Karasto: Tradition meets progress
At GEKA® there is a long-standing tradition of investing in the future. Since the company’s foundation in 1928 we have been investing in sustainable growth and stable partnerships, primarily in innovative products. Every year millions of products leave our warehouse. Each product contains state-of-the-art manufacturing knowledge, premium quality and over 90 years of experience. But it is the people behind the brand who have been making GEKA® an honest and fair partner for trade and customers for generations.
Quality-conscious professionals already appreciated the reliable products of KARASTO three quarters of acentury ago. And they still do to this day. This is because many current GEKA® products for watering have been developed by our own engineers here in Germany. And because each product is physical evidence of our most important promise: superb reliability.
1928: KARASTO Maschinen- und Apparatebau Ing. Klein + Raff is founded and taken over by businessman Julius Oehler in 1929.
1932: Julius Oehler invents the patented GEKA® quick coupling. Expansion of production of water hose and industrial fittings, hose trolleys, sprinklers, nozzles and watering devices.
1944: Following the death of Julius Oehler, his wife Elisabeth Oehler and daughter Hannelore take over the running of the company.
1949: Change of name: KARASTO Armaturenfabrik Oehler KG.
1950/52: Construction of building complex with manufacturing, administration and residential buildings in Fellbach. The businessman Alfred Nass, husband of Hannelore Nass née Oehler, initially joins the company as an authorised representative and plays a key role in shaping the company.
1972: Alfred Nass becomes limited partner and managing director
1986: Business graduate Carola Reese née Nass joins the company. Introduction of organisation and IT.
1991-93: Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Schluchter becomes co-managing director. Following the death of Alfred Nass, Klaus Schluchter and Carola Reese assume management of the company.
1997: Launch of the first company website with web shop.
1999: The GEKA® quick coupling, which has been shaping the face of the Karasto brand for decades, is being further developed into the GEKA® plus quick coupling.
2008: 80 years of KARASTO – relocation to new office building in Backnang.
2009: Launch of the GEKA® plus push-fit system made from brass.
2012/14: New uniform design, logo and website.
2014: Launch of the new GEKA® plus hose trolley range.
2016: Graduate engineer Norbert Badstieber takes over as managing director from Klaus Schluchter.
2017: Launch of the new GEKA® plus watering device range.
2019: First certification according to ISO 9001:2015©.
2020: Launch of the automatic hose reel PA20 as first product of the new hose reel range.
2021: Presentation of the GEKA plus sprinkler trolley RW40 for the automatic irrigation of sport facilities, large green areas and others
2022: Launch of the first watering controls for automatic irrigation solutions.