About us
Swiss tradition
FOBA is a medium-sized Swiss company based near Zurich. We are proud pioneers in the development and manufacture of high-precision positioning solutions for metrology, photography and a wide range of other applications.
Experience
Founded in 1939, FOBA AG is 100% owner-managed and unites a diverse team of experienced and highly qualified specialists in the fields of development, production, sales and marketing.
Innovation
It is in our company culture to foster curiosity and interest in solutions for people, as well as to recognise and seize opportunities. We believe that by working together with people from different backgrounds and with unconventional thinking patterns, we can get better and faster at what we do.
- 1939
- 1958
- 1959
- 1966
- 1969
- 1975
- 1980
- 1988
- 2006
- 2009
- 2015
- 2018
- 2022
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FOBA 1939
Company foundation in Zurich
1939, in this pivotal year, Mr. Walter Friedrich founded FOBA (Foto-Geräte- und Elektro-Apparaten Bau). Dry presses were the first products he sold.
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FOBA 1958
The first column stand
In 1958, FOBA presented Europe’s first heavy duty column stand, for the permanent use of large format cameras. A sophisticated construction, which allowed operating heavy-duty cameras effortlessly.
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FOBA 1959
COMBITUBE system
In 1959, another breakthrough novelty was introduced to the market. The COMBITUBE system quickly became a lasting success. Studio setups of any kind and size could be realized individually and quickly. The modular system can be combined indefinitely, leaving no limits to the variety of applications.
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FOBA 1966
First shooting table
In 1966, the company came up with another groundbreaking product: the introduction of the first FOBA shooting table. The translucent, double-curved acrylic plate presented a great solution to many of the problems encountered in the field of the photography of objects.
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FOBA 1969
New building in Wettswil
In 1969, the company moved into its new production premises in Wettswil, near the Swiss economic center of Zurich. At the same time, the company was converted into a stock corporation, thus laying the foundation for successful future prospects.
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FOBA 1975
Takeover by the Bührer family
With the new manufacturing building and the positive business development in 1975, Walter Friedrich began to look for a younger entrepreneur. He found Mr. Rolf Bührer, an experienced toolmaker with a pronounced sense for highest quality.
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FOBA 1980
The hexagonal column stand
In 1980, FOBA column stands with the unique hexagonal vertical column and horizontal arm were introduced. 24 precisely and individually adjustable ball bearings enabled a particularly smooth handling.
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FOBA 1988
Introduction of the SUPERBALL
Another milestone was laid in 1988. The numerically controlled production systems delivered a level of precision that paved the way for new products: the «SUPERBALL» ball heads. With the large sphere milled from solid material, the efficient positioning particularly impressed and satisfied the most demanding users.
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FOBA 2006
Takeover by the Ehrenberg family
In the summer of 2006, after almost three decades, Rolf Bührer Senior sold the company to a younger entrepreneur, Philippe von Ehrenberg. The new owner expanded the company’s foothold in measurement technology to another important pillar of the company, along with the traditional photography business.
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FOBA 2009
Anniversary
In 2009, FOBA celebrated its 70th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the FOBA COMBITUBE system. In an international photo competition, the product was put into action and produced a variety of creative and crazy motifs.
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FOBA 2015
Interim Management
In 2015, Thomas Schaber, a young and dynamic engineer, took over the management of FOBA on an interim basis. Pioneering development projects and process optimization were initiated and implemented under his leadership.
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FOBA 2018
Owner family back in management
In 2018, Samuel von Ehrenberg joins the company and completes the generation change of the owner family. Building on the success story and values of FOBA, which is now over 80 years old, the company is aligned towards the challenges of the future.
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FOBA 2022
The new dimension of Positioning Solutions
With meticulousness and curiosity, FOBA extensively renewed its range of column stands in 2022. The new A-Line builds on the well-tried products and integrates, in addition to the state-of-the-art technology, the numerous valuable feedback, ideas and requests from our customers and users.
