History
Overview
VOERE traditional - innovative
Highlights
- AM 180 - fastest shooting rifle
- AM 180 - red laser dot
- BBF - free floating barrel
- VEC 91 - electronic ignition
- VEC 91 - caseless ammunition
More Information
Product Photos
Firmenhistorie
Produkthistorie
Produktpalette
Product History
Product History
1948
VOERE's first products in the early days were production of air pumps for byciles and footballs.
1950
The production of air pumps was upgraded with air pistols and later compressed CO2 rifles
1955
In the meantime the production of smallbore rifles started
1965
Expansion of the production results in the purchase of the plant in Kufstein. The production lines for bolt action rifles plus over / under shotguns were added to the existing air and smallbore rifles.
1972
Development of the first antiterror rifle with laser sight. The AM180 is the fastest shooting rifle in the world. It can shoot 30 rounds per second!
1983
Market entry into environmental machinery. VOERE develops the shredders for gardening disposals.
1987
Purchase of the manufacturer Kufsteiner Gerätebau und Handelsgesm.b.H. by VOERE.
Start up of production of mechanical components and parts for the electronic industry.
1991
Presentation of the first rifle for caseless ammunition and electric ignition.
1992
Start up production of caseless ammunition
2002
Expansion into the semi conductor industry
2003
Launch of the LBW, a light weight and completely modular rifle
2009
Launch of the "Tirolerin", a high end steel hunting rifle based on a modular concept
2010
Presentation of the Targetrifle LBW-M, The first precision rifle with a modular concept and calibre exchange.
Company History
Company History
1948
The Beginning
In the Early Stages
VOERE has its roots in the German Black Forest.
This is where
Ing. Erich Voetter and his partner Paul Restle established his metal processing company called KOMA based on the names of the locations, Konstanz (Constance) and Markdorf. The registered office of the Company was in Furtwangen in the Black Forest.
1950
Air Pistols
Years later air pistols have been developed of out of the concept of the air pumps.
This was the first step into the firearms business.
At this time the air pistols were rather basic - single loads, wooden grip.
Soon the air pistols were further developed into small bore pistols.
1955
VOERE
The production facilities and the distribution area keeps expanding. After realising that the name, KOMA, is already being used abroad in other industries, it is decided to rename the company using the names of both the company founders, leading to the name, VOERE from VOEtter and REstle.
1960
New Production plant Vöhrenbach
After enlarging the product range with air rifles and small bore rifles in addition to the already existing pistols the production plant had to grow.
Finally the original base of the company was moved from Furtwangen to the nearby Vöhrenbach in the Black Forrest.
Shortly after that also semi automatic small bore rifles were produced.
1964
Change of Ownership
Paul Restle sells his ownership due to his age. The company is doing very well. In place of Mr. Restle, DI Alfons Ruhland, the son in law of Erich Voetter joins the company.
The limits of expansion at Vöhrenbach have been reached.
1965
Purchase of "Sportwafffen Tyrol" in Kufstein
Taking in account the limited space and manpower at Vöhrenbach in the Black Forrest, it is decided to purchase the trouble-ridden company, Sportwaffen (Sports weapons) Tyrol, in Kufstein.
The history of the plant in Kufstein dates back to 1938.
At this time, the factory was built as part of the German war machine in the second world war. The company was originally bulit by the leading manufaturer for war-weapons Krieghoff. It was used to manufacture aircraft cannonry for German airplanes.
However, it was never used for the production of complete cannons. After the war, the factory was handed over to the Works Manager, Mr. Gatterer. He managed the company, Sportwaffen Tyrol, until its bankruptcy in 1964.
VOERE bought the company in 1965.
From purchase of the Tyrolean factory onward it was managed by its CEO DI Alfons Ruhland, whereas the German company in Vöhrenbach is being managed by Mr. Walter Hermann as its CEO. Mr. Erich Voetter stepped back and remained a share holder of both companies.
With the expansion at Kufstein, the manufacture of weapons is supplemented with hunting bolt action and shotgun rifles.
1972
Anti Terror Rifle
AM180 The worlds first in serial produced rifle with a laser aiming device.
This is the quick answer to the terrorist attack in Munich in 1972.
The rifle can be used as a subachinegun as well as a machinepistol. It is until today the fastest shooting rifle in the world.
1983
Enviromental Machines
Once more VOERE is in the leading position in enviroment. Shredders for gardening and lanscaping in the professional sector habe been invented together with Samix of Germany.
In the meantime there is a variety of manufacturers for gardening machines on the market.
1986
Chernobyl
The nuclear catastrophe in Chernobyl results in the nuclear contamination of hughe landscapes. Hunting is prohibited in Scandinavia, which is the main sales territory of the sister company in Vöhrenbach. As a consequence the plant had to be shut down in 1987.
The production facilities were sold off to Mauser in the Black Forest. Mauser continued to produce the bolt action small bore rifles.
1987
Fusion
VOERE joins up with the metal company Kufsteiner Gerätebau und Handels GmbH.
VOERE is now also producing mechanical parts for other companies. Customers are not only in the rifle industry but also in the automotive sector, glas industry, semiconductor industry. The number of customers is growing quickly.
1990
Silver-anniversary of VOERE
As for the 25th company anniversary VOERE launches a special edition of bolt action rifles.
Impressive detailed engraving of the handworked rifles show the capability in gun smithing.
Quality of VOERE - for 25 years now.
1991
Explosion in plant Kufstein
Repairworks at the plant Kufstein. While fixing a roof on one of the buildings a gas cylinder caught fire. The resulting explosion explosion threw the gas cylinder through an appartment house nearby plus another 300 m further.
The involved buildings were heavily damaged. Fortunately there was only a financial loss, no-one was hurt in the explosion.
1992
Expansion
Registration and start of production of the caseless ammunition.
As a result of the expansion of the company a new appartment house for employees had to be built - to accomodate foreign workers in the plant Kufstein.
2007
The 3. generation
Born on 12.5.1966 Sven Ruhland grows up in the tyrolean Kufstein.
Mr. Ruhland studies Engineering and works for Musgrave in South Africa, before stepping into VOERE as a development engineer.
Soon being in management and stepping into fathers footsteps. Since 2007 Sven Ruhland is the managing director of VOERE. He is married and has two children.
2010
4 Shifts
The plant keeps expanding. In the meantime another building is finished. Older existing bulidings are demolished. The plant is running on 4 shifts. Monday until Saturday.