CHRONICLE

Building vehicles for over 100 years

Old wheelwright workshop at about 1895

Mathias Wibbels, *1861 - †1920

The brothers Wibbels and the young Heinrich Niehoff

Heinrich Niehoff, *1904 - †1965

Heinrich Niehoff, born 1931

Heinrich (*1960) and Mathias (*1966) Niehoff

Over 100 years of experience in vehicle production. In 1895 Mathias Wibbels (born 1861) took over the carpentry from his father Wilhelm Wibbels from Füchtorf, Dorf 64.

Since 1985, Martin Wibbels, assisted by his brothers Wilhelm and Heinrich, built cartwrights and wheelwrights in this factory.

The marriage between Mathias Wibbels and his wife Luise (born Düpmeier) stayed childless.

In the year 1908, they adopted Heinrich Niehoff (born 1904) from her relatives.

Heinrich Niehoff grew up in the house of Wibbels, where he learned the craft of a wagon maker like his uncle Mathias.

In 1929 he married Anna Sautmann from Laer and took over the cartwright and wheelwright business from his deceased uncle Mathias. From this point the business mostly manufactured agriculture as well as spring vehicles. However, later the company added coaches in their portfolio as well.

During the war among other things vehicles and sleds for the armed forces have been produced. In 1942 Heinrich Niehoff was drafted into military service. His wife Anna and his four children stayed at home and took care of the agriculture. Nevertheless, the vehicles which were still in production have been finished by the apprentices. After this period, the company stopped production until Heinrich Niehoff returned from imprisonment.

In 1945, after school son Heinrich (born 1931) started his apprenticeship as coachwork builder at the Hartmann family.

In 1954, after graduation from the state cartwright school in Hamburg and his job as a technician at Daimler Benz in Stuttgart, the company has been transformed from a wheelright business to a body work company.

In 1958, the wheelwright became too small and therefore the first hall has been build opposite the residential building. At the beginning trailers, sale vehicles and a variety of special vehicles have been produced.

The hobby "horse" has been turned into a profession, which was inspired by the rural equestrian.

The specialization on horse transport vehicles started 1959. Since then bodywork, trailers and semi-trailers have been built with great love and attention to detail.

According to the needs of the business, the company has been continuously developed further. A painter’s shop has been added to the business so Niehoff vehicles receive an appealing and durable surface.

With the expansion, the numbers of employees and the production increased. The products portfolio includes all types of bodyworks, trailers in all variations with focus on horse transport vehicles.

In all areas we have highly qualified employees, who provide outstanding quality.

A good education is important to insure a continuous stream of skilled labor. The majority of the employees started as an apprentice in the company.

During the planning and manufacturing process we focus on the health and safety of the horse because of our close relationship to horses.

Top athletes and champions in all areas of equestrian sport trust the quality of Niehoff transportation. Even abroad Niehoff transporters are in high demand and therefore many vehicles have been exported.

In 1982 all expansion potential was exhausted and much needed development was not feasible.

The relocation of the company was planned and executed. A new production facility with 1500 sqm as well as administration and social building has been built at the nearby business park. The paintshop is of bigger size, which guarantees a smooth work flow and provides enough parking space.

In 2001 the paintshop has been relocated into modern buildings to the nearby business park as well. In 2005 Heinrich Niehoff assigned the executive position to his two sons Heinrich (born 1960) and Mathias (born 1966). The duties were divided into technical and commercial activities. Therefore, the business is following a traditional family business concept.

It is still the objective of the Niehoff family to provide high quality and safety while offering a high level of comfort and technical development.

Over 100 years of vehicle production should be a reason to say thank you to our employees, loyal customers as well as our long-term business partners.