New horizons for Hoffmann UK

Boris Johnson, the UK’s newly appointed Prime Minister has emphatically stated that the UK will leave the European Union on 31^st October 2019 whatever the circumstances. What that means for the manufacturing industry is anyone’s guess – but it’s highly encouraging to see some companies pressing forward with plans to invest in the UK. One such organisation is the Hoffmann Group. Dave Tudor reports.

Because my focus is heavily biased towards the editorial content in PES, I don’t usually pay close attention to the advertising side of things in the magazine. But as I was proofreading the August issue, a Hoffmann full page advert – particularly the wording – really caught my eye simply because of its absolute clarity at a time when all we seem to be getting is anything but.

It read: ‘Brexit or no Brexit, we’re investing in the UK. Uncompromised quality, service and reliability’.

And invest it most certainly has. 1^st August 2019 marked the official opening of the Hoffmann Group‘s UK office – a wholly owned subsidiary – based in Birmingham in a year that sees the Group celebrate its centenary. The event was attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim, who enthusiastically performed ceremonial ribbon cutting duties.

It shouldn’t be overlooked just how large the Hoffmann Group is globally – but at heart it’s a family run company with strong family values. The whole business is underpinned by its ‘three pillars’ – pioneering (the quality of its solutions); precise (precision combined with simplicity); and personal (respect, transparency and passion).

“We’re very much an international company,” explained Martin Reichenecker, member of the executive board who was present at the official opening of the Birmingham office.

“We have a strong market presence across three continents – the Americas, Europe and Asia – and we generated more than €1 billion in revenue last year. With 150,000 active customers, we view ourselves as the market leader for quality tools for the industrial sector in Europe.”

The only way is up

The idea to expand the UK operation – effectively doubling the number of staff – was decided at board level around two years ago. “At a meeting in Munich we looked closely at our products, processes and markets,” Mr Reichenecker recalled, “and it soon became apparent that we needed to change things in the UK so that we could get closer to our customers and offer a more comprehensive service.

He continued: “The UK is one of the biggest economies in Europe and represents an important market for us so we drew up a business plan to develop a full service company here in Birmingham rather than simply a sales office. We believe in the market; we believe in the industry; and we believe in our new team to make Hoffmann UK successful.”

Of course no-one knows what lies around the corner in terms of Brexit, but from Hoffmann’s viewpoint, the message couldn’t be more emphatic. It’s all too easy to get embroiled in our own politics, but Martin Reichenecker’s parting words during his presentation – as a neutral – were as poignant as they were clear.

“We don’t care what’s happening in London or Brussels,” he declared. “The UK market is strong for us and that’s why we’ve committed to invest in this new facility and our staff.

“We are 100% focused on providing excellent products – cutting tools, hand tools, metrology and workshop equipment and PPE, backed by exemplary support and technical expertise – to our customers. This new facility here in Birmingham is testament to that commitment.”

Addressing the audience after the official ribbon cutting ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim echoed the sentiment: “I am delighted to be here at this important event.” he enthused. “Birmingham is a fantastic, multi-cultural city with a great industrial heritage.

“Manufacturing has been a big part of my own life and although it’s a global industry. I hope that as you expand and grow here, you will employ local people and engage with local businesses as much as possible. I think Birmingham and its people have much to offer. I wish Hoffmann UK every success in its new home.”

Leading by example

As managing director of Hoffmann UK, newly-appointed Tim Paddison will be steering the ship. He’s relishing the prospect of the new challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to my new role and I’m convinced that despite the challenging market conditions in Great Britain, the Hoffmann Group will grow continuously and profitably,” he affirms. “The Hoffmann Group has established relationships in the UK with a focus on quality and service. This is what our customers appreciate and what we will strive to reinforce and develop.

“As Martin has already mentioned, the UK is one of the largest economies in Europe and we have huge potential to grow our market share. With the UK’s established base of aerospace, automotive and general manufacturing companies, I believe there’s a gap in the marketplace for a quality tooling and service provider. Our vast product range is particularly relevant to the UK market.”

He adds: “Our mission statement says it all for me – we’re all about filling the value gap: making our customers more successful by simplifying tool procurement and increasing productivity.”

Indeed, the Hoffmann Group describes itself as a system partner rather than just a supplier of equipment. Its core strengths lie in providing a full gambit of products and services from technical support, consultancy, inventory control and training through to developing customer cost-reduction strategies, web and e-commerce, added services (like calibration and regrinding) and full turnkey projects.

What you want, when you want it

A cornerstone of any tooling company’s arsenal is its product catalogue and in Hoffmann’s case there are no fewer than four – collectively packed to the gunnels with more than 85,000 quality products – including Hoffmann’s own premium Garant and Holex quality brands. Certainly worthy of note and commendable is the fact that pricing is transparent and fixed for a year.

These weighty tomes are available in print (still very much in demand – even in this distinctly digital age) and online and there are four volumes: Machine and Clamping, Technology; Hand Tools and Metrology; Workstations and Storage; and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Perfection is an objective that all companies aspire to, but in Hoffmann’s case – in terms of on-time delivery – it’s pretty much there with 99% delivery availability across the product range and 99.9% delivery accuracy. In other words, customers get what they want, when they want it virtually all of the time.

Central to these stats is Hoffmann’s 40,000m² logistics centre in Nuremberg, Germany. A staggering 60,000 items are picked every day and there’s capability for 24 hour delivery throughout Europe. In addition to the main logistics operation, there’s also a dedicated workstation and storage centre.

With its partners, the Hoffmann Group is present in more than 50 different countries around the globe. In Germany it has 10 subsidiaries and dealers, 44 in Europe and 69 in total worldwide, all serving a local customer base.

But I’ll leave the final word to Tim Paddison; “We’ve had a sales presence in the UK for some time now, but in all reality, today represents day one on a new journey for Hoffmann UK.

“Globally, our reputation is built upon honesty, reliability and dependability, underpinned by a fantastic product range and highly knowledgeable people. We’re looking forward to developing those same core values here in the UK.”

Hoffmann Group https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk