History
How we became who we are today
1928
FOUNDING IN ZEULENRODA-TRIEBES
Otto Fankhänel founds the family business Ofa in Zeulenroda-Triebes in Thuringia - a place that has long been known as the “cradle of compression”. The company name was formed by Otto Fankhänel from his own initials.
1949
RELOCATION TO BAMBERG
After the end of the Second World War, the family business finds a new home in Bamberg in Upper Franconia.
1981
RELOCATION TO LAUBANGER
After various stations in Bamberg's city center, Ofa Bamberg moves to its current location in the newly developed Laubanger industrial park. Ofa Bamberg is one of the first companies to settle there. Today, Laubanger is a flourishing industrial area with retail, industry and gastronomy.
1988
DR. HARTWIG FRINKE BECOMES MANAGING DIRECTOR
After Karl Fankhänel, son of Ofa's founder, sold the company to Kendall Healthcare in 1987, Dr. Hartwig Frinke becomes Managing Director in 1988.
1990s
OFA BAMBERG SETS TRENDS IN COMPRESSION THERAPY
At the beginning of the 1990s, modern materials and bright colors put an end to the old-fashioned “rubber stocking”. Ofa was one of the pioneers and the first manufacturer to introduce the lace band and fashion colors and to use microfiber for its compression stockings.
1991
FOUNDING BELSANA
Our company entered the pharmacy market in 1991 with BELSANA. Thanks to consistently high quality and reliable effectiveness, BELSANA is now the market leader for medical compression in pharmacies.
1994
FOUNDING OFA AUSTRIA
The Austrian branch of Ofa Austria is founded. Located in Salzburg, Ofa Austria has become the market leader in Austria for medical compression and orthopedic aids.
2000
OFA BAMBERG BECOMES A SUBSIDIARY OF INDUS HOLDING AG
Since 2000, Ofa Bamberg has been part of INDUS Holding AG, a holding company based in Bergisch-Gladbach with a portfolio of medium-sized industrial technology companies in the engineering, infrastructure and materials segments.
2015
NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY IN GLAUCHAU
In Glauchau, Saxony, Ofa Bamberg acquires the approx. 20,000 m2 production facility of the former textile company Esda - a clear commitment to “Made in Germany”. Many of the former Esda employees still work at the Glauchau site today.
2015
OFA BAMBERG TAKES OVER NEA INTERNATIONAL
After Glauchau comes Maastricht: In the same year, Ofa Bamberg takes over NEA International B.V. NEA is the developer and manufacturer of the high-quality 'push' supports and orthoses.
2019
RAINER KLIEWE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
After 31 years, Dr. Hartwig Frinke hands over his position to Rainer Kliewe, previously head of business unit at BELSANA for many years.
2024
BIOMASS PLANT BUILT
A milestone for our sustainability strategy: with our biomass plant, our production at the Bamberg site will be nearly CO2-neutral.
2025
DR. FABIAN BOHNEN NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dr. Fabian Bohnen, Technical Director for many years, succeeds Rainer Kliewe as the new Managing Director.
