Haberkorn

What Haberkorn does

Haberkorn GmbH is an Austrian, family-owned technical distribution company founded in 1932 and headquartered in Wolfurt, Vorarlberg. It operates as Austria's largest technical dealer and one of Europe's leading technical distributors, serving industrial companies and construction businesses across the DACH region and seven Central/Eastern European markets (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia). The group employs more than 2,200 people and runs more than 30 physical locations, with wholly-owned German subsidiaries Mühlberger Gruppe, Schloemer24, SWW, and Sahlberg covering the German market.

The company's core activity is B2B distribution of technical products across 16+ categories — including personal protective equipment, building supplies, hydraulic systems and components, pneumatics, machine parts, welding technology, tools, machines, and fasteners — drawing on a catalog of 567+ brands that includes 3M, Bosch, Gedore, Knipex, Wera, Mitutoyo, Stihl, and Tyrolit. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales via a sales-led motion combining field sales, inside sales, and a B2B e-commerce platform (online shop restricted to VAT-registered business customers, with individual pricing and authorizations). Complementary revenue streams include C-parts management services, e-business/EDI integrations, dispensing systems, and training delivered through academy.haberkorn.com. The proprietary H-Plus and Forum Professional Solutions private labels extend the catalog into margin-accretive SKUs.

Technology and operations are anchored in a B2B e-commerce platform with personalized pricing, authorization management, and SSL-encrypted transactions, certified under ISO/IEC 27001:2022. In April 2025, Haberkorn began a €55 million automated logistics center build in Recklinghausen, Germany — the largest single investment in the company's history — partnering with Kardex to install a 178,800-container AutoStore system and a 5,388-pallet high-bay warehouse, with handover in December 2025 and full completion in November 2027. Haberkorn GmbH is structured as a private limited company under Austrian law (Feldkirch Regional Court), with no parent entity and no public ownership; the board of directors comprises Gerald Fitz, Wolfgang Baur, and Christoph Winder.

Name

Haberkorn

Legal name

Haberkorn GmbH

Website

https://haberkorn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Haberkorn is an Austrian family-owned B2B technical distributor founded in 1932, serving industrial and construction companies across DACH and CEE markets with 567+ brands of PPE, tools, hydraulics, and machine components through 30+ locations and a B2B e-commerce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Technical Distribution

NAICS

Hardware Merchant Wholesalers (423710), Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42373), Other Building Material Dealers (44418)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business-to-Business Warehouse Clubs (Cash & Carry) (CRAEADAC), Membership Wholesale Clubs (B2B & B2B2C) (CRAEAEAB), HVAC, Water Heaters & Indoor Air Quality Distribution (CRAOAFAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial technical supplies
• Personal protective equipment
• Hydraulic components distribution
• Pneumatic system components
• Machine parts supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Wolfurt

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Technical Products: Sale of technical products across 16+ categories including Personal Protective Equipment, Building Supplies, Hydraulic Components, Pneumatics, Tools, Machines, and Fasteners. Revenue generated from one-time product transactions with business customers.
2. C-Parts Management Services: Customer-specific concepts and C-articles procurement services, providing ongoing procurement optimization for business customers.
3. Dispensing Systems: Sale and service of dispensing systems for industrial and workplace applications.
4. Academy Training: Training courses and seminars for occupational safety and technical product usage, operated through academy.haberkorn.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Haberkorn is Austria's largest B2B technical dealer, distributing more than 567 brands across 16+ product categories including personal protective equipment, tools, machines, hydraulics, pneumatics, machine parts, welding technology, hoses, fittings, and fasteners. The company combines a B2B online shop and field sales with value-added services such as C-parts management, e-business solutions, dispensing systems, and training through its Academy. It supplies industrial and construction companies primarily across the DACH and CEE regions.

Product overview

Haberkorn operates as Austria's largest technical dealer offering a comprehensive B2B e-commerce platform (Haberkorn Online-Shop) that provides access to over 567 brands of technical products. The portfolio includes 16 core product categories: Personal Protective Equipment, Building Supplies, Building Fittings, Chemical-Technical Products, Sealing Technology, Plastics, Electrical Equipment, Hydraulic Systems, Pneumatics, Machine Parts, Welding Technology, Fasteners, Tools, and Machines. The company supports its product sales with value-added services including C-Parts Management, E-Business Solutions, Dispensing Systems, Academy training, and Work Safety Network consulting. Haberkorn's private label brand H-Plus provides cost-competitive alternatives across multiple categories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• H-Plus - Haberkorn Markenqualität: Haberkorn's own quality brand for personal protective equipment and other technical products
• Forum Professional Solutions

Products and services

• Haberkorn Online-Shop B2B e-commerce platform enabling registered business customers to browse and purchase technical products across 16+ categories with personalized pricing, individual authorizations, and price limits.
• Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment and workwear for workplace safety compliance, distributed to industrial and construction buyers.
• Hydraulic Systems and Components Complete hydraulic systems including pumps, motors, cylinders, components, hydraulic hoses, and fittings for industrial automation and machinery.
• Pneumatic Systems and Components Pneumatic system components including air preparation equipment, valves, cylinders, and fittings for industrial automation applications.
• Machine Parts Mechanical components including bearings, seals, power transmission parts, and precision components from premium manufacturers for industrial machinery.
• Welding Technology Welding equipment, consumables, and accessories for various welding processes including MIG/MAG, TIG, and stick welding.
• H-Plus Private Label Brand Haberkorn's proprietary private label brand (H-Plus - Haberkorn Markenqualität) offering brand-quality products across categories including PPE, hoses, fittings, and fasteners as a cost-competitive alternative to premium brands.
• Haberkorn Academy Training courses, seminars, and professional development programs covering occupational safety and technical product usage for customers and employees.
• C-Parts Management Outsourced management service for C-parts (low-value, high-volume items) including inventory management and automated replenishment for business customers.
• E-Business Solutions Electronic business integration services including EDI, online ordering systems, and procurement interface solutions tailored to B2B customers.
• Dispensing Systems Automated dispensing systems for workplace organization including tool crib solutions and inventory management systems for industrial customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55 million euro investment in new logistics center represents largest single investment in company's history

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• KardexmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2025Haberkorn commissioned Kardex to automate its logistics center in Recklinghausen, Germany. The project includes an AutoStore system with 178,800 container capacity and a high-bay warehouse with 5,388 storage locations, representing a €55 million investment (largest single investment in Haberkorn's history). First phase begins April 2025 with handover in December 2025; second phase completes November 2027.
• 3McoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for personal protective equipment and workplace safety products
• BoschcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for power tools, measuring instruments, and accessories. Over 520 products available.
• MitutoyocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, and testing equipment. Over 210 products available.
• GedorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for hand tools, screwdrivers, and wrenches. Over 259 products available.
• TyrolitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for grinding, cutting, and sanding tools. Over 58 products available.
• KnipexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for professional pliers and cutters. Over 228 products available.
• WeracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for professional hand tools and screwdrivers. Over 421 products available.
• StihlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrincipal brand partner for outdoor power equipment and forestry tools. Over 177 products available.
• Forum Professional SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHaberkorn's own value brand 'Forum - Qualität zum besten Preis' (Quality at the best price) for tools and machines. Over 938 products available.
• Mühlberger Gruppe (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman subsidiary network covering Hamburg, Hannover, Berlin, Mainz-Kastel, and Frankfurt. Operates under www.muehlberger-gruppe.de
• Sahlberg (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman subsidiary in Munich. Operates under www.sahlberg.de
• SWW (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman subsidiary in Karlsruhe. Operates under www.swweb.de
• Schloemer24 (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman subsidiary in Recklinghausen. Operates under www.schloemer24.de

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Würth: World's largest direct-selling technical trade group, distributing assembly materials, tools, fasteners, and PPE to industrial and construction customers. Closest global analog to Haberkorn's multispecialist B2B technical dealer model, though larger and more diversified globally.
• Bossard Group: Swiss-listed specialist in fastening and assembly technology serving industrial customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Comparable in serving industrial OEMs with technical products, engineering services, and logistics solutions, though with a narrower product focus.
• SFS Group: Swiss manufacturer and supplier of precision components and fastening systems, with a segment serving the construction, automotive, and industrial markets. Comparable DACH heritage and B2B distribution of mechanical components analogous to Haberkorn's machine parts business.
• Schachermayer: Austrian family-owned technical trader headquartered in Linz, distributing tools, hardware, fasteners, and building supplies to industry and trade. Most direct domestic competitor to Haberkorn in Austria, with similar B2B customer base and product categories.
• Hoffmann Group: Munich-based leading European B2B specialist for quality tools, operating equipment, and personal protective equipment. Direct competitor in DACH with comparable product breadth, own-brand strategy (Garant), and enterprise customer focus.
• Berner Group: European B2B direct-sales technical trader selling tools, chemicals, and PPE to mobility, construction, and industrial customers. Overlaps directly with Haberkorn's field-sales, multispecialist technical dealer model across DACH and several CEE markets.

Broad incumbents

• Kloeckner & Co: Frankfurt-listed leading European distributor of steel and metal products serving industrial and construction customers. Comparable DACH-rooted B2B distribution platform and multi-country presence, though product mix is metal-centric rather than technical/MRO.
• W.W. Grainger: U.S.-listed broad-line industrial distribution leader offering maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. Significant overlap in B2B industrial distribution model and product breadth, though primarily North American and far larger in scale.
• Sonepar: World's largest B2B distributor of electrical products, lighting, and smart building solutions. Privately held French group with extensive DACH and CEE presence, comparable in B2B distribution scale, though concentrated in electrical rather than mechanical/technical products.
• Rexel: Paris-listed global distributor of electrical, lighting, and energy management products for industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Broad incumbent in European B2B technical distribution with overlapping customer base, though focused on electrical rather than mechanical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/haberkorngmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Haberkorn