Milestone

After more than two years of continuous growth in the wheel business, Bilal acquired the first part of the property on Morsestraße in Rheine. A 400m² hall was built there, which included a showroom and a warehouse. At the same time, the company was rebranded as Wheelforce GmbH. The first two employees were hired, and ambitious plans were developed.

After more than four years of expertise in the wheel segment, studies in construction engineering, and consistent positive financial results, the decision was made to start our own small production of WF wheels due to dissatisfaction with quality and high returns on supplier products. Through our industry contacts, we found a manufacturer capable of producing with the highest quality and reliability. We designed our first wheel — the CF.1-FF! After TÜV certification and securing our first business loan, production officially began!

This time was challenging to bring new products on market, so we decided to develop a second design due to relatively low sales volumes. The CF.2-FF was developed over six months and was intended to revolutionize the wheel industry. Despite the high risk and relatively high costs for TÜV certification, tools, and development, Wheelforce GmbH took the plunge to expand the product range. Simultaneously, we announced our first participation in the ESSEN MOTORSHOW. After a mixed season, the time came to release the new CF.2-FF, which debuted at EMS2018. The wheel was an overwhelming success, selling out before it even hit the shelves thanks to pre-orders! This event marked the first time Wheelforce gained international recognition, and we connected with many dealers who continue to distribute our products today.

The year 2019 was a stabilizing year for Wheelforce GmbH, with sales tripling compared to the previous year. Production had reached optimal efficiency, quality has been perfectly tailored to meet all customer needs. We began developing the Superlight Series, a groundbreaking line in terms of weight and design, aimed at compact vehicles, particularly those from the VAG group. Additionally, we opened our first in-house workshop to carry out wheel and tire installations and adjustments. Sales expanded rapidly into the Scandinavian countries, which accounted for 20% of our revenue that year. International patents were filed to protect the brand from piracy. EMS 2019 was a tremendous success, with our booth tripling in size. The Superlight Series and CF.2-FF sold in large volumes. At this point, our annual production was already multiplied five times compared to 2017.

The year 2020 was a year of global transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic plunged the world into uncertainty and despair. Daily operations filled with unknowns and countless questions. However, we refused to be swayed by the chaos. Instead, we focused intensely on exports. We capitalized on rapidly changing social media trends, such as product unboxings, memes, and more, to encourage customers to purchase despite the lockdowns. Fortunately, our sales remained stable and did not decline. We continued to develop and execute new plans, expanding our facility by an additional 200 m² and doubling our production capacity. We made significant investments in wheel manufacturing, adhering to the principle, "Whoever can deliver, wins." Despite numerous delays and sharply rising freight costs causing financial challenges, it was a year of ups and downs. Our priority was clear: "We stay in the game," and we refused to retreat!

Despite setbacks from the previous year, including blocked containers in the Suez Canal, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased material and freight costs, Wheelforce GmbH managed to double its sales compared to the previous year! International recognition and exports to the USA and Asia became crucial factors. By now, annual production had exceeded 10,000 wheels—up from just 500 in 2017. The product range continued to expand, with the CF.3-FF R becoming our best-seller, showcasing exceptional concavity and meticulous attention to detail. The market became well-established in the BMW M, Audi RS, and Mercedes AMG sectors. We focused on achieving perfect fitments for vehicles that our competitors couldn't cater to as effectively. International trade shows were attended, and our dealer network was continuously expanded. Production was running at full capacity. Building permits were obtained, and plans for a new company headquarters were drawn up. This new facility would consolidate everything in one location, offer enormous capacity, have a premium appearance, and feature an in-house production facility.

This year tested us thoroughly. The extensive construction site caused significant disruptions to daily operations, leading to frequent warehouse relocations. The office space, accommodating six employees, consisted partially of cardboard boxes in the warehouse, packing tables in the workshop, or home offices. The construction project encountered multiple challenges, expanding our capacity from 600m² to over 2500m²! New areas were established, and the team grew to over 10 members for the first time. Our logistics underwent a complete overhaul, the workshop was significantly enlarged, and the modern office building was finished. Concurrently, we collaborated with JP Performance from Dortmund for a video shoot. The video quickly garnered over 1 million views, increasing the hype surrounding WF even further. We developed new projects and continuously expanded our wheel designs. Plans were made for new fitments and sizes in 22" and 23". Additionally, our global dealer network was expanded, with major centers established in China, the USA, and other locations to enhance distribution. International patents were filed across continents, and preparations were underway for the fourth EMS trade show in a row. With explosive revenue growth and widespread recognition, it became clear in 2023 that WF is emerging as one of the most popular brands in the high-end wheel sector worldwide.