Our History 1945 2025 80 YEARS
sera was founded 80 years ago. From the simple idea of producing what was necessary after World War II, a globally operating, international company has developed. Today, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative environmental and fluid technologies in the fields of water treatment and dosing technology, as well as hydrogen and compressor technology, we stand for innovation and reliability and serve customers worldwide with our solutions.
One thing has always remained the same – our will to change. Join us on a journey through time from its beginnings in 1945 to today.
1945 - The beginning
On May 28, Reinhold Seybert and Hubert Rahier founded Seybert & Rahier OHG out of nothing. As a result of World War II, there is a shortage of workers, buildings and apartments, raw materials and machines.
The first product range consists of household appliances and baking trays, in addition, repairs of agricultural machines are offered – and generally everything that is needed to rebuild the country. As a first order, five flag spears are manufactured and sold to America for 50 Reichsmarks.
The product pump
The transfer and filling of acids is problematic and dangerous. At that time, sera developed the first diaphragm pump with a valve head made of stoneware and plate valves for the chemical industry and applied for a patent. In the early 1950s, the sera product range was adjusted – the first products were discontinued, the focus was on pumps and components.
From the very beginning, the company has been working internationally. As early as 1952 the first trading partnerships are established in Holland, Denmark and Austria.
The course is set
Within a few years, sera closes international trade partnerships and sera is already represented in ten European countries in 1955. In the same year, sera exhibited for the first time at the ACHEMA trade fair in Frankfurt / Main – one of the most important international trade fairs in the field of process technology, then as now.
Small metering pumps for water treatment are in high demand, the sera pump R409 is a bestseller. sera also takes over the entire Nold product range: single, double and quadruple dosing units with glass pumps and single diaphragm pumps.
sera builds and moves into its first state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with affiliated offices at today’s main location on sera-Straße in Immenhausen.
The expansion of the product range
The first metal diaphragm compressors from sera are created in 1958 together with the Hoechst company. sera develops, Hoechst takes over the test series.
In the late 1950s, in addition to the R408 diaphragm pump, the first piston diaphragm pump is developed and successfully launched on the market.
At that time the export share is 20%, the annual turnover was 1.4 million DM – generated by 45 sera employees.
An economic heyday
In 1964, sera is converted from an OHG to a KG.
The product portfolio is constantly expanding: in addition to pumps, customers are asking for complete units such as a dosing pump with variable speed gearbox and complex control. The electrical department is expanded, from 1967 sera is able to build control cabinets with the necessary controls.
A quarter of a century sera
At the end of the 1960s, sera introduces factory lessons for apprentices that still exist today. In 1970 sera celebrates its 25th anniversary, the entire workforce – 85 colleagues – celebrate together in the Sauerland.
The company premises are expanded again, the turning shop is enlarged.
2-stage systems, horizontal vacuum compressors, oxygen compressors and special designs especially for nuclear power plants now complement the compressor range.
In 1972, the new Works Constitution Act comes into force which also provides for a works council for smaller companies. In July 1972, the first five-member works council is elected at sera. A year later, the first youth council is elected and regulations for bonuses and Christmas bonuses are established which are still valid today – obviously in a modified form.
One provider for many industries
sera is entering new markets such as the paper, textile, food, iron and steel industry and many more.
sera is internationally known for sophisticated technology, for materials from PVC to stainless steel and for the highest delivery quality. sera is the first company in Northern Hesse to receive the permission to „stamp“ materials in accordance with DIN 50049 / 3.1B.
A pump for the textile dyeing process is being developed with the Hoechst company – the sera KKV pump.
The next generation
Founder Hubert Rahier retires in 1980. After Hubert Rahier, his son Helmut takes over the management of the company in
1976 together with Reinhold Seybert. sera is converted into a GmbH & Co. KG, thereby initiating a capital increase. It is also he who starts production automation at sera and invests a lot of money in the first CNC-controlled machining center.
With dosing systems for the cooling water area, the sales figures increase significantly. sera supplies ready-to-connect dosing systems according to customer specifications.
The first large and series customers are won, a new IT system sets new standards in the offer and order placement.
The time of innovations
The company founder Reinhold Seybert retires in 1985 and Helmut Rahier takes over the management oft he company. With the extension in which the paint spraying shop is located, the structural possibilities have been exhausted. The border stream is relocated to be able to build an additional hall.
The first canteen is inaugurated in 1988 and the 43-year-old sera logo is replaced by a modern logo.
The sera brand has been protected worldwide ever since.
The demands are increasing
Hygiene standards reach a new level in the 1990s. Cleaning and disinfection processes are increasingly finding their way into the field of food producers – dosing pumps from sera are becoming an integral part of these processes.
The existing pump portfolio is being innovatively revised, the 408.1, 409.1, 411.1, 408.1 – P and 409.1 – K.1 successfully launched.
A milestone
In 1994 and
1995, the company premises are converted and expanded, doubling production
capacity. sera celebrates the 50th
anniversary of the company in the expanded plant in Immenhausen. A short time
later, the company shares still held by the Seybert family are transferred to
the Rahier family, which now holds 100% of the shares.
The expansion of the international sales network is being
pushed and cooperation partnerships are being established.
For the first time, sera acts as a complete
and system provider for all services related to metering system construction.
In addition to customer-specific engineering in the offer and project phase, it
also offers assembly and commissioning, pre- and after-sales services and the
first customer training courses.
The generation change
At the turn of the millennium, today’s President & Executive Chair Carsten Rahier and his wife and Management Partner Irena Rahier, join the company. As part of the management, Carsten Rahier is responsible for many innovations at sera: sales becomes technical sales, strategic marketing moves into sera, the international sales network is significantly expanded and sera is even closer to the customer.
The first series of solenoid diaphragm pumps and multi-layer diaphragm pumps are presented.
The development is progressing
At the beginning of the 2000s, sera launches some new products on the market:
- multi-layer diaphragm pumps
- Magnetic diaphragm pumps with BUS control
- pneumatic diaphragm pumps
- KKV dosing system with automatic monitoring
While the international sales network is being expanded, sales in Germany is being switched from sales representatives to sales engineers from sera.
After five joint years of management, Carsten Rahier takes over the sole management of the family business in 2005 after the death of Helmut Rahier.
The internationalization
Under the leadership of Carsten Rahier, the company has since been comprehensively modernised and given an international orientation. The first international subsidiary is founded with sera ProDos UK Ltd. in England.
National and international expansion
In addition
to various pump series, sera also introduces the standard dosing system
CVD.
In addition, sera establishes the two subsidiaries sera ProDos GmbH and sera ComPress GmbH in Germany – in order to be closer to the respective customers in the dosing and compressor area.
In addition to various pump series, sera also introduces the standard dosing system CVD.
Modern Times
With the modernization and the complete renovation of the headquarters in Immenhausen, another important step into the future is taken.
Seybert & Rahier GmbH + Co. Betriebs-KG now officially becomes sera GmbH.
Capacity expansion and innovations
The sera ProDos S.L. is founded in Spain and gradually expanded to another production location.
At the same time, production capacity will be expanded with the construction of plant 2 at the Immenhausen location.
The first hydrogen filling station in Northern Hesse is put into operation on the sera site in Immenhausen. sera ComPress GmbH is starting into the future market H2.
Awarded
The new innovative stepper motor pump iSTEP is one of the
finalists of the industry award at the end of 2016. In 2017, iSTEP took 3rd place in the Best of Industry Award.
Finalist
In 2018, the sera group was finally recognized as a finalist
(Hessen) at the Grand Prize for Medium-Sized Enterprises.
sera’s quality management is one of the first companies in
Hessen to be recertified according to new DIN ISO 9001: 2015.
The new sera INTERFACE MODULE enables integration into
Profibus systems.
New foundations
sera establishes the two subsidiaries sera Technology Austria GmbH and sera Vertriebsservice Süd GmbH at the beginning of 2018. This means that the sera Group is also represented in Austria and with its own branch office in Bavaria.
The D-A-CH region
At the beginning of 2018, sera founds the two subsidiaries sera Technology Austria GmbH and sera Vertriebsservice Süd GmbH.
sera Technology Swiss GmbH in Basel follows in 2019 as the youngest subsidiary of the sera group. This means that sera has subsidiaries in the DACH region in every country and can therefore live up to its claim of maximum customer proximity.
H2 - Energy of the Future
The sera Group is internationally positioned as an innovative environmental technology company. sera ComPress GmbH relies on the future technology hydrogen. It is a pioneer for various applications in the mobility sector, but also for electricity storage and sector coupling.
Another hydrogen company refuelling station leaves the sera site in November. Further projects are in preparation.
Commitment to the future of hydrogen technology
sera ComPress GmbH has been operating under the name sera Hydrogen GmbH since 31.3.2020.
This underlines the sera group’s commitment to the future market of hydrogen technology.
There is also an expansion in the management of the renamed company. Frank Kühneweg becomes another managing director of sera Hydrogen GmbH alongside Carsten Rahier and Stephan Hillebrand.
Winners!
After the sera Group was already one of five Hessian finalists in 2018, it was awarded as a prize winner at the „Großer Preis des Mittelstandes“ in 2020, its 75th anniversary year.
This award shows that the recognised expert jury considers the sera Group to be one of the best medium-sized companies in Hesse.
With the award „Großer Preis des Mittelstandes 2020“, the sera Group continues its success story.
TOP100 seal for one of the most innovative companies in the SME sector
We have been honored once again! Science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar congratulated the sera Group on its success at the TOP100 Summit on Friday, November 26, 2021. “As an environmental technology company, we create added value for people and the environment. With our innovative hydrogen technology, we are also working on the energy of the future. The fact that we are among the 100 most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany is an honor for our entire team,” said Carsten Rahier, President & Executive Chair of the sera Group.
Limited becomes Technology Ltd.
sera remains true to its tradition as
one of Germany’s leading innovation companies and is now adding “Technology” to
the company names of its international representatives in Spain, Switzerland, Great
Britain, and South Africa. This decision underscores the company’s clear
commitment to technological excellence. The addition to the name not only
emphasizes sera’s innovative strength in the fields of water treatment,
environmental technology, and fluid technology, but also its constant focus on
forward-looking topics such as hydrogen technology and the development of
sustainable solutions. With this measure, sera aims to further
strengthen its position as a leading provider of innovative technologies and
highlight the importance of its international locations in a globally networked
economy.
Reopening of the sera Technology Austria GmbH site
sera Technology Austria GmbH is relocating and opening a new sales and production site in St. Marienkirchen near Schärding. With the new sales and service location, sera Technology Austria GmbH will be even closer to its customers and expand its range of products and services. In addition to the sale of dosing pumps, centrifugal pumps, compressed air diaphragm pumps, nozzles, and high-pressure technology, the company will also be able to manufacture its own high-pressure units from 2022, which will be sold by both sera Technology Austria GmbH and the entire sera Group.
Roland Tittel appointed managing director of sera Hydrogen GmbH
The
hydrogen technology division has been operating under this name for several
years. Roland Tittel takes over as Managing Director in the middle of the year.
With his vast experience in hydrogen refueling, hydrogen synthesis for eFuels,
and hydrogen storage, he brings valuable expertise to the company’s strategy.
This expertise is also reflected in the product strategy and target markets
which include hydrogen technology, drinking water treatment, and other
environmental processes—forward-looking topics with great growth potential.
Grand Prize for Medium-Sized Businesses
We have
once again reached the jury stage of the Grand Prize for Medium-Sized
Businesses and have been awarded the honorary plaque for 2022 at the federal
level. Following the award in 2020, this is already the second recognition in
the competition organized by the renowned Oskar Patzelt Foundation, where we
were able to impress the jury with our achievements. This honor confirms that
the expert jury ranks the sera Group among the best medium-sized
companies in Germany.
Industrial Cleaning Technology
The ITC
cleaning business develops into an important and rapidly growing area for sera. Building on decades of experience in dosing and high-pressure technology, sera now offers customized, efficient cleaning solutions for a wide range of applications. Modular kits and proven components are used to create tailor-made systems that save time, water, and chemicals. High-pressure technology in particular enables economic, standardized cleaning. sera supports its customers as a competent partner – from consulting to on-site service.
In
September, Mike Wehmeier joins sera as the new Director of Corporate Sales and Business Development, responsible for managing this experience worldwide. This move underscores sera’s internationalization efforts and, with its globally attractive and competitive product portfolio, the company is focusing on expanding into international markets in addition to its main market in Germany.
On the path to energy independence
Our journey towards sustainable self-sufficiency began with the first large photovoltaic system at Plant 1. Today, over 330 MWp already cover a large part of our electricity needs. Further systems at Plant 2 and new bike shelters are to follow. At the same time, our charging infrastructure for e-mobility is growing to 18 charging points. This is an important step towards CO₂ neutrality and our goal: sera goes green.
Continuous improvement of infrastructure
Since 2020,
we have been modernizing our company premises while continuing to
operate—efficiently and with a view to the future. The aim is to create a sustainable, flexible, and value stream-optimized location in line with “sera goes green.” Measures include energy-related, process-oriented, and design changes. One focus is on emission-free mobility – with 18 new PV-powered charging stations. In this way, we are creating a modern infrastructure for sustainable working and climate-friendly mobility by 2030. This year, in addition to energy sustainability, the focus was also on optimizing and improving production and working conditions by optimizing the layout of the space for organization and break times.
The foreign representative offices sera Technology Italy in Milan and sera Technology MENA in Dubai, UAE, are being established
The establishment of branches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italy is a strategically sound step toward further expanding the market presence of the sera group of companies.
The United Arab Emirates is the economic center of the Middle East and a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable energy solutions. The strong promotion of hydrogen projects and the growing demand for efficient dosing technology provide ideal conditions for sera. Together with Sagar Deshpande and our local network, we are laying the foundation for long-term partnerships and a successful future in the region.
Italy is one of Europe’s most important industrial locations with strong demand for innovative solutions in the fields of dosing technology and hydrogen technology. The chemical industry, the environmental sector, and the rapidly growing renewable energy sector in particular offer enormous potential for our technologies. With Davide Piccoli as an experienced local expert, we can respond even more quickly and directly to the needs of our Italian customers and expand long-term partnerships.
Once again ranked among the TOP 100 most innovative medium-sized companies!
The renewed
recognition as a TOP 100 Innovator is both an honor for the sera Group and confirmation of its commitment to research and development. The company sees this recognition as an incentive to continue developing innovative and future-oriented solutions with all its energy. Innovation is a central component of the corporate culture and the key to the success of the sera Group. With this clear focus, the company aims to remain one of the leading players in its markets in the future.
Even more commitment to our young talent
sera has reached an important milestone: the new training area in Plant II at the headquarter in Immenhausen is completed and is already up and running. Covering an area of 214 m², it offers state-of-the-art facilities for basic training in machining and mechatronics. The area includes new office containers for our trainees and a dedicated project area that promotes creative work and innovative ideas. This expansion underscores our commitment to training and developing young talents.
Replacement of old lighting with more sustainable LEDs
Sustainability
and energy efficiency are at the heart of the sera Group’s corporate strategy. With the recent replacement of lighting at its headquarters in Immenhausen, the company is sending another clear signal of its commitment to acting in an environmentally responsible manner while creating optimal working conditions. The switch to LED technology has led to significant energy savings in all areas. Consumption is reduced by 35% in the halls, 38% in the offices, and as much as 67% for outdoor lighting. This has not only reduced costs but also provides a sustainable boost for the business.
Third time lucky for sera: the TOP 100 seal as one of the most innovative companies in the SME sector.
The sera Group impresses the jury of the innovation competition in all five categories: top management, innovation climate, processes and organization, external orientation/open innovation, and innovation success. The TOP 100 Innovator award is a great honor and confirmation of our ongoing research and development,” says Carsten Rahier, President and Executive Chair of the sera Group. The sera Group places a special focus on developing innovative solutions in the field of hydrogen technology.
sera ProDos GmbH is renamed sera AQUA GmbH
sera
ProDos GmbH becomes sera AQUA. With this renaming, the sera Group emphasizes the key role of water in its business unit and consolidates its position as a leading provider of innovative environmental and fluid technologies. The name “AQUA” symbolizes water as an essential basis of life. The change reflects the business unit’s core competencies in the areas of water treatment, wastewater treatment, and the dosing and pumping of liquids in process engineering. It combines technological excellence with ecological responsibility and underscores the goal of protecting vital resources and developing sustainable solutions for global challenges.
In the course of time - sera in pictures
However, it is not just facts and figures that describe our permanent change. How can you recognize the changes better than on pictures?
Browse through 80 years of sera in pictures.