Our History
The roots of the Hofmeister story reach far back into the late 1970s. Back then, my father did not fit into the prevailing social framework that confronted him during his studies in economics and law. He only studied law, by the way, because his girlfriend was studying law as well. Better be safe, than sorry, he told me. During that time he preferred to sell his wooden works of art to the city rather than study hard, because his studies came easily to him. For his diploma thesis, his examiner failed him and offered him the chance to sit it again. His answer was short and clear. As usual.
This decision changed his life. He took all his savings, somehow made it through the German Democratic Republic and managed to persuade the right people in Eastern Europe to issue him an export permit. After he had tracked down the right manufacturers, he was the proud owner of a railway container full of wickerware. He opened a wickerware shop, was his own boss and spent many weeks of his time with his family in an old VW bus all across Europe and Africa. Of course, a disassembled spare engine lay in the boot and the gifts for the children in Africa were always within reach. This story gives rise to the entire DNA of the Hofmeister family: independence, a love of nature and adventure.
Today we try to honour this legacy and to carry it forward as best we can by responding to current social challenges and problems. In our view, growing environmental pollution and climate change are the greatest threat to the free world and to the future of our children. This enormous problem was not yet fully apparent in the 1970s, and so we have decided to take on this challenge. That is the part we would like to add to the Hofmeister story. How do we do that? The answer is actually quite simple. People love to consume. Not out of bad intentions, but out of love for themselves and others. We will not and do not want to change this basic need, but we want to offer a sustainable alternative. Our solution is: more wood, less plastic! Wood grows without any energy requirement, is durable, stores CO2, creates no waste when disposed of and ultimately reintegrates into the natural cycle of nature. There is no better raw material. Where else can you consume without any concerns?
So why do we sell on Amazon today? There are many opinions about Amazon, but here is ours: a large part of solving the problem lies in replacing as many products as possible with wood and reaching as many people as possible. This works via Amazon. 100,000 wooden spoons sold on Amazon are better than 100,000 spoons made of plastic & chemicals sold after being transported to us across the oceans from the Far East. With the right mindset and the possibilities of digitalisation & automation, we want to make our wooden solutions accessible to as large an audience as possible via Amazon. In the future, we want to see our wooden products in as many households as possible. Let us try this together!
WHY
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For a good life for all people today and in the generations to come.
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For a future fit for our grandchildren, in which our children's children experience this beautiful world, because we humans are once again connected with nature.
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We accept the ecological limits and our role as a part of this ecosystem, not its ruler.
HOW
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Reconnecting with nature: We "commit" ourselves to reconnecting with nature - by keeping a piece of nature close to us (in everyday life).
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Trust: We share our vision transparently with the outside world. We are completely transparent in our actions and honest in our communication. We are and remain approachable, which means you can reach us personally.
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We are not perfect: We do not hover above others, we are not saints and we do without disciples. We are simply striving to actively make a positive contribution for ourselves as part of this wonderful planet. Sustainability is a very complex topic and therefore always a matter of discourse. Depending on one's knowledge and the complexity of the facts, an assessment can change quickly. Only once you have the necessary information do you understand the bigger picture. For this reason we stand for discourse, which is only possible through transparent communication.
WHAT
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We are a manufacturer and platform of products that produce no waste during manufacture and use and that stand for sustainable, long-term use.
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Wooden products for everyday life. Wherever possible, we replace a plastic application with wood.
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We bring wooden products into all households (from the Amazon bargain hunter to the design lover) on the basis of our values / criteria.
Value requirements for our products
- Plastic-free
- Transparent material origin
- CO2 savings
- Vegan
- No imports from Asia
- Quality to Hofmeister standard
- Renewable raw material
- Recyclable
- Handmade in a family business
- Untreated
The Hofmeister chronology - from retail to wholesale and back
1970s
In 1978, the merchant Hans-Günter Hofmeister opens the retail shop "Zum Korbmacher" in the pottery village of Fredelsloh. The shop offers baskets and wickerware of its own production as well as purchased items. In 1979, Fritz J. Hildebrand joins the business.
1980s
To complement the range, wooden goods are sourced from wholesalers in Germany. The renaming to Hofmeister und Hildebrand GmbH took place in 1984.
1990s
Due to the increased demand following German reunification, the company expanded and began supplying befriended retailers. The first imports from wholesalers in other European countries are carried out. Trade fair appearances, such as at the CADEAUX fair in Leipzig, boosted sales in the wholesale segment. A first warehouse for wooden kitchenware in Fredelsloh is spun off from the retail business.
2000-2002
Following a declining trend in retail sales and entry into the supply of special parts for the sauna industry, Mr Hofmeister decides to concentrate fully on the wholesale business. Mr Hildebrand continues the retail business in Fredelsloh independently.
End of 2002
Together with his son Steve, Hans-Günter Hofmeister founds today's Hofmeister Holzwaren GmbH, based in Barlissen in Lower Saxony (municipality of Jühnde). The new company name already hints at the further focus on wooden goods. The wholesale activities are continued in the new company and from now on are operated exclusively from the Barlissen location.
From 2003
The wholesale business with products for kitchen and household is expanded, and the position as a partner to sauna builders with the know-how for custom-made products is also strengthened. Further storage space is rented in Barlissen so that the increased range can be kept in stock. In order not to lose direct contact with end customers and their needs, price awareness and demand behaviour, various markets and consumer fairs are staffed at weekends.
Mid-2007
After completing his business administration studies, Steve Hofmeister joins the company full-time. Following his experience during semester breaks, at weekends and as a companion on trips abroad, he takes over the running of the business after a training period. Hans-Günter Hofmeister withdraws from day-to-day business for reasons of age and health.
2008
Due to the company's growth, a new business location is sought. In the middle of the year, the move to Göttingen takes place. In addition, management passes from Hans-Günter Hofmeister to the two new managing directors Steve Hofmeister and Friedemann Lindenthal.
2009
Participation in the first ever Goodies XXL trade fair establishes contacts with new customer groups. To meet delivery capability and the associated further need for storage capacity, additional storage space is rented.
2010
The range of promotional products is greatly expanded, further storage space is rented and additional staff are hired. From September, the standard range is steadily expanded.
2011
The range is expanded further, so that more new storage space is rented. From mid-June, a large part of the website is also available in French and the new online catalogue goes live.
2012
Buoyed by the strong growth of recent years, more products are newly added to the range. To improve quality and service for our customers, many internal processes are revised, improved and standardised.
2013
The further increased customer satisfaction is also reflected in further increased turnover. More and more customers trust us, including for large runs of inexpensive and useful promotional products made of wood.
2014
Renewed expansion of storage space.
2015
Switch to a new ERP system. Due to the increased turnover, further staff were hired for sales and customer service. At the end of 2015, Mr Lindenthal stepped down from the management for personal reasons. However, he remains available to the company with his experience for questions and advice.
2016
Optimisation of internal processes and building up a team for our office.
2017
Conversion of the homepage into a contemporary online shop that covers customer needs even better. Further products were newly added to the range.
2018
Growth through the consistent alignment of our services and products for our customers. Death of the former managing director and co-founder Hans-Günter Hofmeister on 18 September 2018. His enduring influence on employees, the company and our business partners will always remind us of an exceptional person. Launch of the project "Plastic-free by 2020", where the focus is placed on environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging materials.
2019
Strong growth through the expansion of the range. Revision of our values and our brand message. Supply of private customers via our own shop.
2020
The first laser is purchased in order to provide personalised wooden products with laser engraving and thus fulfil individual customer wishes. We have implemented our project "Plastic-free by 2020" and also extended it to the office area. The project continues permanently and is pursued further.
2021
Our new online shop with many additional features and improved usability is launched under the brand name Hofmeister and replaces the old Hofmeister Holzwaren brand.
