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Birth of ski wax
As a passionate ski jumper, Dr. Max Fischer develops the world’s first industrial ski wax, which LOBA manufactures and sells under the brand HOLMENKOL.
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Foundation
On April 13, 1922, Wilhelm Hornung and Dr. Max Fischer found Vereinigte Wachswarenfabriken AG Hornung und Dr. Fischer in Ditzingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. The product range includes floor stains, floor cleaners, floor polish, ski wax, shoe polish, leather grease, and household candles. Already in September 1922, 20 candle machines produce 85 tons of household candles.
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Product expansion
Finishes and paints expand the product range and the LOBA-Farben business unit is founded. The first industrial systems are produced.
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New structure
The company reorganizes itself and from now on is divided into three business units: LOBA-Bautenschutzsysteme (building protection system), HOLMENKOL and LOBA-Farben (paints).
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Pioneering work
LOBA launches the world‘s first commercially available thermal insulation composite system, under the brand name Dryvit®, making a major contribution to energy saving.
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Parquet gloss “Parkettglanz”
Within a very short time, the care product is so well established that production is running at full speed and demand can hardly be satisfied. “Parkettglanz” becomes the generalized product name for parquet care products.
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New leadership andinternationalization
Michael Fischer, son of the company founder Dr. Max Fischer, takes over leadership of the company. He lays the foundation for LOBA’s internationalization and focuses increasingly on the preservation of parquet, hardwood, and cork flooring.
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Innovation
With the introduction of the legendary WS 2K 95, the world’s first water-based 2K parquet finish system, LOBA sets a new standard in the industry.
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Concentration
LOBA Bautenschutz GmbH & Co. KG, Freiberg am Neckar, is sold off as part of a corporate strategy to concentrate on flooring operations.
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Expansion into Eastern Europe
The first foreign subsidiary, LOBA-WAKOL Polska sp. z.o.o., is founded as a joint venture together with Wakol in Poland.Cooperation with Wakol starts.
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World of colors
LOBA presents ProColor – the first application-friendly stain – and opens up a new world of individual color design for wood floors.
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Focus
The HOLMENKOL business unit is spun off into HOLMENKOL Sport-Technologies GmbH & Co. KG after 80 years.
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Partnership with Wakol
As part of the successful cooperation, Wakol becomes a minority shareholder in LOBA.
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Top performance
The best-performing water-based 1K parquet finish on the market is launched: EasyFinish.
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Expansion to North America
The subsidiary LOBA-WAKOL LLC is opened as a joint venture.
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Responsibility for people and the environment
Thanks to its future-oriented product development, LOBA is the first manufacturer to offer the entire product range free of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).
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Advanced Technology
Advanced Technology (A.T.) stands for the latest generation of LOBA products with revolutionary technologies, innovative raw materials, or enhanced applications.
Maximum scratch resistance
With its sophisticated ceramic reinforcement technology, 2K Supra A.T. is the most scratch-resistant water-based finish on the market.
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Expansion to China
The subsidiary LOBA Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited is opened.
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Invisible surface protection
Market launch of the invisible water-based surface protection 2K InvisibleProtect. Thanks to its innovative technology, it achieves a look and feel that appears even more natural than raw wood.
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Investment in the future
The new logistics and training center in Ditzingen, Germany is opened.
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Expansion to South America
The subsidiary LOBA do Brasil in Jundiaí is opened.
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LOBA becomes part of the ARDEX Group
Wakol becomes majority shareholder; LOBA thus belongs to the ARDEX Group. Michael Fischer remains Managing Partner.
Global rollout of the brand core
Care - Competence - Commitment
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Infinite variety of color design
A uniform, extended palette of 17 colors is available for LOBASOL 2K ImpactOil Color and MarkantColor – the three basic colors white, gray, black, seven wood colors, and seven trend shades. By mixing the colors within the product groups, countless other shades can be created. In addition, 2K ImpactOil Color can be combined with the pigment stain PreTone in five shades – for exciting color effects.
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New Headquarters in North America
LOBA-WAKOL LLC with new headquarters in Wadesboro, North Carolina – a 40-acre campus and 170,000-square-foot warehouse which accommodate all existing operations and provide opportunity for further expansion.
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A proprietary brand: LOBASAND
The range of premium quality abrasives and pads is expanded. A proprietary brand is developed.
-
Setting the course for the future
As part of the succession plan for Michael Fischer, Alfred Melka and Mario Probst join the management team. Michael Fischer remains Managing Partner and becomes Chairman of the Managing Board.
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New ground
Cool, individual, timeless – minimal industrial style. Through an exposed concrete look: Market launch of the Factory Line, LOBA’s first water-based finish system for leveling compounds.
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100 years LOBA
“Creating the future together” – LOBA celebrates 100 years of technical excellence and innovation, passion, and outstanding service.In over 60 countries, LOBA is the competent partner for surface finishing and care. Systems for resilient floors and cement-based leveling compounds extend the range.LOBA On Top! Produced in Germany – made for the world.
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Looking ahead
A new center for research and development will be built at the company’s headquarters in Ditzingen, Germany between 2022 and 2023.LOBA will focus on floor finishing and care, as well as further internationalization.Activities will be divided into three areas to accompany the entire life cycle of a floor: - Expansion of partnership with contractors and distributors - Expansion of the end user segment with a wide range of cleaning, care, and DIY products - Expansion of LOBACOATING Industrial Systems
-
Birth of ski wax
As a passionate ski jumper, Dr. Max Fischer develops the world’s first industrial ski wax, which LOBA manufactures and sells under the brand HOLMENKOL.
-
Foundation
On April 13, 1922, Wilhelm Hornung and Dr. Max Fischer found Vereinigte Wachswarenfabriken AG Hornung und Dr. Fischer in Ditzingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. The product range includes floor stains, floor cleaners, floor polish, ski wax, shoe polish, leather grease, and household candles. Already in September 1922, 20 candle machines produce 85 tons of household candles.
-
Product expansion
Finishes and paints expand the product range and the LOBA-Farben business unit is founded. The first industrial systems are produced.
-
New structure
The company reorganizes itself and from now on is divided into three business units: LOBA-Bautenschutzsysteme (building protection system), HOLMENKOL and LOBA-Farben (paints).
-
Pioneering work
LOBA launches the world‘s first commercially available thermal insulation composite system, under the brand name Dryvit®, making a major contribution to energy saving.
-
-
Parquet gloss “Parkettglanz”
Within a very short time, the care product is so well established that production is running at full speed and demand can hardly be satisfied. “Parkettglanz” becomes the generalized product name for parquet care products.
-
New leadership andinternationalization
Michael Fischer, son of the company founder Dr. Max Fischer, takes over leadership of the company. He lays the foundation for LOBA’s internationalization and focuses increasingly on the preservation of parquet, hardwood, and cork flooring.
-
Innovation
With the introduction of the legendary WS 2K 95, the world’s first water-based 2K parquet finish system, LOBA sets a new standard in the industry.
-
Concentration
LOBA Bautenschutz GmbH & Co. KG, Freiberg am Neckar, is sold off as part of a corporate strategy to concentrate on flooring operations.
-
-
Expansion into Eastern Europe
The first foreign subsidiary, LOBA-WAKOL Polska sp. z.o.o., is founded as a joint venture together with Wakol in Poland.Cooperation with Wakol starts.
-
World of colors
LOBA presents ProColor – the first application-friendly stain – and opens up a new world of individual color design for wood floors.
-
Focus
The HOLMENKOL business unit is spun off into HOLMENKOL Sport-Technologies GmbH & Co. KG after 80 years.
-
-
Partnership with Wakol
As part of the successful cooperation, Wakol becomes a minority shareholder in LOBA.
-
Top performance
The best-performing water-based 1K parquet finish on the market is launched: EasyFinish.
-
Expansion to North America
The subsidiary LOBA-WAKOL LLC is opened as a joint venture.
-
Responsibility for people and the environment
Thanks to its future-oriented product development, LOBA is the first manufacturer to offer the entire product range free of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).
-
-
Advanced Technology
Advanced Technology (A.T.) stands for the latest generation of LOBA products with revolutionary technologies, innovative raw materials, or enhanced applications.
Maximum scratch resistance
With its sophisticated ceramic reinforcement technology, 2K Supra A.T. is the most scratch-resistant water-based finish on the market.
-
Expansion to China
The subsidiary LOBA Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited is opened.
-
Invisible surface protection
Market launch of the invisible water-based surface protection 2K InvisibleProtect. Thanks to its innovative technology, it achieves a look and feel that appears even more natural than raw wood.
-
Investment in the future
The new logistics and training center in Ditzingen, Germany is opened.
-
-
Expansion to South America
The subsidiary LOBA do Brasil in Jundiaí is opened.
-
-
LOBA becomes part of the ARDEX Group
Wakol becomes majority shareholder; LOBA thus belongs to the ARDEX Group. Michael Fischer remains Managing Partner.
Global rollout of the brand core
Care - Competence - Commitment
-
Infinite variety of color design
A uniform, extended palette of 17 colors is available for LOBASOL 2K ImpactOil Color and MarkantColor – the three basic colors white, gray, black, seven wood colors, and seven trend shades. By mixing the colors within the product groups, countless other shades can be created. In addition, 2K ImpactOil Color can be combined with the pigment stain PreTone in five shades – for exciting color effects.
-
New Headquarters in North America
LOBA-WAKOL LLC with new headquarters in Wadesboro, North Carolina – a 40-acre campus and 170,000-square-foot warehouse which accommodate all existing operations and provide opportunity for further expansion.
-
A proprietary brand: LOBASAND
The range of premium quality abrasives and pads is expanded. A proprietary brand is developed.
-
Setting the course for the future
As part of the succession plan for Michael Fischer, Alfred Melka and Mario Probst join the management team. Michael Fischer remains Managing Partner and becomes Chairman of the Managing Board.
-
New ground
Cool, individual, timeless – minimal industrial style. Through an exposed concrete look: Market launch of the Factory Line, LOBA’s first water-based finish system for leveling compounds.
-
100 years LOBA
“Creating the future together” – LOBA celebrates 100 years of technical excellence and innovation, passion, and outstanding service.In over 60 countries, LOBA is the competent partner for surface finishing and care. Systems for resilient floors and cement-based leveling compounds extend the range.LOBA On Top! Produced in Germany – made for the world.
-
-
Looking ahead
A new center for research and development will be built at the company’s headquarters in Ditzingen, Germany between 2022 and 2023.LOBA will focus on floor finishing and care, as well as further internationalization.Activities will be divided into three areas to accompany the entire life cycle of a floor: - Expansion of partnership with contractors and distributors - Expansion of the end user segment with a wide range of cleaning, care, and DIY products - Expansion of LOBACOATING Industrial Systems