100 Years of John
What began in 1926 as a small workshop in Tetschen-Bodenbach on the Elbe, today’s Děčín in the Czech Republic, is now a major player in the international toy industry: This year 2026, JOHN is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Founded by Albin John, the company’s journey through turbulent times eventually led to Freilassing in Germany in the year 1945.
After fleeing and starting anew, with much courage, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, the John family gradually rebuilt everything here from scratch from 1948 onwards.
In addition to continuing the tyre business, JOHN also began producing toys and sports balls in the early 1950s.
From then on, progress was steady – from the first participation at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1954 to strong licensing partnerships with the Bundesliga, the Olympic Games and especially Disney (from 1975), JOHN became internationally recognised.
Prominent personalities such as former FC Bayern Munich football star Karl-Heinz Rummenigge defined this phase as a testimonial.
Generations of children have grown up with JOHN balls. Since the 1990s, Susanne John and Andrea John have shaped the strategic direction.
Today the company employs around 200 people and together we produce about ten million balls annually in two factories in Freilassing and Bulgaria.
JOHN is not only the market leader in the ball segment in Germany but also has a leading presence across Europe. The “world of balls” is complemented by other playful product groups such as children’s play tents, soap bubbles, sidewalk chalk, swings and kickboards. With creative drive, enthusiasm for innovation and a clear focus on quality, JOHN remains at the forefront of the times – never forgetting how it all began in 1926 with the first tyres in Tetschen. Currently, the fourth generation with Markus Junior, Sofie and Sarah John is preparing to continue the success story and run the company with the same commitment.
Equally important back then as today, we go full circle, from families for families.
Family JOHN 2026 (f. l. t. r): Markus, Sarah,
Andrea, Susanne, Markus Jun., Sofie
Family business since 1926
As a third-generation family business, we have been working as a team with our employees since our foundation and are continuing on our successful path together.
This cooperation is not only a motivation for us, it is the basis for successful work that has guaranteed innovation and reliability for 100 years now.
Andrea and Susanne John
From Děčín to Freilassing, Bavaria
Albin John with his wife Marie and his sons Hans and Walter in the 1940s.
1926
Albin John opens a shop for tyre repairs in Děčín (CZ).
1927
Introduction of the steam vulcanization process for the reconditioning of tyres.
1938
Sales agent for the car-manufacturers VOMAG and Stöwer.
1945
Expulsion from Děčín and escape to Freilassing/Bavaria.
1948
Reopening of a tyre-shop in a small shed in Freilassing.
Got the Ball rolling
Albin John (middle) with his sons Hans (left) and Walter (right) in front of the company building at the Jennerstraße, Freilassing.
1953
Move to a new building in the Jennerstraße and start of the ball production alongside the tyre business.
1954
First time exhibitor at the Toy Fair in Nuremberg.
1957
Division of the company for transfer to his sons in Reifen-JOHN (Walter John) and JOHN-Thermoplastic (Hans John).
1965
First JOHN catalogue is published. The product range manufactured in Freilassing includes balls, toy figurines and inflatables.
1972
Internationalisation of the business
with initial imports and exports.
Death of the company founder Albin John.
Ideas and Innovations
Third generation presenting the JOHN products with a lot of fun.
1973
JOHN introduces a broad variety of inflatable outdoor products.
1975
The first licensed Disney balls mark the beginning of a success story that continues to this day.
1976
JOHN celebrates the company‘s 50th anniversary.
1983
JOHN introduces the tampon print for high-quality printing on balls, and a process for shipping deflated balls.
1990
Presentation of the large JOHN-assortment in the Freilassing showroom.
The World of Balls
Hans John proudly presents 75 years of JOHN companies together with his daughters Susanne and Andrea.
1994
Susanne John joins the company. The reorganisation of the assortment begins with the focus on the World of Balls
1995
Andrea John joins the company.
1996
JOHN exhibits at the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, creating export opportunities throughout the world.
2001
JOHN-companies celebrate 75 years of business with a fabulous party.
2002
Death of Hans John. The two daugthers take over the management of the company.
The Dynamic Duo
In 2014, JOHN is honoured for 60 years as an exhibitor at the Nuremberg Toy Fair.
2006
4th generation presenting the new play tents and actual assortment with a lot of fun.
2019
JOHN takes over Beluga and establishes itself as an outdoor specialist.
2023
The new production facility in Bulgaria is starting ball production, thereby securing the supply chain.
2024
Complete takeover of JOHN Leisure UK.
2026
The big anniversary year with 100 years of JOHN companies, 70 years as an exhibitor at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg and 50 years as a Disney licensee.