100 years Buffalo
Buffalo - A Century of Billiards, Sports and Games
Shortly after the 1st World War, Alexander Bary, the great-great-grandfather of the current owner Bas Bary, starts the Firma W.A. Barry. His company trades in, among other things, China Mats (cheap floor covering). His son, great-grandfather Gerhard takes over the helm shortly afterwards, he is a tradesman and entrepreneur at heart. He imports Chinese and Japanese mats and wholesales in carpets, rugs and paper fabrics. In 1923, the company becomes part of a purchasing consortium consisting of a number of families, which also includes the Amsterdam company Gebr. Wetzlar. The beginning of a fruitful collaboration between the 2 companies Bary and Wetzlar. Together, the mats and carpets are distributed throughout the Netherlands. The Firm W.A. Bary covers the northern and eastern provinces and Gebr. Wetzlar the center and south of the country.
Pure Amsterdam - international at an early stage
Gebr. Wetzlar is a real Amsterdam company, located in the center on the stately Prinsengracht. In addition to China Mats, the company also trades in fishing articles, games and toys and is also increasingly active in billiards. The cooperation between the companies gets closer and closer. Just before the Second World War, grandfather Lex Bary joins the company. He further expands the production and trade in billiard items. His travels take him to East Africa, he lives in Kenya and Tanzania for a while, where later successor Jerry is born. During the war years, the company continues on a pilot flame. After the liberation the years of reconstruction and economic growth provide expansion of the company. Business is good.
Billiard specialist from day 1
Due to the increased popularity of billiards, the company specializes in the development and production for this branch of sport. Balls, caps and inlays for cues and later under the own brand name Buffalo: billiards, snooker, and pool cues and all kinds of accessories. Over the past century, that vast knowledge and expertise in the sport of billiards has led to the leading seal of approval that Buffalo is today. A brand synonymous with quality, durability and the best service. Buffalo billiard tables, balls, cues and accessories are distributed all over the world.
Leading in quality and service
From the 1970s, father Jerry Bary starts working for the company. The demand for billiard items ensures growth and the range increases to more than 2000 different items. In addition to billiards, the company also focuses on the American Pool market. From 1971 the brand name Buffalo is used for all billiard products. The sturdy Bison exudes strength and durability. 'Quality Gives Security' is the motto'.
Joba Leisure - things take turn for the worse
At the end of 1983, Jerry Bary and Tom Jongste (also employed by Wetzlar) take over the shares through a management buy-out and continue under the trade name JOBA (JOngste & BAry) Leisure. A great deal of effort is put into the development of quality products for sports, games and billiards. With billiards as its core business, the company experiences significant succes. Then just 3 years later, two events that hit family and business hard. Shortly after each other, grandfather Lex Bary and Tom Jongste die in 1987. A big blow. Jerry Bary manages to keep the company afloat under these difficult circumstances.
More room for growing assortment
He succeeds and how! The growth of JOBA Leisure continues, the company now employs 14 people and the various warehouses in Amsterdam do not benefit logistics. JOBA Leisure moves to Amsterdam-Osdorp and takes up residence in a business lot of 2500 m2. At the end of 1992, the festive opening of the company premises takes place. Everyone who matters in the industry joins in the fun.
The next generation - Current owner Bas Bary
The current generation of the Bary family presents himself: Bas, Jerry's son, starts at JOBA Leisure in 1995 and is responsible for all Northern and Eastern European customers. In 2001 he takes the helm over from his father and acquires 50% of the shares. Then things accelerate, in addition to billiards, the company diversifies into other related products and markets and offers an expansive range of sports and games for indoors and outdoors. Again, additional storage space is added.
The Internet speeds things up
In 2009 Joba goes digital with the first website. With product information, catalogs and images of more than 3000 products. In 8 main categories:
E-commerce ensures further expansion
Trade via the internet literally takes off, in 2012 the first collaboration with the popular marketplace Bol.com starts. Many have followed (Amazon, Decathlon), Buffalo now partners with 40 different web retailers and e-commerce partners in Europe.
JOBA Leisure becomes Buffalo
In 2016, Bas Bary acquires the remaining 50% of the shares (now 100%) and manages the company together with Ernst de Keizer (Purchasing Director). Due to the enormous growth in internet sales, a name change is implemented in 2018. Joba Leisure disappears from the facade of the office to make way for Buffalo. The new slogan: Buffalo.nl - Time To Play reinforces our image and actions. The past 3 years give Buffalo.nl a huge growth spurt, the company benefits from the change in time use, lifestyle and convenience of web sales. Buffalo now employs 28 people.
Carry on - a healthy future
The next generation of the Bary family arrives in 2020, the 6th generation already, ensuring the future of our great company for years to come. We continue to innovate and do our utmost to achieve healthy growth and run a stable company. In 2021, the renewed Buffalo.nl website sees the light and the B2B portal is accessible to all our business relations. We are ready to play.