1950

Post-war years and optimism in Germany.

Post-war period. An atmosphere of departure in Germany. This is the year when Klaus and Elfriede Faber establish an electrical wholesale business in Saarbrücken. The company starts off with just one employee in Lebacher Strasse – the location of its head office to this day. A little later, the business is already expanding and supplemented by a second warehouse in Ludwigstrasse. Industry, perseverance and an outstanding customer service then quickly ensure that the young company is expanded again. The warehouse in Ludwigstrasse is moved to storage depots in Am Torhaus and another warehouse is rented in Riegelsberg. In 1953, Klaus Faber additionally takes on the representation of a medium-sized cable factory.

1970 - 1975

Faber sets a new course.

The period around 1970 saw a change of tack. The company starts to focus on the exclusive distribution of cables and wires. Klaus Faber had observed the German cable market for years and discovered weaknesses in its distribution systems. He develops a new concept: In cooperation with manufacturers abroad, he is offering cable customers an alternative to the products of German providers.

He is also focussing on a subject the industry had neglected up to that time: services. In doing so, Klaus Faber is breaking new ground, but convinced of the validity of his business model. Success proves him right. A first warehouse outside the Saarland is established in Ostenfelde in the Münsterland.

1972. The warehouse locations in the Saarland are proving too small. A 13,000 m² property is acquired in Riegelsberg, and the construction of a large storehouse commissioned.

1973. The first oil crisis is causing a worldwide stir. Everything is nonetheless operating at full stretch with Faber. A new warehouse in Beelen in Westphalia takes over from the location in Ostenfelde, which has become too small. The construction work in Riegelsberg is completed and the first logistics centre goes into operation.

1975. The time factor has a central role to play in the Faber concept for cable distribution. Klaus Faber recognizes that electronic data processing accelerates workflows considerably. He acts immediately. The first IT system is installed in the company.

1982

The corporate headquarter is growing.

In 1982, the administration building of the Saarbrücken head office is expanded by also acquiring the building next door.

1985

Capacity in Beelen is doubled.

The storage capacity of the warehouse in Beelen, Westphalia, is nearly doubled by the construction of a large new hall.

1986

Faber continues uptrend.

The company’s uptrend continues. Trade show presentations in Dortmund, Munich, Nuremberg and Hamburg raise the awareness level. The marketing investments are paying off. The growth gains momentum.

1990

6,5 Mio German mark for logistics centre Fichtenau.

After the political upheavals in Eastern Europe, large parts of the German economy are paralyzed by the economic crisis. A new oil crisis depresses the demand for industrial goods. Economizing is the order of the day all around.

The Faber service proposal is meanwhile asserting itself more and more. The reason being that it permits customers to considerably reduce their own, expensive inventories, but without compromising the availability of goods.

A new logistics centre goes into operation in Fichtenau, Baden-Württemberg. The warehouse facility is officially opened following a construction period of eight months and an investment of around 6.5 million DM. The new distribution centre is designed to cover the southern German region and the eastern European market at the same time. The optimal accessibility with the A7 is a particularly decisive factor for selecting the location.

Encouraged by the success of the PR work, Faber takes part in the Hannover Messe trade fair for the first time in 1991. The same year also sees the first presentation at a trade fair abroad, in Moscow.

1992

Better service through regional sites.

The bad transport infrastructure in the former East Germany turns out to be a handicap for Faber’s fast delivery service. The solution presenting itself is the construction of local regional centres. The first one goes into operation in Werneuchen, Brandenburg, near Berlin.

1993 - 1996

New site Hedemünden.

In 1993, the Saarbrücken head office is greatly expanded again. A new warehouse in Hedemünden goes into operation the same year. It replaces the one in Beelen, Westphalia, which has become too small. Around two thirds of the sales will be handled by this logistics centre in the future.

1994. The great demand in the former East Germany necessitates the construction of a new regional warehouse. The selected location is Oschatz in Saxony.

In 1995 Faber is certified in keeping with ISO 9002 (today: 9001).

1996. The distribution programme is expanded by the data cable segment in 1996.

1997 - 1998

Digital pioneers.

1997 sees the establishment of a working group in the company aimed at developing a digital information and ordering system that is to provide the customers of Faber with direct access to Faber’s logistics. This pioneering work in the cable industry is performed in cooperation with a renowned software manufacturer. Faber Direkt is born.

After a development period of only a year, Faber Direkt is presented at the Hannover Messe. A year later, the Faber Direkt customer connection system wins the coveted software award presented by InformationWeek magazine. The company thus provides further impressive proof of its innovativeness.

2000

A new millennium and a big anniversary.

Faber turns 50 and the company’s success story also continues unabated in the jubilee year. Over 5 million DM are invested in the future of the enterprise this year. Klaus Faber GmbH is turned into a stock company. Klaus Faber takes the chairmanship, but simultaneously assures his succession juristically to safeguard the company for the long term.

The Special Cable department is established for procuring or manufacturing cables with specific requirements.

2004

For a sustainable company. The Klaus Faber foundation.

The Klaus Faber Foundation is established. Mr. Faber is protecting his life’s work by establishing this foundation, whose purpose is to safeguard, develop and maintain the Faber group of companies. While on the one hand designed to secure the workplaces within Klaus Faber AG, the foundation is also intended to support science and research, as well as projects in applied medicine. In 2013 the Klaus Faber Foundation is accorded charitable status.

2007 - 2008

Hightech at site Fichtenau.

Starting in 2007, twelve million euros are invested in the construction of one of the European cable industry’s most advanced service centres, including the creation of an automated, hi-tech high bay warehouse, amongst other facilities. The expansion of the location is primarily the company’s response to specific customer requirements in the export and industrial segments.

The foundation stone for converting the Fichtenau facility into a logistics centre is laid on 26 April 2007. The festive opening takes place in 2008.

The local community pays a very special tribute to the investments in the location by renaming a road that leads through the Neustädtlein industrial area “Klaus-Faber-Street”.

2009

A solid foundation.

The Hedemünden logistics centre is modernized and expanded. The increase in the cutting capacity makes the installation of additional reeling stations and an expansion of the hall necessary. In addition, the load-bearing capacity of the machines is increased to 15 tons to be better able to accommodate customer wishes in the sheathed product and large cable profile segments.

2012

Modernization and expansion in Hedemünden.

The Hedemünden logistics centre is modernized and expanded. The increase in the cutting capacity makes the installation of additional reeling stations and an expansion of the hall necessary. In addition, the load-bearing capacity of the machines is increased to 15 tons to be better able to accommodate customer wishes in the sheathed product and large cable profile segments.

2014

Company founder Klaus Faber turns 90.

A property had already been acquired at the Hedemünden location in 2012 to build an additional hall for managing and repairing empty reels. The new handling facility for empty reels is taken into operation in 2014.

Company founder and owner Klaus Faber turns 90.

2015

25th anniversary of logistics centre Fichtenau.

The company facility at Fichtenau in Baden-Württemberg celebrates its 25th anniversary with a grand staff party.

2016

Faber. A success – yesterday and today.

Faber has remained a success story to this day. Not least of all because we are sticking to a clear business concept that banks on high product availability, a strong range, excellent service and nearness to the customer. Working with Faber is meant to ensure customer satisfaction and success. And that is one thing which has not changed in over 53 years.