About us

The 4row GmbH was founded in March 2010 in Richterswil, Switzerland, out of a passion for rowing and the desire to make the sport easier and more accessible.

Our motto:
“Together, we move rowing forward.”

Our goal is to provide everything rowers need for their sport conveniently and reliably through the internet.

Our Motivation

As active rowers and coaches, we often faced the challenge of sourcing materials like slides, ball bearing wheels, or oarlocks from various suppliers. This process was often time-consuming and complicated—numerous calls to manufacturers and dealers were needed to organize everything. In 2010, online commerce in rowing was virtually nonexistent, and there was no online shop in Switzerland offering everything in one place. From this experience and our own consumer behavior, the idea was born: an online shop for rowers, unique in Switzerland.

Today, the 4row GmbH is not only a reliable partner for rowing but also an innovative company that supports the sport with passion and expertise.

Our History – Milestones

  • 2010: Foundation of 4row GmbH in Switzerland.
  • 2012: Takeover of the shipping logistics for rowtex GmbH
  • 2013: Acquisition of rowtex GmbH and relocation of its headquarters to Richterswil
  • 2016: Acquisition of the insolvent BBG Bootsbau GmbH and establishment of the BBG Bootsmanufaktur Berlin GmbH
  • 2016: Launch of our online shop for Germany
  • 2017: Establishment of 4row GmbH & Co. KG for the German market and opening of a location in Berlin
  • 2018: Expansion of the delivery area to almost all EU countries
  • 2018: Launch of our English online shop for the EU market
  • 2022: Closure of the BBG Bootsmanufaktur Berlin GmbH due to challenging market conditions
  • 2024: Relocation of the European warehouse from Berlin to Wehr. Proximity to the Swiss warehouse is expected to further optimize logistics processes.
  • 2025: The online shop is now available in 5 languages: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish.

Our Management

Adrian Schmid & Alexander Wüst

Additional Information

For details such as address and account information, please refer to our Imprint.