Experts in fire protection

Our history

Company founder Wilhelm Graaff has launched the fire extinguisher
 
1902

“Spitztüte”

Company founder Wilhelm Graaff has launched the legendary fire extinguisher. The Minimax brand is created.

Paint shop Neuruppin
 
1905

Neuruppin

The production is concentrated in Neuruppin near Berlin. Administration remains in Berlin.

Minimax Growth
 
1906

Growth

Minimax is the world's #1 in mobile fire extinguishers and maintains foreign companies in Europe and the USA.

The first Minimax foam generators
 
1926

Foam generators

The first Minimax foam generators are launched.

"Selbsttätige Feuerlöschanlagen Gesellschaft" inception
 
1929

SFH inception

The "Selbsttätige Feuerlöschanlagengesellschaft" (SFH), a fixed fire protection specialist, is established in Hamburg. In the following years, SFH becomes an official installer of sprinkler systems and CO2 extinguishing systems while developing own system components such as sprinklers and alarm valves.

Reconstruction of Minimax in West Germany begins
 
1945

A fresh start

After the destruction of the Berlin administration building and dispossession of the Neuruppin plant, the reconstruction of Minimax in West Germany begins.

The most modern factory in Germany is built in Bad Urach
 
1953

Bad Urach

The most modern factory in Germany, producing fire extinguishers and extinguishing systems on fire-fighting vehicles, is built in Bad Urach near Stuttgart. The site still serves as Minimax Mobile Services headquarters today.

SFH moves its plant to Bad Oldesloe
 
1966

Bad Oldesloe

SFH moves its plant operation to Bad Oldesloe. The following years see the continuous expansion of the site which today acts as headquarters of the Minimax Viking Group.

Onsite fire protection research center
 
1968

“Brandhaus”

SFH constructs an onsite fire protection research center in Bad Oldesloe.        

 
1969

Minimax + SFH

Preussag acquires Minimax and the company is merged with SFH.

Pefipresa Spain
 
1969

Pefipresa Spain

Spanish fire protection systems installer Pefipresa joins the group.

International system integration business
 
1970

International system integration business

With the international system integration business SFH creates a new branch and is joined by a number of local companies in the following decades. The international activities focus on industrial fire risk- and special hazard solutions.

Fire detection and extinguishing control panels
 
1973

Fire detection and extinguishing control panels

The first generation of in-house developed fire detection extinguishing control panels as well as flame and heat detectors for industrial applications is launched.

Pefipresa Portugal
 
1982

Pefipresa Portugal

Pefipresa Spain’s sister company is founded in Portugal.

SFH becomes Minimax
 
1991

SFH becomes Minimax

With the SFH brand successively replaced by "Minimax" in previous years, Minimax now stands for mobile and fixed fire protection.

Germany Installation sprinkler control panel
 
1991

Company growth

Minimax becomes the leading fire extinguishing systems installer in Germany and remains market leader to this day. The branch offices network is continuously expanded.

Minimax introduces Argon fire extinguishing systems to the marke
 
1991

Inert gas extinguishing systems

Minimax introduces Argon fire extinguishing systems to the market. Nitrogen and inert gas mixtures subsequently complete the offering.

 
1993

Water mist extinguishing systems

Minimax develops the first water mist extinguishing systems focusing on low pressure technology for land applications; later on high pressure technology and marine applications.

Singapore assembly argon plant 90s
 
1995

Minimax Singapore

As part of the international system integration business Minimax opens a subsidiary in Singapore.

Poland Assembly sprinkler unit 90s
 
1997

Minimax Polska

Minimax opens a subsidiary for the system integration business in Poland.

Minimax opens an office representation in Beijing
 
2000

Minimax China

As part of the international system integration business Minimax opens an office representation in Beijing, later changed to a local legal entity.

 
2001

Investor change

Preussag focuses on tourism as their core business. First Barclays Private Equity Germany becomes a new Minimax shareholder, then Investcorp and IK Investment Partners.

Minimax intensifies its service business activities
 
2004

Service business

Minimax intensifies its service business activities. In addition to the conventional maintenance and repair approach an increasing number of new services complete the range.

Russia assembly argon plant 90s
 
2004

Minimax Russia

Minimax opens a subsidiary in Russia. Initially the focus lies on installation business, with a later focus on the sale of system components for gas extinguishing systems. Today the Viking organization manages the brand as Minimax Fire Products.

Minimax Mobile Services
 
2005

Minimax Mobile Services

Mobile fire protection activities - including administration and production in Bad Urach and the German-wide sales organization - are bundled in an independent company and continued under the Minimax Mobile Services brand.

MX1230 cylinder battery cut-out
 
2005

Halocarbon extinguishing systems

Minimax develops the first own Halocarbon extinguishing systems - initially with the extinguishing agent FM200®, later with Novec TM 1230. In the following years, Minimax sets standards with innovative high-pressure technology.

 
2005

Minimax France

Minimax opens a subsidiary in France.

CFP group in the  USA
 
2007

CFP group

Minimax is expanding its system integration and service business in the USA with the acquisition of CFP Group – comprising Cosco, Firetrol and Consolidated Fire Protection.

Minimax building in the USA
 
2008

Minimax USA

Minimax opens a subsidiary for the distribution of industrial fire risk solutions and gas extinguishing system components in the United States. The system component sale later continues from within the Viking organization under the brand Minimax Fire Products.

The new “Brandhaus”: Research Centre Fire Protection
 
2009

The new “Brandhaus”

A new, extended fire protection research center is inaugurated in Bad Oldesloe.

Minimax Viking
 
2009

Minimax Viking

Minimax joins forces with Viking, a leading international sprinkler and sprinkler systems component manufacturer. Within the Minimax Viking Group, Minimax specializes in system integration, modernization and service, while Viking sells system components to installers.

 
2016

Minimax Fire Solutions Group

The international Minimax system integration business is organized in the Fire Solutions Group, which, in addition to the main company Minimax Fire Solutions International GmbH, comprises the local companies associated with the business.