Hot News

The company Friedr. Freek GmbH has been a reliable supplier of high-quality heating elements for the plastics industry for decades. Today, the company operates as an innovative development partner and problem solver for industrial heating solutions across a wide range of industries worldwide. This year, Freek celebrates its 75th anniversary and continues to focus on quality and production "Made in Germany."

Electric Heating Technology with Tradition

Founded in 1950 as a manufacturer of electrical resistors, Freek quickly became a reliable supplier for well-known household appliance manufacturers. Whether heating registers for tumble dryers or auxiliary heating elements for cross-flow fans – Freek impressed with quality and reliability. With increasing globalization in the 1990s and growing competition from Eastern Europe and Asia, the company strategically realigned itself, focusing on the production of heating elements for the plastics industry and mechanical engineering. Since then, the daily business of Friedr. Freek GmbH has been shaped by the highest quality standards, innovative miniaturization, and the development of customized heating solutions.

Firmly Established in the Plastics Industry

Today, Freek heating elements are installed tens of thousands of times each year in hot runner systems from renowned manufacturers worldwide. The already high demands of the hot runner industry have continued to rise in recent years, as authorised signatory Michael Ablas explains: "Quality is now taken for granted. Our strength lies in our development expertise and flexibility. Where needed, we deliver at short notice and starting from a batch size of just one." The hot runner industry remains one of the most important target markets for Freek heating elements, while other markets are steadily gaining importance.

Efficient Heating of Plates

In the packaging industry, demand is growing for quaternary cartridge heaters, ideal for heating sealing bars, large moulds and heating plates up to 750°C working temperature. The special feature compared to conventional cartridge heaters: The square cross-section and low bending stiffness allow optimal heat transfer, a flexible design, and manual bending into milled grooves. Deep-hole drilling can therefore be completely dispensed with. These advantages are also increasingly being used in 3D printing to heat printer beds efficiently.

Development Expertise Reaches into Space

Freek was able to demonstrate the experience gained from 75 years of developing and producing heating elements in a special project in 2024: A Freek HotCoil was successfully used on the International Space Station (ISS) to produce high-purity glass fibres. "This project was uncharted territory for us too, with many challenges. The focus was on the quality and reliability of our products - and we delivered. We are proud of that," explains Stefan Kaiser.

In 2025, however, the focus will once again be on terrestrial applications. "Whether it's sealing bars in the packaging sector, tool heating for injection moulding, print beds for 3D printing or high-precision heaters for measurement technology - we are familiar with most applications and can therefore offer fast and reliable solutions," Kaiser adds.

Cooperation as a Core Identity

The drive to open up new markets goes hand in hand with a constantly growing product portfolio. Close and long-standing co-operation with European heating manufacturers in production, research and development, as well as diversification of the company's own production, make it possible to offer a wide range of heating elements and technology-open consulting in all sectors. The principle of cooperation is a key pillar of Freek"s success and will continue to be pursued in the coming years through new partnerships and international distributors.

Transition in the Management

A significant milestone awaits Freek in 2025: Since 2000, brothers Stefan and Wolfgang Kaiser have jointly led the company. In June 2025, Wolfgang Kaiser, who has been with Freek since 1990, will hand over his responsibilities to his son Jan Kaiser, who will form the new management duo together with Stefan Kaiser. "Freek has a strong foundation, is successful in many industries, and continues to expand despite challenging times. I am pleased to hand over the company to the next generation," says Wolfgang Kaiser.

Jan Kaiser, who has been with the company since 2023 and was previously Product Manager at igus GmbH, is optimistic about the future: "As a company with a strong tradition, Freek stands for quality worldwide. I look forward to continuing its success story with fresh ideas and a commitment to production made in Germany."

The challenge of succession planning, which many medium-sized companies in Germany are currently facing, has thus been mastered and the future of Freek as a family business is secured. The anniversary celebrations will take place in the company of employees and the closest long-term partners. In autumn, there will be an opportunity to experience Freek's product diversity up close at the K-Show in Düsseldorf and to toast the 75th anniversary with the Freek team.