50 years of Schwank North America: a year of innovative products
Schwank Group is a global, family-owned enterprise synonymous with delivering high-quality, energy-saving climate systems, including infrared heaters, electric heaters, air curtains, system controls, and high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) MonsterFans. Alongside excellent customer support and comprehensive design services, the group’s portfolio is tailored to endure the varying and demanding conditions in commercial, industrial, and hospitality applications.
Originally founded by Günther Schwank in 1933, who received a patent for the first gas infrared radiator. The company’s early success led to the opening of a series of European and North American facilities in 1974 via local manufacturing in Toronto, Canada. Schwank later strengthened its presence in the US by starting manufacturing in Waynesboro, Georgia in 1981.
As the group celebrates 50 years of Schwank North America, we’re joined by Sami Elkhazin, President of Schwank North America, to discuss the company’s evolution and innovative roots. “While Schwank’s origin is in Europe, the North American division has been incorporated for 50 years, providing smart climate systems for commercial and industrial spaces across the region,” Sami begins. “The combination of consistent innovation, building a family culture, and being passionate about our customers has contributed to Schwank’s longevity in delivering best-in-class products to the North American market.
“We consider ourselves a solutions provider that specializes in providing improved comfort while lowering operating costs, thereby saving real money for our customers. Schwank is the global market leader in gas-fired infrared heating systems, and we provide high quality air curtains in North America. We plan and implement highly efficient systems for our customers, with some of the world’s biggest brands, including BMW, Amazon, Northrop Gumman, Home Depot, and FedEx, relying on us to provide occupant comfort. 
“Our portfolio includes a wide array of infrared heating and air movement products,” he continues. “On the heating side, we provide several forms from gas to electric. However, we are most proud of being the first company in history to provide a 100 percent hydrogen industrial heater, developed at the height of our innovation. On the air movement side, we focus on air curtains, which create a barrier between good and bad climates and HVLS fans that are used for destratification and cooling effects. And we provide an amazing controller serving all systems at the same time.”
Turning to research and development, Sami explains how Schwank stays ahead when it comes to product innovation. “Our approach to research and development (R&D) is to utilize our internal North American team, as well as leverage our German headquarters to develop the world’s most efficient HVAC products,” he shares. “Our philosophy is to create products that are efficient, easy to control, and provide comfort while reducing carbon footprint.
“Testament to our research and development activities, Schwank was the first company in the world to develop a 100 percent hydrogen fueled industrial heater. geniumSchwank is an infrared heater used for heavy commercial and industrial buildings for climate heating. Whereas other solutions on the market can only process up to 20 percent hydrogen content, the geniumSchwank takes a multi-gas approach; it can process 100-percent hydrogen, natural gas, or LPG to suit the operator’s convenience.
“This product is highly flexible as it can initially operate on natural gas or LPG and later be switched to hydrogen, producing zero emissions and operating with seasonal efficiency. For these reasons, combined with established patents for its unique burner design, the new geniumSchwank is truly a one-of-a-kind product in today’s global market.”
Alongside geniumSchwank, the business has developed and launched its own innovative system controller, Schwank.One. “Schwank.One is engineered to conveniently control a building’s climate across multiple zones,” Sami elaborates. “Compatible with all Schwank equipment and common fuel types, Schwank.One enables maximum comfort and operational efficiency via a single integrated device.
“We’re also excited about our Epic Series air curtains, which utilize highly efficient EC motors to provide amazing climate separation and flexibility. Alongside these motors, the Epic Series is engineered with configurable control offering and flexibility in handling a range of mounting heights for industrial spaces while offering premium quality.”
As our conversation draws to a close, Sami reflects on Schwank’s culture and how it contributes to the company’s global success. “As a global business operating in more than 40 countries around the world, we rely on diversity of culture and thought to deliver our goals,” he states. “At all our sites, we seek talented employees who possess flexibility, autonomy, the ability to make a difference, and like to have fun while working hard.
“It’s true that culture eats strategy for breakfast, and at Schwank North America, we provide an inclusive environment where employees can flourish and learn from one another. This approach extends to our supplier network too, as strategic partnerships are critical to our business model. We build foundational relationships with a proactive approach, and these partnerships, particularly those with our component fabricators, have been pivotal to our growth and success.
“2025 will see us launching truly innovative product development, focusing on non-gas solutions that provide our customers with significant energy savings,” Sami concludes. “Further afield, I see Schwank maintaining our best-in-class climate systems for industrial, commercial, and hospitality buildings, with additional focus on car dealerships and sports stadiums. We will also continue to drive a passionate and progressive work culture to ensure we not only provide customers with the best products, but also deliver a memorable experience.”