Just before the outbreak of WWII (1939) Dorp & Voos which had been in operation since 1906, was sold to Fritz Bracht GmbH and became Dovo at that time. For a period of time there were hundreds of razor manufacturers in Germany. Dovo's preeminence in the market is a recent happening.

The following brand names or companies were taken over:
1952 - brand name "Tennis" (open razors)
1957 - brand name "Bismarck" (open razors)
1957 - brand name "Ankerflagge" (open razors) from the Carl Rader company
1968 - Erich Hartkopf company. The scissors were jointed by pocket knives of the brand name "Teufelskerle"
1969 - brand name "Kronpunkt" (open razors) from the Heups company
1970 - brand name "Fontana" (open razors)
1973 - Heups & Hermes company (pedicure nippers and instruments)
1996 - Merkur company (shaving equipment) --> more information on Merkur products

Since the death of Dr. Ernst Kirschbaum, his son Markus Kirschbaum, who has a degree in commerce, runs the family concern in the third generation along with the long-time Managing Director Jürgen Stremmel.

A detailed history of the company can be found in .pdf format on this web page: DOVO - Masterpieces in steel - History -