Our history

The WELP Group companies can look back on decades and, in some cases, on centuries of experience. And this experience now benefits our customers. It is incorporated into every product that we make. Into every armoured vehicle that we produce. And, of course, into every bullet-proof solution that we create. It forms the basis for our forward-looking advisory services for our customers and for our innovative new developments. So we are proud of our history, and we'd like to show you some of our milestones below.

Multiple elements are forged into a high-power company

WELP Group – The Chronicles

1979

Founding of pgam, a CAD/CAM pioneer

At the age of 23, mechanical engineer Josef A. Marold founds in a small design office in Osnabrück the “Planungsgesellschaft für Automobil- und Maschinenbau mbH”, or “pgam”, for short.

Marold combines his enthusiasm for automotive engineering with his groundbreaking spirit in the field of CAx, making pgam a pioneer in CAD and CAM. Automotive design work has previously been done using perforated plastic sheet and drawing boards.

1986

Relocation to Georgsmarienhütte

The original company premises have grown too small. pgam now has more than a hundred CAD workstations and moves to a new location in Georgsmarienhütte.

In the same year, the first production shop for design, model, prototype and gauge construction is taken over and pgam also broadens its range: the company now not only develops, but also supplies prototypes.

1990

Magnum – the first pgam project

pgam for the first time unveils its very own project, based on the VW Corrado: the Magnum sport station-wagon, with TÜV approval for series production, demonstrates just how innovative the company is. Two prototypes are developed and constructed. pgam has thus extended its development capabilities to road-legal prototypes.

1992 - 1997

Toolmaking starts, pgam becomes a Joint Stock Company

The range grows even further: the production facilities are expanded by toolmaking for prototype tools for sheet-metal shaping and for pre-series injection-moulds.

In addition, Josef A. Marold converts the company into pgam advanced technologies AG (a Joint Stock Company). And it also has a new location in the UK: pgam advanced technologies Limited, UK, is founded.

1997 - 1999

Corporate Supplier Award

In 1997 and 1999, Volkswagen presents pgam with its “Corporate Supplier Award – The Leading Edge”. This is presented for outstanding commitment and excellent achievement in the fields of quality, flexibility, service, innovation and competitiveness.

2000

New Technology Center, investment in injection-moulding machines

The first injection-moulding machines are installed. The foundation stone for series production of plastic components is laid and the range expanded yet again. It now covers development, prototyping, toolmaking and series production.

2000

Start of armoured and bullet-proof vehicles

Wendler Karosseriebau GmbH, with its long tradition, is now acquired. pgam now also offers the construction of armoured and bullet-proof vehicles. Right up to today, WELP Group is based on the specialisations of development, prototyping, toolmaking, series production and armoured and bullet-proof vehicles.

Wendler Karosseriebau was founded in 1840, and was initially a maker of coaches. Special coach-bodies for motor-cars began to be produced in the 1920s. After the Second World War, Wendler resumed its bodywork production for manufacturers such as Maybach, BMW, Horch and Bugatti, now in the contemporary pontoon style. The company came up with the delicate lines of the Porsche Spider and even provided armoured Cadillacs to the Arab king Ibn Saud. In the late 1950s, production was converted primarily to repairs and the construction of utility vehicles and prototypes.

Wendler later concentrated on the restoration of vintage cars and the production of armoured saloons, including stretched versions.

2003

The founding of IndiKar

Know-how in the field of armour and bullet-proofing receives another boost: IndiKar Individual Karosseriebau GmbH is set up in Wilkau-Hasslau. It is made up of portions of Sachsenring AG Zwickau, which had acquired Trasco Fahrzeugbau GmbH a number of years previously.

2005

Founding of Farmingtons Group

The newly founded Farmingtons Group continues the business operations of pgam and of the group companies. The setting up of the new group of companies is also reflected in a new Corporate Design.

2008

Death of Josef Marold

Company founder Josef A. Marold dies on 24 September 2008. Nina Welp takes over management of the group.

2009

Continuation of group operations

Nina Welp takes over management of the group.

2009

The “Trabant nT” concept car

A world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt: initiators Klaus Schindler, Ronald Gerschewski and Nils Poschwatta unveil the “Trabant nT” concept car. This electromobile is recognisable as a Trabant, but has been further developed along contemporary lines and interpreted in a modern format.

2010

IndiKar expands

New orders rise steeply, and IndiKar therefore expands its capacities in Wilkau-Hasslau. A second building close to the main offices provide a further 7,000 square metres.

2014

A new name: WELP GROUP

The group takes on a new name, and Farmingtons Group becomes WELP Group. A new Corporate Design indicates that the individual companies are part of a powerful whole.

2016

Maximum civilian resistance class in bullet-proofing

The WELP F2-TLC900 armoured vehicle, based on a Toyota Land Cruiser 200, demonstrably possesses the highest civilian resistance class in bullet-proofing: the vehicle is certified by the Munich Proof House to conform to Resistance Class VR9/BRV2009. In addition, it also attains certification in accordance with Explosion Resistance Class ERV2010 and the STANAG military resistance standard.

2017

Construction of new Technology Centre for press hardening

A new Technology Centre focussing on forging and press hardening is constructed at Wilkau-Hasslau. This is where “heavy plates” are shaped. They are used not only in the automotive industry, but also for the company’s own armoured and bullet-resistant sector. The level of internal production increases again.

2018

Dressel + Höfner acquired

WELP Group continues to grow: Dressel + Höfner GmbH & Co. KG, based in Neustadt, near Coburg, and Dressel + Höfner International SRL, in Medias (Romania), are acquired. These companies mainly produce plastic components for the automotive industry and white and brown goods for industry.

Dressel + Höfner was founded in 1945, initially specialising in precision-mechanics repairs. It produced its first plastics moulds in 1948, and punching tools and embossing dies were added during subsequent years. The first injection-moulding machine for plastics was commissioned in 1954, with a toolmaking department included in the company’s portfolio as from 1979. Dressel + Höfner International was founded in Medias in 2006.

2019

Expansion at Georgsmarienhütte

Rising orders made an increase in capacity necessary: the Georgsmarienhütte location was expanded to include a new building with a production area of 6,000 square metres. This building is intended primarily for armoured and bullet-proof vehicle activities.

2019

A new managing partner

Ronald Gerschewski becomes a managing partner at WELP Holding GmbH. Together with Nina Welp, he forms the managerial backbone of the concern.

2020

Strategic realignment

WELP Group is aiming to reposition itself for the future with the launch of this strategic realignment: In addition to its existing range of diverse services from development and engineering through to production, WELP Group will be offering its customers turnkey solutions from a single source – particularly for small and medium-sized series. The benefits of combining all services under a single roof are clearly apparent thanks to the new brand identity complete with a reimagined portfolio of services based on the company’s core areas of expertise: Supply, Customize and Protect.
In addition to automotive customers, other sectors including new mobility, agriculture, medical technology, security technology, electrical engineering and household goods stand to benefit from the combination and joint expansion of the Group’s core areas of expertise.