b+d was founded in 1975 as a small family business - with a simple but very practical idea: to offer referees products that are reliable and make everyday life on the pitch easier. Over the years, the first referee set became a specialized brand that is now used in amateur and competitive football nationwide and internationally. Despite this development, b+d has remained a family business that is based on consistency, quality and close connections to the base.

Our 50th anniversary in 2025 was therefore not an occasion for large productions. The focus was on the people who have accompanied b+d for decades: active referees, associations, clubs and many long-standing customers. Many of them have been using our products for years and their feedback directly influences where the brand develops.

The goal of the anniversary year was clear:

Making tradition visible, strengthening proximity to the community and showing how our family business has developed together with the refereeing world.

With this claim we started a year that was characterized by numerous actions, encounters and projects.
The following review shows how we implemented this anniversary in everyday life and shaped it together with the community.

50 years of b+d – An anniversary year full of encounters, tradition and community

Our 2025 annual review

2025 was a very special year for b+d. A year that not only marked our 50th anniversary, but also highlighted how closely our brand is connected to the refereeing community. Many developments, many encounters and many memories shaped this anniversary year - and we would like to review it again here.

We had already announced at the turn of the year that 2025 would be an extraordinary year for us:
➡️ Happy New Year 2025 – The year of our anniversary
https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/frohes-neues-jahr-2025-das-jahr-unseres-jubilaums

This laid the foundation: the coming year should be characterized by community, tradition and dialogue.

January – A start that shows what we stand for

The start of the year could hardly have been more symbolic. We were actively involved as a sponsor twice - where b+d has been at home for five decades: at the grassroots level - with the referees.

FVN Referee Masters in Mönchengladbach/Viersen
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/fvn-sr-masters-2025-in-monchengladbach-viersen

Then there was the visit Young referee tournament in apprenticeship, where we were there the evening before as guests and supporters.

January immediately showed what our anniversary year should look like: committed, personal and close to the people who have shaped b+d over so many years.

Another emotional moment: We gave away several copies of our very first product - the b+d referee set ORIGINAL, which laid the foundation for the brand in 1975.
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/50-jahre-b-d-vom-spontanen-einfall-zum-legendaren-schiri-set-original

Many long-time referees came forward with stories, memories and anecdotes. For us this was a valuable piece of contemporary history.

A community campaign with a great response

In the spring we started a big thank you campaign: About 500 cases with vouchers We include it with our orders free of charge.
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/gratis-etui-gutschein

At the same time, we asked the community for support:
Who knows referees who have also been active for 50 years?
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/50-jahre-exzellenz-feiern-sie-mit-uns-und-unserer-neuen-jubilaums-pfeife

The response was overwhelming. We received letters from all parts of Germany. Many told us about decades of commitment, changes in amateur football, personal setbacks, successes and moving moments on and off the pitch.

This resulted in many impressive portraits - also taken during visits to us Trechtingshausen:

Wolfgang Adam – over 5,460 games experience
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/wolfgang-adam-im-portrat-5-460-spiele-ein-halbes-jahrhundert-schiedsrichter-erfahrung

Werner Koch – 73 years of football, 50 years of refereeing, a life full of attitude
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/man-muss-haltung-zeigen-73-jahre-fussball-mit-werner-koch

These encounters were among the most impressive moments of our anniversary year - because nothing stands for b+d as much as the stories behind the people who stand in the squares every Saturday and Sunday.

More Interviews can be found in our blog.

May – Modern technology and great interest: Spintso Refcom II Pro

That was another highlight Spintsoevent in May, which took place in this form for the first time in Mainz.
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/einladung-zum-spintso-event-on-may-5-2026

The Swedish manufacturer introduced the new one Refcom II Pro before, and together with the Mainz-Bingen Referee Association, the participants had the opportunity to test the system live under real conditions.

The exchange was informative, practical and valuable for everyone involved - a nice example of how tradition and innovation can be combined.

Tradition continued: Saxony State Cups

In 2025 we will continue a long-standing ritual:
The referee teams for the state cup finals in Saxony were once again equipped by b+d.
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/finale-frauen-landespokal-sachsen-2024-2026

As a reliable partner in amateur and association sports, this continuity is particularly important to us.

June – The (unofficial) German Referee Championships in Offenbach

Without a doubt one of the biggest highlights: the 25th German Referee Championships in Offenbach.
➡️ https://allzweck.de/blogs/news/25-deutschen-schiedsrichtermeisterschaft

We were not just a sponsor, but an active part of the event - on and off the field. The atmosphere was warm, connecting and full of energy.

An emotional moment was the anniversary wishes from Referee legend Lutz Wagner, who has accompanied and supported us for many years.

The championships have shown once again that refereeing is much more than decisions on the pitch - it is team spirit, respect and passion.

July – International flair at the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg

In the summer we traveled together with groups of referees who were friends of ours Mainz-Bingen and Westercelle to the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg – the largest youth football tournament in the world.

Days together, lots of games, international encounters and the incredible spirit of this global event made the trip a special experience. Especially in the anniversary year, this tour was a visible sign of how closely b+d has been connected to growing networks over the years.

Year-end spurt – anniversary promotions, Black Friday and an atmospheric finale

At the end of the year we launched the classic b+d year-end spurt - but this time with a clear anniversary focus:

attractive Spintso-Offers
big Black Friday promotions
as well as a special one Christmas campaign, which marks the end of our anniversary year

The aim was to once again expressly thank our community and conclude a successful, eventful year 2025 together.

A conclusion after 50 years – and a look forward

Our anniversary year showed us that b+d is not just a brand, but part of a vibrant community.
The many encounters, stories and feedback from the entire year 2025 have deeply impressed and confirmed us:

The strength of our company lies in the people who accompany it.

We look forward to ending this special year together with you – and continuing it in 2026 with the same passion, values and new ideas.

Thank you for 50 years of trust.
Thank you for 50 years b+d.