OASE’s official corporate site currently describes the group as having approximately 880 employees, 22 operational subsidiaries and seven production sites. A separate OASE careers page gives a higher figure of around 950 employees, indicating that the exact headcount varies according to the reporting date or organisational scope.[1]

The company’s registered headquarters are located at Tecklenburger Str. 161, 48477 Hörstel, Germany.

Origins: 1949–1960s

The history of OASE began in 1949, when the company was founded under the name August Wübker Söhne OHG as a repair workshop for agricultural machinery in post-war Germany.[1]

The company’s first significant step into water technology occurred in 1959 with the development of agricultural pumps. One notable early product was a self-drinking pasture pump for livestock, which was patented and successfully sold outside Germany.[1]

During the 1960s, OASE increasingly concentrated on pump technology:

• 1959: Agricultural pumps
• 1960s: Expansion of agricultural-pump technology
• 1966: Development of the company’s first fountain and underwater pumps
• 1968–1969: Development of its first major fountain installations in Germany and abroad

Around 1968–69, the company adopted the OASE-PUMPEN name, marking its transition toward the water-focused identity for which it would eventually become known.[1]

This transition is central to understanding OASE: the company did not originally start as an aquarium or pond-accessory manufacturer. Its modern business grew out of pump engineering and water movement.

In subsequent decades, OASE expanded from individual pumps into increasingly sophisticated water systems. Its expertise gradually covered:

• Fountain pumps
• Underwater pumps
• Pond pumps
• Water filtration
• Water circulation
• Fountain installations
• Water gardens
• Irrigation
• Drainage
• Aquarium equipment
• Professional water treatment

The company also began working on large fountain installations, moving OASE beyond the consumer-garden market into professional architectural and landscape projects.[1]

By the late 20th century, OASE had become strongly associated with the emerging water-garden industry, particularly through pumps, filters and equipment for garden ponds and water features.

OASE began its international expansion in earnest during the 1990s and 2000s.

1991–1992

The company established subsidiaries in:

• Belgium
• Netherlands

2000–2001

OASE expanded into Asia by establishing a subsidiary in Singapore, while also entering Eastern European markets.[1]

2004–2005

The company established a design centre in Singapore and a production facility in Taicang, China.[1]

2007–2008

Further expansion followed with operations in:

• Turkey
• China
• Middle East, including Dubai

2009

OASE opened its Innovation Centre in Hörstel, Germany.[1]

This international network became a defining part of OASE’s modern identity: German engineering and product development combined with an international production, sales and distribution network.

OASE was historically a family-owned business associated with the Wübker family.

In 2003, private-equity investor Cognetas acquired the company from the Wübker family.[1]

In 2011, Equistone Partners Europe became a new investor supporting OASE’s growth strategy.[1]

This period was significant as OASE shifted from being primarily a traditional German manufacturer into a more international group with an expanding portfolio of brands and businesses.

A defining characteristic of OASE’s development has been its acquisition strategy.

Eden — 2013

OASE acquired Eden S.r.l., an Italian company, in 2013. Eden strengthened OASE’s position in indoor aquatics and aquarium technology.[1]

GeoGlobal Partners — 2014

In 2014, OASE acquired GeoGlobal Partners (GGP) in the United States. GGP had focused on making water-gardening products more accessible to consumers, particularly in North America.[3]

biOrb — 2016

OASE acquired the biOrb brand in 2016.

biOrb is particularly significant because it expanded OASE’s identity beyond conventional aquarium equipment into design-oriented aquarium and aquatic living products.[1]

Atlantic Water Gardens — 2018

OASE acquired Atlantic Water Gardens in the United States in 2018. The business strengthened OASE’s position in the North American pond and water-feature market.[1]

Söll — 2019

In 2019, OASE acquired Söll GmbH, a German company associated with water treatment and pond-water solutions.[1]

Together, these acquisitions helped OASE move toward a broader water-technology portfolio rather than remaining solely a pump manufacturer.

OASE’s present-day activities can broadly be divided into four fields.[1]

Pond & Water Garden

This is arguably the area most traditionally associated with OASE. Products include:

• Pond pumps
• Pond filters
• UVC clarifiers
• Skimmers
• Aeration systems
• Waterfalls
• Streams and watercourses
• Fountain equipment
• Pond lighting
• Pond-control systems
• Water-treatment products
• Koi-pond equipment
• Swim-pond technology

OASE aims to provide complete systems rather than isolated components, allowing pumps, filtration, lighting and control equipment to work together.[1]

Aquarium

OASE also maintains a substantial indoor aquatics business. Its aquarium portfolio includes:

• Aquarium systems
• Aquarium filtration
• Pumps
• Lighting
• Heating
• Aquarium accessories
• Aquascaping-related equipment
• Design-oriented aquarium systems

The acquisition of biOrb was particularly significant in this segment. Rather than positioning an aquarium merely as technical equipment, OASE increasingly treats it as an interior-design object and living environment.[1]

Fountain Technology

This represents the more specialised and professional side of OASE. The company designs and supplies technologies for:

• Architectural fountains
• Large public fountains
• Fountain shows
• Water displays
• Nozzles
• Pumps
• Lighting
• Digital/control systems
• Multimedia water installations

This division differs significantly from selling a pond pump to a homeowner. OASE participates in the engineering of large-scale public or architectural water installations.[1]

Historically, OASE has been involved in major international fountain projects, including installations in cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul.[1]

Water Technology

OASE’s fourth major field is professional water technology. This covers technologies for applications such as:

• Water treatment
• Lake management
• Water-body regeneration
• Reservoirs
• Recreational waters
• Natural-water environments
• Professional filtration
• Water-quality management

This distinguishes OASE from typical aquarium or pond-accessory brands. The company increasingly presents itself as a water-technology company, rather than simply an equipment manufacturer.[1]

OASE’s brand philosophy can essentially be summarised as:

Engineering water while making it beautiful and enjoyable.

The company describes itself as combining German-born engineering discipline with design expertise. Its stated priorities include performance, reliability, durability and attention to detail.[1]

Historically, OASE used the positioning “Living Water” and “Passionate about Water.” Its current corporate communication increasingly uses concepts such as “Reimagining water” and emphasises water as something that can be shaped, moved, clarified, treated and experienced.[4]

This gives OASE a distinctive position in the market. It operates simultaneously as:

• Engineering company: pumps, motors, filtration, controls
• Landscape company: ponds, waterfalls, water gardens
• Aquarium company: aquariums and aquatic equipment
• Design company: decorative aquatic products and installations
• Professional technology company: fountains and water treatment

A major component of OASE’s branding is its German origin. The company describes its engineering philosophy around:

• Reliability
• Durability
• Precision
• Performance
• Energy efficiency
• Product integration

OASE also places considerable emphasis on design, arguing that water technology should not merely function but should visually fit the environment in which it is installed.[1]

This explains why OASE’s product range often differs aesthetically from purely industrial pump manufacturers. A pond pump, for example, is not marketed solely around motor specifications. OASE attempts to integrate the pump, filtration, lighting, water movement and controls into a larger water-living experience.

OASE’s sustainability philosophy centres largely on responsible water use, energy efficiency and compatibility with aquatic ecosystems.

The company states that its products are designed to work with the biology of water and emphasises energy-efficient operation and environmentally responsible manufacturing.[1]

In practical terms, this philosophy appears in areas such as:

• Energy-efficient pumps
• Efficient filtration
• Water-quality management
• Biological pond systems
• Lake restoration
• Water regeneration
• Smart controls
• Reduced operating requirements

This concept is particularly relevant because water systems are inherently ecological; a successful pond or aquarium depends on maintaining an appropriate biological balance rather than functioning solely as a machine-driven environment.

Innovation has been a recurring theme in OASE’s development. The company operates an Innovation Centre in Hörstel, and its corporate materials emphasise internal testing, engineering and product-development capabilities.[1]

OASE states that it was recognised as a TOP 100 Innovator in 2024, an award associated with innovation management among German medium-sized companies.[1]

The company’s innovation strategy is not limited to mechanical engineering. It increasingly incorporates:

• Digital control
• Smart pond systems
• Energy management
• Integrated lighting
• Aquarium design
• Automated water management
• Advanced filtration
• Professional water-treatment systems

OASE operates a broader ecosystem than the OASE name alone suggests. Important names associated with the group include:

OASE

The core brand covering pond, water-garden, aquarium and professional water technology.

biOrb

A design-oriented aquarium and aquatic-lifestyle brand acquired by OASE in 2016.[1]

Atlantic-OASE

The North American water-garden business associated with Atlantic Water Gardens, acquired in 2018.[1]

Eden

An Italian aquatic-equipment company acquired in 2013, helping strengthen OASE’s indoor-aquatics portfolio.[1]

Söll

A German water-treatment company acquired in 2019.[1]

The overall strategy is to build a portfolio covering different parts of the aquatic ecosystem, rather than forcing every product into a single brand identity.

OASE is now an international company rather than a purely German manufacturer. Its current corporate information lists approximately:

• 22 operational subsidiaries
• 7 production sites
• Around 880 employees on its main corporate page

OASE states that its professional installations and products reach customers in more than 70 countries, while some company materials indicate professional solutions have been installed in more than 100 countries.

The company has particularly important operations in:

• Germany
• Europe
• United States
• China
• Singapore
• Middle East
• Other Asian markets

Singapore has historically been especially important to OASE’s Asian development, including its design activities and regional operations.[1]

OASE began its Asian expansion around 2000–2001, establishing its Singapore subsidiary.[1]

Today, Oase Asia Pacific operates from Singapore and represents the brand in the Asia-Pacific region. The regional organisation describes OASE’s proposition around German engineering, aquatic expertise, innovation and holistic system solutions.[4]

OASE’s Asian presence is notable because the region hosts major markets for:

• Ornamental ponds
• Koi keeping
• Landscaping
• Luxury residential developments
• Commercial water features
• Shopping malls
• Hotels
• Public fountains
• Aquarium installations

OASE’s professional fountain business has also participated in major projects in Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Seoul.[1]

As of 2026, OASE’s corporate management includes:

Cornelius Everke

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Everke joined OASE with extensive international management and brand-building experience. His previous career included leadership positions in consumer, hospitality and food-and-beverage businesses, most recently as CEO of Burger King Deutschland.[1]

Michael Koch

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Koch has served as OASE Group’s COO since 2018. His background includes production, engineering, quality assurance and operations management.[1]

OASE’s legal and company information also lists Dr. Johannes Schmidt-Schultes among the company’s management.[1]

OASE occupies a distinctive position because it spans several levels of the water market.

This broad positioning is why OASE is better described as a water-technology group than simply an “aquarium brand.”

The strongest differentiators of the OASE brand include:

Long history

OASE has been working with pumps and water technology since 1949, giving it more than seven decades of accumulated engineering experience.[1]

Vertical breadth

The company covers everything from small garden ponds to major professional fountain and water-treatment projects.

Engineering and aesthetics

OASE does not treat water technology purely as engineering. It places substantial emphasis on visual design and the emotional experience of water.

Complete systems

Instead of selling only pumps, OASE offers interconnected ecosystems comprising:

Pump → Filter → UVC → Aeration → Lighting → Control → Water treatment

This allows users to build relatively integrated systems.

Professional expertise

Its experience with large fountain and water-treatment projects gives the brand technical credibility beyond the consumer pond market.

OASE serves several different types of customers.

Hobbyists

People keeping:

• Tropical fish
• Goldfish
• Koi
• Ornamental ponds
• Garden water features

Homeowners

Consumers looking to install:

• Garden ponds
• Waterfalls
• Fountains
• Aquariums
• Small decorative water systems

Landscape professionals

Landscape designers and contractors use OASE equipment for larger residential and commercial projects.

Architects and developers

OASE’s professional fountain technology can be incorporated into hotels, shopping centres, public spaces and architectural projects.

Municipal and environmental customers

Professional water-technology systems can be used for water treatment, lake management and regeneration.

OASE can be summarised as a German-origin international water-technology brand that combines pumps, filtration, aquatic engineering, design and water management to create everything from home aquariums and garden ponds to large architectural fountains and professional water-treatment systems.

Its evolution can be understood in four stages:

1949 — Agricultural machinery
↓
1959–1960s — Pump engineering
↓
1970s–2000s — Water gardens, fountains and international expansion
↓
2000s–2020s — Global water-technology group spanning aquariums, ponds, fountains and professional water management

This evolution is central to understanding the brand. OASE did not start as an aquarium brand that expanded into fountains; it started with mechanical engineering and pumps, then progressively applied its water expertise to almost every major environment in which people interact with water.[1]

1. Our History – About us – OASE
2. History – Oase Outdoors
3. Oase Acquires GeoGlobal Partners – Oase North America
4. About Us – Oase Asia Pacific Private Limited