On March 15th, 1894, Johannes Stübben founded a saddlery business in Krefeld, Germany, on the Lower Rhine. His workshop, which was located on a boulevard in Krefeld, was both workplace, retail shop and residential home. In those days, horses and carriages were quite common and characterised the typical cityscape. In 1906, the demand for Stübben saddlery products were further increased due to the fact that the former German emperor Wilhelm II garrisoned his 11th Hussar Regiment in this area. Stübben products soon became well known and enjoyed an increasing demand far beyond the region, due to its impeccable craftsmanship and enduring and lasting quality.

In 1914 the economic situation changed dramatically due to the breakout of the First World War. The hyperinflation in the early twenties further led to a rapid decrease in demand for saddlery products. During that time, Carl Stübben, son of Johannes, joined the family business. He had learned the business from scratch. To make a living for himself and his family, Carl started to also manufacture leather goods and things for daily needs. This new challenge involved him traveling frequently to Offenbach, the former centre of the German leather goods industry. Over the years Carl made many new business contacts in Germany as well as abroad. This network would prove very helpful for the future development of the company in decades to come.

The only son of Carl, Werner Stübben, grew up in the family business. From his early childhood on he very well knew the struggles and sorrows which accompanied his parents in the everyday business life. Nonetheless, his parents allowed him to spend one year abroad in Florence (Italy) to work in a famous leather manufactory. It was there that he began to study Italian and to further develop his appreciation for the Mediterranean culture. An outstanding high-school qualification paved his way for an academic career. Unfortunately, the Second World War ended his dreams. On June 22nd, 1943 the family’s workshop and home was completely destroyed by an air-raid. At the end of the war, the family’s future rested upon the ruins of their former company. Reality made Werner change his plans. Together with his family and friends he rebuilt the house. Finally, in 1948 the basis for a new start was set. Hard work, ambition, inventiveness and friends ignited an incredible boom. The slogan “Stübben saddles are valued and desired all over the world” became reality.

In the early seventies Ralph Stübben followed his father’s footsteps, as did his younger brother Frank in the early eighties. “Together they managed the company in the conviction that traditional and productive manufacturing are not a contradiction in terms. Attributes such as these are a guarantee for the brand of Stübben. Frank and Ralph oversaw the international growth of the company through four decades. Working hard through the end of their careers, they saw the opening Stübben North American and the realization of the new Stübben headquarters in Kempen. Today Stübben is a household name with a strong reputation in the equestrian industry.

In 2013 Johannes Stübben youngest son of Ralph joined the management of the family-owned business in his late twenties. Directly after he had graduated from school, Johannes began his apprenticeship in saddle making. Once he had mastered the trade, he decided to study business administration, focusing on “International Marketing”. He completed his degree with a Master of Arts (M.A.). During his studies, Johannes had the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad in Canada and Argentina.