History
The Thoma company for fire engines was founded on September 1st, 1987 with the aim to establish a trading and repair business for fire engines of all kinds. At the time, the company founder Michael Thoma, a trained automobile technician, was employed as sales representative for Gebr. Bachert, Bad Friedrichshall, a manufacturer of fire engines. At the beginning of 1987, this company had faced economic difficulties which led to Thoma's decision. At first, he rented a small company building in Reute, South Germany, which served both as parking area for the vehicles and workshop. At this time, office work was done at home. Soon, it was clear that the concise facilities impeded the fast-paced development of the young enterprise, and Michael Thoma looked for an appropriate larger site. In September 1988, the company moved to the new premises in Waldkirch/Black Forest, happy having found a large building with adequate offices. Assuming that the premises would be sufficient for the years to come, the number of employees was increased from 2 to 4. After three years, however, the company again outgrew the premises, and the search started anew. Since adequate facilities were not available at acceptable conditions, the company had a new workshop and showroom building with offices and staff rooms constructed in Kenzingen/Black Forest. On September 1st, 1992, the company with meanwhile six employees moved to the new premises. In the course of time, the company building witnessed various extensions and rebuilding work to live up to the continuous growth of business. In 2005, the company employed 30 people. The growing demands of the customers in Germany and abroad called for an expansion of the product range: From a pure second-hand dealer to a company offering full service.
Our workshops perform the following activities:
• repairing fire engines of any kind
• paint work
• repairing chassis
• repair work after accidents including new bodies
• upholstery and saddlery work
• manufacturing of storages, fittings and equipment drawers (extractable storages)
• automotive electrics and radio installation
• vehicle manufacturing
• vehicle foil coating (as alternative to varnishing)
• repairing pumps of all manufacturers
• refurbishing and general overhaul of customer vehicles (incl. technical upgrading)
In 2005, the company again outgrew the 2 acre grounds in Kenzingen which had became too small for 30 employees. Insufficient space in the workshop buildings called for an extension. However, this was not possible on the company-own premises, but a new location was found in the nearby town at a distance of 1.5 miles. On the former main repository of the German army, the town of Herbolzheim disposed of the required halls and grounds. Thoma purchased 6.4 acres of grounds and 2.2 acres of halls, workshops, offices and staff rooms. After nine months of rebuilding, the company moved to the new location on September 1, 2006. The new structure allows for an optimised workflow resulting in greater productivity. And the new premises hold reserves for further grow. The company owner Michael Thoma ascribes the success of his company to the great knowledge and expertise of the staff to offer individual and customer-oriented consultation. Likewise, Mr. Thoma attaches greatest importance to highly qualified technicians to live up to the high customer demands. Thoma GmbH & Co. KG Feuerwehrfahrzeuge is a member of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Chamber of Skilled Crafts.
As authorised and certified specialist shop for vehicle construction and repair work, we employ the following professional categories:
• automotive engineers and coachwork builders
• car mechanics
• agricultural machinery mechanics
• automotive electrical fitters
• varnishers
• systems mechanics (component engineering)
• carpenters
• sales people
• clerks
In total, we employ 3 master craftsmen.
