
Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
Taiwanese manufacturing group and owner of the Yakima roof-rack brand and water-filtration businesses.
Company Type
private
Founded
1973
Headquarters
Taichung, Taiwan
Employees
approximately 2,000 (estimated)
Primary Market
Global
Kemflo International Co., Ltd. Timeline
Shop Kemflo International Co., Ltd. Brands
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesAbout Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
What does Kemflo International own?
Kemflo owns the Yakima Products brand and operates water filtration manufacturing businesses under the Kemflo name.
Is Kemflo International publicly traded?
No. Kemflo is a privately held Taiwanese company that does not disclose financials publicly.
Who founded Kemflo International?
The company was founded in Taiwan in 1973 and remains under private Taiwanese ownership.
Where is Kemflo International headquartered?
Taichung, Taiwan, with US operations run through Yakima's Beaverton, Oregon base.
Who owns Kemflo International?
Private Taiwanese shareholders; the company is not publicly listed or private equity-backed in any disclosed structure.
Does Kemflo own Thule?
No. Kemflo owns Yakima, Thule's principal North American competitor. Thule is owned by Swedish-listed Thule Group AB.
History of Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
Kemflo was founded in Taiwan in 1973 and built its business on OEM manufacturing, initially in plastics and later specializing in water filtration components and systems sold under Kemflo and partner brands across Asia and export markets.
The key diversification came in 2009 when Kemflo acquired Yakima Products, the American roof-rack pioneer, from Watermark Investments. The deal moved the flagship US brand under Taiwanese ownership while keeping its Oregon operations, brand team, and dealer network intact.
Kemflo had earlier supplied manufacturing to the rack industry, making the acquisition a vertical integration: the contract manufacturer bought its customer. Under Kemflo, Yakima expanded into truck racks, cargo boxes, and overlanding accessories through the 2010s and 2020s.
The company maintains manufacturing in Taiwan and China with US operations centered on Yakima's Oregon base.
Kemflo International Co., Ltd. Sustainability & Ethics
Kemflo does not publish standalone ESG reporting at the standard of a listed company. Product-level certifications apply to its water filtration components through NSF and related schemes. No B Corp or equivalent credential applies to the group.
Brands Owned by Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
Kemflo International Co., Ltd. owns 1 brand in our database. Explore the ownership tree below — click categories to expand and see individual brands.
Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
private · Founded 1973 · Taichung, Taiwan
1
brands
Kemflo International Co., Ltd. Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Vertical integration from manufacturing through to consumer brand
- +Yakima provides a premium retail brand and dealer network
- +Diversified across filtration and outdoor categories
- +Private ownership enables patient product investment
Considerations
- -No public disclosure limits visibility into financial health
- -Taiwan manufacturing base carries geopolitical supply risk
- -Brand portfolio concentration: one consumer brand does most of the work
- -Competes against much larger Thule Group in outdoor products
Frequently Asked Questions About Kemflo International Co., Ltd.
What does Kemflo International own?
Kemflo owns the Yakima Products brand and operates water filtration manufacturing businesses under the Kemflo name.
Is Kemflo International publicly traded?
No. Kemflo is a privately held Taiwanese company that does not disclose financials publicly.
Who founded Kemflo International?
The company was founded in Taiwan in 1973 and remains under private Taiwanese ownership.
Where is Kemflo International headquartered?
Taichung, Taiwan, with US operations run through Yakima's Beaverton, Oregon base.
Who owns Kemflo International?
Private Taiwanese shareholders; the company is not publicly listed or private equity-backed in any disclosed structure.
Does Kemflo own Thule?
No. Kemflo owns Yakima, Thule's principal North American competitor. Thule is owned by Swedish-listed Thule Group AB.





