The craftsman family Fendt traces its history back some 350 years. The family became well known in Allgäu for producing tower clocks, lead strings and violins.[1] The family also farmed as a sideline and had a small trade in agricultural equipment. Johann Georg Fendt, born on 16 August 1868, took over his father Franz Xaver's business in 1898 and began selling and servicing Deutz stationary engines.

Prior to 1928, Johann's oldest son, Xaver, was employed and gained industry experience working for Deutz and BMW while Hermann continued to help their father operate the family farm and the engine business.

In 1928, Xaver returned home and along with his brother Hermann and father Johann, the Fendt family branched out into agricultural utility machines by building a motorized grass mower.

Fendt Favorit 3 produced in the 1960s
The first 4.5 kW (6 hp) Dieselross tractor was built in 1930 by the brothers Hermann (1911–1995) and Xaver Fendt (1907–1989) under the guidance of their father Johann Georg Fendt (1868–1933).

In 1937, the company entered the Kempten (Allgäu) commercial register under the name "Xaver Fendt & Co., Maschinen- und Schlepperfabrik". Xaver and Hermann became shareholders while the mother Kreszentia acted as a limited partner.