"We want to create sustainable value for our customers, employees and shareholders as an international full-service provider of customized and innovative e-mobility solutions as well as power supply devices!"
FRIWO AG from Ostbevern, known in the past primarily as a manufacturer of plug-in power supply units in lower power classes, is developing with great strides in a completely new direction. In recent years, the company has already continuously shifted its strategic focus: away from simple, easily copied power supply solutions and price-driven markets with high competitive pressure from Asia, towards intelligent charging and battery technology for demanding and emerging markets such as cordless tools, medical technology or electro mobility. Now FRIWO is completing the transformation from product to system provider.
The basic idea that FRIWO is pursuing with the new strategy is to offer a configurable overall system from a single source: optimally coordinated products that can be adapted via software according to the needs of the customer and their application. In this way, the customer is not only spared high development costs and the nerve-wracking coordination of several suppliers, his time-to-market is also drastically reduced through the use of an integrated system.
FRIWO’s approach as a system supplier has not only been about chargers and batteries for some time now, but goes far beyond that: In December 2018, FRIWO took over Emerge-Engineering GmbH, a real technology jewel, and acquired market-leading know-how regarding the software-based configuration and control of electric drives. This is an ideal addition to the existing portfolio, as the combination of the two companies’ products results in complete electric drive trains including the associated charging technology, which can be used in all of FRIWO’s target markets.
FRIWO AG accompanies a long and eventful history: The world’s first plug-in power supply unit is invented in Ostbevern. FRIWO becomes the world market leader in the field of chargers for cell phones. The cell phone charger division is sold. From now on, the company focuses on power supplies for demanding and future-oriented markets with special requirements. The transformation from a pure product supplier to a software-oriented solution provider for high-tech power supplies and drive systems takes place. All these are just a few cornerstones of our past development.
2024 | FRIWO sells production site in Ostbevern FRIWO is parting with the remaining production site in Ostbevern. The new owner, Private Assets, is taking over the Ostbevern production site and will act as a contract manufacturer for FRIWO products manufactured in Europe in the future. |
2023 | Foundation of FRIWO North America Inc. For worldwide expansion, FRIWO North America Inc. was founded as a sales base in the state of Ohio. From this central location, the important growth markets in the USA, Canada and Mexico are to be served. |
2022 | Joint venture between FRIWO and UNO MINDA group opens up new perspectives Successful start of the Indian joint venture in terms of operational structures, but especially in terms of the enormous demand for electric drive systems for two- and three-wheelers. |
2021 | FRIWO enters into a joint venture with the UNO MINDA Group Agreement on a joint venture with the Indian UNO MINDA to supply the large Indian two- and three-wheeler market with electric drive systems. FRIWO holds a minority stake of 49.9 percent in this joint venture. |
2020 | Foundation of Friemann & Wolf India Pvt. Ltd. As India is one of the fastest growing markets for electromobility worldwide, FRIWO has established its own sales subsidiary in Bengaluru – the Indian high-tech industrial centre in the state of Karnataka. |
2019 | An entirely new corporate identity In the course of its transformation into a software-oriented technology company, FRIWO adopts a completely new corporate identity. |
2018 | Takeover of Emerge-Engineering GmbH FRIWO’s approach as a system supplier has not only been about chargers and batteries for some time now, but goes far beyond that: In December 2018, FRIWO took over Emerge-Engineering GmbH, a real technology jewel, and acquired market-leading know-how regarding the software-based configuration and control of electric drives. With the takeover, FRIWO is taking the step from a pure product supplier to a system provider, offering complete electric drive trains including the associated charging technology from a single source. |
2017 | Vertical integration FRIWO takes over a production of transformers and chokes from a supplier in Vietnam. This adds an important product component to the company’s value chain. The number of employees grows to over 2,000. |
2016 | Grand Opening Vietnam Opening of a state-of-the-art production facility in Vietnam. The high-quality production clearly sets itself apart from the local standard and features, for example, an ESD floor, nitrogen soldering systems, and automatic testing and inspection systems. With the new location, FRIWO is also well equipped for future growth. |
2015 | Focus on target markets “TIME” Through the targeted development of know-how, FRIWO is becoming a leading supplier in the technologically demanding and future-oriented Tools, Industrial, Medical and E-Mobility sectors. |
2014 | A first step towards a system concept The company starts manufacturing battery packs and thus acts as a provider of charging and battery technology with complete solutions from a single source. |
2013 | Breaking through the sales barrier FRIWO generates sales of over 100 million euros for the first time. |
2009 | FRIWO AG is established CEAG changes its name: CEAG AG becomes FRIWO AG. |
2008 | New structures: Sale of the FMP division and change of ownership As part of the standardization of chargers for cell phones to the USB standard, the FMP division is sold to the Singapore-based company Flextronics. In addition, Cardea Holding GmbH, a subsidiary of VTC Industrieholding GmbH, acquires the majority shares in CEAG AG from the previous main shareholder, DELTON AG of Bad Homburg. The company headquarters of CEAG AG is relocated to the FRIWO headquarters in Ostbevern. |
2006 | Listing in the General Standard The shares of CEAG AG are officially listed in the General Standard. |
2002 | FRIWO is divided into two divisions FRIWO Gerätebau GmbH is divided into the two business divisions FRIWO Mobile Power (FMP) and FRIWO Power Solutions (FPS). While the FMP division specializes in chargers for cell phones, FPS develops power supply solutions and chargers for a wide range of other markets. In the field of chargers for cell phones, the company will later be regarded as the world market leader with a global market share of around one quarter. |
1996 | Friemann & Wolf becomes FRIWO The company name “Friemann & Wolf” is officially changed to FRIWO. Today’s subsidiary FRIWO Gerätebau GmbH is established. |
1983 | CEAG AG takes over Friemann & Wolf Entry into the external power supply business: The company Friemann & Wolf is acquired by CEAG AG. |
1977 | Listing of CEAG AG on the stock exchange Industrieanlagen und Leichtbau GmbH changes its name and location: CEAG Industrieaktien und Anlagen AG is formed with new headquarters in Frankfurt. |
1967 | The forerunner of CEAG is founded The corporate history of FRIWO AG (formerly CEAG AG) in its current form has its actual origins in Industrieanlagen und Leichtbau GmbH, founded in Düren in 1967. |
For us, sustainable management means taking into account all perspectives of sustainability within the orientation of our entrepreneurial activities. As a listed company, we strive for profitable growth that minimizes the utilization of resources as well as negative impacts on the environment, while considering employee interests and needs.
Changing lifestyles and usage habits are leading to an ever-increasing demand for efficient power supply technology and specialized energy supply systems for mobile devices of all kinds. FRIWO considers itself as a leading company for the development and production of assemblies and systems for these applications. In close cooperation with our customers, we are continuously working on making our products both more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. In doing so, we not only comply with all legal regulations for energy efficiency but also strive to always exceed them. Reducing the overall dimensions of our products reduces material usage and therefore helps to conserve valuable resources.
We take the protection of the environment very seriously and therefore have not only implemented an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 at our own manufacturing sites, but also ensure that our business partners in equipment manufacturing set up and maintain an environmental management system also. This enables us to identify risks in good time, prevent damage and are able through continuous improvement to reduce the impact of our products and production on the environment to an inevitable minimum. We are aware that we handle problematic substances within the production of our equipment and that these substances later become part of these products.
Our well-trained employees at all our sites play an essential part in guaranteeing that FRIWO can continuously present innovations and produce gains in efficiency. The fair treatment of all employees means therefore more than a matter of fact to us – it is a key success factor. In-house training programs, pay that is exclusively linked to the respective job description as well as fair opportunities for advancements are examples of the measures that we implement.
Compliance with legal regulations at the various locations by all employees as well as ethically impeccable behaviour by all is indispensable for us. The same applies to our business partners: We do not tolerate legally and morally dubious practices.
Please note that some publications are only available in German. These publications will be displayed in German.
FRIWO AG (formerly CEAG AG), headquartered in Ostbevern/Westphalia, has been listed on the stock exchange since 1977 and has been listed in the General Standard since April 2006. In fiscal year 2023, consolidated sales amounted to 111.1 million euros. FRIWO employs over 1,000 people worldwide. The main shareholder of FRIWO AG is a subsidiary of VTC GmbH & Co. KG, Munich.
Founding year | 1967 |
Market segment primary instrument | General Standard |
Fiscal year | 01/01 to 31/12 |
Group accounting standards | Consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS (exempting) |
Total share capital | EUR 22.241.689,60 |
Start of stock exchange listing | 09/08/1977 |
Shareholder | Shares currently in % |
A subsidiary of VTC GmbH & Co. KG, Munich | 81,59% lt. 28.06.2022 |
To live up to the claim of being a technology leader, you need strong leadership: Rolf Schwirz has been CEO at FRIWO since 2017 and is responsible for the areas of technology, production and sales of e-drives with a focus on India. In him, the FRIWO Group not only has a charismatic management personality with exceptional sales experience, but can also build on a wealth of experience.
Before working at FRIWO, Rolf Schwirz held various management roles at reputable hardware and software companies. He started out his career in 1983 as system analyst for companies such as Siemens Nixdorf and Siemens AG, where he held various management positions.
He then went on to become Head of Mature Markets for EMEA at the SAP software group before performing various international management roles at industry giant Oracle for a period spanning 12 years. This included Senior Vice President Western Continental Europe, Managing Director Nordic-Germany, and Vice President Sales Germany.
Mr. Schwirz then went on to become CEO at Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH. He held the same position at Kontron AG from 2013 to 2016, before finally being recruited for the exciting management role at the FRIWO Group.
Roald Gréboval has been a member of the company’s Executive Board since May 2024. His responsibilities include the global sales activities for the Group’s core business.
Mr Gréboval has an impressive career with more than 25 years of experience in leading positions in international companies, especially in the technology and mobility sector. His many years of expertise in the implementation of growth strategies and passion to drive Sales, particularly in innovative technology applications, which also characterise FRIWO, are particularly noteworthy.
Roald Gréboval began his professional career after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Master’s degree in energy technology.
He was most recently Managing Director of global railway activities and European Sales Director at Luminator Technology Group, a leading global supplier of public transit technology solutions. Prior to this, Mr Gréboval was Director of Market Development at Schaltbau Holding AG, a listed technology partner for the safety and availability of railway and DC power. Mr Gréboval gained further extensive experience over eight years in various management positions at the French company COMPIN, an international Tier 1 system supplier.
The Supervisory Board plays an important role at FRIWO not only as a supervisory body, but also as an important sparring partner for the Board of Management thanks to the concentrated experience of its members. With their cross-industry expertise, the individual members are valuable advisors in important corporate decisions.
Member since 2008
Until September 2024, Richard Ramsauer was Managing Partner of VTC GmbH & Co. KG in Munich until September 2024. During this time, he carried out numerous corporate transactions for VTC in the fields of industry, infrastructure technology and electronics. He was also responsible for VTC’s public relations work.
After more than 25 years as Managing Partner, Richard Ramsauer has left VTC GmbH & Co. KG and will become more entrepreneurially active in the future, taking over VTC’s stake in United Souvenirs GmbH in Vienna. In addition, Mr. Ramsauer will not only remain on friendly terms with VTC, but will also retain an economic interest in the VTC portfolio company FRIWO AG and will continue to manage this investment for VTC.
Prior to his current position, Richard Ramsauer worked for several years for the strategy consultancy Bain & Company in Munich and Stockholm. During his consulting work, he was responsible for efficiency programs and strategy projects in the industrial and raw materials sectors. In addition, Richard Ramsauer is active in his family’s forestry operation.
Richard Ramsauer holds a lic.oec. (HSG) degree in business administration from the University of St. Gallen Switzerland, and an MBA from the University of Chicago, USA. Richard Ramsauer is an Austrian citizen.
Member since 2024
Mr. Felix Feuerbach is Managing Director of the management consultancy Kemény Boehme Consultants SE, based in Munich.
After studying mechanical and vehicle engineering in Great Britain, Mr. Feuerbach began his professional career as a managing partner at Automotive Solutions GmbH. In 2003, he moved to Nexolab GmbH, BMW’s in-house management consultancy for e-business activities. Here, Mr. Feuerbach was responsible for product development and production as part of product and practice-oriented consulting projects for the BMW Group and its suppliers. In 2007, together with other partners, he founded Kenémy Boehme Consultants, where he is still Managing Director today. Since 2020, he has also been Managing Director at Bold KBC Center for Innovation GmbH, which is also part of Kenémy Consultants.
Mr. Feuerbach is a practical expert, particularly in innovation, sales/aftersales and the circular economy.
Member since 2018
After graduating from high school in Hamburg, Dr. Gregor Matthies studied aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich from 1981 to 1986 and received his doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Duisburg in 1990. From 1987 to 1990, Dr. Matthies worked for the former Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH in Ottobrunn and from 1990 to 1993 for Daimler-Benz AG in Stuttgart. From 1993 to 2013, he worked for the international management and strategy consultancy Bain & Company in Munich, including 13 years as a partner and 10 years as head of the global automotive industry practice group.
Dr. Matthies is still active as a senior advisor for Bain & Company and has been involved in venture capital since 2012 – as a venture partner/advisor at Earlybird, but also as an active angel investor. Currently he holds five investments in various start-ups, in each of which he is also a member of the advisory board/supervisory board. In addition, Dr. Matthies delivers guest lectures on technological and organizational developments in the automotive industry at the LMU in Munich and at the ESCP in Berlin.
Dr. Thomas Robl is Managing Partner at VTC GmbH & Co. KG in Munich. During his time at VTC, Thomas Robl has contributed his extensive transaction experience in the context of numerous corporate transactions. In the early years of VTC, he implemented a number of industrial consolidations and and also assumed operational responsibility for individual investments.
Prior to founding VTC in 1992, Thomas Robl worked for IMM Industrie Management Munich for several years, one of the first German investment companies at the time.
Dr. Thomas Robl was involved in the founding of a leading issuing house for private equity fund of funds and is now a member of the company’s supervisory board.
Thomas Robl holds a Dr. rer. nat. degree in Physics from the Technical University of Munich and an MBA from INSEAD, France.
Member since 2016
Uwe Leifken is a trained wholesale, import, and export merchant and later passed his examinations to become a commercial specialist and a state-certified business economist. Uwe Leifken has been working with FRIWO since 1998 and has held various positions in sales. As Group Manager Internal Sales, he was most recently responsible for distribution in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and was in charge of the entire small customer business. Uwe Leifken has been a member of the Works Council at FRIWO relieved of duty since January 1, 2019.
Member since 2024
After completing her Abitur, Stefanie Kunze pursued a dual study program and earned a degree in Business Administration (VWA). Stefanie Kunze has been employed at FRIWO since 2000 and has held various positions during her tenure.
She initially worked in operational purchasing before moving to Order Management in 2008, where she took over customer order processing for various clients.
Later, she took responsibility for selected customer groups in Internal Sales and Order Processing. Since July 2024, Stefanie Kunze has been responsible for the partner and distribution business in Sales.
The management of the FRIWO Group puts a special emphasis to compliance with laws and regulations for the corporate group throughout the group, and equally to observance of the company’s internal guidelines and requirements (corporate compliance). Correct behaviour as well as integrity and fair dealings with our business partners are key imperatives at FRIWO. FRIWO aims at effectively preventing white-collar crime and actions detrimental to the company through preventive measures. A key element of the Compliance Management System (CMS) at FRIWO, in addition to the web-based FRIWO whistleblower system, is a compliance training, which intends to ensure fundamentally compliant behaviour in all areas on the one hand and on the other hand places particular emphasis on the topics of prevention of corruption and compliance with antitrust as well as capital market law.
The Compliance department is the responsibility of the Chairman of the Management Board of FRIWO AG. Key aspects of the CMS are decided by and the responsibility of the entire Board of Management (hereinafter referred to as the Management Board). The Management Board regularly informs the Supervisory Board about compliance-relevant issues. The Compliance Officer is appointed by the Management Board of FRIWO AG and reports to the Chairman of the Management Board. He supports the Executive Board in bundling and supervising the compliance measures implemented by the Executive Board. His tasks include defining and further developing FRIWO’s corporate ethics with regard to compliance and conducting compliance training. The Compliance Officer also handles compliance inquiries and compliance cases for the FRIWO Group. In the foreign subsidiaries of the FRIWO Group, the respective managing directors are responsible for observing and ensuring compliance. They may appoint local Compliance Managers to take care of the regional implementation and processing of compliance measures. Compliance Managers act as competent contacts in matters of compliance in the respective subsidiary and report to the Compliance Officer.
In order to identify violations at an early stage and avert damage, we rely on the assistance of our employees and business partners as well as the public. Our employees are encouraged to contact their supervisor, the human resources manager or the compliance officer if they suspect that they have been involved in any harmful activities. In addition, FRIWO offers all whistleblowers the opportunity to report tips via the protected electronic FRIWO whistleblower system. With this web-based communication system, FRIWO offers whistleblowers the opportunity to report harmful activities at any time and from any location, either by giving their name or anonymously. The system can be accessed from any Internet-enabled PC and functions like an electronic mailbox. It thus allows a confidential online dialog between the whistleblower and the person handling the report. All reports are carefully examined and further measures are initiated in justified cases. Here you will find our electronic whistleblowing system.
Below you will find all the documents and information relating to our Annual General Meetings.
Please note: the following documents are currently only available in German.
The FRIWO financial calendar
Our financial calendar gives you an overview of important publication dates. FRIWO AG’s fiscal year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31.
24.04.2025 | Publication of the 2024 Annual Report |
08.05.2025 | Press release on the first quarter of 2025 |
05.06.2025 | Annual General Meeting |
14.08.2025 | Publication of the 2025 half-year report |
06.11.2025 | Press release on the third quarter of 2025 |