Ever wondered what it really takes to build high-end film gear by hand? Come with us on a floor-by-floor tour through FoMaSystems’ lab in Germany, where every level reveals a crucial step in crafting precision you can trust.
When you hear “handmade in Germany,” you probably think of precision, care, and reliability. At FoMaSystems, we deliver exactly that—but not from a typical factory floor. Step inside our building in Lauf, Germany, and you’ll find a dedicated team of specialists spread across several floors, each focusing on a key part of the process that transforms raw components into the high-end stabilizers professionals rely on every day.
Let’s take the tour — floor by floor:
3rd Floor: Inventory – Ready, Not Prebuilt
Up here, it’s quiet, clean, and organized. We don’t keep products on shelves — we keep parts. Everything is stocked and ready to go, but nothing is assembled until your order comes in.
Why? Because every system is built to your exact needs. For example, our FoMa Antares Remote Head alone consists over 200 individual parts. With six different configurations plus various accessories and add-ons, each order looks a little different.
So we prepare. We wait. And when your order hits — we build.
2nd Floor: Assembly – Hands, Tools, Focus
One floor down is where the magic starts to take shape. Here, technicians work with focus and care — soldering, routing cables, tightening fasteners, testing alignments. Each person is a specialist, whether it’s fine electronics, mechanical fit, or system integration. Every task is done by hand — with pride, precision, and purpose.
All components we build are backed by detailed datasheets, interface diagrams, and CAD models — all developed in-house, maintained precisely, and updated as needed. Because we know that reliability doesn’t stop with hardware — it lives in documentation, too.
1st Floor: Engineering & Documentation – Where Ideas Become Gear
Right at the front of the building, you’ll find our purchasing team, reception, and logistics hub. This is where orders come in and packages go out — which means you’ll often spot boxes and shipments waiting by the entrance. It’s all part of making sure your gear gets to you on time.
Above that, the leadership team’s offices keep everything running smoothly, and our marketing works to tell the FoMaSystems story to the world.
Basement: Testing, Support – The Last, Crucial Steps
The moment a new product is finished, it comes here — to the testing bench. This is where each unit is checked, calibrated, and put through its paces before it ever reaches a set. Next door, our support team answers questions, solves problems, and ensures our users get exactly the help they need, when they need it.
Built by People, Not Machines
Across every floor of FoMaSystems, there’s one thing in common: people. Not automation. Not mass production. Just specialists who know their craft — and care deeply about the result.
This is how we make gear that lasts. Gear that performs. Gear that earns your trust, one hand-soldered connection at a time.
This is what handmade in Germany really means: purpose-built, tested, and supported — by a team who cares.
If you ever want to see it for yourself, we’re easy to reach: just 20 minutes from Nuremberg Airport, about 1.5 hours from Munich, with the S-Bahn station right outside our door. And don’t worry — there’s an elevator waiting for you (along with some great coffee).
