Fockbek 1967 Familie Striewski

History

Your freedom means the world to us

And has done for more than 50 years! Hobby caravans and motorhomes are characterised by their modern layout solutions, homely interiors, meticulous attention to detail and premium standard equipment package.

The cutting-edge production facilities at the company’s site in Fockbek near Rendsburg, where caravans and motorhomes are manufactured, are among the largest of their kind in the world. With a Europe-wide market share of over 25 percent, Hobby has been the market leader in the caravan sector for many years.

The popularity of the Hobby brand and the company’s rise to becoming the world’s leading caravan manufacturer are the result of numerous ground-breaking innovations. These include the introduction of the automatic reversing system, the use of the hot-dip galvanised chassis, the development of the cassette toilet and, more recently, the ongoing expansion of modern communication technology based on the CI-BUS on-board management system developed by Hobby.

Since the company was founded in 1967, Hobby has always succeeded in launching leisure vehicles onto the market that represent excellent value for money. And that will continue to be the case in the future.

50 years Hobby – one man and his work

2020

Hobby adds new overcab models to its successful Optima Ontour product range.

2019

Next milestone: The 600,000th caravan rolls off the production line! Absolute best-sellers – Hobby now also builds motorhomes on a Citroën chassis.

2018

Hobby invests six million euros into a new prefabrication hall with state-of-the-art production facilities.

2017

The ultimate birthday party – To celebrate the 50th birthday of his Hobby Caravan Factory, company founder and owner Harald Striewski sent out invitations to the big anniversary event.

2017

Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the Hobby caravan factory in Fockbek to mark “Unternehmertag Nord”, an event to celebrate entrepreneurial spirit in northern Germany.

2017

European Innovation Award: The Vantana’s SlimLine refrigerator was crowned the winner in the Interior Design and Technology categories, while Hobby came out on top in the Marketing category for the PR campaign relating to the Wacken-Vantana trainee project.

2016

Introduction of the HobbyKomplett ALL-INCLUSIVE package for motorhomes.

2016

Introduction of the unique Hobby SLIMLINE refrigerator. The world’s first in the Hobby Vantana.

2016

Hobby apprentices create the first show van for use at heavy metal music festivals.

2016

Introduction of the HobbyConnect on-board control system with the MyHobby app.

2015

Hobby boss Harald Striewski receives two awards for his life’s work – double the honour: Hobby founder and owner Harald Striewski (78) was honoured with two awards for his life’s work at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf: one from the German Caravanning Trade Association (DCHV), and one from the editors of the “Auto Bild Reisemobil” magazine. An entire industry acknowledges the achievements of the successful entrepreneur.

2015

Production milestone: Hobby celebrates its 25,000th motorhome.

2014

Introduction of the new, compact ONTOUR caravan model range with digitally printed design on the side wall.

2014

Market launch of a new class of vans – the hobby VANTANA.

2014

With the new OPTIMA comfort model range between the SIESTA and PREMIUM model ranges, Hobby creates the perfect combination of design and functionality among semi-integrated vehicles.

2014

Budding woodworkers from the Hobby training workshop build the 1st Wacken caravan for use at the heavy metal music festival, which was auctioned off on eBay for 36,500 euros. Hobby donates the proceeds to the Wacken Foundation, which promotes and supports up-and-coming heavy metal bands.

2014

Hobby boss Harald Striewski receives “Milestone” award. The German Association of Caravanning and Tourism Journalists (CTJ), which has around 130 European trade journalist members, honoured Hobby owner Harald Striewski with the “Milestone” award in Essen for his life’s work.

2013

At Caravan Salon 2013, Hobby surprises everyone with a new, ultra-modern exhibition stand.

2013

At the CMT trade fair held in spring in Stuttgart, Hobby presents an on-board network of the future, which it has developed in-house and controls almost all of the devices connected to the on-board network. The Hobby CI-BUS on-board management system becomes the standard for the entire industry.

2011

Hobby presents its design-oriented, luxury-class Premium caravan.

2009

Motorhome number 20,000 is completed.

2009

The new La Vita & La Vita Bionda caravan model ranges are launched. With La Vita Veneto in elegant silver, there is now an alternative colour to classic white.

2009

500,000 caravans are produced.

2008

Hobby at the “Europa Passage” shopping centre in Hamburg: Even Father Christmas is trading in his draughty sleigh for a cosy, modern caravan from Fockbek.

2008

Dealer conference at the Sparkassen-Arena in Kiel with a thrilling event involving prototype vehicles.

2007

Hobby celebrates its 40th anniversary.

2007

12/03/2007: Peter Harry Carstensen celebrates his 60th birthday at Hobby and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also pays a visit to the company.

2007

Hobby launches the successful van model.

2007

10-year Happy Hobby Weekend

2006

03/01/2006: Hobby has a new address – Harald-Striewski-Straße. Fockbek acknowledges the achievements of the successful entrepreneur for the local community.

2006

Hobby wins the German Camping Club (DCC) Safety Award yet again for its exemplary implementation of DIN, VDE, CEN and ISO standards, guidelines and technical regulations. With the rotating TV bar and light control system, Hobby once again introduces trend-setting innovations in caravan construction.

2005

Hobby continues to expand. The number of employees rises to 1,222. The construction of the hall extension adds 5,800 m² of space to the motorhome factory. The company premises grow to 250,000 m². The Hobby T 600 GFS motorhome wins the “Golden Steering Wheel”, awarded by the “Bild am Sonntag” newspaper.

2004

The Hobby 600 turns 20, but looks fresher than ever. It is chosen as the “Motorhome of the Year” for the 18th time in the annual poll. Hobby presents its new Excelsior caravan model range and the new Hobby T series on a Ford Transit chassis.

2003

In response to the growing importance of the motorhome sector in Europe, Harald Striewski invests a total of 16 million euros in the new motorhome factory. A feast for the eyes, the facility covering 9,800 m² boasts state-of-the-art production technology and ample room for the construction of our motorhomes. The company premises now cover a total of 200,000 m². The number of employees rises to over 900.

2002

Hobby celebrates its 35th anniversary by commencing with the construction of the new motorhome factory at the Fockbeck site. The design of the caravans is completely overhauled and the motorhomes get a contemporary facelift with the new FIAT Ducato chassis cowl.

2001

Modernisation and renovation of the offices built in 1975 as well as the central warehouse, which is now equipped with cutting-edge warehouse technology.

2000

Market share in Germany: 23.3%. Hobby is also the market leader in many European countries, such as Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark.

1999

Hobby receives the German Camping Club (DCC) Safety Award for its exemplary implementation of DIN, VDE, CEN and ISO standards, guidelines and technical regulations. The launch of the Hobby Excellent Easy model range sets new standards in lightweight caravan construction.

1998

Hobby acquires the caravan and motorhomes division of Xaver Fendt GmbH & Co. in Asbach-Bäumenheim (Bavaria). It is operated as a wholly-owned Hobby subsidiary under the name Fendt Caravan GmbH.

1997

The “Hobby-Wohnwagenwerk” company turns 30. The workforce celebrates the company’s anniversary at Kiel Castle.

1996

Hobby presents its “All-inclusive” package and relaunches the Hobby Exclusive luxury-class caravan model range.

1995

Welcome: Hobby officially opens its new Customer Service Centre with over 15,000 m² of space.

1994

The 250,000th caravan is completed and the Hobby Excellent and Hobby Elegance luxury-class caravan model ranges are launched.

1993

Hobby needs more space for more Hobby vehicles – 34,000 m² of land is purchased and the materials warehouse is expanded.

1991

Impressive interim results: 200,000 caravans and 5,000 motorhomes have been produced.

1988

Things develop rapidly – with the 150,000th caravan.

1985

More Hobby: Completion of the 100,000th caravan, market leadership in Europe, company premises: 46,960 m², production capacity: 80 caravans a day.

1984

An all-round success: The semi-integrated Hobby 600 motorhome.

1983

Hobby is the market leader in Germany and other European countries. It also wins the “Most Attractive Exhibition Stand” competition yet again.

1982

Europe loves Hobby’s caravans: The company becomes the market leader on the continent for the first time.

1977

The first milestone birthday: Hobby celebrates its 10th anniversary.

1976

Hobby continues to thrive: The “Nordland-Zeltfabrik” company is acquired and the 25,000th caravan leaves the assembly hall.

1975

Managing the growing factory becomes more complex: A new office building is constructed.

1973

Becoming more independent: The “Rendsburger Feuerverzinkerei” hot-dip galvanising plant is founded.

1972

An important milestone: The 5,000th caravan is completed.

1971

Assembly Hall 1 is officially opened and the number of employees grows to 132.

1970

42 employees now produce six caravans a day.

1968

Hobby and its four employees move to the company’s own premises with over 10,000 m² of space on “Schafredder” street.

1967

The “Hobby-Wohnwagenwerk” company is founded in Fockbek.