Kohler Energy has transformed to Rehlko! Now that the announcement is official, exciting times are ahead! With new ownership comes new opportunities, and we’re thrilled to continue delivering the products and services data centers rely on, with even more to offer.
If you’re curious about what the future holds for Rehlko and what this change means for you and the data center industry at large, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about what things will look like as we move forward together.
First of all, how do you say it?
Our company name is pronounced “rell-koh”. In text, we spell it with an initial capital, like this: Rehlko.
Now that’s out of the way. Why the name change?
The name change actually reflects a larger business model change that occurred earlier in the year, when a majority stake of Kohler Power was acquired by venture capital firm Platinum Equity. Part of that agreement was to establish Kohler Energy as a separate, independent business. So, the new Rehlko name and brand is reflective of that previously existing development in direction for the company.
Why make a big change in direction for the company?
Since Kohler was devoted to two different business models, two different roads to market, and two different customer groups, splitting up Kohler’s divisions allows for more advantages all around. Kohler Co. will continue doing what they do best: kitchen, bath, and plumbing products. Meanwhile, Rehlko will now be purely dedicated to energy and power. Acting as an independent company will provide Rehlko with more product focus, a heightened market responsiveness, and an increased commitment to our data center backup power customer base.
Should I expect disruptions while organizational changes take place?
Nope! There won’t be any interruptions in the supply of equipment or spare parts during this transition. Our logistics and warehousing processes are identical, so the changes won’t affect any inventory levels.
Does the new company come with a significant leadership change?
Rehlko’s management team is stable, and includes many familiar faces. After more than 10 years at Kohler, Brian Melka — formerly President of Kohler Engines — now serves as CEO of Rehlko. He’s joined by David Kohler on its board of directors. There are no plans for any company reorganization or restructuring.
Does the new company have a different strategy or approach?
Our mission remains very similar to our days as Kohler Energy. We want to provide responsive, integrated solutions that allow control over how your data center stays powered. We believe in strength, excellence, and sustainability that gets tough jobs done well, especially when the grid is down. We’re committed to best-in-class products, global expertise, and local support.
What will happen to the company’s headquarters and regional offices?
Almost all of Rehlko’s locations will remain active. Our headquarters will stay in Wisconsin, and Rehlko will continue to maintain operations in more than 100 locations across the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
What will happen to the company’s affiliates and subsidiaries?
Kohler Power Systems and Kohler Engines have led the enterprise portfolio brand transition by officially becoming Rehlko branded. In addition, Rehlko will continue to operate a broad portfolio of leading businesses including Power Systems, Engines, Uninterruptible Power, Home Energy, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies.
What does this mean for your manufacturing processes?
We’re glad you asked! With the organizational changes, Rehlko expects to expand, with a higher output of generators in the marketplace. There is a huge demand for new data center backup power solutions, and Rehlko wants to meet that demand.
Will there be differences in your backup power products now? What changes should I expect to the design, engineering, and product lines?
All of our great range products will stay the same! No discontinuations are planned at this time. This means Rehlko will continue to provide control, resilience, and innovation through a comprehensive range of energy solutions, including power generation, energy storage, and renewable energy technologies. You can expect the quality and reliability of your equipment to remain high, even under new ownership—that includes spare parts and accessories too.
However, that doesn’t mean our product development will stand still. We’re still very committed to updating, innovating, and bringing improved equipment to the data center market, so you can expect to see our products getting better all the time, and also some brand new products in the future.
Are there any changes to your services?
Our great customer support process and service programs all remain unchanged! Product warranties, guarantees, and service agreements will all stay constant, and there won’t be any disruption to ongoing maintenance schedules, training programs, after-sales processes, on-site repairs, or technical support services. Your service technician availability and response times will be just as dedicated as ever!
What’s the key takeaway in all of this?
Change isn’t just about adapting—it’s about unlocking potential! At Rehlko, we remain committed to supporting our partners with the same level of excellence you’ve come to expect from us. We’re confident that Rehlko, with a new look but the same standard of excellence, is poised to continue to deliver value to our clients and distributors. In fact, with clear communication and a shared focus on our long-term vision, we are confident that our relationships will continue to grow stronger.
From enhanced products to improved support, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together. Thank you for being a valued part of this exciting new chapter. If you have any other questions or want to explore how these changes can benefit your data center, our team is always ready to chat. At Rehlko, we’re looking forward to the future — together!
Click here to read more about the new organization name and ownership.