Alfons Hymer, the father of Erwin Hymer, had operated a repair shop in Bad Waldsee since 1923. In 1956,
Erich Bachem made the first caravan to a customer order, and in 1957 designer Erwin Hymer created the prototype "Eriba" range, the original Trolls. In 1996, Hymer took over Niesmann + Bischoff GmbH, and in 1998 added Burstner. In the same year the camping accessories wholesaler Movera was founded. In 2000, Hymer AG acquired the Italian motorhome manufacturer Laika. The 100,000th leisure vehicle left the factory in October 2004. On 29 October 2011, the €17 million Erwin Hymer Museum opened in Bad Waldsee. In 2016, Hymer acquired esteemed North American Class B RV manufacturer Roadtrek, and created the subsidiary Erwin Hymer NA (North America) to manage the acquisition. In 2018,
Thor Industries acquired Erwin Hymer (Europe) without Erwin Hymer NA and Roadtrek because of financial irregularities uncovered at Erwin Hymer NA (during due diligence investigations as required by the sale). Erwin Hymer NA subsequently fired the CEO, and COO, halted work at four factories in Ontario, laid off approximately 850 workers, and went into Canadian receivership. ==The Explorer Group==