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For three-quarters of a century, Falco has been shaping the landscape of public and corporate spaces. What began as a local entrepreneurial venture has matured into a modern, international manufacturing company recognised for its uncompromised quality and focus on the green transition.

The cornerstone was laid in 1951 by Franz Friesacher Sr. and Francis Luttikholt. Today, as the fourth generation of the Friesacher family steps into active roles, the company remains guided by the same core principles: professionalism, down-to-earth business acumen, and a deep commitment to creating durable, reliable infrastructure for modern cities.

The Foundations: Built on Grit and Craftsmanship

The Falco story began when Franz Friesacher Sr. relocated from Austria to the Netherlands, partnering with Franciskus Luttikholt to launch a business focused on simple steel fabrication.

Shortly after, Franz Sr. assumed full ownership. Operating with limited resources but immense resolve, he established the foundation of what Falco is today. In those early years, production took place in small, makeshift workshops. Products were fabricated entirely by hand and personally delivered to clients. It was an era defined by hard work, creative resourcefulness, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Strategic Growth and Market Expansion

In the decades that followed, Falco charted a path of steady, sustainable expansion. Rather than chasing volatile market leaps, the company focused on continuous organic development.

Production facilities were modernised, the workforce grew, and the organisation gradually implemented a structured corporate hierarchy with clear divisions of roles and responsibilities. Concurrently, Falco’s commercial footprint expanded. Hand-assembled mailers gave way to trade show exhibitions, paving the way for the company's first successful entry into export markets. This growth was driven by a clear corporate strategy: placing the right people in the right roles and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

A Multi-Generational Family Legacy

At its core, Falco has always been—and remains—a family business. The legacy initiated by Franz Sr. was seamlessly carried forward by his son, Gerrit, and later by Franz Jr.

Each generational transition has been handled with deliberate care, ensuring that institutional knowledge and strategic responsibilities were passed down progressively. While each era brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to adapt to changing market demands, the foundational values have remained entirely untouched: grounded leadership and an active, daily engagement with the business.

Today, the fourth generation is fully integrated into the enterprise. Jirayr Friesacher works within the company alongside his university studies, his younger brother Luca is mastering the operational business, and their sister Noa recently completed a comprehensive internship. With their mother, Alin, actively managing key operations and grandfather Gerrit still a frequent, welcomed presence on the factory floor, Falco stands as a premier example of a family enterprise that continues to evolve.

Falco Today: In-House Production and Sustainable Innovation

Today, Falco occupies a dominant position as a high-tech cycle parking and street furniture manufacturing partner for public and private sectors alike. Operating from its state-of-the-art headquarters in Vriezenveen, Netherlands, the company designs, engineers, and manufactures an extensive B2B portfolio:

• Comprehensive cycle parking infrastructure
• Cycle hangars and bike lockers.
• Premium street, park, and urban furniture
• Shelters, canopies, carports and bin stores.

By maintaining a completely integrated, in-house value chain—from initial concept and 3D design to final manufacturing and powder coating —Falco guarantees total quality control, exceptional agility, and the capacity to deliver highly customised solutions. As an active supplier to councils, hospitals, train operating companies, housing associations and educational institutions across Europe, Falco proactively drives industry benchmarks in circularity and the green transition.

Having grown steadily over the past 75 years, Falco’s head office in Almelo, Netherlands, is a state-of-the-art 35,600m² manufacturing and business complex which is being continually developed and now contains the most advanced production, storage and environmentally sustainable features to date. With offices in a number of key European countries and a production range now exceeding 5,000 products, Falco is well equipped to meet the current and future demands of the expanding cycle parking infrastructure and street furniture design markets.

Falco provide clients with a complete cycle parking, cycle hub and street furniture design solution, these include:

• Free UK-wide no obligation site surveys
• Advice on cycle parking best practice utilising our 75 year history
• Free CAD design and turnkey project management
• Free rendering graphics to help clients visualise the cycle parking scheme
• Manufacture, supply and installation of all products including the provision of groundworks
• Installation of additional features such as lighting, CCTV, App-based secure access systems, cycle monitoring, information displays, vinyl graphics, cycle repair stands, cycle pumps and many more advanced features.