A New Era of Power: Inside Rehlko's Landmark Year of Growth and Reinvention for Power Systems

Rehlko has undergone an all-encompassing transformation over the past twelve months, with a period of change that has spanned new ownership, a milestone rebranding, a strategic acquisition, and the expansion of its flagship product line. As we reflect on 2025, now is a good time to look at how the evolution of the business has fundamentally repositioned Rehlko to serve the urgent and evolving needs of a more energy-resilient world.

The rise of energy resiliency

Energy resiliency has emerged as a top-tier strategic imperative, moving beyond its traditional role as a mere technical concern. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and subsequent grid blackouts in many parts of the world have prompted a need for greater investment in energy infrastructure to withstand climate risks. Simply put, energy resiliency has risen to the top of the political and business agenda, pushing companies and organizations to seek a sense of certainty in a time of change.

Against this backdrop of change, Rehlko did not stand still. The company worked to bring its own innovation and transformation over the past 12 months, better positioning itself to meet the needs of a more energy-resilient world. That change has been all-encompassing, covering ownership and branding, company acquisitions and new product introductions. Now, with all the building blocks in place, Rehlko stands strong and ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Rebranding and a more modern look for industrial generators and products

Looking back, the foundational event was undoubtedly the new ownership structure, as illustrated by the transition from Kohler Energy to Rehlko in mid-2024. Backed by Platinum Equity, Rehlko operates as an independent, standalone entity with a broad portfolio of leading businesses including Power Systems. It draws on its 100-plus-year legacy building towards a stronger commitment to customers to tackle the most complex energy challenges of the future. The new brand effectively repositioned Rehlko as a leader in innovation and energy resilience, with Rehlko delivering a comprehensive range of energy solutions, including power generation, energy storage, and renewables.

Visual representation was also key. The transformation involved a new product identity for industrial power systems product with a modern look and feel of the industrial generator and enclosures. The fresh new look featured light gray and blue colors, giving products a more contemporary feel. While Rehlko continued to provide the same high-quality product line-up customers trust, refreshing the brand with a cleaner aesthetic gave it a more personal identity that reflects excellence in every aspect of the business.

New additions to the KD Series™ family

The next step came through the global expansion of Rehlko Power Systems’ flagship line, the all new KD Series 60-600 kW generators, representing a significant development in reliable backup power. With this expanded line-up, Rehlko Power Systems could now offer a complete KD Series lineup from 60 kW to 4 MW with a product family already trusted across some of the world’s most demanding industries. Ten models between 80-300 kW in 60 HZ are now available to be ordered in North America.

The launch confirmed, once again, Rehlko’s commitment to quality and reliability. Every KD Series unit is pushed beyond industry standards before it leaves the factory. Generators undergo vibration trials, rain and ingress protection tests, thermal balance validation, and full-load acceptance testing. Each model meets ISO 8528-5 G3 certification for power quality — the highest standard for load response in the industry. Each KD Series generator is designed and tested to meet regional regulatory and safety standards, ensuring reliable performance across diverse markets.

Availability was critical, too. Rehlko announced a strategy to deliver the expanded KD Series family under a single global standard with local execution, through direct offices and a network of over 220 distributor partners worldwide. With the distribution of the KD Series 60–600 kW range beginning in Q1 2026, customers can access stocked parts within 24 to 48 hours and factory-trained technicians on-site within hours, ensuring uptime no matter where they operate.

Investment in distributors and expanding through acquisition

With these changes in place, Rehlko has continued to invest in distributors in key markets worldwide. Rehlko has an extensive network of authorized providers of generator sales, service, and rentals for industrial and commercial needs in regions like North America and has continued to explore new ways to support these valued partners.

The company launched a multifaceted marketing effort, including a targeted advertising campaign to introduce Rehlko to top-tier business and trade media publications, raising its profile and generating new prospects for distributors. New Rehlko marketing assets, such as websites, brochures, and social media, were also updated to reflect the new product design.

Acquisition has also been part of the transformation. In the middle of 2025, Rehlko confirmed the purchase of Wilmott Group, significantly expanding the scope of services it could offer to mission-critical sectors. The Wilmott Group has established an excellent reputation as a supplier of power solutions across EMEA, with comprehensive capabilities in design, testing, installation, and service - strengthening and supporting the acceleration of Rehlko’s core and aftermarket service offerings.

Ready for the future

That’s been quite a year for Rehlko and its Power Systems business, and there are more exciting plans to come. Rehlko will continue developing its flagship KD Series to further support efforts to provide energy resilient solutions, while attending upcoming industry conferences and trade shows to maintain a high profile.

The repositioning comes at a time of increasing demand for energy resilience driven by grid instability, extreme weather events, and the rising need for reliable power. Whatever the challenges, Rehlko and its network of authorized distributors stand ready and willing to help keep your business running.