Först GmbH

What Först GmbH does

Först GmbH is a German manufacturer of premium wood chippers, organized as a subsidiary of UK-registered Redwood Global Ltd (Company Registration No: 08961680). The company designs, brands, and distributes Anhängerhäcksler (trailer-mounted) and Raupenhäcksler (tracked) wood chippers in 6-inch and 8-inch capacity classes, with engine options spanning compact 23HP gasoline through 55HP Stage 5 diesel (Doosan DPF / Kubota). Differentiated hardware features include the proprietary AutoIntelligence electronic control system, the FörstGrip twin hydraulic feed-roller system, a Top-Open flywheel that ejects rather than blows chips, an adjustable Variable Track undercarriage, and the Traxion slope system on the XR8D model that enables 35-degree slope operation for railway and extreme-terrain use.

The company monetizes exclusively through hardware sales of these machines via a multi-region dealer network, with dedicated regional websites and operations covering Germany (foerst-global.com), UK/Global (forstglobal.com), and the United States (forst-usa.com). Sales is supported by direct product demonstrations ('Vorführung Buchen') and the parent company provides corporate, data-protection, and brand-asset oversight. Först targets professional tree-care contractors, hire/contractor firms (Lohnunternehmer), and the railway-maintenance vertical, and markets itself as the first manufacturer in the industry to offer a comprehensive 3-year warranty. No revenue, funding, or unit-shipment data is disclosed; the company lists 6 employees, indicating a lean organization that relies on outsourced manufacturing and dealer-led commercialization rather than a large internal headcount.

Name

Först GmbH

Legal name

Först GmbH

Website

https://foerst-global.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Först GmbH, a German subsidiary of UK-based Redwood Global Ltd, designs and distributes premium trailer-mounted and tracked wood chippers for professional arborists, hire contractors, and railway maintenance, sold through a multi-region European and US dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wood Chippers

NAICS

Sawmill, Woodworking, and Paper Machinery Manufacturing (333243)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Woods Comminution & Size Reduction (Chippers/Grinders) (AFAMAJAF)

Keywords

• Wood chippers
• Tracked chippers
• Trailer chippers
• Tree care equipment
• Vegetation management

Headquarters

HQ city

Freudenberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Wood Chipper Sales: Sale of premium wood chipper machines including trailer-mounted and crawler models. The company offers a range of models from 6-inch to 8-inch capacity with various engine options (gasoline, diesel). Sales are facilitated through dealer network and direct factory sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Först GmbH manufactures and sells premium wood chippers for professional arborists, tree care contractors, and vegetation management companies. The product range includes trailer-mounted (Anhängerhäcksler) and tracked (Raupenhäcksler) models with 6-inch and 8-inch capacity, available in gasoline and diesel variants. All machines are equipped with the proprietary FörstGrip feed roller system and AutoIntelligence electronic controls, and the company offers an industry-first 3-year comprehensive warranty.

Product overview

Först GmbH manufactures premium wood chippers as part of the Redwood Global group, positioning itself as Europe's leading premium wood chipper manufacturer. The product portfolio consists of two main lines: Anhängerhäcksler (trailer-mounted chippers) and Raupenhäcksler (tracked chippers). The trailer chipper lineup includes the Cadet 6 and Cadet 6 TR (compact 6-inch models with 23HP), ST6P and ST6P HD (6-inch gasoline), ST6D 24 and ST6D 42 (6-inch diesel with 24HP Kubota or 42HP Doosan), and ST8D (8-inch diesel with 55HP Doosan). The tracked chipper lineup includes TR6P (6-inch gasoline 40HP), TR6D 24 and TR6D 42 (6-inch diesel), TR8D (8-inch diesel), and XR8D (8-inch with Traxion slope system for extreme terrain). All products feature common technologies including the FörstGrip feed roller system, AutoIntelligence no-stress control system with waterproof/vibration-resistant touchpads, and open-top flywheel design with knife systems. The company offers a 3-year warranty, a first in the industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FörstGrip: Proprietary feed roller system featuring two hydraulically driven rollers with high breaking force, where the upper roller arches onto wood and is preloaded by two high-performance springs for maximum grip.
• AutoIntelligence

Products and services

• Först Cadet 6 TR 6-inch tracked wood chipper with a 23HP gasoline engine. Compact tracked model designed for maneuverability in tight areas while delivering performance through the FörstGrip feed roller system. Targets professional tree care operators needing a small-format tracked unit.
• Först Cadet 6 6-inch trailer-mounted gasoline wood chipper with a 23HP engine. Portable compact chipper for professional tree care and landscaping applications.
• Först ST6P 6-inch light gasoline trailer chipper designed for portability and ease of use in a range of wood chipping applications.
• Först ST6P HD 6-inch gasoline high-performance trailer chipper with enhanced durability for demanding professional applications.
• Först ST6D 24 6-inch diesel trailer chipper with 24HP Kubota engine, FörstGrip feed rollers, open-top 640x25mm flywheel with two 8-inch knives, 30-liter fuel tank, and AutoIntelligence control system. Weighs 1005kg.
• Först ST6D 42 6-inch diesel trailer chipper with 42HP Doosan turbo diesel engine with DPF. Features robust construction with flange-fitted parts, 30-liter transparent fuel tank, and AutoIntelligence control system.
• Först ST8D 8-inch diesel trailer chipper with 55HP Doosan DPF Stage 5 engine. Features 200mm x 255mm feed opening, open-top flywheel with two 10-inch knives, 35-liter fuel tank, variable feed roller speed, and FörstGrip system. Weighs 1375kg. Designed for contractors requiring maximum chipping capacity.
• Först TR6P 6-inch tracked wood chipper with 40HP Briggs & Stratton Vanguard V-Twin gasoline engine. Features variable track width (800mm retracted / 1150mm extended), FörstGrip feed roller system, and 30/35-liter fuel tank. Weighs 1200kg. Economical tracked option offering performance comparable to diesel models.
• Först TR6D 24 6-inch tracked diesel chipper with 24HP Kubota diesel engine. Features piggyback hydraulic pumps for high track fidelity and excellent torque, Stage 5 compliant, and quick-release maintenance access. Weighs 1300kg. In continuous development since 2013 for professional arborists.
• Först TR6D 42 6-inch tracked diesel chipper with 42HP Doosan diesel engine and DPF. Weighs 1430kg. Stage 5 compliant high-performance tracked chipper for demanding terrain.
• Först TR8D 8-inch tracked diesel chipper with 55HP Doosan DPF Stage 5 engine. Features 200mm x 225mm feed opening, twin 728x30mm flywheels with two 10-inch knives, wide feed hopper, and FörstGrip system. Weighs 1625kg. Compact tracked powerhouse for processing 8-inch hardwood.
• Först XR8D 8-inch tracked diesel chipper with 55HP Doosan DPF Stage 5 engine featuring the Traxion slope system. Capable of climbing slopes up to 35 degrees with independent track extension/retraction. Optional 3.5m light mast with 2x 4692-lumen LEDs. Weighs 2250kg with track width 1480mm retracted / 2020mm extended. Designed for railway industry and extreme terrain applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-year comprehensive warranty - first in the industry
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Redwood Global Ltdparent companyOthersRedwood Global Ltd is the parent company of Först GmbH, providing data protection and corporate governance oversight. Based in UK (Company Registration No: 08961680). Manages data processing and compliance including GDPR obligations.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Morbark: US-based manufacturer of wood chippers, grinders, and forestry equipment serving tree care, biomass, and recycling markets. Comparable to Först on chipper products but with broader industrial-scale equipment portfolio.
• Vermeer Corporation: Major US-based manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment with a substantial wood chipper and forestry product line. Directly comparable to Först on chipper products, but operates at much larger scale with broader equipment categories.
• Bobcat (Doosan): Doosan-owned compact equipment manufacturer with forestry/vegetation attachments and tracked carriers. Relevant because Först uses Doosan diesel engines (a sister-brand relationship) and competes for some tracked-equipment customers.

Direct peers

• Bandit Industries: US manufacturer specializing in hand-fed and whole-tree wood chippers for tree care professionals. Closest direct competitor to Först in terms of customer base (arborists, contractors) and product category, though with greater model breadth and US-centric distribution.
• Rayco Manufacturing: US manufacturer of stump grinders, wood chippers, and forestry equipment. Comparable to Först as a niche specialist serving tree-care professionals with similar tracked and trailer-mounted chipper offerings.
• GreenMech: UK-based wood chipper manufacturer focused on arborist and grounds-care markets. Direct competitor to Först in the UK and European dealer channels, offering comparable gasoline and diesel tracked/trailer chippers.
• FSI (Försäljnings AB): Swedish manufacturer of stump grinders and wood chippers for the European tree-care market. Direct competitor to Först in Northern Europe with overlapping tracked/trailer chipper products and dealer-based distribution.
• Wallenstein: Canadian manufacturer of wood chippers, log splitters, and wood processing equipment. Comparable to Först on chipper product category serving landowner and light-professional markets.
• J.P. Carlton: US manufacturer specializing in stump grinders and wood chippers for the tree care industry. Direct competitor on the chipper category serving arborist and contractor customers, though with smaller scale than the majors.
• Timberwolf: UK manufacturer of wood chippers for hire companies, arborists, and grounds maintenance contractors. Direct competitor in the UK market with overlapping customer segments and similar product positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/f%C3%B6rst-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Först GmbH