Deizisau, july 2025 – In 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 EHEIM was honoured with the
World Branding Award for "Brand of the Year". Now the company has received the award
for the fifth time. The award ceremony took place on 3 July 2025.

The World Branding Awards are presented by the World Branding Forum (WBF), a global
non-profit organisation based in London. The goal of the WBF is to improve brand
standards internationally for the benefit of the industry and consumers. The forum
develops, manages, and supports a variety of research, development, education,
recognition, networking and community engagement programmes and partners with
leading universities and museums.

The "World Branding Awards" are particularly prestigious international awards given to
global and national brands for their work and achievements in various categories. As in
2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023 EHEIM was again awarded "Brand of the Year" 2025-2026 in
the “Animals” category.
In the "Animals" category, various brands from countries received awards. These included
various manufacturers of pet food, pet supplies and pet shops. In addition, various animal
welfare non-profit organisations were among the winners.

The selection process for the winners follows a rigorous review, evaluation and voting
process. The winners of the awards are assessed according to: an independent brand
evaluation, an online public vote, and consumer market research. In total the consumer
votes account for 70 per cent of the final score, therefore, brands must have a strong level
of customer loyalty to have a chance of winning.

As in previous years, the World Branding Award will be presented at a glittering
ceremony and gala dinner in the Throne Room of the Vienna Hofburg.
Commenting on the award, EHEIM's Managing Director, Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, said:
"We are particularly pleased about this recognition, which we dedicate to our
employees, customers and partners. The award shows that we impress with tradition
and innovation. At the same time, we see this as an obligation to continue to be creative
and innovative in the future."

Deizisau, December 2024 - With the EHEIM Digital Connect App you can take your aquarium management to a completely new level.

All devices in the EHEIM Digital family can now be controlled and networked via app. This allows you to easily organise, regulate and monitor the functions in your aquarium via smartphone or tablet. The EHEIM Digital family consists of external filtration, LED lighting, heating and water cooling, CO2 and pH control, automatic feeding and UV Sterilisation which all devices can be configured individually, customised to your needs and linked together. The app is not only compatible with all current devices in the EHEIM Digital family, but also with future devices. Simple software updates keep you up to date at all times.

Download the EHEIM Digital Connect app to experience modern aquarium management - simple, customised and future-proof (Android: Google Play Store; iOS: Apple App Store).

Advantages of the EHEIM Digital Connect App

• Intelligent networking of your aquarium
• Setup and management of your EHEIM Digital family devices via app on smartphone or tablet
• Update - always the latest functions through simple device updates
• Customise the settings of the external filtration, LED lighting, temperature, CO2 and pH control, automatic feeding and UV Steriliser.
• Intuitive operation - optimum overview
• Compatibility: Support for all current and future EHEIM Digital devices for a future-proof investment
• Download: (Android: Google Play Store; iOS: Apple App Store)

EHEIM’s invention of the aquarium suction filter in the 60’s, started the long journey of making aquarium keeping a hobby for broad sections of the population and millions of enthusiasts worldwide.

Deizisau, May 2024 - It all began in 1949, the year in which the Federal Republic of Germany was founded. At that time, a young engineer named Gunther Eheim started his first company near Stuttgart to "repair and manufacture technical toys". The business was set up on his father-in-law's veranda and Model railways were repaired and rebuilt there. The company later moved to Deizisau, just a few kilometres away, where EHEIM has its headquarters today.

This is where Eheim developed its legendary model trolley bus in 1953. Although a bestseller, it only came with a fountain for model railway layouts and a pump with magnetic coupling that was designed for this purpose. Though it was waterproof.

The idea of combining this centrifugal pump with a cleaning tank ultimately led to the development of a suction filter for aquariums. Finally, aquarium water could be cleaned automatically.

It’s important to note: The beautiful, fascinating underwater worlds that feature exotic fish, plants or corals, and dreamlike aquascapes, would probably never have happened if Gunther Eheim had not come up with this ingenious idea. The first exotic ornamental fish only arrived in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and could only be kept under the most difficult conditions.

The first EHEIM filter system went into production in 1963. By 1971, 100,000 EHEIM aquarium filters were already in use worldwide. Ten years later, the company was already manufacturing on 10,000 m² of factory space. Further inventions, innovations, and products appeared quickly. Firstly, in 1981, a new generation of EHEIM filters with synchronised motor technology was developed, followed by a new product line for garden ponds in 1985. Further internal and external filter models followed. In the 1990s, the EHEIM professionel and EHEIM ecco filter series were introduced, which have been further developed into the highly efficient, energy-saving devices we know today. 

To expand their aquarium portfolio, EHEIM acquired the aquarium construction company Müller & Pfleger (mp) in Rockenhausen (Rhineland-Palatinate) in 1993. Since then, aquarium sets in various sizes and designs have been created for both freshwater and marine. During this period, the "shopDesign" shopfitting service for the pet trade was also created.
In 2002 EHEIM also took over the Jäger company in Wüstenrot Similar to Gunther Eheim, the engineer Eugen Jäger helped increase the popularity of the ornamental fish aquarium with his invention of the adjustable "Jäger Regulator Heater". Over the years, this heater has been continuously improved, resulting in the electronically controlled EHEIM thermocontrol-e heating of today.

This innovation continued in the 2000s. New internal and external filters with more efficient performance were introduced. This included the EHEIM aquaball internal filter, which was honoured with the "Red Dot" design award in 2002. And the aforementioned professionel external filter, created in 2006. Over the years, many new products were added, such as air and flow pumps, UV clarifiers, protein skimmers, etc. This was also the time where new avart-garde aquarium sets were created (including incpiria and incpiria marine 2012/13).

From 2014 onwards, new LED lighting concepts for freshwater and marine aquariums were developed in EHEIM’s in-house lighting laboratory. And recently, EHEIM launched the LEDcontrol+, which included wireless WiFi lighting control, a great example of the increasing digitalisation in the marketplace. The "EHEIM Digital Family" now includes a variety of smart products that can be programmed, controlled and networked via smartphone, tablet or PC. The spectrum ranges from aquarium filters, aquarium lighting and atmospheric cabinet lighting and heating to automatic feeders, air conditioners, UV clarifiers and CO2 supply systems.

Today, the EHEIM range includes aquarium sets for freshwater and marine as well as aquarium lighting and control, internal and external filters, aquarium heaters, UV clarifiers, automatic feeders, air pumps, flow pumps, skimmers, CO2 fertilisation systems, mechanical, biological, adsorptive and chemical filter media, pond products and many accessories for cleaning, maintenance and installation.

EHEIM has received numerous awards including the aforementioned Red Dot Design Award and other prizes. In recent years, for example, EHEIM has received the "Animal Challenge Award" as "Best Supplier of the Year". EHEIM’s new LEDcontrol electronic lighting control system has won the gold medal. And the WBF honoured EHEIM with the prestigious "World Branding Award" as "Brand of the Year". In 2021, EHEIM was included in the "Brands of the Century" almanac and honoured with the "German Standards" brand award. Most recently, in 2023, EHEIM added the "Specialist Retail Brand of the Year" award to its collection.

The spirit of invention is deeply rooted at EHEIM. New ideas, new products, innovative developments and optimisations are constantly being created. On one hand, the aim is to offer aquarium enthusiasts the best products and solutions, with sophisticated innovations which set new trends using pioneering technologies. On the other hand, high quality and safety standards must always be met. That is why EHEIM’s production is mainly in Germany. EHEIM and its slogan "Made in Germany" are synonymous. It allows EHEIM the ability to control production and design in a way that allows them to meet the high standards our customers expect.

In that regard, convenient handling, good design and high performance are always on the agenda. And EHEIM is at the forefront when it comes to energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and sustainability - including in production.

This production take place at their headquarters in Deizisau near Stuttgart. It also has other sites in Germany and subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and exports to around 70 countries.

Gunther Eheim, who died in 2013 at the age of 93, was one of the pioneers of the twentieth century. An ingenious engineer and a typical tinkerer and inventor. From humble beginnings 75 years ago, he built the world's leading manufacturer of external aquarium filters. The EHEIM Group is probably the best-known brand in aquatics today and is an international symbol for high quality products and service. Throughout his life, Gunther Eheim's aim was for EHEIM to be better and more reliable than other brands. Since, 2016, and following in this manner of this maxim, the company has been managed by Cameroon-born business economist and marketing specialist Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou. He was recognised as a talent by Gunther Eheim while he was still alive and initially taken on as the Head of Marketing.

Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou explains: "EHEIM's 75-year history is a testament to our continuous innovation and commitment to the highest quality products and services. We are proud to have not only shaped the aquarium industry, but to continue to be at the forefront of its technological advancement."

Deizisau, October 2024 - EHEIM was once again honoured at the prestigious ‘Brands of the Century’ awards ceremony in Berlin. This award, which is organised by the ZEIT publishing group, recognises the brand as a synonym for innovation, quality and sustainability in the aquatics industry.

The ‘Brand of the Century’ award recognises EHEIM as a leading brand in aquatics and underlines the importance of quality and innovation that have characterised the company for decades.
‘The award shows that we impress with tradition and innovation. Our new digital products such as the EHEIM ControlApp prove that we are shaping aquatics in a modern and sustainable way - with a clear focus on the future,’ says EHEIM Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou. This milestone is an incentive to continue setting standards in the future and to fulfil the needs of customers with innovative, future-oriented solutions.

The initiative "German Standards - Brands of the Century" has existed for 20 years. Since 2018, the annual editions have been published under the umbrella of the ZEIT publishing group, with the editor being Dr Florian Langenscheidt.

Brands of the Century’ has long since become a globally recognised award for the premier class of German brands. A transparent selection process and the deliberate restriction of the awards to one brand per product category emphasise the exclusivity. The exciting stories of the brands, the beginnings, the hurdles that had to be overcome and finally the market and brand successes make the compendium an interesting work. It is a glimpse into the German economy, the inventive spirit, the courage and the assertiveness of entrepreneurs and managers. For example, the article about EHEIM: how the engineer Gunther Eheim developed the first aquarium suction filter, revolutionising aquatics worldwide and making EHEIM one of the leading international brands in the pet market to this day.

Deizisau, October 2024 - The aquatics specialist EHEIM has been honoured for the second time with the renowned Plus X Award as ‘Specialist Retail Brand of the Year’ - this time for 2024/25 in the ‘Pond Technology’ product group.

The award not only recognises the quality of the products and the innovative strength of the company, but also underlines its commitment to cooperation with specialist retailers. The relevant trade was also surveyed this year.

The Plus X Award is the world's largest innovation prize for technology, sports and lifestyle products. It is regularly awarded to brands that stand out in categories such as innovation, high quality, design, ergonomics and ease of use. However, the special award for ‘Specialist Retail Brand of the Year’ honours brands that have made a special contribution to the partnership with retailers and support them in many ways.

Unlike many other awards, the title of ‘Specialist Retail Brand of the Year’ is not based on the judgement of a jury. Instead, the decision is based on a Germany-wide survey conducted by the German Institute for Product and Market Evaluation. Specialist retailers vote on their favourite brands. This year, EHEIM secured the most votes.

Specialist retailers are playing an increasingly important role today - in times of growing online trade - especially when it comes to aquatics and pond technology. Without expert advice, problems often arise that can only be solved by specialised retailers. EHEIM therefore relies on close co-operation with specialist retailers and supports them with training courses, special promotions and events, for example. This also includes roadshows where specialist retailers and customers can gain practical insights into topics such as aquascaping and pond maintenance. In addition, there are ‘digital centres’ where EHEIM's WIFI-enabled products can be tested and experienced directly on site.
In addition to its excellent aquarium technology, EHEIM also offers outstanding pond technology, for which it has now been honoured with the ‘Specialist Retail Brand of the Year’ award. These range from pumps for streams and water features to internal filters, pressure filters, flow-through filters and UVC clarifiers to pond aerators, sludge extractors and ice-free holders. A programme of high quality and unrivalled reliability.

‘We would like to thank the specialist retail partners who favoured us and are delighted to have received the Plus X Award. The award confirms once again that our own claim to offer the best in quality and reliability has been honoured and that we, as one of the world's leading aquarium suppliers, are also convincing in the garden pond sector. We promise that we will continue to do everything we can to support the specialised trade,’ says EHEIM Managing Director Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou.

October 10, 2024 – EHEIM, a global leader in aquarium technology and innovation, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with ALF LTD, a prominent distributor in the UK. Starting October 2024, ALF LTD will offer the complete range of EHEIM products, bringing advanced aquarium solutions to enthusiasts across the United Kingdom.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies. EHEIM's commitment to digital innovation and high-quality aquarium products aligns seamlessly with ALF LTD's extensive distribution network and market expertise. Together, they aim to enhance the availability and accessibility of EHEIM's cutting-edge products, ensuring that customers receive the best in aquarium technology.

EHEIM's Digital Focus and Innovation

EHEIM has long been at the forefront of aquarium technology, continually pushing the boundaries of innovation. The company's digital focus has led to the development of smart aquarium systems that offer unparalleled convenience and control for hobbyists. From automated feeding systems to advanced filtration technologies, EHEIM's products are designed to create optimal environments for aquatic life.

EHEIM Roadshows and Digital Center

To further develop the UK market, EHEIM will be launching a series of roadshows and establishing a dedicated EHEIM Digital Center. The roadshows will provide hands-on demonstrations and expert advice, allowing customers to experience EHEIM products firsthand. The EHEIM Digital Center will serve as a hub for innovation, offering digital solutions and support to enhance the aquarium hobbyist experience.
 
Statements from Leadership

"We are thrilled to partner with ALF LTD to bring our full range of products to the UK market," said Ibrahim Mefire Kouotou, CEO of EHEIM. "This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. We believe that ALF LTD's expertise and reach will help us better serve our customers in the UK."

Kevin Barton, Managing Director of ALF LTD, added, "EHEIM's reputation for quality and innovation is unmatched in the industry. We are excited to offer their products to our customers and look forward to a successful partnership."
 
About EHEIM

EHEIM is a leading manufacturer of aquarium equipment, known for its high-quality products and innovative solutions. With a focus on sustainability and technological advancement, EHEIM continues to set the standard in the aquarium industry.
 
About ALF LTD

ALF LTD is a premier distributor of aquarium products in the UK, dedicated to providing top-notch service and a wide range of products to its customers. With a strong presence in the market, ALF LTD is committed to enhancing the aquarium hobbyist experience.
 
For more information, please contact:
 
ALF (Aquatic Distributors) Ltd
Phone: +44 (0)1234 211 340
Email : sales@alfltd.co.uk
Web:    www.alfltd.co.uk
 
Telford Way, Cambridge Road, Bedford, United Kingdom. MK42 0PQ