AMF-Bruns History

1958 / 1959

Gustav Bruns († 1993) founded the Bruns KG in Apen in 1958. One year later his son Erich Bruns († 2014) joins the company.

Bruns KG initially constructed agricultural machinery, however, the company soon started to focus on other industry sectors.

1962

The manufacture of agricultural machinery is ceased with the development and production of industrial conveyor systems.

1970

As a second mainstay, the "Hubmatik" division (wheelchair accessible vehicle conversion) is founded in the early 1970s. Manfred Feldhoff († 2002) shapes and manages the "Hubmatik" division.

 

Production of the first AMF-Bruns wheelchair safety systems (at that time with bayonet mounts) and lift systems begins. The first static tests take place.

1973

Opening of a branch in Friesoythe, located about 30 km away.

1975

AMF-Bruns invents the world’s first 4-point retractor wheelchair restraint system. First dynamic crash tests in cooperation with TU Berlin (Technical University of Berlin) show the high degree of safety compared to other systems.

1977

Crash tests are carried out in cooperation with Volkswagen. The AMF-Bruns wheelchair securement system PROTEKTOR passes initial tests involving 20 G and becomes standard in Germany.

1981

AMF-Bruns 4-point wheelchair & occupant restraint system PROTEKTOR is incorporated as a standard in the first DIN 75078 (Standrad of the German Institute for Standardization).

1993 / 1995

Drawing boards become redundant with the introduction of computerised technology and CAD software to optimise production processes for designs.

 

Since 1993, the company has been managed by the third generation. Jürgen Bruns, responsible for the system construction division, joined the company in 1993. Two years later, in 1995, his brother Gerit Bruns follows. He is in charge of the Hubmatik division (vehicle conversion).

1998

AMF-Bruns constructs the first "Kraftknoten" system PROSAFE (wheelchair safety system with integrated lap belt). Tests with the BASt (German Highway Research Institute) are extremely successful and clearly demonstrate a marked rise in safety during accidents. AMF-Bruns is the only manufacturer worldwide!

PROSAFE becomes part of DIN 75078, part 2.

2003

Successful testing of the wheelchair restraints PROTEKTOR according to ISO 10542 with TÜV Rheinland and according to EN 2001/85/EG, Annex Vll for M2 and M3 vehicles.

2004

For the development and successful market launch of a safety system for wheelchair users in vehicles, the "Akademie Bruderhilfe" awards AMF-Bruns with the Road Safety Prize 2004.

2005

Introduction of an ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning) in both business units.

 

Foundation of the subsidiary AMF-BRUNS UK Ltd. in Manchester, United Kingdom.

2006

AMF-Bruns takes over the Dutch company Smartfloor B.V. in the Netherlands.

 

SMARTFLOOR is a tested, patented aluminium system floor for minibuses. Wheelchairs and tested M1 individual seats (SMARTSEATS) can be positioned flexibly.

 

Expansion of the main plant in Apen by building a new vehicle conversion workshop.

2007

AMF-Bruns develops and patents the FUTURESAFE, the first flexible head and backrest with integrated safety belt for vehicles.

2008 / 2009

Construction of an in-house calibrated pull test facility with 6 cylinders. Since 2009, static pull tests have been carried out at the company headquarters in Apen.

Approval of the facility by TÜV Nord (DE), RDW (NL) and VCA (GB).

2011

Introduction of lean management at AMF-Bruns in cooperation with Porsche Consulting. From now on, lifts and vehicles are produced in one line.

2012

Construction of the new office building and expansion of the business unit Hubmatik.

 

Change of name to AMF-Bruns GmbH & Co. KG.

2013

The LINEARLIFT AL1 wins the design prize "Red Dot Award" and is particularly commended for its unusually lightweight construction using aluminium.

 

Foundation of the North American subsidiary AMF-Bruns of America LP in Hudson, USA.

2015

Establishment of an additional line for small vehicles.

In addition to the usual production volume of vehicles with rear cut floor, up to eighteen further vehicles can be built per week on both lines.

 

2016

Launch of the WC18 approved PROTEKTOR PlatinumSeries and the Hide-A-Way Wheelchair Restraint System.

 

Opening of a second production line for the large vehicle category. It increases the capacity and at the same time reduces the lead time per vehicle for the existing lines. The positive result is short delivery times with the usual high quality.

2018

Launched eFutureSafe Head & Backrest / Seat Anchorage - which allows wheelchair passengers with upper extremity pain & discomfort to travel.

2019

AMF-Bruns opens another vehicle line for small vehicles to meet the growing demand for wheelchair accessible vehicles with rear cut floor.

 

Foundation of the Forschungs- & Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH and ground-breaking ceremony for the new R&D centre of excellence with dynamic crash test facility.

2020

The new generation of the PROTEKTOR occupant & wheelchair securement system is launched.

The wheelchair restraints of the PROTEKTOR 2.0 system impress with robust materials, high-quality manufacturing, user-friendliness and set global safety standards in road traffic.

 

Honored with the Red Dot Design Award 2020!

The old company building when Bruns KG constructed agricultural machinery
Employee sits in a production hall and works on a machine to manufacture agricultural machinery
A converted wheelchair accessible vehicle with rear lowering suspension. The wheelchair inside the vehicle is secured with the first AMF-Bruns wheelchair restraint system.
Arial photo of branch in Friesoythe
Crash-test dummy sits in a wheelchair, which is secured with a 4-point retractor restraint system
Newspaper article about successful crash test with AMF-Bruns wheelchair restraints in cooperation with Volkswagen
Logo of the German standard DIN
Old office building of the vehicle conversion division with "Hubmatik" lettering
Wheelchair with ProSafe system and integrated lap belt
Crash-test dummy sits in a power wheelchair, which is secured on a sled
Road Safety Award for wheelchair safety system
Office building of subsidiary AMF-Bruns UK
Office building of subsidiary Smartfloor
Part of the Smartfloor with logo "Smartfloor - flexibility inside"
View into the new vehicle conversion workshop
Crash-test dummy sits in a folding wheelchair on a sled. Wheelchair and dummy are secured with Protektor restraint system and head & backrest FutureSafe
Pull test facility with chassis during a test
Vehicle construction workshop with line production
New office building of headquarters AMF-Bruns Germany
Linear lift AL1 with Red Dot Design Award 2013
Office building of subsidiary AMF-Bruns of America
Vehicle construction workshop with line production for vehicles with rear cut floor
Crash-test dummy sits in a powered wheelchair on a sled. Wheelchair and dummy are secured with heavy duty restraint system.
Vehicle construction workshop with line production for large vehicles with WAV conversion
Person in wheelchair behind the steering wheel of a minivan. Powered head and backrest eFutureSafe is operated at the push of a button.
Vehicle construction workshop with line production for vehicles with rear cut floor
Person in wheelchair behind the steering wheel of a minivan. Powered head and backrest eFutureSafe is operated at the push of a button.
Vehicle construction workshop with line production for vehicles with rear cut floor