Chronicle of SFM GmbH, formerly SACHS Fahrzeug- und Motorentechnik GmbH, formerly Nuremberg Hercules-Werke
The precursor of the current SFM GmbH was founded by Carl Marschütz on April 5th, 1886 in Neumarkt as the Nürnberger Hercules-Werke. Initially he manufactured bicycles with eight employees. Already eight years later the company had grown to a total of 170 employees.
1894
Production of almost 5.000 bicycles
1895
Move of the production facilities from Neumarkt to the Fürther Straße in Nuremberg
1898
Hercules develops an electronic vehicle, capable of 40 kph maximum speed and a radius of 40 kilometres
1905
Production of the first motorcycles and start of the truck production with 1,2 t capacity
1928
Start of the motorcycle production using JAP, Villiers, Moser, Bark, Sturmey-Archer and SACHS engines
1930
Production of three-wheeled automobiles with 200 cc-engines
1945
After the Second World War restart with 30 employees, first producing milk churns, then producing bicycles.
Later production of the first motorcycles with a 97 cc-engine and following a motorcycle with a 125 cc-Ilo-engine
1951
World record by Georg Dotterweich on a 50 cc-engine assisted bicycle reaching an average speed of 79 kph
1962
Supply of the SACHS 50/5 - engine
Production of the successful model K50
1963
Fichtel & Sachs AG, Schweinfurt takes over the Nürnberger Hercules- Werke GmbH
1964
Great sportive success of 222 factory and private drivers: 1.049 gold-, 151 silver- and 58 bronze-medals
1965
Take over of Zweirad-Union with the brand names Victoria, Express and DKW by Fichtel & Sachs AG, Schweinfurt
Development of the predecessor of modern Quads named KRAKA (Kraftkarren). This agile all-terrain vehicle with a total weight of only 528kg, a 400 cc-engine and 18 HP had various functions in public services, forestry and military
1974
SACHS introduces the world's first motorcycle with a Wankel - engine
1987
Introduction of the Saxonette - a bicycle with a 30 cc-wheel-hub engine
1990
Presentation of the first electric moped reaching production status on the IFMA in Cologne
1991
Hercules builds the motorcycle K 180 BW for the German Federal Armed Forces
1995
New shareholder structure: the bicycle department is sold to the Dutch ATAG- group, the motorising department is renamed to SACHS Fahrzeug- und Motorentechnik GmbH
1997
Development and production of a new 125 cc model range
Contract with Daimler-Benz for the production of the Mercedes Hybrid Bike
1998
The SACHS Fahrzeug- und Motorentechnik GmbH is sold to the Dutch Winning Wheels Group
1999
Development of the Roadster 650 and Roadster 800
2000
Presentation of the Roadster series with 650 cc- and 800cc- engines and start of production
Presentation of the SACHS BEAST 1000 at the world's largest international motorcycle exhibition, the Intermot in Munich
2002
Starting in April SACHS produces a limited edition of the legendary MUENCH MAMMUT 2000, the strongest and most expensive serial motorcycle of the world
2003
Introduction of the first electronic bicycle with energy recuperation reaching a distance of 80 km
2004
Merger of the two traditional two-wheeler companies of Nuremberg SACHS Fahrzeug- und Motorentechnik GmbH and Zweirad Union Grundbesitz AG
2005
100 years serial production of motorised vehicles
Re-entry on the US market with MadAss models
Foundation of the SACHS Bikes Owners Club
2006
Introduction and serial production of the MadAss 125
Asian investment group invests in SACHS
2007
Move to new facilities in Nuremberg / Katzwang
Presentation of the ATV 4rock 450 and 4rock 650 as well as the 400 cc-engine scooter Quattrocento
2008
Name change: "SACHS Fahrzeug- und Motorentechnik GmbH" becomes "SFM GmbH"
Introduction of new Speedjet and Speedforce models as well as the 125cc-Scooter "Futuro".