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Description: The Vobis Microcomputer AG is one of the largest PC manufacturers in Europe. It was begun by Rainer Fraling and Theo Lieven in 1975. Its offices remain in Aachem, Germany.

The company developed from a purchasing club that was based at the Aachen University of Technology. It later became a mail-order business. Half of the company shares were sold to the KAUFHOF Holding Group in 1989. KAUFHOF was then the biggest retail chain in Germany. It was a subsidiary of METRO. With this new means of distribution. Vobis expanded its product line to target the semi-professional and professional markets.

Vobis developed the brand name Highscreen. This is used to sell directly to home users and business enterprises. The company developed about 130 sales outlets of its own. Its products were also sold via partner outlets Kaufhof, MediaMarket and other wholesale centers such as Metro. The total distribution reaches about 400 locations.

In the 1990s, Vobis had partnerships with several software companies. Vobis was considered one of the largest OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of IBM compatible personal computers. This allowed them to distribute operating systems either pre-installed, or with their computers. Vobis’ first partnership was with Digital Research Incorporated (DRI). Another partner was Microsoft. Prior to the popularity of Microsoft’s Windows OS, 50% of all Vobis computers were shipped with the DR-DOS from DRI. This figure decreased to 18% by 1992.

Another Vobis partner was Award Software International, Inc. This California-based company entered an agreement with Vobis in 1994. The agreement covered the use by Award BIOS software in Vobis computers.

METRO AG tried several times to sell the Vobis Microcomputer AG Company. These attempts ended when Jürgen Rakow and Jürgen Bochmann agreed to take a 25% stake of the company. The other 75% controlling interest was transferred to METRO investment firm Divaco. Rakow remains the current Chairman of the Board while Bochmann sits as one of the members with Sigfried Raisin.

The company still retains its position as one of the largest PC manufacturers and distributors in Germany. Aside from computers, its products now include home entertainment and telecommunication products. Its yearly sales range between 600 to 700 million Euros. Vobis is privately owned. It employs about 1,100 people. It distributes its own brand and sells computers from Apple, Intel and Sony on its own chain of stores.
 

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