40 Years of Löwenstein
One Company — Many Stories
This year, Löwenstein Medical celebrated a special anniversary: On June 1, 2026, our company turned 40. How did a business idea grow into an internationally active company? Which decisions shaped its path? And who were the people behind this development? On this page, we recount the story of Löwenstein Medical from various perspectives, drawing on the memories of employees and those who have supported the company throughout its journey, as well as through the entrepreneurial history of its founder, Reinhard Löwenstein.
We are proud. We've worked hard. But we were also lucky – there were always people who supported us, who were welldisposed toward us, and who worked with us.
Reinhard Löwenstein
Founder and CEO of Löwenstein Medical
Voices that accompany us
The history of Löwenstein Medical is inextricably linked to the people who built, shaped, and developed the company. Their memories and personal experiences paint a multifaceted picture of four decades of company history, including courageous decisions, shared challenges and special encounters. This journey has made Löwenstein Medical the company it is today.
The voices gathered here represent the many others who have helped shape the history of Löwenstein Medical.
My father is an excellent salesman. One of his greatest strengths as a leader is his ability to persuade people. He leaves little room for doubt, takes clear stances, comes across as very confident, and is extremely communicative.
Benjamin Löwenstein
CEO / Managing Director
Entrepreneurial momentum – Reinhard Löwenstein on markets, courage, and humanity.
The medical technology market is highly competitive. But for Reinhard Löwenstein, that was never a reason to slow down – quite the opposite. “The market is like a sailboat on the sea. We set sail and make the most of every breeze. If there’s no wind, we just make our own.” This approach has shaped his business practices for nearly four decades.
Nothing is impossible.
From the very beginning, it was all about taking the lead. To take responsibility – especially for our employees. Salaries were always paid on time, even during difficult economic times. Giving up was not an option. If an order went missing, we followed up on it. A second time, a third time. Customer relationships were viewed as long-term commitments. Personal relationships have always been a key factor in our success.
The creator.
The beginnings were modest. We assembled and shipped the devices ourselves. Selling was manual labor. A personal visit instead of a glossy campaign. And a clear principle: If a job doesn’t succeed, we return and try again – and again.
The courage to bet on the future.
A particularly formative milestone was the company’s entry into the field of sleep diagnostics in the early 1990s. With little experience but plenty of curiosity and a willingness to learn, the company took the plunge – and immediately placed orders for quantities that would have been unthinkable in Germany at the time. And our courage paid off. Löwenstein also took a firm stance on strategy: no sales through a rotating network of dealers, but rather direct responsibility for the product, service, and customer. The key was to stay in control – and thereby build trust.
I am very well aware of what my father’s life's work has achieved. This company is a legacy, and as a family, we feel a responsibility to carry on that legacy – for our employees, for our patients, and for the future.
Timo Löwenstein
Authorized Signatory / Vice President
For me, the company was never just a job; it was always part of my family. Working with my father had a profound impact on me – especially his commitment to taking on responsibility while remaining flexible. This attitude continues to drive me to this day.
Sascha Löwenstein
Authorized Signatory / Vice President
Löwenstein Medical – a history of consistent growth and development.
“Heinen und Löwenstein” was officially launched in 1986. However, the company’s history actually extends far beyond these 40 years: Heinen, which Reinhard Löwenstein took over in the 1980s, was founded as early as the 1920s. The roots of Weinmann and SALVIA, also part of the corporate group, date back to the 1870s and 1950s, respectively.
The acquisition of the long-established company Heinen and the subsequent name change laid the foundation. Reinhard Löwenstein began building an independent medical technology company—at that time still focused on neonatology.
In the 1990s, the company significantly expanded its service portfolio: With its entry into sleep medicine and home respiratory care, as well as the founding of Heinen + Löwenstein Medizinelektronik, Löwenstein developed into a major provider of medical technology solutions. In 1999, the company achieved a leading market position in home ventilation, followed in 2002 by another milestone: an exclusive partnership with Hamilton Medical.
Starting in 2005/06, the company increasingly focused on its own product innovations—particularly in ventilation and anesthesia technology for premature and newborn infants. At the same time, new business areas such as liquid oxygen supply were established, and supply chain logistics were further professionalized. With the integration of SALVIA medical and numerous other subsidiaries, the corporate group grew strategically.
Internationalization began in 2009 and has been consistently pursued. At the same time, structural decisions—such as the establishment of a family foundation—have ensured the company’s long-term sustainability. In 2017, the renaming to Löwenstein Medical marked a clear, unified brand identity.
In recent years, innovation, digitalization, and international expansion have taken center stage: New ventilator systems, connected solutions, targeted acquisitions, and new subsidiaries are strengthening the group in a sustainable manner. With the market launch of new neonatology and insufflator systems in 2025, Löwenstein Medical is consistently continuing on its path as a forward-looking, independent family-owned company.
Here you will find the detailed corporate history of Löwenstein Medical.
