Viessmann
German family-owned climate-technology brand specializing in heating, cooling, refrigeration and renewable-energy systems.
Last updated September 23, 2026
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Overview
Viessmann is a German family-owned climate-technology business whose origins date to 1917, when Johann Viessmann established a workshop in Hof an der Saale focused on steel boilers. The company moved to Allendorf in northern Hesse in 1937, where its headquarters remain. Across four generations of family ownership, Viessmann developed from a boiler manufacturer into a broad supplier of heating, cooling, refrigeration and renewable-energy equipment for homes, commercial buildings and industrial applications. The company’s historical development closely followed changes in energy use and building technology. After the Second World War, Hans Viessmann introduced more industrialized production methods and expanded the business as oil-fired systems and steel boilers became increasingly important. During the energy crises of the 1970s, Viessmann began producing solar collectors and heat pumps, while also expanding outside Germany. Its first foreign factory opened in Faulquemont, France, in 1972, followed by a plant in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1978. The fall of the Berlin Wall created additional opportunities in eastern Germany and central and eastern Europe. During the 1990s, Viessmann adapted to the transition from floor-standing to wall-mounted boilers, from oil to gas, and from conventional combustion to condensing technology. The company also expanded its international sales and production network. From the mid-2000s onward, acquisitions and internal development broadened its portfolio beyond traditional boilers into biomass heating, large heat pumps, combined heat and power, biogas, refrigeration, ventilation, solar technology and digital services. The Efficiency Plus initiative, introduced in 2005, linked product development with more efficient production and lower environmental impact. Viessmann’s offering has included residential, commercial and industrial systems across a very broad output range. Its best-known product families include Vitodens gas condensing boilers, Vitocal heat pumps and Vitosol solar systems. Other activities have covered photovoltaic systems, wood and biomass boilers, fuel-cell systems, ventilation and air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, biogas plants, district-heating infrastructure and combined heat and power. The business has also used investment activities and venture-building to explore digitalization, energy infrastructure and emerging climate solutions. The corporate structure changed significantly in 2023. Carrier Global acquired Viessmann’s Climate Solutions division for €12 billion, subject to the transaction’s terms and completion. The acquired business continues as Viessmann Climate Solutions, while the family holding company retained and developed activities outside that division through the Viessmann Generations Group. These activities include investments in climate and environmental protection, health, education, science, network and district-heating infrastructure, cooling and cleanroom technology, real estate and digital ventures. Viessmann presents itself as a premium, technically sophisticated and sustainability-oriented provider. Its brand positioning combines energy efficiency, reliability, professional installer networks and the transition toward lower-carbon heating and cooling. The company has also invested in research, production efficiency and renewable-energy infrastructure at its Allendorf site. As of 2023, the broader Viessmann organization was described as having production companies in multiple countries, sales companies and offices across international markets. The precise scope of the Viessmann brand after the 2023 transaction depends on whether the Climate Solutions business or the remaining Generations Group activities are being discussed.
History
Viessmann began in 1917 in Hof an der Saale, where Johann Viessmann operated a small workshop producing steel boilers. In 1937, the company moved to Allendorf in northern Hesse. After the Second World War, Hans Viessmann assumed leadership and modernized production through greater standardization and industrial manufacturing. The company grew alongside the spread of oil-fired heating and the continuing importance of steel boilers during the 1950s and 1960s. The energy crises of the 1970s encouraged Viessmann to diversify. It opened a factory in Faulquemont, France, in 1972, and established its first production site outside Europe in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1978. The company produced its first solar collectors in 1976 and entered heat-pump production in 1978. These moves established a foundation for later expansion into renewable heating and energy-efficiency technologies. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Viessmann expanded into the former East Germany and subsequently into other eastern European markets. Around the end of 1991 and the beginning of 1992, Hans Viessmann transferred leadership to his son Martin Viessmann. During the 1990s, the company responded to changes in heating technology by moving from floor-standing toward wall-mounted boilers, from oil toward gas and from conventional systems toward condensing technology. It also established additional production and sales capabilities to serve international markets. From 2005, the Efficiency Plus initiative became a central part of Viessmann’s environmental and technology strategy. The company improved energy use in its own manufacturing operations while broadening its portfolio through acquisitions and new development. These activities included biomass and wood-heating specialists, large heat-pump technology, combined heat and power, biogas, solar thermal equipment and refrigeration. Viessmann also developed interests in digital services, investment, real estate and venture-building. The company’s refrigeration presence expanded through the acquisition of Viessmann Kältetechnik in 2012 and the Norpe Group in 2013. In 2016, Viessmann launched the consumer information portal heizung.de and operated the Berlin-based venture-building company Builder Wattx. It also invested in companies involved in electric and infrared heating, heat pumps, district-heating transfer stations, installation services and online sales of heating products and spare parts. In 2017, the company marked its centenary by opening the Technikum research and development center at Allendorf. In 2018, it built a two-megawatt solar park adjacent to the headquarters, intended to supply part of the site’s electricity needs through self-consumption. Viessmann also promoted sustainability through recognition programs and through investments in more efficient production and renewable technologies. A major structural turning point came in 2023, when Carrier Global acquired the Climate Solutions division for €12 billion. The acquired business continued as Viessmann Climate Solutions SE. The remaining family-owned holding company adopted the Viessmann Generations Group identity and continued to invest in climate protection, infrastructure, health, education, science, real estate and emerging businesses. This transaction means that the historical Viessmann Group and the post-2023 Viessmann brand can refer to different corporate scopes.
- 2023
Carrier acquired the Climate Solutions division
[1]Carrier Global acquired the core Climate Solutions division, which continued as Viessmann Climate Solutions, while the family holding company continued separately.
- 2018
Solar park built at Allendorf
[1]Viessmann constructed a two-megawatt solar park beside its headquarters to support on-site electricity consumption.
- 2017
Technikum research center opened
[1]A major research and development center was inaugurated at the Allendorf headquarters during the company’s centenary.
- 2016
Digital and consumer-information activities expanded
[1]Viessmann launched heizung.de and operated Builder Wattx as part of its digital and venture-building activities.
- 2013
Norpe Group acquired
[1]The acquisition expanded Viessmann’s presence in commercial refrigeration for food retail and related applications.
- 2012
Viessmann Kältetechnik acquired
[1]The group acquired all shares in Viessmann Kältetechnik AG, strengthening its commercial refrigeration activities.
- 2005
Efficiency Plus initiative launched
[1]Viessmann introduced a program focused on efficient production, lower environmental impact and sustainable technology.
- 1991
Leadership passed to Martin Viessmann
[1]Martin Viessmann took over leadership from Hans Viessmann around the end of 1991 and beginning of 1992.
- 1978
Heat-pump production began and Canadian expansion followed
[1]Viessmann developed its first heat pumps and opened a production site in Waterloo, Ontario.
- 1976
Solar-collector production began
[1]The company entered solar thermal technology by producing its first solar collectors.
Products and positioning
Premium, energy-efficient and sustainability-oriented climate solutions for residential, commercial and industrial users.
Gas condensing boilers
Vitodens
Vitodens is Viessmann’s branded family of gas-fired condensing boilers for residential and selected commercial applications. The range represents the company’s transition from conventional boiler technology toward higher-efficiency condensing systems. Products in this category are designed for integration with modern heating controls and, depending on model and market, domestic hot-water systems and connected energy-management functions.
Heat pumps
Vitocal
Vitocal is the brand family for Viessmann heat-pump systems. It covers equipment intended to extract usable heat from ambient sources such as air or ground and apply it to space heating and hot-water production. The line supports Viessmann’s strategy of moving beyond fossil-fuel heating and can be combined with controls, storage, photovoltaic generation and other building-energy components.
Solar thermal systems · 1976
Vitosol
Vitosol is Viessmann’s solar thermal product family. Solar collectors in this line are intended to capture solar energy for applications such as domestic hot-water preparation and heating support. Vitosol reflects the company’s early diversification into renewable technology, which began with solar-collector production in the 1970s.
Renewable heating
Biomass heating systems
Viessmann has supplied heating systems using wood and other biomass fuels, supported by acquisitions and specialist activities in biomass combustion. These systems extend the company’s offering beyond gas and oil and are aimed at applications where locally available solid biomass can contribute to lower-carbon heat production.
Refrigeration
Commercial refrigeration systems
The Viessmann refrigeration business has included temperature-controlled rooms, commercial refrigeration units, finned products and cooling equipment for trade, food retail and industrial users. Its refrigeration presence was strengthened by the acquisitions of Viessmann Kältetechnik and Norpe, giving the group capabilities beyond building heating.
Distributed energy
Combined heat and power systems
Viessmann has been active in combined heat and power through Viessmann Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung, formerly associated with ESS Energie Systeme & Service. These systems produce useful heat alongside electricity and are intended for suitable commercial, industrial and decentralized energy applications.
Renewable energy
Biogas systems
Through activities including Schmack Biogas and related investments, Viessmann has participated in biogas plant technology and services. The offering forms part of the group’s broader renewable-energy portfolio and addresses the production and use of energy from biological feedstocks.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Allendorf solar park
Germany
Viessmann built a solar park beside its Allendorf headquarters to generate electricity for on-site consumption and demonstrate renewable-energy integration at a company facility.
Outcome. The plant was designed to cover part of the site’s electricity requirements without state subsidies.
- 2018Winter-sports sponsorship program
Germany · International
Viessmann sponsored winter sports and supported athletes in disciplines including biathlon, Nordic combined and ski jumping, linking the brand with cold-climate performance and German sporting culture.
Outcome. The program provided long-term sports visibility for the brand.
- 2016heizung.de
Germany
Viessmann launched heizung.de as an information and advice portal for end users, including new-build customers and people undertaking renovation projects.
Outcome. The initiative expanded the brand’s consumer education and digital engagement activities.
- 2005Efficiency Plus
Germany · International
Efficiency Plus was a company-wide sustainability and efficiency initiative focused on reducing energy use and environmental impact in Viessmann’s own operations while promoting efficient and renewable heating technologies.
Outcome. The initiative was associated with sustainability and energy-efficiency awards and remained an important reference point for the company’s environmental positioning.
Brand decisions
2023
Separated the Climate Solutions business through a Carrier transactionM&ABackground
Viessmann’s core heating and climate-solutions business had become the central operating division of the family-owned group.
Action taken
Carrier Global acquired the Climate Solutions division, which continued under the Viessmann Climate Solutions name, while the family holding company retained other investment and operating activities.
Aftermath
The transaction created a new corporate boundary between Viessmann Climate Solutions and the remaining Viessmann Generations Group.
Transaction value. €12 billion (Announced and completed in 2023)
2005
Adopted Efficiency Plus as a sustainability strategyStrategyBackground
The company sought to improve manufacturing efficiency and respond to growing demand for lower-energy heating technologies.
Action taken
Viessmann introduced Efficiency Plus and expanded investment in renewable, efficient and lower-impact technologies.
Aftermath
The program strengthened the company’s sustainability positioning and was followed by recognition in German sustainability and energy-efficiency awards.
1976
Entered solar thermal technologyProduct launchBackground
The energy crises of the 1970s increased interest in alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel heating.
Action taken
Viessmann began producing solar collectors and expanded its technology base beyond boilers.
Aftermath
Solar thermal technology became part of the company’s broader renewable-energy portfolio.
Recent events
- 2023
Carrier Global agreed to acquire Viessmann Climate Solutions[1]
M&A
Carrier Global announced the acquisition of Viessmann’s Climate Solutions division. The transaction separated the core heating and climate-solutions business from the wider family holding structure, which continued under the Viessmann Generations Group.
- 2017
Viessmann inaugurated a major research and development center[1]
Other
A new research and development center, known as the Technikum, was inaugurated at the Allendorf headquarters during the company’s centenary year.
- 2005
Viessmann introduced an efficiency and sustainability program[1]
Campaign
The Efficiency Plus initiative combined efforts to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce environmental impact and expand the company’s portfolio of renewable and lower-energy technologies.
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