TIBHAR Tibor Harangozo GmbH, commonly referred to as TIBHAR, is a German manufacturer of table tennis equipment headquartered in Saarbrücken, Germany. Established in 1969 by Tibor Harangozo, the company has evolved from a specialist producer of rubbers and blades into an international supplier serving recreational players, clubs, elite professionals, and major competitions [1]. The brand name is a portmanteau derived from the founder’s name, combining “TIBor” and “HARangozo” [1].

TIBHAR identifies itself as a long-established German enterprise that has manufactured table tennis equipment continuously since 1969 [1].

Pre-company era: Tibor Harangozo

The origins of TIBHAR predate the corporate entity itself. Tibor Harangozo (1922–1978) was a Yugoslav international table tennis player who later became an influential coach. Following his competitive career, he engaged in coaching and development across multiple nations.

In 1959, Harangozo founded the International Table Tennis School Tibor Harangozo in Saarbrücken. The institution was notable for its era due to its organized training programs, which attracted national team members and ambitious recreational players from throughout Europe [1]. This educational background established a foundational philosophy for the future brand: equipment should be engineered around the specific requirements of players and their distinct playing styles.

1969: Foundation

Tibor Harangozo established the TIBHAR label in Saarbrücken in 1969 [1]. The company was among the early brands to manufacture individualized rubbers and blades, with Harangozo aiming to produce equipment tailored to varying skill levels and tactical approaches [1].

1970s: Equipment development

TIBHAR commenced internal rubber development in 1972, creating products with diverse performance characteristics. Early models such as Speedy Spin remain part of the brand’s heritage [1].

In 1975, the company introduced its first “Made in Japan” blades, including the Hinoki H-1-9. The following year, Harangozo collaborated with Romanian national coach Victor Vladone to develop a blade series based on a “soft but fast” concept [1]. The product range expanded beyond hardware in 1977 with the addition of textiles [1].

The Berg family and expansion

Erwin Berg, a former Bundesliga player and associate of Harangozo, played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Joining in 1973, Berg eventually transitioned to full-time employment, facilitating TIBHAR’s evolution from a niche specialist operation into a broader sporting goods business [1].

Following Harangozo’s death in 1978, the company retained his name and continued operations under the management of the Berg family [2].

1980s: Professionalization

In 1985, TIBHAR signed its first sponsorship agreement with an international top-tier player, German champion Georg Böhm. This period also saw expanded blade production and collaborations, marking a transition from a pure equipment supplier to a brand deeply integrated with elite competitive table tennis [1].

Vladimir Samsonov

Belarusian player Vladimir Samsonov is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in TIBHAR’s history. Signed in 1991 at age 15, Samsonov rose to become a world-leading player, reaching world No. 1 in December 1997 [1]. His decades-long association helped establish the brand’s reputation among high-level European competitors and remains central to its international identity [1].

TIBHAR’s development strategy has historically emphasized the relationship between player technique and equipment characteristics. Key milestones include the introduction of Rapid in 1992, the company’s first rubber manufactured in Germany [1].

Following the 2008 ban on speed glue, TIBHAR developed technologies designed to replicate speed and dynamic properties without traditional adhesives. Notable among these was SPI (Speed Effect Inside), utilized in product lines such as Nimbus and Sinus [1].

The modern catalog encompasses:

• Table tennis blades
• Inverted, short-pimple, long-pimple, and anti-spin rubbers
• Table tennis balls
• Competition tables
• Court flooring
• Clothing and shoes
• Bags and accessories
• Training equipment

Rubbers

Rubbers represent one of TIBHAR’s primary product categories. Significant families include:

• Evolution
• Hybrid
• MX series
• EL series
• FX series
• Quantum
• Grass
• Speedy Spin
• Various defensive and pimpled rubbers

The Evolution family is particularly associated with modern offensive play, with models like Evolution MX-P, MX-S, EL-S, and FX-S being widely used by competitive players. The brand also maintains a strong reputation in long-pimple equipment through the Grass D.TecS line.

Blades

TIBHAR manufactures blades across all major classifications:

• Offensive (OFF) and Offensive-plus (OFF+)
• All-round (ALL)
• Defensive (DEF)
• Carbon and composite constructions
• Wood-only constructions

Signature blade lines associated with professional players include the Samsonov, Jorgic, Lebrun, Fortino, and MK families [2].

Sponsorship of elite athletes is integral to TIBHAR’s brand identity. While Vladimir Samsonov served as the primary international representative for decades, the current roster includes:

• Darko Jorgic
• Bernadette Szöcs
• Alexis Lebrun
• Félix Lebrun
• Annett Kaufmann
• Vladimir Samsonov

These players are identified as key representatives of the brand’s modern international presence [1].

Darko Jorgic

Slovenian star Darko Jorgic has emerged as a prominent modern ambassador. His success is closely linked to 1. FC Saarbrücken TT, reinforcing TIBHAR’s connection to its home city. In 2023, Jorgic won the Europe Top 16 for the second consecutive year, coinciding with Saarbrücken’s European Champions League victory [1].

The Lebrun brothers

A significant recent development is the partnership with French siblings Alexis Lebrun and Félix Lebrun, two of the most prominent young players in world table tennis. TIBHAR has extended contracts with both athletes through 2032 [1]. Their emergence has strengthened the brand’s appeal among younger demographics.

TIBHAR actively supplies infrastructure for professional table tennis, including tables, balls, and flooring. Historical milestones include equipment provision for the 2003 World Championships in Paris and the 2007 World Championships in Zagreb [1].

The company has developed a partnership with World Table Tennis (WTT), serving as a table, ball, and flooring partner for WTT Champions Montpellier and providing flooring for other major events. Additionally, the ITTF Foundation designated TIBHAR as a global equipment partner for flooring at the World Table Tennis Championships Finals from 2025 through 2028 [3].

French National Team

TIBHAR resumed its role as equipment sponsor for the French national team in September 2024. This partnership is strategically significant given France’s status as an emerging force in men’s table tennis, anchored by the Lebrun brothers [1].

1. FC Saarbrücken TT

The company maintains a close relationship with 1. FC Saarbrücken TT, sharing the same geographic base. The club’s successes, including the 2023 Champions League title, provide TIBHAR with a direct link between its headquarters, elite competition, and product development [1].

TIBHAR’s core philosophy centers on developing equipment around the player and their specific style. Originating with Tibor Harangozo, this approach persists in a catalog that serves beginners, recreational players, club competitors, advanced tournament players, and professionals across all tactical archetypes, including attackers, counter-loopers, all-rounders, defenders, and long-pimple specialists [1].

TIBHAR occupies a distinct position in the global market characterized by several factors:

1. European Identity: Unlike many brands of Asian origin, TIBHAR has a distinctly German/European history dating to 1969 [1].
2. Professional Heritage: Decades of involvement with elite players, from Samsonov to the Lebrun brothers.
3. Rubber Expertise: Recognition among serious players for an extensive range of offensive and specialist defensive rubbers.
4. Player-Specific Development: Frequent creation of signature equipment tailored to professional athletes.
5. Infrastructure Role: Expansion beyond rackets into tables, balls, and sports flooring for international competitions [3].

As of 2026, TIBHAR remains headquartered in Saarbrücken and continues international expansion. Recent investments include a new 2,000-square-meter high-rack warehouse at headquarters. The company now operates simultaneously as an equipment manufacturer, professional player brand, competition supplier, and infrastructure provider [1].

Historical milestones are based primarily on TIBHAR’s published company history [1].

1. 1969 – FOUNDATION OF THE COMPANY TIBHAR TIBOR HARANGOZO. | TIBHAR
2. Tibhar | Tabletennis11 (TT11)
3. ITTF Foundation and TIBHAR Achieve Landmark Equipment Partnership for the World Table Tennis for Health Festival – ITTF Foundation