Who we are
Our heritage
A. W. Niemeyer was founded in 1745 and can look back on a rich company history. For several generations, awn was a family business up until 1862, when the ironware dealer was bought by entrepreneur Amandus Wilhelm Niemeyer, which ultimately gave the company his name.
By then, the company was already mainly selling equipment for sailing boats and the upcoming steam ships in Hamburg, Germany. The former ironware dealer developed into an internationally renowned boat equipment retailer.
Today, awn has become an integral part of the watersports industry and has secured its place as a European market leader.
How it all started with awn
In 1745 Johann Daniel Wuppermann from Wuppertal founded a hardware store in Hamburg. His customers were craftsmen, shipwrights and sailmakers, and he also ran a blacksmith's shop just outside the town.How A.W. Niemeyer got its name
For several generations, the family business remained on the road to success until, in the first half of the 19th century, the onset of industrialisation required the company to concentrate on supplying the shipyards. At this time, awn also came to its present name through a change of ownership: in 1862, the businessman Amandus Wilhelm Niemeyer took over the company and renamed it A.W. Niemeyer, sucessor of Wuppermann & Schmilinsky.
In times of population growth due to the influx of industrial workers, awn concentrated on equipping sailing ships and later the emerging steamships in the fast-growing port of Hamburg.
The company quickly rose to become Hamburg's most important international equipment supplier.
In order to provide space for the rapidly growing business, a new nine-story company headquarters was built at Rödingsmarkt between 1908 and 1910, an architectural showpiece at the time.
Nine floors of boat accessories
In times of population growth due to the influx of industrial workers, awn concentrates on equipping sailing and steamships in the fast-growing port of Hamburg. The company quickly rises to become Hamburg's most important international outfitter.Of falling and rising again: The war years
World War I put a sharp damper on the success story of awn. After the end of the war, the company quickly got back on the road to success.
The boom years: water sports become popular to the masses
Over the next few decades, awn expanded by taking over companies like the hardware specialist HSB and later the engineering company Bösch.
In 1973 the entrepreneur Peter Flammang acquired awn. He recognised the potential of the water sports industry and launched Niemeyer's very first mail-order catalogue with the simple but ingenious title "Der Ausrüster" (English: the supplier).
In addition to equipment, awn offered technical services, such as rigging work or motor services.
In the following years, the catalog became very popular amongst countless water sports enthusiasts in Germany. The phrase "If Niemeyer doesn't have it, it doesn't exist!" made the rounds on various harbors. The company became a guide for sailors and motorboat drivers at the same time, as it included the entire range of products for the whole water sports sector.
Modern times
In 1992, a new logistics center was opened in Hamburg's Holstenkamp, which was able to ship 2000 orders per day to customers all over Europe.
In 1999, a spatial caesura followed: after more than 250 years at Rödingsmarkt, A.W. Niemeyer had to move to new premises for reasons of space. Peter Flammang built the new company headquarters in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld, where the company is still at home today. In 2001, the "flagship store" is opened there on more than 2500 square meters to meet modern customer demands. At the same time, a massive expansion of the branch network begins in order to reach customers nationwide.
The range of boat-related services has been significantly expanded: In addition to rigging work, sail repairs, maintenance of life jackets and life rafts as well as a skipper academy with driving license courses and further training are now part of the awn offer.
awn today
In July 2023, the awn brand will move to Jägerwirth near Fürstenzell in Lower Bavaria, where online trading will continue under the E-SCALE group GmbH umbrella brand.
Sailing gear, boating accessories and casual maritime clothing
As the German saying goes:
There is no wrong weather, only wrong clothes!
Especially on water, it is important to be prepared for everything. Good sailing gear is characterised by its durability, waterproofness and windproofness. But comfort and fashion should not be neglected either. That's why the top brands in our range, such as Musto, Helly Hansen and Gill, focus on high quality standards and trend awareness in their sailing clothing. But also those who cultivate a sporty-chic clothing style will find what they are looking for at awn watersports.
In addition to the water-repellent and trendy soft shell jackets, you can also find swimwear, shorts, nice blouses or shirts for her and him in maritime style at awn watersports.
Whether for the sea or leisure, in our online shop you will find the right maritime fashion for every occasion.
Safety accessories for boats and yachts
We carry a wide range of boat and yacht accessories that guarantee safety on board
