Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 29, 2026

Foba

FOBA AG was a Swiss company that makes photographic studio equipment.

Last revised
Jul 29, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
143 w
Citations
Source
Foba AG
IndustryDigital imaging
FoundedWettswil, Switzerland
(1939)
HeadquartersWettswil, Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Productsceiling rail system, tripod head, turntable, studio table
Websitehttp://www.foba.ch/

FOBA AG was a Swiss company that makes photographic studio equipment.

History

FOBA movable light holder on a pipe source ↗

In 1939, just after World War II started in Europe, imports of photography products such as lights and dry presses from Germany were reduced to a trickle. Walter Friedrich, a precisions engineer, together with his wife, began to manufacture commodities for professional photographers in their rented home's small basement. He called his startup Fotogeräte- und Elektroapparate-Bau ("Manufacturing of photographic and electrical equipment"), or FOBA. To save on shipping costs and to keep up the personal contact with his customers, Friedrich at first delivered products personally by bicycle.

The company also supplied cooking plates with integrated heating coils. This was the first in Switzerland. They ceased operations in 2024.

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