February 2026

A strong partnership sealed: After successful project-based collaboration, the Heckmann Group and Hamburg-based engineering firm Hofmann are now joining forces strategically. Since February 2026, it is official: Heckmann is acquiring a 40% stake in the Hamburg specialists, with the goal of a full takeover in the foreseeable future.

The first concrete discussions about an investment took place with owner Martin Hofmann in the summer of 2025. In February 2026, the contracts were signed.

A prime example of the perfect collaboration between the two companies was the project for Momentive Performance Materials Quarz GmbH in Geesthacht. In March 2023, a second production line was realised there. The contract, with a volume of EUR 1.052 million, came about on a direct recommendation from Hofmann. While Hofmann's office handled the planning, Heckmann was responsible for constructing the facilities – a confident delivery, despite the challenge of doubling capacity during ongoing operations.

For Martin Hofmann, this step is both a matter close to his heart and a pivotal decision: "I expect this to provide not only an orderly transition and job security for my employees when I eventually retire. Above all, it's about the synergies: together, we can deliver massive added value by integrating planning and execution even more closely."

Henning Heckmann also sees the investment as a strategic milestone on the road to Vision 2030: "The stake in Hofmann gives us access to new customers. While in the past we only executed a small proportion of the projects planned by Hofmann's engineers, as partners and co-owners we will now primarily be the executing company as well. This not only secures jobs in our workshops but also broadens our portfolio and makes our group even more resilient. With Hofmann's team, we are significantly expanding our capacities and competencies (CAD) in planning and design at a stroke. We are also gaining additional know-how, for example in sales."

Hofmann Ingenieur Technik was founded in 1990 by Martin Hofmann and has a team of around 20 highly qualified professionals. The service portfolio ranges from conception and planning to structural analysis and detailed design through to 3D scan surveying and on-site measurements. A distinguishing feature is the company's enormous flexibility: Hofmann works with five different CAD systems, enabling an extremely agile response to the software requirements of diverse customers and suppliers.

The team has already proven that it is not afraid of any challenge. Its references include record-breaking achievements such as the design of the world's longest lateral suction pipe, capable of extracting from a depth of 125 metres, as well as innovative solutions: a driverless transport system for laundry containers in hospitals to relieve staff workload.

"The interfaces with our existing locations can be very diverse," says Henning Heckmann. "The synergies are obvious. So far, the collaboration has been with our Bremen site. I believe that considerable additional potential with all locations will emerge over time."

Martin Hofmann will continue to oversee projects as usual. His dedicated team is known for delivering optimal solutions at short notice – a mentality that is an excellent fit with the Heckmann philosophy.

Moin to Hamburg and a warm welcome to the Heckmann family!