Tradition meets precision

11.05.2025

Innovative strength and tradition need not be a contradiction in terms - on the contrary. For 150 years, the Fürth-based family business HOEFER & SOHN has been demonstrating how artisanal roots, technological excellence and continuous development can be successfully combined. As a partner in the Bayern Innovativ healthcare network, HOEFER & SOHN brings precisely this special combination to the table: in-depth industrial expertise, a high level of vertical integration and a clear view of the requirements of modern medical technology.

Founded in 1876 as an engraving company, HOEFER & SOHN has developed steadily over the generations. Today, the company is one of the oldest still existing, owner-managed companies in Fürth and is now managed by the fifth generation. As the driving force behind this long company history, standing still is never an option for HOEFER & SOHN. Investments in new production halls, modern production cells and automation have paved the way from a traditional craftsman's business to a highly specialized precision mould maker and plastics processor.
The company consistently pursues a "one-stop shop" approach: from the development and design of tools to mold construction, series production and the assembly of complex plastic components, the entire value chain takes place in-house. This close integration enables short distances, high quality and particularly close cooperation with customers.

HOEFER & SOHN deliberately positions itself where things get challenging. "We are a relatively small company with around 190 employees, but we can implement projects that would otherwise be the preserve of much larger market players," says Christian Wehr, responsible for corporate development, describing the company's self-image. It is precisely this combination of medium-sized company size and high technical performance that makes HOEFER & SOHN attractive to many customers.
One focus is on the processing of technical and high-performance plastics as well as complex assemblies. Applications in which sensitive components have to be overmolded are particularly challenging. "When we overmold a sensitive circuit board with hot plastic and very high pressure, it is anything but technically trivial," says Wehr. However, this is precisely where the company's strength lies: solving tricky tasks economically and reliably.

In addition to sectors such as automotive, electronics and consumer goods, medical and healthcare technology is becoming increasingly important for HOEFER & SOHN. High-precision plastic parts, assemblies and overmolded components are used in medical applications, among others, where quality, reproducibility and process reliability are crucial. Clean room production, material-saving processes and consistently implemented quality management form the basis for this.
"We deliberately took the first steps in the medical sector and obtained ISO 13485 certification back in 2019. This is a path that we will continue to follow consistently," explains Christian Wehr. The claim is clear: as a development partner at eye level, HOEFER & SOHN wants to support customers at an early stage and jointly develop solutions that are both technically and economically convincing.

This attitude is also reflected in the company's mission statement. HOEFER & SOHN's vision is clear: to be the first point of contact for technological challenges as a plastics expert and to develop innovative solutions across the entire value chain - from Fürth for the world since 1876.
The mission sums up the core of the company: "Precision is our mission in steel and plastics. Our expertise makes your product successful. Together we shape the future," explains Wehr. Precision is not only understood as a technical requirement, but as an attitude that runs through all areas - from design and production to cooperation with customers and partners.

In addition to technological excellence, clear values play a central role at HOEFER & SOHN. Customer focus, partnership and flexibility characterize the daily work as well as performance orientation and social responsibility. Sustainability is not just a buzzword, but an ongoing process: material-saving production, the use of recycled pellets from the ongoing process, photovoltaics on the roofs and the gradual electrification of the company fleet are concrete examples.
"In the end, sustainability must also make economic sense - then there is real added value for our customers," emphasizes Wehr. This pragmatic approach fits well with a company that has been thinking and acting long-term for generations.

With its mix of tradition, innovative spirit and technical depth, HOE-FER & SOHN is a valuable partner in the Bayern Innovativ healthcare network. The company brings industrial perspectives to the exchange and shows how medium-sized manufacturing expertise can contribute to the further development of modern healthcare solutions.
Especially in an environment characterized by regulatory requirements, cost pressure and technological upheaval, HOEFER & SOHN relies on long-term partnerships. "Our aim is not to grow at any price, but to develop the right solutions together with our customers," summarizes Christian Wehr.
HOEFER & SOHN is an example of a medium-sized company that knows its roots, actively shapes change and has been successfully shaping the future for 150 years - today more than ever in the service of health.