About RMA

Siegfried Truttenbach’s garage was the first office for Faulhaber & Truttenbach OHG. He founded his first company there in 1969 along with Gerhard Faulhaber. At the time, they were both employees of BASF in Willstätt had the vision to make the expensive machines purchased by BASF at a higher quality and for a lower price. In succeeding in these goals, the first major customer of the newly founded company was BASF. Additional customers followed shortly thereafter; among them, Zielfe in Kehl, which produced equipment for transporting and distributing gas.

Business was good and the company grew rapidly. In order to expand production, it was decided to purchase a larger site at Rheinau-Rheinbischofsheim, Forsthausstrasse 3 (Baden-Würtemberg). On this site RMA’s first production halls were built, and the company grew to 9 employees.

These were years of rapid development. By the end of 1977, there were already 50 employees. Faulhaber & Truttenbach OHG went from simple manufacturer to a company that developed and patented its own fittings (insulators, house connections, and ball valves). In doing so the company evolved to the needs that Siegfried Truttenbach observed during his many visits to his customers.

RMA Rheinauer Maschinen- und Armaturenbau KG was founded and given the task of establishing sales of the new, in-house designed fittings. The primary customers for these new innovations were the gas utilities in Germany. It was at this time, the company ventured into other European countries; establishing foreign representatives in France and Austria. Production continued to take place at Faulber & Truttenbach OHG.

Once RMA’s main customer, Eisenbau Ziefle in Kehl, experienced economic difficulties was declared bankrupt. This company was then taken over and integrated into RMA. With this acquisition, the product range and served markets grew many times over. Consequently the number of employees and production plants doubled to create a company with 250 employees and production plants in Rheinau and Kehl.

During a decade of constant expansion, RMA became the market leader in Germany for gas fittings. Numerous new innovations, especially from the Rheinau site, were brought to the market. New products included maintenance-free house connections and ball valves made of polyethylene. At the end of 1990, RMA had 380 employees in total.

The German reunification and the opening of the Iron Curtain lead to a strong burst of expansion at RMA. Sales are spread out and more and more Eastern European countries were served.
RMA developed and manufactured slide valves for gas lines and gas pressure regulators for the German speaking market.

The two plants in Rheinau and Kehl developed in slightly different directions in regards to their products, markets, and customers. This led to both plants being legally separated and turned into separate companies. From this point in time there was RMA Rheinauer Maschinen und Armaturen KG and RMA Maschinen und Armaturen Kehl KG. With a total of 390 employees and a production and storage area of 43,000 square metres, a total turnover of 95 million DM was achieved.

To further cover the Eastern European market, RMA Polska SP.z.o.o. was founded in Chojnow, about 100 km away from the German border. After a long search, RMA decided not to acquire an existing company but rather build something new on its own site. In the new location production was to be mainly for the two German plants. In addition contract production for customers in the entire European market was introduced at this plant.

The development and manufacture of high pressure ball valves was begun in Kehl.

Andreas Truttenbach, son of Siegfried Truttenbach, joined RMA after his studies and first experiences in other companies. At first, he primarily concerned himself with the further development and expansion of the factory in Kehl.

In December, Gerhard Faulhaber suddenly and surprisingly passed away. His wife assumed his position as proprietor.

The Faulhaber family left the company and the Truttenbach family took over all shares. Andreas Truttenbach became the personally liable proprietor for the company and the managing director for both companies in Kehl and Rheinau.

As international expansion continued, export boomed and the Kehl site profited in particular. By the end of 2005, 70% of the turnover was generated abroad.

RMA in Rheinau began the development and production of district heating ball valves. In February, the largest solar power plant in the region was inaugurated at the Rheinau site. The roofs of the production halls were equipped with 2100 solar modules that covered a total area of 1,400 square meters.

In 2006, measuring technology is developed at the Rheinau plant as a new field of business. Significantly more than 1 million Euros were invested in this project.

In December a subsidiary, RMA Pipeline Equipment U.K. Ltd., was founded in England. The goal of this subsidiary is to offer greater coverage of the very strong British market and serve the many international project offices on-site.

In December 2006, ground was broken for the planned expansion across from the current site in Kehl.

On 1 January 2007, the plants in Kehl and Rheinau were turned into a GmbH & Co. KG. Alongside this change RMA took the opportunity to renew the exterior appearance of both locations.

In Kehl a new customization hall, depot, and a large storage yard for raw materials optimized the production processes on the 25,000 square meter site.

RMA Measuring and Control Technology developed a new generation of ultrasonic gas meters. Furthermore, RMA Measuring and Control Technology hosts an inspection authority recognized by the German state.

RMA Training is focusing on vocational training of our apprentices as well as on professional development, training, and career advancement for our long-time employees. In doing so RMA reiterates its conviction that success is only possible in the long-run if employees are both highly qualified and motivated.

Due to increasing international demand, there was further investment in the plants. In Kehl, a newly built hall for the shipping department and an enlargement of the external storage area was necessary to keep up with the growth of the company. In Rheinau, a new production area of 1,280 square meters was constructed.

2009 was the 40th anniversary of RMA. The company celebrated this event by hosting a large festivity in Rheinau. Invitations went out to all employees and their families as well as to business partners.

RMA also invested heavily, the plant in Rheinau was expanded considerably. A new shipping hall of 2,200 square meters was constructed and an additional 6,400 square meters storage area became available.

In terms of product innovation, RMA has made significant advances. As of mid-2009 the company can produce a ball valve with a nominal size of 1400mm. RMA is continuing to enlarge its product portfolio.

Along with the expansion in ball valves, the plant in Kehl has grown as well. The ceiling of the production building was raised and the welding shop expanded. Furthermore, RMA purchased a bigger forge as well as a new crane to handle the weight of the larger ball valves. This coincided with the inauguration a new, modern shipping hall in Kehl that also houses the shipment department offices. All of these improvements were in order to guarantee a smooth production process.

Both sites in Kehl and Rheinau have successfully completed the re-certification audit for ISO 9001. RMA Measuring and Control obtained the ATEX approval for the ECOSONIC ultrasonic gas meter.

Starting in 2010, RMA provided a direct contact for our French-speaking customers as RMA France opened its doors on January 1st in Bischheim near Strasbourg, France.

RMA Measuring and Control Technology successfully presented the Ecosonic X12, an ultrasonic gas meter, during a road show throughout Germany.

RMA Training is also continuing its success story. A point of particular pride is that one of our 40 apprentices came in first in the region during his final exams.

2011 was marked by RMA’s two latest expansions, a production site in Bahrain (RMA Middle East) and a production site in Kazan, Russia serving Central Asia and Russia.

In opening these two new plants, RMA hopes to produce closer to our customers and develop important markets even further. This will allow RMA to expand, not only geographically but also in terms of capacity and number of employees.

The existing plants had a very successful year as well. In November 2011, the North Stream pipeline was inaugurated which connects Siberia directly with Western European countries. It represents an important project in the energy sector and RMA acted as a key supplier. Four pig traps (DN 1200/DN 1300 with PN 220) were used to ensure a safe operation of the pipeline. RMA’s high quality insolating joints (DN 1200 with PN 220) and tees (DN 1200 with PN 220), were in high demand for this pipeline. In completing the project, RMA has proven that it is capable of satisfying customers’ needs regardless of the project’s size.

In November the plant in Bahrain went into production. After training in Germany, the new employees in Bahrain will ensure the same best practices that have made RMA a global leader. This effort was also the result of the high personal commitment of our German employees. The location in Bahrain also received the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

In Germany, a new high-pressure test was initiated, which was among the largest of its kind in Europe. In addition to a testing with air, RMA now has an ultra-modern high-pressure test for gas meters. This test can be used for demanding measurements needed for product development or examination.

In the area of training, the first student started a cross-border internship with RMA.

In 2013 the RMA North America Inc. was founded. The sales office is planned to distribute the complete range of RMA products in the US and Canadian markets.

Meanwhile, the construction of a new galvanizing plant is starting at RMA Kehl GmbH & Co. KG. In the future, we would like to chrome our balls ourselves and hope for an immense time saving in our production process.

First of all, in the personnel sector the year is aimed at the education and training of our employees in Russia. They are trained in our German plants with special requirements and professional knowledge of the RMA.

In May 2014, the new plant in Russia was officially inaugurated and successfully launched into production. 45 employees produce ball valves up to DN 1400 in a factory with an area of about 7,000 m².

In addition to production activities of OOO RMA RUS, a new galvanizing plant in Kehl is put into operation.

At our plant in Rheinau things are also moving forward … The high-pressure test bench is being extended by another line and now being an »officially recognized testing laboratory for measuring instruments for gas« offers other manufacturers the possibility to adjust and calibrate their meters.

Various products are being developed and improved in RMA Mess- und Regeltechnik GmbH & Co. KG., allowing now to expand the product range by ultrasonic gas meters ECOSONIC X12 +, ECOSpectro, ECOGate and ECOSuite.

In 2015, RMA Group acquires a controlling stake in Fiventures Pte Ltd and renamed her as RMA Fiventures Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd. RMA Fiventures is engaged in engineering design and built of natural gas receiving and distribution facilities with after sales maintenance services.

By the end of 2015, Niwatec GmbH is integrated into the PMA Group. It specializes in designing, selling and manufacturing of ball valve actuators.

Niwatec, which was integrated the year before, will start production in 2016 in a new assembly hall in Kehl.

At the “GlobalConnect” forum in Stuttgart, the RMA receives the Audience Award, which is determined by online voting among all nominated companies. The “ClobalConnect Award” recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial achievements abroad.

Get Social! The trend of social networks is also leaving its mark on RMA. So in February 2016 RMA starts its own Facebook page. Under @rmakarriere the current events of the RMA and its employees can be followed.

The year 2017 stands in particular for various new and further developments in the field of measurement and control technology. For example, the products EcoGate (communication gateway), EcoSpectro (gas analysis) and EcoSuite (software) were launched on the market.

The work of the RMA in 2017 will be under the sign of cross-border job placement. The topic, in particular, will be brought to the fore by the visit of Raimund Becker (Board Member Federal Employment Agency). In addition, RMA is one of the participating companies at the opening ceremony of the tram in Kehl, where they introduced themselves as German employers.

Everything is in motion and movement brings change. At the beginning of 2020, CeH4 technologies GmbH was integrated into the RMA group of companies.

CeH4 technologies GmbH was founded in Celle in 2006 and currently has over 90 employees. Over the years, the company has developed into one of the leading companies in plant technology for the biogas sector. The company is also active in the service area. In addition to energy suppliers and network operators in Germany and internationally, the company’s customers include many municipal and regional utilities as well as a large number of industrial companies and special customers.

The aim is to use the combined competencies of CeH4 and RMA and their synergy effects. Measurement and control technology will become increasingly important in the coming years and will round off its product portfolio with a majority shareholding of RMA in CeH4 technologies.

The RMA continues to grow! In 2018, the RMA Middle East will be expanded to include another production building, almost doubling in size.

Since May 2018, we have been represented by RMA Sales & Services Canada Inc. of Calgary, Alberta. From there, we can provide our Canadian customers with commercial and technical support. Since 2019 in a warehouse of approx. 460 m² larger ball valves can be stored and shipped.

Feingerätebau Tritschler GmbH has also been a new member of the RMA family since January 2018. Since the 1970s, it has mainly produced devices for measuring and remote data transmission for the natural gas and energy supply.

At our Rheinau and Kehl plants we are investing in various new machines. This serves not only to increase the efficiency but also to protect the environment and the health of our employees.