Shop in Shop at Pennsylvania USA

Hama Company Profile

Hama - Made by Ideas!

Innovation and Imagination are the fundamentals Hama has employed from its inception, which has created the exemplary track record as a family owned business, full of tradition and constantly searching for new markets and technologies.

Specialized in accessories

With 16,000 products, Hama is one of the leading accessory companies, specializing in the field of Photo, Video, Audio, Computer and Telecommunications and now employs about 2,200 people around the World.

At its German headquarters in Monheim, 1,400 people are diligently performing their daily duties to maximize the growing success of Hama. This also extends to our Subsidiaries, Trade Partners and Production sites in Europe and all over the World with about 800 people. |

The presence of Hama is truly global, thanks to its quality products, customer service and competent partners.

Modern techniques in use

Hama's philosophy since the beginning was to provide the most advanced technical facilities to maintain and improve its performance and quality structure.

The logistics and dispatch center put into operation in 1997 was considerably enlarged in 2006. With big storage capacities, optimized operational procedures and a automated flow of goods new standards are set regarding logistics and delivery service.

Quality Based Management

Great importance has also been applied to our Quality Management by investing in specialist personnel and test equipment to ensure the highest standards of quality control. Thus ensuring only faultless product leaves the logistic and distribution center.

Hama - the track record ...

Hama's successful future orientated, family owned business has expanded from a one-man operation into a World, renowned corporation with countless subsidiaries, trading partners, and production sites in every Continent.

1923: Martin Hanke founded the photo wholesale business Hamaphot.
Production of laboratory equipment and photo shooting accessories.

1945: The Factory was destroyed during the bombing of Dresden and moved to Monheim and set up as a trading company in photo accessories.

1948: The first synchronized flash powder device was developed plus a research and production facility was installed.

1950: Exhibited at the first photokina, Cologne, the leading International Fair for Photography and Pictures.

1972: The first automatic Cine Splicer of the World was launched from Hama.

1973: Newly built "Plant 2" is opened to house production, sales and administration departments now employing 80 people.

1975: The revolutionary slide mounting system "Hamafix" celebrates its first anniversary.

1979: "Plant 2" building is extended and now employs 300 people.

1980: New accessories for Audio and Video products are added to compliment the assortment.

1985: The first subsidiary was founded in France. Today, Hama has subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates as well as distributors throughout the World.

1990: The new "Plant 3" opens employing 500 people. The new site is involved in development, construction, quality control and manufacturing.

1991: "Video Cut 200" is launched and becomes the most sold video editing unit.

1993: Company changes name from Hamaphot to Hama GmbH & Co KG Additional product assortments are launched encompassing Computer, Telecommunications and CD Storage. Hama exhibits for the first time at CeBit.

1994: photokina, Cologne saw the launch of a complete range of photo frames and Samsonite Photo and Video Bags, co-developed between Samsonite, the world's market leader in luggage and Hama GmbH & Co KG.

1995: World Premier of self researched mobile phone fixture system "Mobile Safe". Hama enters the Car Accessory market together with Office Stationary.

1996: The Photo assortment is complimented with the addition of Photo Albums and APS accessories. Launch of Samsonite "Sammies", a sensational success into the field of ergonomically formed school satchels.

1997: "Plant 3" is renovated and extended. A fully automated high bay warehouse is commissioned using state of the art computers controlling 25,000 pallet spaces.

1998: Opening of our new subsidiary in Breitenfurt / Austria near Vienna. April saw the opening ceremony of the Hama Picture Frame in Syrovice, near Brunn, Czech. Hama celebrates its 75th Anniversary.

1999: Hama continues its guest brand policy with the introduction of SanDisk and Plantronics and develops its global expansion in the field of licensed product distribution.

2000: Hama now employs 1.600 people around the World. 980 of them are here at Monheim headquarters. The opening of our new subsidiary in Poland marks the further expansion into the developing market in Eastern Europe. With the boom in multimedia and telecommunications Hama achieves record growth. photokina sees the launch of a comprehensive range of Digital Photo Accessories leading the way into Digital Photography.

2001: The E-Commerce Department is formed to develop the Internet opportunities. CeBIT 2001 saw the launch of the electronic product catalogues, and in August, further expansion into online ordering system for our trade partners. The introduction of Koss and Chiemsee enlarged the assortment of licensed brands at the IFO Fair in Berlin.

2005: Hama continues expanding its market position by product innovation and customer loyalty methods.

2006: Further success records Hama with the expansion of its logistic center by a new automated high rack warehouse, a automated carton warehouse as well as a new building for the intake, quality assurance and the technical service.

2007: Meanwhile the company employs 2200 employees, 1400 of them are working at the headquarter in Monheim.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the new subsidiary Hama Gulf was founded.