In 1972 more than 20 engine builders in Western Europe produced large 2-stroke engines ( 7 only in the UK!!). 6 European brands were existing with own designs. Political and economical reasons changed this dramatically. Today there is no production left in Western Europe but the major 2 designers are still in Europe. The production today, however, is mainly in Asia under licence.
At that time we had more than 35 medium-speed engine builders mostly by own design and only a dozen remained in Western Europe, dominating the market. In both cases the companies were medium or small sized, today mainly large international groups. In the same time the total production volume of engines was increased dramatically.
In 1972 Wulf Henning Reichardt started at a Hamburg based traditional trading company to sell engine components from Japan to European customers. It started with valve spindles. In the following years, cams and camshafts, crankshafts, fuel injection parts, cylinderheads cylinder liners and bearing shells were added, always for the engine production and not for direct spare part market.
19 years later he founded together with his wife Birgit Reichardt-Mewes the company Reichardt & Co.. She made her commercial experiences in the sales and commercial departments of several production companies. Following the market demands for bigger volumes and values the company started from the beginning on agency base. Especially in the 2-stroke field we introduced several Asian makers with their products to leading European makers. Unfortunately the demand moved to Asia and we could not participate any more on the still ongoing success of our suppliers.
Allways following the market, the range of items changed. Coming from engine parts only nowadays we offer also diagnostic systems for big and medium sitzed engines, innovative products for cleaner engines but also cargo pumps. In many new developments we were involved and that is why we are now representing even engineering and technical service companies.