On Christmas Eve 2001, the long-held vision of master carpenter Klemens Mormann and businessman Johannes Voß became a reality. While most families were decorating Christmas trees, Mormann and Voß signed the papers to establish VOMO Leichtbautechnik GmbH & Co. KG.

On 01. Januar 2002, coinciding with the introduction of the Euro, production of the first lightweight panels with paper honeycomb cores began in Havixbeck on a 400-square-meter production area. The VOMO team, at that time, consisted of the managing directors, a journeyman carpenter, an office assistant, and the technical equipment. The machinery of the young company included a press, a CNC milling machine, and a saw.

By 2005, the production area was expanded to 750 square meters—a horizontal panel saw was purchased and delivered right on the first day of the Münsterland snowstorm. However, due to the widespread power outage, the commissioning of the saw was delayed by a week despite the timely delivery. The workforce grew to eight full-time employees.

The year 2007 was marked by spontaneity and important decisions! In addition to the regular order volume, VOMO received three major orders for 10,000 lightweight panels, all to be completed within just six weeks! An additional 550 square meters of production and storage space were rented, and
after successfully fulfilling these orders, it quickly became clear:
capacity had reached its limit—more space was needed!
Quo Vadis, VOMO?
The search for a new location began. VOMO needed a new home.

With construction beginning in March 2009, it became clear—VOMO was moving to Laer. Amid the aftermath of the decade’s biggest financial crisis, the construction of the new company headquarters began with a high degree of self-effort and enthusiasm. Production was scheduled to start in January
2010 on the new site, which spans over 6,000 square meters. Not only would there be more space, but further investments were made in both people and materials.
The machinery was expanded with an automated continuous press, and the team grew to 15 employees.
VOMO remained true to its values even during this transformation. A sustainable concept was sought not only for its products but also realized and optimized on the new premises. From mid-2010, the company was powered and heated by its own woodchip heating system and solar panels.#responsibility

Over time, the machinery was further expanded and modernized. With the addition of a new Rover BG CNC milling machine, CNC processing was set up with a focus on the future. New honeycomb expansion ovens optimized the workflow on the press lines. The automation of edge banding technology marked the final step in bringing the future into the production hall.

A highly innovative period followed! In addition to optimizing and modernizing manufacturing and production, product development was accelerated, and the company began to look beyond its traditional focus. While the past focus had been on producing wall systems for the trade show, event, and art sectors, the portfolio was gradually expanded. VOMO began operating as a supplier for specialized trades, the timber wholesale industry, shopfitting, and furniture accessories. Things were evolving with VOMO’s lightweight panels.

In 2015, company founder Johannes Voß retired after 13 active years with VOMO. From that point on, he entrusted the company’s future entirely to his long-time companion Klemens Mormann and his own son Jan Voß. The VOMO team continued to grow steadily, with 20 employees now contributing to the company’s success in both administration and production.

In the following years, VOMO consistently expanded its business areas. The products and focus areas were refined, and distinct core sectors began to emerge within the company’s activities. VOMO concentrated on its expertise in wall systems, furniture manufacturing, and door production—this is where the first decisions were made that would later lead to the creation of the sub-brands BASIC, EXPO, and DOORS.

The years 2018 and 2019, in particular, were marked by strong growth. Process optimizations and business development were on the agenda, and significant plans were

formulated—the course was set! The turbo was ignited…

… Corona.

No one anticipated that the sales team’s visit to Euroshop in February 2020 would be the last live event for a long time. What followed was a state of shock and paralysis. The first half of the year was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 80% of revenue coming from the live events sector, the impact on VOMO, as with the rest of the country, was profound. It quickly became clear—this would last longer than expected. Once again, the question arose: Quo Vadis, VOMO?

“Forward!” decided Mormann and Voß, giving the VOMO team the signal to confront the crisis. The initial shock was processed—there was no sign of resignation! Everything was put to the test: business areas were refined and developed more thoroughly, the company diversified, process structures were optimized, and digitalization was introduced in administration. VOMO was cleaning house!

VOMO celebrates its 20th anniversary: Not quite! The pandemic is still ongoing. Although order levels and production capacity are far from “normal,” the company is far from standing still. Building on the planning work of the previous year, new projects are being tackled with characteristic Westphalian determination.

Amid the pandemic, the decision was made to carry out the long-planned expansion of production and storage capacities—a new hall was needed! But that’s not all; the sales team also had big plans. After initial conceptualization and digital discussions across the Atlantic, the focus shifted to expanding the EXPO division’s market into the USA, alongside the realization of the new building. After extensive groundwork and thorough planning during the
summer, the first VOMO delegation was ready to travel in the fall. However, a significant hurdle was the pandemic-related entry ban into the USA at that time.

After extensive correspondence, the VOMO delegation was ultimately granted a special permit by the American Embassy. In November 2021, they headed across the Atlantic—destination Las Vegas, Nevada. On-site, final contracts were drafted, warehouse and office spaces were inspected, and specific trade show participations on the distant continent were planned.

In parallel with the USA project, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new production expansion took place in the fall of 2021. The goal was to have the new hall complex fully operational by March 2022—with materials stored, the new machinery installed, and personnel trained. Admittedly, it was a tight timeline. However, the VOMO workforce’s pandemic-induced available capacity was actively utilized in the expansion and organization of the construction process. Spoiler alert: It worked! Today, an additional 3,000 square meters of hall space is available for production, processing, and storage.

New year, new opportunities! As the world began to reopen after two years of pandemic and lockdown, a sense of normalcy started to return to VOMO’s daily operations. And new fields of work continue to emerge. Since the beginning of this year, VOMO has not only served as the producer of the ARTBASEL wall system but also handles the logistics for the global fair from its location in Laer. And that’s quite a task! The annual plan now involves more than 200 sea freight containers passing through the doors of the new building to manage the logistics for ARTBASEL in Miami, Hong Kong, Basel, and the latest addition in Paris. VOMO is back!

Things continued to move quickly! Simultaneously, the sales network for the trade show and event sector was further expanded. The future EXPO division was steadily developing—both nationally and internationally. The USA was waiting: the deadline was June 2022 for the first trade show appearance in the United States.

This meant six months of maximum effort—preparing materials, websites, and social media for the U.S. branch, and producing and shipping goods for the initial
inventory. The deadline: June 2022 for Exhibitor Live in Las Vegas. On June 23, 2022, the moment arrived. The market launch in the USA was accomplished! VOMO USA was born!

Success and growth naturally bring further challenges! The task for 2023: VOMO needs personnel!

The VOMO team requires reinforcement in both production and administration. Not only must the increased workload generated by the immense growth be managed, but also the expertise in specialized areas that have not yet been fully developed within the company must be expanded. New departments in transport and logistics, warehousing, media design, and videography are planned and will be established by recruiting new colleagues.

A clear plan, set in the midst of a skilled labor shortage and a competitive job market. A strategy was needed! After many hours of planning and internal discussions, the result was the #allesgeben (“give it all”) campaign. As part of this campaign, unparalleled special benefits were introduced in the areas of vacation, leisure, bonuses, and additional perks—unlike anything seen before in the company’s history. These benefits became the cornerstone of the new recruiting campaign, which was launched simultaneously across various channels. Advertising posters, social ads, flyers, and videos have been spreading the message since
early 2023: We give it all!

The outcome of the campaign? A complete success! All open positions were filled, and VOMO now continues its journey towards new challenges with 36 employees.

With the corresponding reinforcement in the team, the leaps forward are getting bigger—literally! The next intercontinental expansion of the EXPO business field is underway! At the end of July 2023, the new partnership between VOMO and the Coex Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul was sealed. Coex is not only an internationally renowned venue in Seoul but also operates as an exhibition builder, event organizer, and general contractor for the conception and execution of trade shows throughout Korea and Vietnam. The trade show concepts designed for the Korean market are now also being marketed internationally at European and American locations and venues. And all of this, following the successful contract signing and the delivery of several sea freight containers by the end of 2023, will feature the VOMO SMART trade show wall system from the EXPO series. VOMO has arrived in Asia!

A new and exciting year for VOMO begins. Building on the concepts from previous years and with increased team capacity, much is possible! Structure, budgets, planning, and development are all gaining momentum. A five-year plan for overhauling the entire machinery park has been approved—a new CNC center, a glue application machine, and a new edge bander will be acquired this year, with the rest to follow over the next three years. Server upgrades, digitalization of the
phone system, and the implementation of a new ERP and CRM system are also on the agenda. All departments are gearing up to adequately position VOMO for the future.

To better serve the growing number of customers in various target markets, VOMO is implementing a clear separation of its business segments this year. This increased clarity will make customer and project communication significantly simpler and faster for all parties involved. Product development
is in full swing, and many products will see expansions and improvements by the summer of 2024. The business divisions VOMO BASIC, VOMO EXPO, and VOMO DOORS will each receive their own dedicated web presences and media channels, making the flow of information to customers and partners even more effective. The stage is set—let’s see what the future holds for VOMO…