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Company History

Hama - the success story of a future-oriented family business, which has developed from a one-man business to an internationally renowned company with countless subsidiaries, trading partners and production facilities on all continents.

Hama digital radio and tuner with RX/TX technology

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Hama digital radio and tuner with RX/TX technology

Af first glance, RX/TX is only an abbreviation in the technical specifications of Hama’s DIR 3510 SCBTX digital radio and DIT 2105 SBTX hi-fi tuner. In practice, you quickly come to appreciate this Bluetooth technology. For it means that audio signals can be sent as well as received. On the one hand, music is streamed from a smartphone, tablet or computer to the digital radio, or the tuner, via a Bluetooth receiver (RX); on the other hand, it can be sent from here on to other Bluetooth devices via a Bluetooth transmitter (TX). So you are not bound to a particular room, but can, for example, listen to the same music in two different rooms via headphones or speaker box.

2021

Christian Sokcevic becomes managing director

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Christian Sokcevic becomes managing director

Christian Sokcevic is appointed managing director of Hama GmbH & Co KG. He has been an authorised representative and member of the board since April 2018, and now heads the international company together with Christoph Thomas, chairman of the board. “In the past two years, Christian Sokcevic has given us the benefit of his many years of management experience, and has been a guiding force in the company’s strategic focus,” says Christoph Thomas on the appointment of the new managing director. The latter emphasises that he looks forward to working with Christoph Thomas and the authorised representatives on the common focus and management of the Hama group.

2020

Waterproof ‘Soundcup-D’ Bluetooth speaker

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Waterproof ‘Soundcup-D’ Bluetooth speaker

Wireless music enjoyment. Send your playlist via Bluetooth to a speaker from a smartphone, tablet or notebook, and unleash your inner DJ. Whether you are at the beach, hiking on a rainy autumn day or sledging on the slopes, the fun never stops thanks to the new ‘Soundcup-D’ fully waterproof 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker from Hama. Thanks to the ‘true wireless stereo’ function, the sound can be divided between two individual speakers using a click system. Place the system anywhere in the room and enjoy genuine stereo sound.

2019

Christoph Thomas celebrates his 60th birthday

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Christoph Thomas celebrates his 60th birthday

Precisely 60 years ago (in 1959), the Hama managing director, Christoph Thomas, was born in Monheim. He is the second of five children, and in truth, his career already started at that time.

2019

40 years of Hama cables

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40 years of Hama cables

Hama took its first steps in the cable sector 40 years ago. We now offer an extensive product range: from antenna cables to audio cables to the High Speed HDMI™ cable. There are new additions to our range of audio cable products each day, and the same applies to our range of audio and video accessories. A special highlight is the 2M Premium HDMI cable: the first cable for unbeatable 8K Ultra HD cinema quality.

2018

Award-winning quality: The 126 and 132 AV processors run away from the competiti

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Hama employed high-quality measuring devices from early on in their product development, which allowed them to make significant improvements to their standard processors for video editing. The AV Processor 132 and its big brother the AV Processor 126 were faster, more precise and less susceptible to glitches than the standard versions produced by the competition. The German publication “Video Magazin” tested the 126 and 132 processors in November 1993. They were awarded the “Excellent” rating in every single test category.

2018

New members of the management board

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New members of the management board

The management of the accessories specialist Hama, based in Monheim, is restructured in part on 1 April 2018, and now includes two new authorised representatives, Christian Sokcevic and Roland Handschiegel. Christian Sokcevic takes over strategic company development. He is responsible for the continuation of company growth and the opening of new market segments. Roland Handschiegel is responsible for Logistics, Packaging and Facility Management. His goal is to perfect internal processes, in order to offer even more service to customers. The company management team consists of Maximilian Bartl (Consumer Electronics Sales), Roland Handschiegel (Logistics, Packaging and Facility Management), Jörg Hempen (International Sales), Thomas Kopp (Finance, Procurement), Christian Seel-Mayer (Human Resources, IT, Marketing), Christian Sokcevic (Strategic Company Development) and the managing director, Christoph Thomas.

Thomas Kopp, Christian Sokcevic, Christoph Thomas, Christian Seel-Mayer, Jörg Hempen, Maximilian Bartl, Roland Handschiegel

2018

Maximilian Bartl is given procuration

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Maximilian Bartl is given procuration

Maximilian Bartl is given procuration for Consumer Electronics Sales, as the main contact person for customers in this segment.

2017

Rudolph Hanke: 80th birthday and retirement

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Rudolph Hanke announces his retirement

On the occasion of his 80th birthday on 28 November, Rudolph Hanke announces his withdrawal from active business life. On 31 December, he leaves the management board and goes into well earned retirement.

Rudolph Hanke und Christoph Thomas

Rudolph Hanke and Christoph Thomas

Rudolph Hanke

Rudolph Hanke

2017

A look behind the scenes on the occasion of the family day

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More than 5000 visitors seized the opportunity to look around at the Hama premises and to see what is going on behind the scenes of the internationally successful company. The approximately 1500 staff members presented their workplaces to their relatives and took part in tours through the logistics centre. In the Hama distribution centre that is situated in the Dresdner Straße the visitors mainly concentrated on the showrooms that are fitted out all year round. Where otherwise retailers inform themselves about trends in technology and new products, the guests were astonished at the comprehensive product range of the company based in Monheim.
A beer tent with culinary delights and a comprehensive children’s programme with a jungle gym, a jumping castle, a clown that made balloons and a make-up station for children rounded off the successful family day.

2016

The Hama partners transfer their shares to family foundations!

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With effect from 30 September 2015 the families Thomas and Hanke, represented by Christoph Thomas and Rudolph Hanke, transferred all their limited partner’s shares on the holding, the “Hama Hamaphot Hanke & Thomas GmbH & Co KG” to the “Adolph and Christoph Thomas Foundation” and to the “Martin and Rudolph Hanke Foundation”.

Christoph Thomas, Elena, Rudolph and Oliver Hanke

2015

Grand opening of our showroom in store appearance

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The ideal salesroom

Since 21st April dealers have had the occasion to inform themselves, on more than 700 m2, about the latest and in particular customer friendly possibilities of presenting products. Our showroom focuses on the interactive shopping experience. Find the right accessories quickly, purposefully and with fun.

2015

A new era in home cinema

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TV technology is constantly advancing. First televisions became thinner, and now many have displays that are curved to provide viewers with an even larger image: the dawn of curved TVs is here. Hama has developed the world’s first curved TV wall bracket.

2014

The new dispatch centre

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The new dispatch centre

Hama Germany commissions a new logistics building with a state-of-the-art dispatch centre. It allows up to 7,000 packages per day to be sent – or even up to 10,000 at peak times. On average, roughly half a million Hama products make their way to our customers every day.

The new logistics building with a view of the dispatch centre

The new logistics building with a view of the dispatch centre

State-of-the-art dispatch centre

State-of-the-art dispatch centre

State-of-the-art dispatch centre

State-of-the-art dispatch centre

The reception area of the new logistics building

The reception area of the new logistics building

Construction of the logistics building

Construction of the logistics building

2014

The Hama "Experience Day"

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Experience Day

Hama welcomes guests to its first Experience Day. Roughly 400 local young people, most accompanied by their parents, availed of the opportunity not only to get to know the company itself, but also the twelve apprenticeships and six co-operative degree programmes it offers.

The Hama Showcar

The Hama Showcar

In the photo studio

In the photo studio

Queuing for registration

Queuing for registration

90 years of Hama

Hama also celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2013. As Christoph Thomas said one year previously in his speech on the official opening of the new building: “From a shed to a global company!”

The logo for Hama’s 90th anniversary

2013

Hama Germany continues to grow.

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Expansion of the logistics centre

In May, Hama Germany moved into a new incoming goods/office building with just under 9,000 m² of additional floor space.

The new office building

The new office building

“Between Nature and Imagery” sculpture

The new building overlooks a several metre-tall, colourful work of art entitled “Between Nature and Imagery” (Camera obscura). The sculpture unites tradition and modernism. It symbolises our tradition as a photography company and our forward-looking focus as a modern company.

Christoph Thomas, Pavel Tasovský (Czech artist of “Between Nature and Imagery”) and Rudolph Hanke

2012

Subsidiary founded in China

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Hama worldwide

A subsidiary is founded in China. It was initially intended to deliver products faster to a major international customer. However, the Chinese subsidiary now also supplies other customers.

2011

Hama’s in-house trade show launched

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The Hama in-house trade show

The Hama in-house trade show is brought to life. To date, 1500 customers from over 30 nations take part in this event each year, to see the latest Hama products and participate in product training.

The 2011 Hama in-house trade show

The 2011 Hama in-house trade show

The 2011 Hama in-house trade show

The 2011 Hama in-house trade show

Special offers at the 2010 in-house trade show

Special offers at the 2010 in-house trade show

Showroom at the 2010 in-house trade show

Showroom at the 2010 in-house trade show

2500 employees worldwide

The group now employs a staff of 2500, 1500 of whom work in the Monheim headquarters.

Further expansion into Eastern European markets with the founding of the Russian subsidiary.

2010

Piccolino – Big-time convenience

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Hama’s “Piccolino” is an extremely compact USB vehicle charger and the first in its class that is completely concealed in the cigarette lighter socket. This means you can leave it in the socket permanently without it protruding from the dashboard and getting in the way. The 12 V charger ensures that you will always have power for whatever devices you may use—all without attracting any attention.

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2008

Subsidiaries founded in Romania and the Netherlands

2008

Jörg Hempen, Thomas Kopp and Christian Seel-Mayer are given procuration

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Jörg Hempen, Thomas Kopp and Christian Seel-Mayer are given procuration

After the retirement of Hans Seidl, the new authorised representatives Thomas Kopp, Christian Seel-Mayer and Jörg Hempen take over his areas of responsibility. Henceforth, Thomas Kopp is responsible for finance and accounting, Christian Seel-Mayer for human resources and IT, and Jörg Hempen is responsible for the company’s international business relations.

2007

Small, practical and always there when you need it

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Hama introduces the world’s first Nano Bluetooth dongle. This device allows you to easily transfer data between a PC or laptop and other Bluetooth devices, for example your smartphone. The dongle’s small size—just 19 x 13 x 4 mm—means you can leave it in your computer so that is always available for connecting other devices. Even if you carry your laptop with you, you do not have to worry about damaging the dongle.

2007

Subsidiaries in Dubai and Portugal

2007

Expansion of the logistics centre

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Extension of the logistics centre

The logistics centre is supplemented with an additional automatic high-rack storage system and an automated box storage area. A new building is constructed for incoming goods, quality control and technical service.

Automated box storage area

Automated box storage area

Schoolbags in quality control

Schoolbags in quality control

Incoming goods

Incoming goods

Technical service

Technical service

2006

Universal jack plug, universal application

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Universal plug

There are many headsets on the market, but so far none that can be used with different telephones. When you get a new telephone, you need a new headset. Until now: Hama now offers a headset with a universal jack plug. This allows you to use it with virtually any telephone. Hama: the problem solver!

2003

Death of Adolf Thomas

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Mourning for Adolf Thomas

In February 2002, Hama GmbH & Co. KG mourns the passing of its senior executive, Adolf Thomas.

Hama GmbH & Co. KG enjoys continued growth

Hama now has 1600 employees, 1000 of whom work at the company’s headquarters in Monheim. The other 600 employees work in the now 11 subsidiaries.

2002

The CallBlocker appears on the market

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The CallBlocker allows you to program your phone so that certain numbers cannot be dialled. You can easily block any number, whether special rate numbers, a particular dialling code or foreign numbers. While similar products from other manufacturers only allow you to enable certain numbers, Hama identified the real problem: only a few numbers need to be blocked; the vast majority of numbers should still be allowed.

2001

The subsidiary in Belgium is founded.

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Entry into further markets in Western Europe

Hama expands further into Western Europe: Agami in Belgium joins Hama GmbH & Co. KG as a new subsidiary.

Hama’s employees in Belgium

Hama’s building in Belgium

Initial online store developments are completed

Hama GmbH & Co. KG’s first online store is developed.

Awards for our online store

Awards for our online store

Award for the best online catalogue

2001

Boom in the multimedia and telecommunications segment

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A new hands-free set with DSP echo suppression is developed.

2000

The subsidiary in Poland is founded.

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Entry into markets in Eastern Europe

Hama takes another step to develop the Eastern European markets by founding its Polish subsidiary.

2000

Hama expands east

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Subsidiaries in Austria and Slovakia

An existing company in Breitenfurt near Vienna is renamed: Hama Technics Handels-GmbH in Austria is created as a subsidiary of Hama. Hama Austria opens its doors with 18 employees in 1998. The number of employees has tripled by 2014. From the outset, it has its own warehouse and other departments such as sales, product management, purchasing etc.

The building of the Austrian subsidiary

The building of the Austrian subsidiary

Hama’s warehouse in Austria

The Slovakian subsidiary is founded in the same year.

1998

Happy Birthday Hama

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75 years of Hama

Hama celebrates its 75th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, a variety of campaigns are held. The logo is reflected on many new products and special giveaways. There is, of course a party too – what would a birthday be without a proper party?

1998

Three devices in one

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Hama has once again established itself as a leading innovator for mobile phone accessories. The Office Set II is a desktop charger for your mobile phone battery and an additional external battery. This means the battery will not drain while you are talking on the phone! The unit also functions as a hands-free phone set. Thanks to the external antenna, connection problems are a thing of the past. Get perfect reception while keeping your conversation price!

1997

The logistics centre is expanded.

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A dispatch centre is added to Plant III. It offers enough space for state-of-the-art picking and dispatch systems. 25,000 pallet spaces are also added to the fully-automated high-rack storage system.

Picking

Picking

The dispatch systems

The dispatch systems

The high-rack warehouse

The high-rack warehouse

1997

Subsidiaries in Spain and Switzerland

1995

Award-winning quality: The 126 and 132 AV processors run away from the competiti

More

Hama employed high-quality measuring devices from early on in their product development, which allowed them to make significant improvements to their standard processors for video editing. The AV Processor 132 and its big brother the AV Processor 126 were faster, more precise and less susceptible to glitches than the standard versions produced by the competition. The German publication “Video Magazin” tested the 126 and 132 processors in November 1993. They were awarded the “Excellent” rating in every single test category.

1993

New ranges of accessories

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New accessory ranges are added for computers, telecommunications and CD archival. The new in-house developments in this area include one of the first ever hands-free phone sets: the MobilSafe system.

1993

Hama exhibits at CeBIT for the first time.

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Exhibitor at CeBIT

This year marks Hama’s first time exhibiting at the CeBIT trade fair. CeBIT was already the world’s largest computer trade fair at that time.

CeBIT logo

CeBIT logo

Company name changes to Hama GmbH & Co. KG

In 1993, Hamaphot changed its name to Hama GmbH & Co. KG. A product developer who was already with Hama in 1993 recalls that everyone had been calling the company Hama since the logo was changed in 1958. That was one of the reasons for the new official name.

The subsidiary in Hungary is founded.

1993

The best-selling video editing system

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The best-selling video editing system

The “Videocut 200” video editing system, which would go on to be a best-seller, is launched. The integrated sound mixer allows the original sound to be faded in and out.

“Videocut 200” and its successors went on to become best-sellers. Competitors tried to copy the video editing system, without much success.

Hama stays true to its roots

A professional tripod system developed in house combines new innovations with the company’s traditional strengths

Hama developed the “Delta Pro” series of tripods as a modular system, which was the first of its kind. This allowed Hama to offer affordable tripods to hobbyists and semi-professional photographers who wanted professional results. A range of extras, for instance the central column with air suspension or the 3D ball head, make these tripods the perfect companions for any terrain. Not travelling? This series also makes an excellent tabletop tripod.

Delta-Pro Stativ

Delta-Pro Stativ

1991

Hama expands

1990

Hama grows

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Plant III is built

With the new Plant III building in the industrial park, Hama takes on a new dimension. It allows the design, development, quality control and manufacturing departments to expand.

Quality control

Quality control

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Hama now employs a staff of 500..

The subsidiary in Great Britain is founded.

1990

New member of the Management Board

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Christoph Thomas now joins Rudolph Hanke and Adolf Thomas at the top of the company hierarchy. Adolf Thomas’ son is a third generation family member, and will later take over the management of Hama.

1987

Subsidiary founded in France

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The early days of Hama in France

The subsidiary in France is founded with 20 employees. There are no departments yet in 1985, just individuals who each had the responsibilities of a present-day department (e.g. controlling, purchasing, sales etc.).

The Hama building in France

The Hama building in France

By 2014, the staff level has increased to 80 employees.

1985

Hama adds new product ranges

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Diversification

The photo product range is supplemented with audio and video accessories.

The first products in the new segments

The first products from the audio and video segment were the Magnum video light, video lenses and the VHS video rewinder.

VHS video rewinder

Before its introduction, video cassettes always had to be rewound in the camera. And that was precisely the reason that many camera video cassette decks failed at an early stage. That made the video rewinder ideal for anyone who wanted to take more care of their camera! It allowed users to rewind cassettes without the camera, extending the deck’s service life.

1980

Expansion of Plant II

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Staff levels have increased to 300. Plant II is expanded to twice its original floor space.

Plant II

Plant II

Aerial photo of Plant II

Aerial photo of Plant II

1979

The “Hamafix” slide framing system

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“Hamafix” launched

The revolutionary “Hamafix” slide framing system celebrates its début. It makes framing slides quick and easy.

Image from our 1979 catalogue, page 11

Image from our 1979 catalogue, page 11

The “Hamafix” slide frame and framing system

1975

New camera bag product range

1973

Hamaphot moves into the new factory building

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The company moves into Plant II

The now 80-strong team moves into our current administration building (Plant II) in Dresdner Straße. Plant II contains its own production facilities, warehouse, sales, product management and administration areas.

1973

The first automatic film splicer

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Film splicer

Hama developed and produced the world’s first automatic film splicer. It allows users to cut film and splice both sides of the film ends automatically in a single operation. Film has to be cut if scenes from a cine-film are not required or are to be replaced.

That is why we still use the word “cut” for editing video.

1972

New management

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New management

After his father’s death in 1958, Rudolf Hanke and his brother-in-law Adolf Thomas take over the management of the company in 1959.

Martin Hanke

Martin Hanke

The logo continues to change

The Hamaphot logo continues to change until the familiar, present-day logo is developed (1968): Hama in broad, red lettering.

The Hama logo until 1966

The Hama logo until 1966

The Hama logo until 1968

The Hama logo until 1968

The Hama logo since 1968

The Hama logo since 1968

1958

Bakelite camera model P56 appears on the market

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Hama’s camera sets a new benchmark

The P56 camera model was based on the famous Pouva Start Bakelite camera from the company Karl Pouva AG. As an official licensee, Hama not only reverse engineered the camera but brought a significantly improved version on the market. Its most prominent feature was a lens assembly that could be unscrewed. It also featured flash synchronisation and a flash shoe. The camera had a built-in viewfinder. The optical element consisted of a three-lens, colour-coated lens assembly. The P56 Bakelite camera model remains extremely popular with collectors.

1956

The “Hexi” camera is developed

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This is where the “Hexi” camera is created, which sold around one million units by 1959.

1953

The company’s first own factory building

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The company’s first own factory building

Hamaphot moves into its first own factory building.

The new Hamaphot logo centres on the word “Hama”.

The Hamaphot logo until 1954

The Hamaphot logo until 1954

The Hamaphot logo until 1960

The Hamaphot logo until 1960

The company’s first own factory building today

The “Green House” now contains apartments, most of which are home to Hama employees.

1953

The first photokina

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Hamaphot at photokina

The first photokina trade fair opened its doors on 19 May 1950, and of course Hamaphot was there from day one. Hamaphot exhibited picture frames, laboratory accessories, slide boxes and the powder flash unit.

The early days of photokina

photokina soon firmly established itself as the world’s largest and leading trade fair for the photo and imaging industry. While the trade fair section remains exclusively national in 1959, with 300 German companies, the photo exhibitions are already international. Even back then, 75,000 visitors poured into the exhibition centre in Cologne.

Today, photokina welcomes roughly 185,000 attendees.

1950

Innovative products produced in-house

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The cooperation with local tradespeople and the difficulty of sourcing supplies leads the company to start OEM manufacturing. For example, it launched the first synchronised powder flash unit wooden slide boxes, tripods and other accessories in 1948.

1948

Hamaphot KG comes to Monheim.

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It all started in a shed

Martin Hanke’s first office is a shed in Monheim.

Martin Hanke in his “office” in a shed

He has his wife and four children follow him from the Soviet-occupied Dresden to the “American” Monheim. He personally travels by bicycle to suppliers throughout Southern Germany and initially trades in brushes, rubber for soles, stationery etc.

Hanke family, with Rudolph Hanke on the left

Hanke family, with Rudolph Hanke on the left

New headquarters

In 1946, Hamaphot moves into a larger building which remains the company headquarters until 1953.

Hamaphot now features a new logo.

The Hamaphot logo until 1949, with a powder flash unit as its symbol

The Hamaphot logo until 1949, with a powder flash unit as its symbol

1945

The first trade fair

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Leipzig Trade Fair

Hamaphot attends the sample fair in Leipzig as an exhibitor. The company first presented its wares at a trade fair in the Leipziger Messe exhibition centre.

Catalogue cover from 1937/38

1935

Hamaphot KG founded in Dresden

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Founding

After completing an apprenticeship as a photographer, Martin Hanke founds Hamaphot KG in 1923.

The Hamaphot logo until 1945

The Hamaphot logo until 1945

The company initially specialises in photography wholesale and producing laboratory equipment and camera accessories.

Hamaphot in Dresden

Hamaphot in Dresden

Destruction of Hamaphot in Dresden

After destruction of the company in Dresden in 1945, Hamaphot was re-established in Monheim.

The Hamaphot building in ruins

The Hamaphot building in ruins

1923