Höfer’s history

Family-owned company rich in tradition – for over three generations

Founded by Josef Höfer in 1932, our company was taken over by Johannes and Peter Höfer in 1968.

Since this time Höfer has continued its development unabated. Initially founded for the production of pumice-based construction materials, it is now a mid-size organization with a group structure: currently Josef Höfer GmbH & Co. KG in Urmitz, Josef Höfer GmbH in Urmitz including its operation in Dillingen, and HMT GmbH & Co. KG in Hettstedt.

The Group has a combined 350-plus workforce in its surface finishing, metalworking and aluminum processing departments at its three locations. To this day, the workforce includes members of the Höfer family.

With Höfer GmbH’s current executive management team – Ursula Couvreux and Christoph Höfer – the third generation of the Höfer family is at the helm of the company. At HMT, Christian Schwarz has co-managed the company together with Ursula Couvreux since 2017.

Bird’s eye view of the Höfer site in Urmitz, end of 1990s
Höfer factory site in Urmitz, end of 1990s
Old picture of the first anodic coating line at the Urmitz site, 1968
First anodic coating line at the Urmitz site, 1968
Old picture of factory site in Urmitz, mid-1950s
Factory site in Urmitz, mid-1950s
Old picture of Höfer building at the beginning of the 1950s
The Höfer building at the beginning of the 1950s

Chronology – from Höfer’s founding in 1932 to the present day

  • 2017

    • Christian Schwarz joins forces with Ursula Couvreux in HMT’s executive management.
    • Blechking, a web portal for plate and sheet cut to order, is developed.

  • 2016

    • Sudden death of Thomas Höfer.
    • Christoph Höfer joins forces with Ursula Couvreux as executive management at Höfer GmbH.

  • 2015

    The state-of-the-art HybrEx press is commissioned in Hettstedt.

  • 2010

    A new vertical line goes into operation in Urmitz.

  • 2009

    Ursula Couvreux becomes the managing director of HMT.

  • 2008

    Ursula Couvreux becomes the managing director of Höfer GmbH.

  • 2006

    At the Hettstedt site a foundry goes into operation for the production of aluminum billet from secondary aluminum.

  • 2003

    Höfer acquires the aluminum extrusion plant IMT in Hettstedt, and renames it HMT (Höfer Metall Technik).

  • 1997

    The production and warehouse area in Urmitz is increased to 35,000 m².

  • 1996

    Two new horizontal powder coating lines go into operation.

  • 1995

    Höfer acquires an anodic coating plant in Dillingen (Saar).

  • 1993

    Thomas Höfer takes over executive management.

  • 1991

    The first vertical powder coating line is commissioned in Urmitz.

  • 1990

    Production area in Urmitz = 16,000 m²

  • 1989

    The Urmitz site is expanded and modernized, increasing its capacity.

  • 1986

    A second horizontal powder coating line is put into operation in Urmitz.

  • 1971

    The first horizontal powder coating line is commissioned at the Urmitz site.

  • 1968

    Johannes and Peter Höfer succeed Josef Höfer and take over the company. They transform Josef Höfer KG, a limited partnership, into Josef Höfer GmbH, a limited liability company. The first anodic coating line is also commissioned in the Urmitz plant.

  • 1932

    Josef Höfer founds Josef Höfer KG for the production of pumice-based construction materials.