Obi (store)

The Obi GmbH & Co. KG Germany (proper spelling OBI in capital letters ) is a pan-European DIY retail chain headquartered in Wermelskirchen in Germany.

Ownership structure

Obi Germany is part of the Obi Group Holding GmbH Wermelskirchen, which is held in turn 100% owned by the Olympics DIY Holding GmbH Wermelskirchen. At the Olympics DIY Holding GmbH Tengelmann Group with 74.23 % and the Lueg Group are involved.

Ranking

Obi Germany is one of the biggest construction companies in Europe and leads the top - list of DIY stores in Germany. DIY stores (of which 338 in Germany ) entertained at 580 sites in 13 countries. In fiscal 2012, scored the Obi- markets with 43,100 employees generated sales of 6.9 billion euros. The share of foreign sales in 2011 amounted to 46 percent.

History

Obi was founded in 1970 by Emil Lux and Manfred mouse with the opening of the first Obi- market at the mall Alster in Hamburg- Poppenbuettel. The idea of the company name Obi goes back to the French pronunciation of the word hobby, because in French a H is not spoken. Manfred Maus bought the name Obi ( for 3000 francs ) of businessmen who operated a hardware store in France with that name. Because of the purchase contract no further Obi- markets should be opened in France. The existing in France Obi- markets belong to the French Leroy Merlin DIY store group.

1985 took over the Tengelmann Group the majority of Obi, the proportion was increased in 2007 with the acquisition of the shares of the founding family Lux from 63% to 74%.

In the late 1990s, the chain IMO DIY market with six markets first franchise partner in Austria. 2010 sold IMO Market DIY Obi - DIY to Germany to Obi. The property remained in the IMO market hardware store. Continue to operate eight franchisees a total of 32 markets. Among these partners is the existing building material suppliers since 1894 A. Sochor, which itself reaches about a turnover of 100 million Euros (2006).

The eleven Swiss markets are operated as a franchise partner for the cooperation with Migros.

Group structure

In 2013, Obi operates stores in Germany ( 338 ), Italy ( 52 ), Poland ( 44), Austria (33 ), Czech Republic ( 28 ), Hungary (28 ), Russia ( 19 ), Switzerland (10 ), Romania ( 7 ), Slovenia ( 7 ), Croatia ( 3), Bosnia - Herzegovina ( 3 ) and Ukraine (3). A temporary involvement in China was abandoned. The German markets are also controlled by the German Heimwerkermarkt Holding GmbH in Wermelskirchen.

Many OBI stores are not part of the group, but are operated by independent entrepreneurs in franchising.

To the company owns several service companies:

  • Obi Mietprofi ( tool and machine rental)
  • Obi renovation service ( craft service )
  • Obi Smart Technologies formerly GFD - Association of Data Processing ( IT services)
  • OBI E- Commerce GmbH (Responsibility for Online Shop)

In addition to products for the construction and DIY equipment, the company also offers housewares and garden supplies. The company is best known for his trademark symbol, the beaver. Meanwhile, the DIY sector is in a strong repression and competition, as well as the advertising intensity was significantly increased, including as a co- sponsor of sports and sporting events. Obi for example, was the only retail company that acted as the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2006.

Cooperations

Obi cooperated in expanding home - business with the BOS GmbH, a sales subsidiary of Bien- Zenker.

With Obi Obi @ Otto had entered into a cooperation with the Otto-Versand in Hamburg. The aim was to take advantage of an online shop and in-house delivery service, Hermes as well as with Schenker for large items ( such as garden sheds ) to associate with the common Obi- range. The Otto-Versand, however, since the beginning of 2007 leads its brand identity without the Obi- DIY group under the name OTTO hardware store directly in cooperation with the hagebau in Soltau on.

Furthermore, the Obi was payback system connected to 30 June 2007. Obi has now set up its own loyalty program for customers.

Criticism

  • Obi is accused of unions to systematically hinder councils or to prevent its creation from the beginning. For this, the employees should have been massively under pressure and canceled council members with flimsy reasons. In only 40 of 330 hardware stores Obi, there are works councils.
  • TÜV Rheinland accuses Obi claims to have deceived customers since 2009 by misused seal case of safety- sensitive devices.
Types of business entity Bremerhaven Chain store Schenker AG
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