History

At the beginning of Germany’s first democratic era in 1919, brothers Hubert and Leonhard Hofmann founded a company for manufacturing agricultural machinery in Windsheim’s Spitalgasse, on the ground floor of the former vocational school.

In December 1925, Leonhard Hofmann completed his master craftsman’s examination. In November 1927, the company relocated to Schellenfeld – today’s Hofmannstraße.
Investments increased significantly: With the construction of an iron foundry and an assembly hall, the company presented itself in strong condition and ready for growth.

During the economic upswing, HOFMANN built another production hall in 1936 for the manufacturing of bearing housings and band saws.

By 1939, the factory employed 122 people.
The transition to wartime production – as HOFMANN became part of the armament industry – initially occurred without major disruption. However, labor shortages due to military conscription and raw material scarcity increasingly made production more difficult.

In 1945, production materials and steel were extremely scarce and could only be obtained with government-issued permits. Initially, kitchen stoves were manufactured from recycled materials and remaining inventory.
By 1946, a new foundry was built. As production expanded, components for irons, vises and saw filing machines were manufactured.

After the German currency reform in 1948, HOFMANN participated in the 1st Munich Trade Fair for Crafts and Skilled Trades.

Production of drilling and woodworking machines was established. After a few years, the production of pure drilling machines was discontinued due to market saturation. HOFMANN then fully focused on woodworking machinery and converted its entire production accordingly.

HOFMANN’s presence at the Hannover Trade Fair in 1950 marked the beginning of new customer acquisition.
Exports, initiated in 1951, contributed significantly to sustained revenue growth. After establishing connections throughout Europe, the network soon expanded across other continents.

Continuous growth led to the construction of a larger foundry in 1955. In addition to in-house requirements, this facility also supplied external customers and produced castings for electric motors.

HOFMANN expanded its sales network while growing export activities boosted international business.
In 1982, machines were delivered to the USA for the first time.
At the Munich Trade Fair for Crafts in 1985, HOFMANN received the State Award with Gold Medal for its thickness planer, honoring the successful and innovative modernization of its production.
In 1987, this machine was further improved with a continuously variable, frequency-controlled feed speed.

In 1988, HOFMANN received an award for its 40-year participation in the Munich Trade Fair.
In 1989, the unique AD jointer-thickness planer replaced the previous combination machine. For the first time, thickness planing was possible without tilting the jointer table.

The reunification of Germany in 1989/90 accelerated growth and further modernization of the company.

On July 8, 1994, HOFMANN celebrated its 75th anniversary together with employees and distribution partners.
On July 1, 1995, Gabriele Hartmann, daughter of Ernst Hartmann, joined the company. Under her leadership, markets expanded to nearly all of Europe. The export rate reached approximately 65%.
Modernization continued with the construction of a new assembly hall in summer 1995.

Modernization continued with the construction of a new assembly hall in summer 1995.

In 1996, HOFMANN launched its first controlled milling machine.
The TFS 2000 featured nine selectable spindle speeds without belt repositioning – a technical sensation at the time.
In 1999, HOFMANN was awarded the title of “Special Supplier” by TEMACO eG.

With the new millennium, the sales company HOFMANN Maschinenfabrik GmbH was founded.
The combination of state-of-the-art production technology and decades of experience became the company’s defining characteristic. Technical Director Franz Firzlaff, who joined as a skilled worker in 1976, played a key role in shaping HOFMANN’s innovative technological leadership.

After extensive development, HOFMANN introduced the UFM 210 VISION universal milling machine – a world first.
The spindle could be tilted up to +95.5°, and all axes were moved via the spindle unit.
A patent application was filed for this innovation.

In 2004, the new generation of milling machines (TF / TFS 1245) replaced the previous TF / TFS 1200 models.
In 2005, HOFMANN was among the first manufacturers to introduce an HSK interface for fast cutter arbor changes.
By 2006, over 100 UFM 210 VISION milling machines had been delivered worldwide.

In summer 2008, a new production hall was built, housing the turning shop from August onwards.
A high-end DMG CNC lathe was commissioned in October.
In the same year, HOFMANN presented the milling machine with Multi-Step Technology, enabling automatic multi-insert milling – unique on the market.

In 2009, HOFMANN celebrated its 90th company anniversary.

At the LIGNA trade fair, HOFMANN presented the limited anniversary edition of the combined AD 514 / 634, a machine that best represented the company’s philosophy.

In 2010 at Holz-Handwerk, the TF 106 fixed-spindle shaper was introduced as an economical solution.
A new generation of milling fences (Type 2601 Basic & Efficient) followed.

In 2011, a new corporate design was introduced with the combined AD 515/635 and the TF/TFS 1245 machines.
The milling machines were also offered with modern CNC technology via a 5.7” touchscreen display.

In 2012, the jointer models AHW 412/512/632 were presented in a modern machine design featuring LED display for hollow/point joint adjustment.
Under the motto “Pure Efficiency”, the TFS 1260 was presented at LIGNA.

In 2013, the thickness planer D 636 replaced the previous D 632 model.

At Holz-Handwerk Nuremberg, several innovations were presented, including:
The newly developed LB 760-ELA slot mortising & dowel machine (in cooperation with Lachner)
The new AIR-Lock milling fence with Guardian safety system
A vacuum table and vacuum blower for thickness planers

In 2015, HOFMANN introduced the new LB 770 “OmniFact” slot mortising and dowel drilling machine.
The name derives from the Latin “omni facere” – “to do everything”.
In 2016, the QR Manager was developed as part of a software update for CNC-controlled milling machines and presented at Holz-Handwerk. Tool and program data can be created on a PC and transferred via USB to the machine.

HOFMANN introduced numerous safety and comfort innovations:
LED light strips on the milling fence for optical hazard warnings
An extended Guardian safety system with additional LED indicators
Integrated quick clamping systems for milling fence jaws to improve efficiency and operator comfort

HOFMANN presented the next generation of milling fences Type 2620 and the newly designed functional stand with major improvements. For the first time, the company exhibited with its own booth at the IWF trade show in Atlanta (USA). Administrative offices were also modernized as part of further building improvements.

At LIGNA 2019, the company presented a special anniversary machine and the new combined planer models:
AD 515 / AD 635.
The machinery park was expanded with a modern machining center.

Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, HOFMANN remained focused on quality and innovation.
Proven technologies were further developed through practical detail improvements, increasing both safety and operating comfort.

The HOLZ-HANDWERK trade fair in Nuremberg was cancelled due to COVID-19.

HOFMANN continued to invest in advanced production technology.
By the end of the year, a 5-axis machining center BX-500 DD from PINNACLE was commissioned.

The focus remains on advancing proven machine technologies, with special attention to ergonomics, ease of operation and sustainable production.

On June 2, 2022, Ernst Hartmann, senior owner and long-time architect of the company, passed away at the age of 93.

The oldest production hall underwent comprehensive renovation, focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency.
A new roof insulation system and a photovoltaic installation significantly reduced energy consumption.

HOFMANN invested in modern, ergonomic workplaces within production to further improve working conditions.

Additionally, the new jointer model AHW 513 was presented for the first time.
It replaces the previous models AHW 512, 522 and 632.

A major investment was made in the modernization of the paint shop.
The facility was upgraded to meet the latest technical standards, improving efficiency, coating quality and environmental performance.