On 1 July 1974 in Walldorf, FAWO Vertriebs GmbH for vehicle and caravan accessories was founded by Rudolf Hohage and fellow co-owners, Karl Heinemann and Rudolf Bärmel. The foundation was thereby laid for more than 50 years of success. Under the direction of managing partner Peter A. Hohage, who was active since 1984, FAWO has developed into one of Europe’s leading system providers for mobile automotives. This was achieved thanks to the high level of competence and the long-standing expertise of the sales and product development teams.

More than 25 employees at the Nieder-Olm site proudly reflect on the history of their company. With more than 7000 m² of total area and a modern high-bay warehouse with over 6000 stock items, a turnover of approximately 22 million EUR is generated annually in the warehousing business.

Although the business was initially oriented towards pure sales, FAWO has developed into an innovative think tank for technical interior design of recreational vehicles. In collaboration with producers and suppliers, the ISO-certified company from Nieder-Olm continues to develop new and functional products that also meet the highest quality and design standards. One example is the Primero Comfort, a single-column lifting platform that will be presented exclusively at the upcoming International Caravan Salon – incidentally the 39th time FAWO has participated at the Caravan Salon.

Because of the expansion of international business operations and the adoption of new representations, FAWO’s global orientation and position as a leading system provider have been recently strengthened. Vehicle manufacturers from Asia, Australia, USA and South Africa therefore currently place their trust in the Rhine-Hessian enterprise.

Looking towards the future, FAWO has recently acquired 7.500 m² of commercial space adjacent to the Nieder-Olm site. In addition to an expansion of office and warehouse space, modern production areas will soon be built. Managing partner Peter A. Hohage has not yet clarified whether the company will also become involved in production in addition to pure product development. “The rich history of FAWO has not yet come to an end, and there will be other notable milestones along our way”, says Hohage.

Facts and figures

1974
Establishment of FAWO Vertriebs GmbH for vehicle and caravan equipment by Rudolf Hohage, Karl Heinemann, and Rudolf Bärmel in Walldorf on 1 July.

1976
First time participating at the International Caravan Salon at Essen.

1977
Hiring of the first 200 m² warehouse in Walldorf.

1984
Resignation/retirement of the two shareholders, Heinemann and Bärmel
entry of new shareholders/CEO, Peter A. Hohage and Wilfried J. Abt.

1985
New factory building with warehouse (650 m²) in Morfelden-Walldorf 18 employees and more than 1 million EUR turnover in the warehousing business.

1985
Membership in the Association of the German caravan manufacturer (VDWH, now the CIVD – caravanning industry association).

1988
Construction and hiring of an additional warehouse (245 m²).

1994
Death of the founder and senior leader, Rudolf Hohage.

1997
Initial certification in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001. More than 4.5 million EUR turnover in the warehousing business.

2000
25th time participating in the International Caravan Salon.

2001
Relocation into private factory building at the new Nieder-Olm site total area is 7000 m² of which 2500 m² is warehouse space and 800 m² is office space with the help of 30 employees, more than 8 million EUR turnover has been achieved in the warehousing business change of name to FAWO GmbH Fahrzeugtechnik introduction of an electronic warehouse management system with radio scanners for mobile data collection as well as a chaotic storage system.

2002
Total revenue of 9 million EUR in the warehousing business was exceeded.

2004
Total revenue of 10 million EUR in the warehousing business was exceeded.

2007
Total revenue of 12.5 million EUR in the warehousing business was exceeded

2011
Resignation/retirement of Managing Director, Wilfried J. Abt. Managing partner is now Peter A. Hohage.

2014
Purchase of an additional 7500 m² of commercial space at the Nieder-Olm site additional office and storage space will be created modern production areas are planned.

2016
New edition of the FAWO general catalog 18.1 with more than 400 pages

2017
Significant increase in sales of the FAWO program in North America through local sales partners.

2018 
Conversion to energy-saving LED lighting for the entire warehouse and administration area.

2019 
Introduction of the completely redesigned furniture installation program inprojal 30.000.

2020 
Exceeding the turnover figure of 20 million euros in the warehouse business with the same number of employees.

2021
Redesign of the FAWO trade fair stand at the International Caravan Salon, Düsseldorf on the occasion of the 45th participation in the world's largest trade fair for mobile leisure.

2022
Start of the implementation of the PIM core system (product information management system).

2023
Re-certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015

2024
50 years of FAWO