October 1, 1988, the company ‘Schäfer & Hof Vakuum und Kältetechnik Sonderanlagenbau GmbH’ was founded in a former cigar factory in Lohra City in the central Hesse.
This is not necessarily a jubilee in the classic sense of the term, but it is a milestone in the company’s history. HOF’s maxim ‘Always think ahead’ drives the company forward to technologically think outside the box and look for the best solution for its customers.
HOF Sonderanlagenbau now looks back on more than 30 years of company history. Since its founding in 1988, HOF has continuously developed into a globally operating and innovative company in the manufacturing of individual freeze-drying plants, loading and unloading systems, and freezing and thawing equipment.
The company is market-oriented and has been for more three decades. It is one of the leading specialists for individual solutions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry, with more than 270 employees within the HOF group.
HOF Sonderanlagenbau sincerely thanks you for 30 years and would like to thank all business partners that have accompanied it on its journey.
Special thanks go to its customers for their trust and longstanding loyalty, and above all to its employees for their engagement and work. Without them, HOF Sonderanlagenbau could not share its success. Therefore, it is proud and grateful for the work they do each day.
HOF Sonderanlagenbau looks forward to what is still to come and to the next years with you.
HOF company history 1988 – 2018
Sometimes things don’t turn out as planned. According to the original idea, HOF (or Schäfer & Hof – Vakuum und Kältetechnik Sonderanlagenbau GmbH, as it was when it was founded in 1988) was to become a nationally active service company, offering and providing services in the form of maintenance and modifications for existing freeze-drying plants.
However, this service company never existed in this form, because when the company was founded, the order for the construction of a new freeze-drying plant was placed directly. So, from day one, the business model was based in the mechanical engineering sector, and it was always clear that service in any form would have to play a key role.
Hans-Georg Hof takes a look back
It all started in what was formerly a cigar factory. At that time, Hans-Georg Hof spent a long time humming and hawing over whether acquiring such a large building would be worthwhile. He never thought that he would have to contend with the company’s first extension in the second financial year due to a lack of space, let alone today’s dimensions.
Where 260 employees work today, in the early days Hans-Georg Hof was a salesman, planner, electrician, locksmith, commissioning engineer, service fitter and manager all rolled into one. Although nowadays he primarily deals with strategic matters, he doesn’t let himself miss out on his daily walk through the workshop or tinkering around in one way or another.
As 2018 came to a close
HOF Sonderanlagenbau would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the confidence you have shown in the company and the pleasant cooperation.
In December 2018, Hof had a special project to help needy people. Hof decided to forgo Christmas presents to its customers and instead take an active part in the social project ‘Johanniter Weihnachtstrucker’. More than 1,200 basic food packages were packaged by HOF in a collaborative project to be brought to Bosnia-Herzegovina.