1929

With his few belongings packed on a farm wagon, Anton Fischbacher (1905 – 1973) and his young wife move from Waging to Rohrdorf. Fischbacher knows the small town and its inhabitants from his journeyman’s years at the “Stadler-Schmied”.

1930

At the age of 25, Anton Fischbacher leases the “Moosecker Smith’s Shop” in Rohrdorf. Despite extremely hard work, he cannot make a living from the income he gets. Therefore, in 1934, he closes down the smith’s shop and finds a job as a fitter with A. Ganzer, a leather button manufacturer in Thansau. The initial wage per hour is 28 pfennig.

1937

Inspite of all the misery, Fischbacher consequently pursues the goal to get his own home. He finds a plot, which is no longer useful for the former owner because of the protection of Wildbach brook banks in the Rohrdorfer Ache. From the three farmers Rupert Hauser, Josef Stiegelreitmeier and Andreas Wiesböck he gets the permission to set up a wooden house on it. Fischbacher places the wooden house like a shed on stone logs, the pulled-down roof structure originating from the old fire station in Rohrdorf is given to him as a present by the senior fireman of Rohrdorf. With no lease to be paid now, after a few years he is able to purchase a 1,380 m² plot situated outside the centre of Rohrdorf at a price of 139 Reichsmark. It is entered in the land register on 20th April 1937.

1946

After the Second World War, Fischbacher takes his chance to realize his desire for professional independence. In the “Behelfsheim” a small workshop is set up, the equipment comprises a self-made workbench, a leased grinding motor, a gas-welding device and a bench drill. It is only thanks to his persistence and his determination that he is granted the license for the operation of a mechanic’s repair shop by the American military government. 

Fischbacher calls his workshop “Metal Processing Anton Fischbacher”. From old army equipment - for example camp kitchens – he forges wall candle sticks, baptismal bowls and candle sticks. In a barter transaction, iron furniture fittings are used as compensation for the leased machines. The first savings are used to pay for the purchase of a second-hand eccentric press, an old turning lathe and a transmission system. The new machines require space, therefore at the end of 1947, the expansion of the workshop was started.

1948

The monetary reform in June brought a sudden change. Bartering and thus the sale of pieces of art is finished. Fischbacher has to make five of his meanwhile eight workers redundant. The production of garden houses and hospital elevators is the fruitless attempt to stop the economic decline. Only after the production of children’s tricycles and a device for tethering sheep provide slight improvement.

1950

This is the year of the decisive turning point. Anton Fischbacher develops a roller bearing push-on hub and applies for the granting of a patent for this development. This is also the beginning of the motorization of agricultural machinery. The old, iron-wheeled horse and ox carts can no longer be towed by the tractors. “Fischbacher’s push-on hub“ however enables in a very simple way the retrofitting of old farm wagons to pneumatic tyres. In the course of modernizing agriculture, the business expands at a fast pace. Because of the improved economic situation, further turning lathes - though second-hand but efficient - are acquired. The business expansion also requires that a new building is erected in 1951. For this, an adjacent plot is acquired first.

1952

The name of the company changes – Metal Processing becomes Metallwarenfabrik Anton Fischbacher - although it is a bit exaggerated at that time, and the entry in the Commercial Register is effected.

1953

Due to the improved economic situation, the farmers, from now on, can buy brand-new rubber tyre farm wagons in addition to their tractors. “Fischbacher’s push-on hub” increasingly loses importance. Also the children’s tricycle and children’s scooter business are under increased strain. The quality requirements of the customer are rising quickly. With the existing machines however, it is not possible to meet the new and much greater demands. Therefore, engagement in the manufacture of transport equipment for the agricultural and construction industry is enhanced. In 1953, for the first time, the production of moulded wheels for transportation equipment is included in the product range. This decision will be of decisive importance for the further course of the company. It only took 12 years to advance from a handicraft workshop with the most primitive equipment to a production site with a current workforce of 27 employees.

1956

Implementation of the new brand name ‚mafro’ (Metallwarenfabrik Anton Fischbacher, Rohrdorf).

1957

change of the brand name into ‚mefro’ (Metallwarenfabrik Anton Fischbacher, Rohrdorf). 

1963

The large family (seven children) and the established enterprise are a constant worry for Anton Fischbacher, leading to his strength fading away soon. In 1958, the first symptoms of a long-lasting illness become obvious. It is Fischbacher’s strong will to put the achievements so far accomplished on a sound financial basis. Focusing on the future of the enterprise, on 30th October, Anton and Maria Fischbacher transfer the up to then one-man firm to their second-eldest son Alfred, acting as sole proprietor , taking effect on 1st January 1964. As a young man, Alfred Fischbacher had already worked in the workshop and in his father’s office as Chief Executive.

1965

In spring, building activities commence for the extension of a production hall. With this project, the size of the company will be tripled. Always advancing the product, increasing the product assortment and cutting production costs, these are the aims in the focus of Alfred Fischbacher’s day-to-day business. Due to the sound business development, the machine pool is enlarged step by step, a department is established for the manufacture of tools needed for production. Large-sized moulded parts e.g. seamless wheel barrow moulds had to be procured from a sheet metal shop for large-scale production. The willingness to bear entrepreneurial risk and to master the ever changing new challenges make Alfred Fischbacher decide on investing in a heavy double-effect drawing press in 1967. With this machine it is possible to increase the machining depth and width and thus enhance value creation significantly.

1971

25th anniversary of the company since its foundation by Anton Fischbacher.

1972

On 1st January, in order to safeguard the achievements made so far and integrate the third generation in the business management, the existing one-man firm is dissolved and converted in a new organisation under the name Metallwarenfabrik Anton Fischbacher GmbH & Co. KG. In the same year, long-lasting, rather strenuous negotiations about the acquisition of further land with the neighbouring farmers is successfully concluded. By purchasing two adjacent plots, the premises are enlarged by 17,605 m² . Thus, the basis for the planned new office block is made, which is scheduled to start already in the following year. In summer 1974, the new offices can be used.

1973

Anton Fischbacher, founder of the company, deceased on 14th December 1976 at the age of 68 after patiently enduring a long-lasting illness.

1976

Despite a general recession, Alfred Fischbacher decides to realize a further expansion step, and with the construction of a new hall the doubling of the operating space to well over 6,000 m² is accomplished. The land bought in 1972/73 is now completely used for the expansion.

1978

For the first time, the sales proceeds of DM 10,073,000.- surpass the 10 million mark. The firm’s own capital is recorded at 3,175 TDM, with a workforce of 60 employees.

1980

As of 1st January 1980, the company is split up. Metallwarenfabrik Anton Fischbacher GmbH & Co. KG is divided into a holding company for land and premises and an operating company. Anton Fischbacher Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG is the holding company and the newly established mefro Metallwarenfabrik Fischbacher GmbH becomes the operating company. With Alfred Fischbacher’s sons Anton and Alfred acting as partners of the operating company, the third generation is represented for first time.

1981

With the operation start of a newly purchased deep-drawing press with a slide lug pressure of 4.000 kN for large-sized deep-drawn parts and wheel barrow moulds 100 l und 140 l, the company receives its independence from external sheet metal shops. Though the production of smaller wheel barrow moulds was already possible in 1965, the larger-sized moulds had to be purchased up to that year. 

1984

Because of the excellent business development in the areas transport equipment and wheels, rollers and rims, the space in the production halls is again insufficient due to the significantly rising production output. The family partners therefore decide to set up another production hall on an adjacent piece of land meanwhile purchased, securing the growth of the company with an additional 3,200 m². The total capital expenditure amounts to DM 3,200,000 in that year.

1985

After studying mechanical engineering, with a university (FH) degree and internships in several companies, Anton Fischbacher enters the company and takes over the management of production, design and development. Gradually, first as “Prokurist” and later as managing director, the responsibility for the entire technical section is rendered to him.

In the same year, Anton Fischbacher Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG , as holding company, is transformed to Alfred Fischbacher Verwaltungs-GdbR. 

1986

In 1986, after studying economics with the focus on Marketing and Management, with a BA degree, research assistant at the faculty for strategic planning at Munich University, promotion Dr. oec. publ., as well as consultant in strategic management, Alfred Fischbacher, the second son enters the family enterprise and assumes the responsibility for Marketing and Purchasing. Within the framework of his activities, the area of his responsibilities as “Prokurist”, later as managing director are extended to the whole commercial area.

Both sons hold a share in the holding company.

1988

For the first time, sales proceeds with DM 22,444,680 exceed the 20 million mark.

1989

 Due to the extraordinary positive business development it is decided to double the office space with another extension and thereby provide the basis for the expansion of the sales force, but also for accommodating more engineers and designers for the fledgling business unit “Metal Forming Technology”. In 1990, the building is ready for use.

1991

After long and extremely difficult investigations and negotiations, the business activities of the VEB Räderwerk Ronneburg subsidiary of the former VEB IFA vehicle accessories plant can be taken over as of 1st July. As per 1st July, mefro Räderwerk Ronneburg GmbH is established, whose partners are mefro Metallwarenfabrik Fischbacher GmbH, Rohrdorf, holding a 60% stake, while Anton Fischbacher and Dr. Alfred Fischbacher holding a 20% stake each. The new company takes over all equipment, machines, inventories, buildings and land from VEB Räderwerk Ronneburg.

1995

In 1995, with DM 40,818,500, mefro Metallwarenfabrik Fischbacher GmbH surpasses for the first time the 40 million mark. At the end of the year, the company has 125 employees. The expansion of the business activities, especially in the segment metal forming technology, forms the basis for deciding on a substantial investment package. For example the decision is taken to build another production hall accommodating a sheet metal shop for automotive parts. Additionally, the complete production structure at the Rohrdorf plant is to be readjusted in order to adapt to the latest know-how. For the next five years, investments of more than 20 million DM will be approved.

1997

With the completion of the new production hall, the total space of the Rohrdorf plant increases to an operating space of more than 20,000 m².

2000

A third 10,000 kN press is delivered while the shifting of the medium-weight presses - from the small-parts metal press shop to the metal press shop for large parts at the end of the year - finalize the immense expansion investments, as well as the reorganization of the production. The number of staff have meanwhile increased to 175, turnover to 27 million EUR.

Fischbacher Verwaltungs GdbR as holding company is transformed into the legal form of a GmbH & Co. KG.

As per 1st January, SÜDRAD GmbH Radtechnik another subsidiary, is incorporated. Sole partner of the new enterprise is mefro Räderwerk Ronneburg GmbH. With SÜDRAD, the gap existing so far in the car and commercial vehicle industry can be perfectly closed. As a result of its excellent product quality, strong innovative power and high efficiency and reliability, the SÜDRAD brand has gained an excellent reputation worldwide. Further, our group can boast outstanding competence in the development and the production of steel wheels due to the versatile requirements demanded from different wheel applications.

2005

mefro Metallwarenfabrik Fischbacher GmbH advanced to a leading, internationally operating company with outstanding reputation and belongs to the most sophisticated and finest works in Europe in its field. In the individual areas, annually about 60,000 transport equipment, 300,000 4“ – 10“ wheels for commercial vehicles, car trailers and agricultural equipment, as well as approx. 12.5 million moulded parts for the automotive industry are manufactured. High-technology production facilities and production processes with lowest need for resources form the basis for our demanding quality policy.

Fischbacher Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, with almost 150,000 m² space and high-tech production facilities provides excellent conditions for further expansion at the Rohrdorf site.