The first patent applied to the predecessor of the subsequently successful product AquaDrain FE+. This was the birth of the first anti-capillary surface drainage mat.

Walter Gutjahr established the company in Bickenbach/Bergstraße, where it still has its headquarters.

Thanks to the special profile geometry, the channels of the surface drainage mat are no longer closed. At the same time, the balcony is given a perfect visual edge – the construction is concealed.

This made Gutjahr a true pioneer in the area of reliability: the statutory guarantee at that time was just 6 months. Today, Gutjahr provides a guarantee of up to 6 years on all drainage systems and supported systems.

The company provides the first aluminium pre-fabricated balcony guttering system on the market, which can be hung directly onto the edge profile and easily installed – without soldering or welding.

Gutjahr presents new drain grate technology with AquaDrain Flex. The drain grates can be cut to length on site for the first time, avoiding customised lengths and saving time and money.

Watec 3E is the first reinforced thin-layer drainage system on the market, making drainage structures from a height of 16 mm including the tile possible – a pioneering achievement and the standard in the industry to this day.

Gutjahr continues with the development of the edge drainage: with concealed drainage slits, seepage water is reliably drained – without the usual dirt trails on the profile.

Gutjahr moves into new business premises with their own warehouse in the Bickenbacker industrial estate.

The reinforced thin-layer drainage system Watec 3E received the innovation award from the Deutsches Architektenblatt (German Architect's Bulletin).

Watec 2E is the first floating decoupling mat for critical substrates in indoor areas. It opens up new application areas and saves a considerable amount of laying time.

The system of the anti-capillary drainage mat which was developed by Walter Gutjahr was included in the new information sheet for external surface coverings by the German Construction Industry Association (Zentralverbandes Deutsches Baugewerbe; ZDB) for the first time.

As the only solution for easy-access transitions, AquaDrain BF is certified as “DIN-tested easy access”. The drain grate is the first which can be installed as a ramp.

With the TerraMaxx PF laying system, thin-layer ceramic elements can be laid both loose and fixed – thanks to spot adhesion on the AquaDrain® T+ surface drainage system.

AquaDrain EK is the first capillary passive surface drainage mat for use on drainage mortar. A certificate of functionality from the MPA Darmstadt confirms its durability. It reliably drains fixed laid natural stone. Efflorescence and moisture stains are a thing of the past.

AquaDrain SD is a special solution for outdoor steps – the first and still the only step drainage consisting of pre-formed, one-piece angled elements.

Gutjahr becomes the first manufacturer to have the footfall noise value of surface drainage systems tested. The result: they reduce the footfall noise significantly.

Gutjahr devotes itself to ceramic façades and the question “how can tiles be securely bonded to façades?” The answer: with CeraVent, the first ventilation system for façade ceramics in a bond.

Gutjahr becomes the first manufacturer to have the water drainage capacity of drainage layers tested. The result: the Gutjahr surface drainage obtained the best results in a comparison between twelve different surface drainage systems – an important decision-making basis for planners and installers.

The combined drain and drip profile AquaDrain DE, two products in one, significantly reduces installation time. Another highlight: the panels and the profile leg are first decoupled from each other in order to prevent thermally-related stress.

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Gutjahr added an entire range of products to its product range, including waterproofing systems, the WatecDrain KP anti-capillary thin-layer drainage mat, the MortecDrain epoxy resin drainage mortar system and the IndorTec FLEXDRAIN design-oriented shower gully system.

TerraMaxx® DS is the first capillary passive drainage slab support. Loose-laid tiles are spot-bedded using drainage/single grain mortar. Capillary rising water is prevented by the 100% raising of the drainage mortar. Height adjustment rings make easy laying possible – even on uneven waterproofing.

Gutjahr completely restructures its balcony edging system: with 3 profiles and 3 push-on panels, almost any required construction height can be manufactured – a tremendous relief on site.

The CeraVent façade system becomes one of the winners of the inaugural innovation competition by the German Association for Tiles and Natural Stone (Fachverbandes Fliesen und Naturstein). It came top of the 19 entries which were submitted.

Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke and his team from the Vienna University of Economics and Business distinguished Gutjahr as one of the top 100 companies for innovation. For Gutjahr, this is the fourth award in the last twelve months.

Gutjahr doubles its warehouse capacity by extending the central warehouse at its headquarters. By doing this, the company was reacting to positive business developments as well as the changing demands in the construction industry.

Gutjahr won two awards in Germany's biggest architect survey: silver in the category “Drainage technology” and bronze in the category “Steps”. Approximately 2,500 architects and planners chose their favourites from more than 200 manufacturers and brands in the construction industry.

AquaDrain HU is a high-load and capillary passive surface drainage mat – specially designed for loose placement on non-bonded substrates. In contrast to conventional dimpled membranes, AquaDrain HU is perforated on the underside: seepage water can flow away even on uneven surfaces.

The innovative shower gulley modular system is designed for floor-level showers. The unique second drainage level ensures that long-lasting freedom from damage is provided, and the innovative sealing technology provides flexible use.

For the second time in a row, Gutjahr received an award on the occasion of Germany's biggest architect survey: bronze in the Architects’ Darling® Award in the “Tile Laying Accessories” category.

The company celebrated this anniversary with numerous promotions, including an innovative image video.

The new dry construction system IndorTec THERM only needs an installation height of 30 mm, including insulation, and is therefore one of the thinnest warm water systems on the market.

As part of the medium-term succession arrangement of company founder Walter Gutjahr, Witten construction chemistry specialist ARDEX acquired a majority shareholding in Gutjahr. This cooperation allows both companies to consistently develop their service portfolio of high quality systems and enhance their profile in national and international competition.

In combination with Gutjahr surface drainage mats, the special joint filler MorTec SOFT provides tension-free and secure laying of large formats and supported floor coverings in outdoor areas.

Gutjahr developed IndorTec FLEXBONE for critical applications in interior areas. The patented bone-shaped structure with outstanding adhesive tensile strength and adhesive shearing resistance gives the product its name. But the installers are also impressed by the ease of installation – because it is carried out “with one wipe”.

Company founder Walter Gutjahr left the executive board in the summer, but remains with the company in an advisory capacity. His management duties were taken over by long-standing fellow managing directors Ralph Johann and Wolfgang Brüll. The changeover, which has been on the cards for quite some time, is a building block in the growth strategy and further internationalisation of Gutjahr System Technology, which has belonged to the Ardex Group since 2014.

The easily height adjustable, level-adjustable dry raised floor support is ideal for the mortar-free laying of terrace slabs and large ceramic elements.

The SKZ Würzburg and Kiwa TBU institutes have once again tested various surface drainage systems under uniform and realistic conditions. The result: the Gutjahr surface drainage system once again received the best values.

Gutjahr has brought an aluminium frame system especially for the laying of large format ceramic elements onto the market with TerraMaxx RS. This system can be used to reliably lay outdoor systems in any weather and on any substrate. The highlight is quick and easy connection technology, which makes the usual pre-drilling superfluous.

IndorTec THERM-E is a 3-in-1 system: it can heat, decouple and waterproof in one – and can be quickly and easily laid. Due to its special mat geometry, the system is not only very thin, but also very energy efficient.

Walter Gutjahr founded the company in 1989, and 30 years later it remains one of the most innovative companies in the construction industry.

Put the perfect complete system together at any time, calculate the quantities – and all within a few minutes: Gutjahr has developed a new online configurator which simplifies the planning of a construction site tremendously – also thanks to numerous practical functions.

Made-to-measure, threshold-free showering: The new variant of the IndorTec FLEXDRAIN well-tried shower gulley system can be shortened to exactly the right size directly on the construction site. Low construction heights starting at 20 mm are also possible – ideal for renovation work.

Up to 33 dB less footfall noise: This is the result of the current examination for the AquaDrain T25 surface drainage mat, the TerraMaxx RS-S aluminium frame system and the TerraMaxx DS drainage raised floor supports. RheinMain University of Applied Sciences measured the footfall noise reduction for laying balconies and roof terraces with thermal insulation.

“GUTJAHR Academy”, from 2022 all training and seminars will be carried out under this umbrella. Always with the goal of supporting the participants during their everyday work in the best possible way.

The new foot design of the TerraMaxx TSL dry raised floor support makes installation in wall areas or in front of parapets extremely quick and easy. The shortening work that is normally required with raised floor supports is not needed.

The new IndorTec THERM-W underfloor heating requires no screed whatsoever. It is therefore a quick-response, energy-saving and lightweight system. With a system height of just 28mm, it is also particularly suitable for renovation work.