/span>A Journey Through Time
The history of a successful company in the Emsland
1929 Company founded by Bernhard Frericks on a former marshland site opposite of what is now the town hall. Bicycles, sewing machines, and motorcycles were sold and repaired.
The first taxi service in Dörpen and the surrounding area: an old Chevrolet. The used car, purchased in Münster, was not only used for important patient transports to nearby hospitaly, but also for trips to all major cities and regions in northern Germany. The founder's extensive knowledge and connections beyond his local community quickly led to success...
1934 Construction of a new residential and commercial building. The first gas station (OLEX) in Dörpen was established next to the small workshop. Two new large-capacity taxis (6-seater Opel models) were purchased. The founder married Ms. Margarethe Göken.
1938 Demolition of the old workshop dating from 1929. Construction of a self-supporting repair hall (12 × 16 m = 192 m²).
1939 The company founder was drafted for military service in Poland and later deployed to Russia
1940 Confiscation of all taxis, machinery, and the new workshop hall.
1945 On April 20, 1945, Allied troops burned down all buildings, including all supplies and personal belongings that had been hidden within the walls.
1946 Reopening of the repair and rental car business by Margarethe Frericks, using an old DKW and with one apprentice, in the Göken family home.
1947 Return of the seriously ill company owner from Soviet captivity.
1948 Temporary reconstruction of the destroyed buildings. Following the “Speckwährung” the currency reform enabled the renewed and vigorous sale of bicycles, prams, and sewing machines, and later motorcycles and passenger cars. A strong focus was placed on a well-run workshop.
1950 Purchase of the first new VW Beetle for the rental car service.
1951 Purchase of the first VW minibus for all kinds of services and requests: weddings, patient transport, football teams, and station transfers - whether 2 or 10 people, it always worked out!
1955 Purchase of the first used MAGIRUS coach with 43 seats ("Dörpener Wandervogel").
1958 Purchase of the first new, modern coach. This KRAUSS-MAFFEI bus, with a top speed of 125 km/h at the time, initiated a period of strong expansion. Early international journeys (World Exhibition in Brussels, Lourdes, etc.) were in high demand. It also marked the start of tour operations and the release of the first travel catalogue.
1960 Opening of a driving school for all licence classes by Bernhard Frericks Jr. In the following years, many bus drivers were trained in-house.
Werksvertretungen für FORD- und später NSU-PKW.
1961 Construction of a self-supporting large workshop (23 m wide without columns and 600 m² in size) equipped with modern facilities, including a separate car wash, lift platforms, and inspection pits for buses and passenger cars.
1964 Four modern coaches are in operation for domestic and international travel.
1966 Demolition of all old buildings. Construction of a 425 m² residential and commercial building, including a showroom, spare parts storage, driving school facilities, and appartments.
1967 Marriage of Bernhard Frericks Jr. and Ms. Susanne Anten.
1967 The company owner, Bernhard Frericks, dies after a severe illness at the age of 62.
1969 Expansion and modernization of the gas station.
1971 Expansion of the business premises by 800 m² for new and used car exhibitions.
1972 The first cooperation in long-distance travel with BENTHEIMER EISENBAHN AG (BE). With approximately 60 coaches, BE and Frericks jointly offer an extensive range of tours. Travellers from across the Emsland region, Grafschaft Bentheim, and even Stadtlohn in Münsterland can now depart directly from their home area and reach their holiday destinations without changing vehicles. This significantly improved accessibility for these regions.
1974 The company employs approximately 35 staff members. A restructuring into separate operational units is introduced to enable greater specialisation across departments. The FRERICKS-BUS-BETRIEBS GmbH is founded.
1975 The joint travel programme of BE and Frericks is marketed under the name “NORD-WEST-REISEN”.
1976 The bus company moves to new premises at the well-connected B70/B401 crossroads in Dörpen. Designed specifically for bus services, the site offers an outstanding location.
1977 Leasing of the entire sales and repair operation, including the gas station located opposite the Dörpen town hall.
1979 Nine modern long-distance buses (mostly equipped with toilets, refrigerators, and air conditioning) are in operation for international services. The travel programme already covers 20 countries in Eastern and Western Europe (Federal Republic of Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Yugoslavia, GDR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Norway).
1980 Expansion of the office space through the addition of a third floor.
1981 Opening of the first travel agency in Dörpen, including a “Neckermann” agency.
1986 The first large double-deck long-distance bus with 4-star comfort and 70 comfortable seats is put into service.
1987 Second cooperation with “Bentheimer Eisenbahn AG”: opening of the “Reisebüro BERNDT” travel agency in Meppen.
1990 Further cooperation with four long-established coach and travel agency companies from the Emsland region and Grafschaft Bentheim: establishment of “EuroStar-Touristik GmbH”.
The Dörpen railway station closes its ticket office.
1991 Opening of an official Deutsche Bahn agency in the Frericks travel agency: all timetable information and tickets are available directly and at original prices.
1994 The company building is modernised and extended, featuring an elaborate, representative glass façade.
The travel agency becomes the first TUI agency in Dörpen.
1999 Daniel Frericks enters the family company, bringing both a business degree (Dipl.-Betriebswirt (BA)) and training as an automotive mechanic.
2000 Modernisation of all technical and commercial facilities, including the company gas station, waste disposal areas, IT systems, financial accounting, etc.
2004 75th company anniversary with open days on 21 and 22 August 2004.
2008 After many years of effort by two generations (around 20 years), regular scheduled bus services can finally be introduced for all residents in the Samtgemeinde Dörpen.
2016 The entire bus fleet consists of high-quality 5-star long-distance buses. For school and scheduled services, 15 local buses are now available.
