We at Hengst have lived by clear values since our foundation in 1958. The respectful and appreciative treatment of people and natural resources, the passionate and equally professional focus on the highest quality and, ultimately, the integrity to always harmonize our daily work with these values. Quality is not only created during the production of our articles, but also in the run-up to the analysis of requirements, materials and areas of application. We leave nothing to chance in the development of a product. Kai Wiethölter, our developer for filter inserts, describes it like this:
"I provide the design department with reliable facts. Tested quality is not just a buzzword for us - it's measurable."
Kai Wiethölter
Developer for filter inserts
Procedure for the test processes
Before a filter is installed in a vehicle, it has already undergone extreme conditions in our test field that go far beyond what it experiences in everyday life. The test processes follow a clear procedure
Material analysis - a look beneath the surface
We analyze every original part down to the last detail. Which materials were used? Which material structures are decisive? And above all: how can we make it better?
We carry out these material checks not just once, but on an ongoing basis with every new delivery. In this way, we ensure that our series quality remains constant, without any deviations or surprises affecting the process.
Function test under real conditions
As soon as the material is approved, we simulate complete application scenarios:
Extreme temperature changes from sub-zero temperatures to well over 100 °C
Vibrations and loads that occur daily in the engine compartment
Precise flow measurements to ensure filtration, differential pressure and efficiency
Our tests are based on the test requirements of car manufacturers, but deliberately go beyond them. OE inside is our credo for reliable product quality.
The result is simple:
A filter that passes our tests works outside, reliably and over the entire service interval.
OE inside: Why we place the same demands on IAM as on original equipment
For us, the Independent Automotive Aftermarket] is not a "second market". It is the logical extension of our ES work. Or as Kai puts it:
"OE inside means that the technological DNA of original equipment is in every one of our IAM products."
Kai Wiethölter
Developer for filter inserts
Thanks to our close cooperation with car manufacturers, we have a seat at the table right from the start of new vehicle generations. We know at an early stage what requirements future systems will have to meet and it is precisely this knowledge that flows directly into our aftermarket products. Without compromise and without changing the standard of requirements. Our products are reliably and thoroughly tested in the laboratory and therefore offer the same depth of validation as the classic OE product in addition to the technical standards.
The difference to the classic repacker trade is clear:
While there it is often only "tested in the field", we validate every component comprehensively before it is launched on the market, paying attention to the challenges of today and directly considering the mobility of the future.
Why continuous development is not a nice-to-have, but essential for the future
The automotive world is undergoing the greatest upheaval in its history. New drive concepts, new materials and new legal requirements are setting the pace. Continuous further development is essential for survival in this rapidly changing market.
Hybrid vehicles, e-mobility, fuel cell technology - all these drive systems place specific demands on filtration and thermal management. That is why we not only continue to develop our products and employees, but also our test benches, test methods and material expertise.
Our laboratory is the place where we find out how these developments can be transformed into durable and reliable filter solutions.
What this means for garages and wholesalers: absolute safety
Time is a decisive factor for garages - and reliability is the most important currency. A component that does not work is not just a complaint. It is a lasting loss of confidence.
That's why we simulate in the laboratory:
- Mechanical loads
- Tightness over the entire service life
- Pressure peaks
- Filtration efficiency under changing conditions
And we only release each product when it fully meets our approval matrix.
This is exactly what we ensure - through tested quality, documented validation and uncompromising standards.
"A component that only needs to be installed once is always the most economical choice in the end."
Kai Wiethölter
Developer for filter inserts
We think the future before it hits the road
Our view to the futureAs requirements increase, we continuously invest in new test benches, new measurement methods and new technologies. After all, the products we develop today must reliably support the vehicles of tomorrow. With every test, every material analysis and every validated component, we make a contribution to ensuring that garages and wholesalers can rely on one thing:
Our products deliver what we promise. OE inside - also in the aftermarket.
