Our milestones
pfautec has worked its way up from a small company in recent years. Along the way, we have been able to gather a great deal of experience, enter into cooperative ventures and continue to develop. That's our history:
Our company history
1999
Birth of pfautec GmbH: Pierre Buissin, Friedrich Schlüter and Achim Mustermann conclude a partnership agreement. While Buissin henceforth acts as shareholder, Schlüter and Mustermann officially take over the management. A look at their common history at Kynast shows that the three are already a well-rehearsed team: Buissin was the former supervisor of Schlüter and Mustermann.
2000
Two founders, one vision: Friedrich Schlüter and Achim Mustermann open the doors. Move to the commercial premises in the Wilhelmstraße in Quakenbrück. Under the umbrella of the new company, the focus will henceforth be on the development and production of therapy bicycles and special tricycles. In doing so, they have their fingers on the pulse of the times: A few months after the foundation, the first cooperation with REBOTEC for the production of the "Go-Bike" walking bikes is established. The first patent application follows. The first tricycle is approved by the Berlin Cert testing and certification body for medical products and is finally included in the German list of medical aids.
2001
Pfautec becomes a training company offering apprenticeships. In the same year there are promptly two reasons to celebrate: On the track, tricycle racer Andreas Hillers breaks the new world record in the 3000-metre time trial. The athlete from Wilhelmshaven becomes European champion on the pfautec tricycle Furioso. Pfautec takes first place in a start-up competition.
2002
Under the title "Future and Health", pfautec exhibits for the first time at a trade fair in Oldenburg. At the same time, Andreas Hillers makes it onto the winner's rostrum once again: World record on the tartan track.
2003
The partner Pierre Buissin and third man since the founding days leaves the company. At the same time, the sales subsidiary PFIFF-Vertrieb GmbH Mustermann is launched with an expanded team of Martin Schroedter and Stephan Hahn.
2004
A year of celebration: pfautec is officially registered as a trademark at the German Patent and Trademark Office. At the same time, there is a new internship cooperation with REHA AKTIV in Bersenbrück. In the meantime, pfautec looks back on its 5th anniversary and can proudly call itself 1st prize winner in the DESIGN FOR ALL AWARDS. The Innovation Award is presented at REHACARE, the world's largest trade fair for rehabilitation and care. Expansion and official inauguration of the new business premises at Wilhelmstraße 49-51, which remains the company's headquarters to this day. In addition, pfautec is now focusing on diversity and is employing people with disabilities in its workshops for the first time.
2005
Innovation needs space: Opening of a further branch in Pflückmannstraße and leasing of a hall from Deutsche Bahn. pfautec also expands its range of products: Foundation of rehastage GmbH for the distribution of further aids as well as cooperation with Tosch for the production of therapy chairs.
2008
Victory at the Paralympics in Beijing: Barbara Weise takes silver on her Furioso Silber. pfautec expands its network and becomes a member of the GewiNet competence centre for the healthcare industry. Pfautec takes first place in the innovation competition of the Artland municipal association.
2009
Back to the roots: pfautec ends its frame production in China and starts producing its own products. Cooperation with Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences on the ZIM project "intAM", which focuses on the development of a tilting tricycle.
2010
Ten years of pfautec! With the anniversary, the company receives its approval as a funding company in the ZIM Mittelstand.
2011
pfautec is a guest on the TV show "Einfach Genial". At the same time, a new course is being set behind the scenes for people with disabilities. The inclusion group Heilpädagogische Hilfe (HPH), which has been employed in pfautec's workshops since 2004, is increased to ten employees.
2012
Cooperation agreement with the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences "Bicycle Operator". The focus of the collaboration is the conception and design of a bicycle handlebar with integrated interface. This year there is also cause for celebration once again: pfautec has been chosen as one of the winners of the IHK competition "Honourable Entrepreneurship”.
2013
Honouring HPH. For almost ten years now, there has been close cooperation between the Heilpädagogische Hilfe inclusion group (HPH) and pfautec.
2014
Start of projects “Kids Bike" and "Hackenporsche” (“Heel Porsche”) in cooperation with the University of Osnabrück. Here, students from the "Industrial Design" course are working together with pfautec to design children's bicycles and bicycle trailers. pfautec becomes a member of the DIN committee for cargo bicycles. Honoured by the Stifterverband: pfautec receives the "Innovative through Research" seal, which recognises research-based companies for their special responsibility to the state and society.
2015
Nomination in the context of the competition “Major Prize for Medium-Sized Companies”. This focuses on the tilting tricycle developed in cooperation with Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, which was later further designed into the "Pfautomatik" model with a specially developed automatic gearshift. In the same year, start of the project "Autonomous Driving" in cooperation with the University of Magdeburg.
2017
Renewed higher education cooperation with the universities of Oldenburg and Paderborn. Start of the "Safety4Bikes" research project. Pfautec expands its network and becomes a member of the ZIV Zweiradindustrieverband.
2018
Pfautec takes second place in the Osnabrück district's inclusion award.
2019
20 years of pfautec! Major company anniversary and a year of change and rebuilding: Start of production for the Hartje e-bike model i:SY, renovation of production hall, start of construction of road crossing and conversion of Wilhelmstraße 57. With the inauguration of hall 5 (warehouse and bicycle assembly), pfautec sets to course for it to be commissioned during the coming year.
2020
Establishment of the DIN committee "Serial Hybrids". Official commissioning of Hall 5 and takeover of the factory buildings at Wilhelmstraße 57. Change in the upper echelons as well: pfautec Managing Director and company founder Friedrich Schlüter hands over his business activities to long-time pfautec employee and former management assistant Christian Westerkamp.
2021
A breath of fresh air in the traditional pfautec company: With Christian Westerkamp as new managing director and Kevin Wank and Andre Stuckenberg as authorised signatories, the generation change is heralded.
For all those who want to move more. We look forward to receiving your application.
FAQ
Do I need a driver's licence or an insurance licence plate for your electric-assisted models?
No, you do not need it, because – unless otherwise requested – we deliver all vehicles only in combination with pedal assistance. This means that the electric motor only provides assistance when you actively pedal. A speed higher than 6 km/h is not possible without pedal assistance (so-called pedelec system) and is therefore not subject to a driving licence or insurance.
How do you differentiate yourself from cheaper providers?
We have a quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 and the production of the special vehicles is carried out strictly according to legal requirements. Extensive product tests by independent bodies and an in-house roller test stand also ensure safety. In addition, we place great emphasis on sustainability and our in-house quality standards, including
- In-house production, assembly and distribution
- More than 20 years of experience in the production of special bicycle and tricycles
- "Made in Germany" – no foreign imports
- Extremely robust models, some even up to 160 kg
- A diverse product range
- Competent specialist trade partners (Europe-wide)
- An innovative company with a long tradition, where inclusion is a priority
If I buy a model without a motor system, can I have an electric motor retrofitted later?
Retrofitting to an existing model is possible if the installation variant is a front wheel motor. For this, the front wheel size must be between 16 and 28 inches. Please ask your dealer for the respective amount of the surcharge.
Where can I get your products?
Our products are primarily sold through bicycle dealers and medical supply stores. You will receive particularly good and intensive advice from our support dealers. Compared to the shop around the corner, they always have at least one vehicle in stock in the showroom for inspection and a test ride. You can find a support dealer near you with the help of our dealer search. There you will be shown all dealers within a radius of 50 km. Simply enter your city or your respective postal code.
Do I need a driver's licence or an insurance licence plate for your electric-assisted models?
No, you do not need it, because – unless otherwise requested – we deliver all vehicles only in combination with pedal assistance. This means that the electric motor only provides assistance when you actively pedal. A speed higher than 6 km/h is not possible without pedal assistance (so-called pedelec system) and is therefore not subject to a driving licence or insurance.
If I buy a model without a motor system, can I have an electric motor retrofitted later?
Retrofitting to an existing model is possible if the installation variant is a front wheel motor. For this, the front wheel size must be between 16 and 28 inches. Please ask your dealer for the respective amount of the surcharge.
How do you differentiate yourself from cheaper providers?
We have a quality management system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 and the production of the special vehicles is carried out strictly according to legal requirements. Extensive product tests by independent bodies and an in-house roller test stand also ensure safety. In addition, we place great emphasis on sustainability and our in-house quality standards, including
- In-house production, assembly and distribution
- More than 20 years of experience in the production of special bicycle and tricycles
- "Made in Germany" – no foreign imports
- Extremely robust models, some even up to 160 kg
- A diverse product range
- Competent specialist trade partners (Europe-wide)
- An innovative company with a long tradition, where inclusion is a priority
Where can I get your products?
Our products are primarily sold through bicycle dealers and medical supply stores. You will receive particularly good and intensive advice from our support dealers. Compared to the shop around the corner, they always have at least one vehicle in stock in the showroom for inspection and a test ride. You can find a support dealer near you with the help of our dealer search. There you will be shown all dealers within a radius of 50 km. Simply enter your city or your respective postal code.
Our categories – we have something for everyone
Strong values since 1999
Tradition, innovation and safety have always underpinned our values. We have been developing high-quality aids for people with and without mobility restrictions since 1999, with a great deal of passion and dedication. We see ourselves as approachable and reliable companions and attach great importance to continuous research and development work. We keep our finger on the pulse of the times and keep pace with the growing demands of the new era. Our motors: An open ear for the needs of our customers, active social responsibility and the desire to make the world a little more sustainable every day.
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