systems segment of Secupohl GmbH with the Sekurant product brand, and in 2024 it acquired Sweden Entry Tools (SET). The company has received numerous design awards, including iF product design awards, Red Dot awards and German Design Awards. It remains a privately held family-owned business, with the Karin Rinklake Foundation established in 2022 to support charitable projects.

Skylotec was founded in 1947 as a sole proprietorship by Eduard Kaufmann, initially producing safety belts for the mining industry and rescue baskets for mine rescue. The company was based in the southern Sauerland region. In 1948, the business was formally established, and it produced the first completely stainless-steel rescue baskets, for which Eduard Kaufmann received a utility model from the German Patent Office. This innovation reduced the risk of sparking and was increasingly used in German mines. From 1969, the company also produced safety belts for fire services, and in 1973 it introduced the first aluminum scoop stretchers. In 1982, Eduard Kaufmann sold the company to Wolfgang Rinklake, and the Eduard Kaufmann GmbH was founded. The company moved to Neuwied, where it continued production. In 2000, Kai Rinklake took over management and founded a training center, expanding international sales in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In 2003, the first foreign sales company, EKN Asia Pacific pte. Ltd., was established in Singapore. The company adopted the name Skylotec in 2005. In 2006, Skylotec acquired the rescue and securing division of Swiss mamuttec AG. After the insolvency of strap manufacturer C. J. Schickhardt GmbH & Co. KG, Skylotec took over the company and continued it as Inobelt GmbH. In 2008, the company expanded into the mountain sports segment and began production in Gyomaendröd, Hungary. In 2010, the Vertical Rescue College was established, consolidating training activities. In 2019, Skylotec acquired the Swedish company ActSafe, a producer of motorized rope winches. In 2021, it acquired Climbing Technology, an Italian carabiner manufacturer. In April 2022, Alexander Merl, formerly authorized signatory, joined Kai Rinklake as managing director. In May 2022, the Karin Rinklake Foundation was established. In September 2022, Skylotec acquired the fall protection systems segment of Secupohl GmbH, including the Sekurant product brand. In September 2023, the company received the Koblenz Sparkasse Founder's Prize. In February 2024, it acquired Sweden Entry Tools (SET). As of its 75th anniversary, Skylotec had grown into a group with 12 locations worldwide and around 950 employees, almost 300 at its Neuwied headquarters. The company has received numerous design awards, including iF product design awards, Red Dot awards, and German Design Awards, recognizing products such as the PinchLock II carabiner, the IGNITE series harnesses, and the INCEPTOR GRX helmet.

• 2024

  Acquired Sweden Entry Tools (SET)

• 2023

  Awarded Koblenz Sparkasse Founder's Prize

• 2022

  Alexander Merl joined as managing director; Karin Rinklake Foundation established; acquired Secupohl's fall protection systems segment

• 2021

  Acquired Italian carabiner manufacturer Climbing Technology

• 2019

  Acquired Swedish motorized winch producer ActSafe

• 2010

  Established Vertical Rescue College training center

• 2008

  Expanded into mountain sports segment; started production in Gyomaendröd, Hungary

• 2006

  Acquired rescue and securing division of Swiss mamuttec AG

• 2005

  Company adopted the name Skylotec

• 2003

  First foreign sales company EKN Asia Pacific pte. Ltd. established in Singapore

• 2000

  Kai Rinklake took over management; founded training center

• 1982

  Sold to Wolfgang Rinklake; Eduard Kaufmann GmbH founded

• 1973

  Introduced first aluminum scoop stretchers

• 1969

  Started producing safety belts for fire services

• 1948

  Formal establishment; production of first stainless-steel rescue baskets

• 1947

  Founded as a sole proprietorship by Eduard Kaufmann

Full-service provider of fall protection and PPE, emphasizing European manufacturing, in-house expertise and comprehensive services from risk assessment to installation.

• SKYRAIL

  Cable safety system for horizontal applications, won iF DESIGN AWARD 2015

• IGNITE SERIES

  Safety harness series, won iF DESIGN AWARD 2016 and German Design Award 2017

• INCEPTOR GRX

  Industrial climbing helmet, won iF DESIGN AWARD 2018 and German Design Award 2019

• PinchLock II

  Carabiner, won iF DESIGN AWARD 2013 and German Design Award 2014

• EPIC

  Electronic Partner for Individual Climbing, won ISPO Award Gold Winner 2016

• RIDER 3.0

  Via ferrata set, won OutDoor INDUSTRY AWARD Gold Winner 2017

• OFFSHORE MASTER

  Won iF DESIGN AWARD 2014

1. 1SKYLOTEC | Leading manufacturer of fall protectionskylotec.com
2. 2The History of SKYLOTEC: Tradition and Innovation in Fall Protectionskylotec.com
3. 3Servicesskylotec.com
4. 4Products buy | Quality made in Europe for 75 yearsskylotec.com
5. 5Skylotec - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Skylotec - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
7. 7Skylotec acquires ActSafewindtech-international.com
8. 8Skylotec Acquires Climbing Technologysgbonline.com