1948 Founded in the Bavarian town of Rehau. Three employees, one extruder. Initial products included shoe welting, garden hoses and automotive components.
1951
Manufacturing of arm straps and sideboards begins for the VW Beetle.
1954
REHAU participates in Germany’s first heart operation using silicone tubes.
1958
Extrusion of first PVC window profile and first magnetic gasket system for refrigerator doors.
1959
REHAU expands to North American, opening a sales office in New York City.
1961
North American production begins in Montreal with handrails, stair nosings and cove bases.
1969
North American headquarters is established in Montreal.
1976
With start of production in Winnipeg, Manitoba, REHAU is first to introduce welded vinyl window systems to North America.
1976
Profession of Plastics Technician introduced on REHAU's initiative.
1978
First bumper produced for the VW Passat.
1979
North American headquarters moves to Leesburg, Virginia.
1985
Automated paint line for automotive components is installed at REHAU Germany's Plant Brake.
1986
First underfloor heating system is installed using PEX pipe pioneered by REHAU in 1968.
1988
REHAU's compression sleeve fitting is launched.
1992
Plant in Baie d’Urfé, Québec, begins production.
1994
REHAU introduces radiant heating and snow melting to the North American market
1994
First RAU-SIK silicone seal goes into space aboard the Ariane rocket.
1995
REHAU fiber-reinforced materials are incorporated in the Airbus family.
1996
Plant in Cullman, Alabama, is built to supply the first Mercedes vehicle produced in North America.
1998
First polymer fender is put into large-scale series production by REHAU for the Audi A2.
2000
Company founder Helmut Wagner transfers control of the company to his sons. Jobst Wagner becomes president of the board of directors and Dr. Veit Wagner becomes vice president.
2003
REHAU introduces innovative RAUPANELTM dry-panel installation system for radiant heating.
2004
Medical technology business becomes an independent subsidiary of REHAU under the name RAUMEDIC.
2005
Received patent for windshield molding design that eliminates micro-cracking at the windshield's edge.
2006
Participates in the construction of the first German Passivhaus in North America, Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota.
2007
Introduces Ski-Line, an innovative ski jumping track system that combines summer and winter tracks into a single module.
2008
Introduces GENEO®, a fully reinforced window profile system made from the high-tech material RAUFIPRO®.
2009
Introduces REHAU ECOAIRTM, an air to ground heat exchange system for the preconditioning and dehumidification of residential and commercial ventilation.
Replaces traditional materials with polymers in RELAZZO terrace system, based on RAU-WOOD WPC composite material, and RAUTITAN polymer fitting system.
2010
Completes REHAU heat pump energy-efficient program for heating and cooling.
2011
Awarded Bavarian Quality Prize in the Industry category for outstanding process and product quality as well as for an innovative company-wide quality assurance concept; recognized by the Bavarian State Government for active protection of environment and health.
2011
Develops ULTRALITEC, a new type of production process that combines fibers with thermoplastic using a special compression molding and laying technique.