CONTRA HISTORY

Table Tennis Express Since 1980

Good things come to those who wait … we cannot confirm that. From the very beginning, the story of CONTRA has been a positive one, full of success and steady growth. Together with the table tennis community, CONTRA has grown from the very start and has continuously evolved. The special relationship with our customers and the high standard we set for ourselves as a retailer to offer the most dedicated and fairest service have proven their value from day one. Below, we trace some key milestones in the development of CONTRA and are grateful to you – our customers – for making CONTRA possible.

On August 25, 1980, CONTRA-Sport was founded in Hamburg by Frank Koschnick and Wolfgang Sohns. Our first store was CONTRA Table Tennis, at Beim Schlump 55. On 55 m², we offered our products on a very small scale. Our goal at the time was to become a strong regional provider.

And… ARD and ZDF launch teletext in Germany.

In 1983, we opened our store at Hübbesweg, together with Hamburg’s first table tennis school on 400 m². That is where our first nationwide mail-order activities began. In the same year, the renowned equipment expert Hanjo also joined CONTRA, advising table tennis players from all over the world for over 30 years.

And… the world’s first mobile phone is approved in the USA.

In 1985, we opened our first external shop at the Grenzau table tennis school. The store manager was Andreas Holz from Hamburg, who then took over the shop in 1988. In close cooperation with TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau, we established ourselves in elite sport for the first time.

And… Boris Becker wins Wimbledon as the youngest player of all time and as the first German.

In 1986, we took over the Schöler & Micke store at Wiesendamm. The mail-order business was further expanded across two levels and supported by a modern IT system. The business became increasingly extensive, and the premises soon burst at the seams.

And… Mike Tyson becomes the youngest heavyweight world champion of all time in boxing.

In 1989, we moved our headquarters to Steilshoop. On 500 m², we now had enough storage space for our mail-order business.

And… the Berlin Wall falls.

In 1990, we began supplying our first CONTRA shops throughout Germany. Our staff team now included nine active table tennis players.

And… Germany celebrates its reunification.

In 1991, we entered into a cooperation with Bundesliga club VfB Lübeck and opened the CONTRA Shop Lübeck together with Claus Mattern.

And… Ötzi is discovered in the South Tyrolean Alps.

In 1994, the premises in Steilshoop also became too small, and the first plans for our own warehouse and administration center in Schleswig-Holstein began.

And… Michael Schumacher becomes the first German Formula 1 world champion.

In 1995, we moved into our new headquarters on a 3,000 m² site. On more than 1,000 m², one of Europe’s most modern mail-order centers was created. More than 8,500 different table tennis items are stored here.

And… Microsoft releases its new operating system, Windows 95.

CONTRA celebrates its 25th anniversary!

And… Angela Merkel becomes Chancellor of Germany for the first time.

In January 2006, a highly modern new warehouse logistics system was established, enabling us to meet the massively increased order volume over the years and to offer our customers an even better level of service.

And… the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup takes place in Germany.

Every day, more than 500 shipments leave our premises for customers around the world. More than 65 shops in Germany and Europe are among our customers. Twelve employees look after our customers competently and reliably.

And… Apple presents the first iPhone.

Our building at Wiesendamm is demolished. We move to Wandsbeker Chaussee 130.

And… Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States.

CONTRA celebrates its 30th anniversary! We are bursting at the seams once again. Our 21 employees ensure customer-friendly, absolutely reliable, and fast service. Let’s see what comes next.

And… Lena Meyer-Landrut wins the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo.

CONTRA expanded and doubled its warehouse and office capacities. On now 2,000 m², we stock more than 10,000 items for you. With the warehouse expansion in 2011, we responded to the growing demand for our table tennis products. Only through this substantial enlargement of our warehouse and office space is it possible for us to keep all important products in sufficient quantities in stock and continue to ensure fast shipping. Thanks to this expansion, a large proportion of all orders can be shipped to our customers on the same day and completely in a single shipment.

And… after 30 years, the final Space Shuttle mission takes place.

Our logistics center was expanded once again. On more than 2,400 m², we now stock more than 14,000 items for you. More than 25 employees now take care of our customers’ needs.

And… Germany wins the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time.

CONTRA turns 35! The expansion course continues: In the center of Munich, CONTRA takes over one of the oldest shops in Bavaria. In Berlin, CONTRA partner Patrick Strahl opens a unique flagship store with a large table tennis school on more than 350 m². CONTRA continues to grow beyond Germany as well.

And… a statutory minimum wage comes into force in Germany.

The start of a new era: We launch our new online shop. For our customers, this means a new modern design, simple navigation, a convenient racket assembly module, a wide range of filter options, and a new voucher module. All in all, the new CONTRA shop is clearly optimized for all devices and extremely easy to use.

And… Bastian Schweinsteiger announces his retirement from the German national football team.

On April 21, 2017, the CONTRA TT World opens at Mühlendamm 88 in 22087 Hamburg. Service and quality on 480 m² – train like the pros on competition flooring – huge selection – 120 test rackets – 5 competition tables. After 37 successful years, founder and managing director Frank Koschnick retires on June 30, 2017.

And… the German Bundestag passes marriage equality.

Table tennis connects generations – from young up-and-coming players to experienced competitive athletes. CONTRA supports this development with expertise, personal advice, and an ever-growing range of blades, rubbers, and accessories.

And… Germany defends its title at the European Team Table Tennis Championships.

Table tennis continues to evolve – and CONTRA grows with it. New products, innovative materials, and ever higher demands in competitive sport create exciting developments. CONTRA continues to support players with experience, advice, and a wide selection of equipment.

And… Germany celebrates 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

An extraordinary year for the whole world: The coronavirus pandemic also presents major challenges for table tennis. Halls remain closed, competitions are interrupted, and training operations come to a standstill in many places. Nevertheless, CONTRA remains a reliable partner for players and clubs. At the same time, the company celebrates a special anniversary: CONTRA turns 40! Four decades of passion for table tennis, advice, and service for players of all levels.

And… for the first time in history, the Olympic Games in Tokyo are postponed by one year.

Partnership for table tennis: CONTRA becomes the official equipment supplier and cooperation partner of the Hessian Table Tennis Association (HeTTV). The collaboration strengthens table tennis in Hesse and gives clubs and players access to high-quality equipment, expert advice, and attractive offers.

And… after a one-year postponement, the Olympic Games take place in Tokyo.

After difficult years for sport, more normality returns to the halls. Clubs make a fresh start, tournaments take place again, and players enjoy training together once more. CONTRA supports this return with passion for table tennis and expert advice.

And… Germany introduces the 9-euro ticket for local public transport.

A major step into the digital future: The new CONTRA online shop goes live. With modern design, improved user guidance, and optimized functions, the shop offers an even more comfortable shopping experience for table tennis players. Extensive filter options, improved product search, and numerous new features make shopping easier and faster.

And… Germany becomes Basketball World Champion.

More strong partnerships in table tennis: CONTRA becomes the official cooperation and equipment partner of the Berlin Table Tennis Association (BeTTV). The collaboration is initially set for four years and underlines CONTRA’s commitment to promoting table tennis at both association and club level.

And… the Olympic Games take place in Paris.

A year full of milestones for CONTRA: Following the relocation, the new CONTRA TT-World Munich opens in February and offers table tennis players a modern destination for advice, equipment, and extensive testing opportunities.

In November, another major opening follows with the CONTRA TT-World Rhine-Main. On more than 600 m², table tennis enthusiasts can shop and test a wide variety of materials directly on site – the CONTRA TT-World Rhine-Main is more than just a shop: A hall with up to 8 tables in individual boxes, along with ITTF-approved red competition flooring, is available to الجميع and has already established itself as a seminar and training center in Hesse.

At the same time, the company celebrates a special anniversary: CONTRA turns 45. CONTRA is also continuing to expand its commitment at association level: The successful cooperation with the Hessian Table Tennis Association (HeTTV) is extended early until 2029. In addition, CONTRA becomes the official cooperation and equipment partner of the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Table Tennis Association (TTVMV) for an initial period of four years.

And… table tennis remains one of the most popular racket sports worldwide.

For us, the customer is number one! Personal support has top priority for us, that was true yesterday and will still be true tomorrow. We started in 1980 with this principle, and this principle will remain as long as CONTRA exists.