Hobas
Hobas manufactures centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems for municipal water, sewer, hydropower, and trenchless infrastructure projects, operating as a brand under the Amiblu joint venture across 125+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersBasel, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hobas does
Hobas is a Swiss-origin industrial manufacturer of centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems, founded in 1957 in Basel and now operating as a brand under Amiblu Holding GmbH, a 50:50 joint venture between Wietersdorfer Holding (Austria) and Amiantit Europe formed in 2017 with European Commission approval. Its core technology is a 100% computerized centrifugal casting process that builds GRP pipe walls layer-by-layer from chopped glass fibers, thermosetting resins (unsaturated polyester or vinylester), minerals, and silica sand, using centrifugal forces up to 75g to produce void-free pipes with uniform wall thickness and consistent outer diameter. The product portfolio covers non-pressure pipes (DN 200-3600, PN 1 bar), pressure pipes (up to 25 bar), the PU Line abrasion-resistant variant, jacking pipes for microtunneling, couplings, fittings, manholes, and custom storage tanks, with stiffness classes up to 30,000 N/m² (and up to 1,000,000 N/m² for jacking applications).
Hobas serves primarily municipal water utilities and wastewater authorities, with secondary applications in hydropower penstocks, irrigation, and trenchless civil infrastructure. Its customer base spans 125+ countries with a reference database of 30,000+ projects accumulated over more than 60 years, and its value proposition centers on 150+ year service life, corrosion resistance, leak-tight air-tested joints, fast installation (days vs. months for concrete), and compliance with European standards (EN 14364, DIN 19523, EN 1092). The revenue model is hardware sales of customized pipe and fitting systems, with pricing varying by diameter, pressure class, stiffness, and project specification; pricing is not publicly disclosed.
Distribution is split: in Europe, sales are handled exclusively by Amiblu through regional sales offices in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and France, supported by manufacturing in Germany, Poland, Spain, and Romania and an R&D center in Norway; outside Europe (USA, Canada, Latin America, Mexico), Hobas is sold through licensed distributors. The Amiblu Group employs approximately 1,500 people worldwide, and the group is governed by Austrian law with its registered seat in Klagenfurt.
Hobas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hobas
- Legal name
- Amiblu Holding GmbH
- Website
- https://hobas.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hobas manufactures centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems for municipal water, sewer, hydropower, and trenchless infrastructure projects, operating as a brand under the Amiblu joint venture across 125+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hobas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- GRP Pipe Systems
- NAICS
- Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing (326122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pipes & Tubing (Metal, Plastic & Composite) (IMADALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pipe Fittings, Couplings & Connectors (IMADALAD), Treated Water Storage & Pressure Management (Reservoirs, Tanks, Booster Stations) (EUANAAAD), Potable/Raw Water Interbasin Transfer Pipelines (TLAGAHAA), Water & Wastewater Pipeline Pumping/Booster Stations & Pressure Management (Conveyance) (TLAGAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Hobas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basel
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Hobas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- GRP Pipe Systems Sales: Hobas generates revenue through the sale of centrifugally cast GRP pipes and fittings. Products include non-pressure pipes (DN 200-3600, PN 1 bar), pressure pipes (up to 25 bar), PU Line abrasion-resistant pipes, jacking pipes for microtunneling, couplings, fittings (elbows, reducers, tees, flanges, saddles, wyes), manholes, and custom solutions including sand traps and storage tanks. Distribution occurs through Amiblu in Europe and licensed distributors in other regions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hobas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hobas designs, manufactures, and supplies centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems and fittings used in water, wastewater, hydropower, and trenchless infrastructure applications. The product range covers non-pressure and pressure pipes (DN 200 to DN 3600, up to 25 bar), PU Line abrasion-resistant pipes, jacking pipes for microtunneling, couplings, fittings, manholes, and custom solutions such as storage tanks and sand traps.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hobas CC-GRP: Centrifugally cast glass reinforced plastic pipe systems
- Hobas PU Line
- Hobas FWC
Products and services
- Hobas CC-GRP Pipe Systems Centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic pipes and fittings with diameters DN 200 to DN 3600, pressure ratings up to 25 bar, and stiffness classes up to 30000 N/m². Used for drinking water transmission, sewer systems, irrigation, and trenchless installations.
- Hobas PU Line Pipes Highly abrasion- and impact-resistant GRP pipes with a durable internal polyurethane protective layer, custom-manufactured for projects with extreme conditions and minimal pressure loss.
- Hobas Jacking Pipes (Microtunneling) GRP jacking pipes with high longitudinal compressive strength and uniform outer diameter, designed for microtunneling, pipe jacking, and relining rehabilitation under heavy loads.
- Hobas GRP Fittings Custom-designed GRP fittings including elbows, reducers, tees, flanges, saddles, wyes, couplings, and manholes with high stiffness and corrosion resistance.
- Hobas Custom GRP Storage Tanks and Sand Traps Custom-tailored GRP storage systems such as potable water tanks and sand traps engineered to project-specific dimensions and service-life requirements.
Companies that use Hobas
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hobas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hobas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Amiblu (50:50 Joint Venture)coreIn 2017, Hobas Europe (part of Wietersdorfer Holding GmbH) and Amiantit Europe formed a 50:50 joint venture called Amiblu. Amiblu owns and licenses the Hobas technology and is the exclusive distributor of Hobas GRP pipe systems in Europe. Amiblu combines Amiantit Europe and its Flowtite Technology with Hobas Europe.
- Wietersdorfer Holding GmbHcoreParent company of Hobas Europe. Wietersdorfer Holding formed the joint venture with Amiantit Europe in 2017 to create Amiblu. Joint venture established in 1984 between Hobas and Wietersdorfer Group.
- Hidroprojekt-ing projektiranje d.o.o.minorEngineering consultancy partner for the Pitomača potable water tank project in Croatia, providing project design services in cooperation with Hobas Austria.
- Brana d.o.o.minorConstruction contractor for the Pitomača potable water tank installation in Croatia, responsible for installing six parallel pipelines and valve chamber within record time of five days.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hobas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Creative Pultrusions: US-based pultruded composites manufacturer producing fiberglass reinforced polymer products including structural profiles and pipe systems. Comparable as a specialty composite manufacturer serving infrastructure/utilities with overlapping end markets in water/wastewater.
- Amiantit (Flowtite Technology): Amiantit's Flowtite Technology is the sister brand under the Amiblu JV and produces filament-wound GRP pipes using a complementary manufacturing method. It is the most direct comparable to Hobas, competing in the same product category (large-diameter GRP pipes for water/wastewater) with overlapping customers.
- Strongwell Corporation: North American manufacturer of pultruded and molded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) products including structural shapes, grating, and pipe systems. Comparable as a specialty composites manufacturer serving infrastructure markets with similar material technology (glass fiber + thermoset resin).
- Future Pipe Industries: A leading global manufacturer of large-diameter fiberglass pipe systems for water, wastewater, oil & gas, and industrial applications. Directly competes with Hobas in GRP/composite pipe markets across the Middle East, Europe, and Americas with overlapping pressure and non-pressure product ranges.
Broad incumbents
- Saint-Gobain PAM: Global leader in ductile iron pipe systems for water and wastewater networks, part of Saint-Gobain's broader building materials portfolio. A broad incumbent that competes with Hobas in municipal water distribution, offering an alternative material specification.
- JM Eagle: World's largest manufacturer of plastic pipe (PVC and HDPE) for water, sewer, and irrigation applications. Competes with Hobas primarily in small-to-medium diameter pressure and non-pressure pipe segments where plastic is preferred on cost grounds.
- Advanced Drainage Systems: Largest US manufacturer of water management products including HDPE and polypropylene pipes for storm/wastewater applications. A broad incumbent in the drainage/water pipe space that competes with Hobas primarily in non-pressure stormwater and sewer applications.
- Aegion Corporation: Provider of infrastructure services and products for water, wastewater, and energy pipelines, including Insituform trenchless technology. Comparable as a pipeline infrastructure specialist with overlapping trenchless installation capabilities to Hobas's jacking pipe products.
- Northwest Pipe Company: Major North American manufacturer of steel pipe products for water transmission, wastewater, and infrastructure. Competes with Hobas in large-diameter water infrastructure projects, particularly where steel is specified over composite alternatives.
Emerging players
- Enduro Composites: Manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products including pipe, tanks, and structural systems for corrosive and infrastructure applications. An emerging player in the specialty composites space with overlapping end markets in water/wastewater.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hobas social profiles
Digital presenceHobas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hobas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Hobas subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Hobas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hobas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hobas
What does Hobas do?
Hobas designs, manufactures, and supplies centrifugally cast glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems and fittings used in water, wastewater, hydropower, and trenchless infrastructure applications. The product range covers non-pressure and pressure pipes (DN 200 to DN 3600, up to 25 bar), PU Line abrasion-resistant pipes, jacking pipes for microtunneling, couplings, fittings, manholes, and custom solutions such as storage tanks and sand traps.
Is Hobas a public or private company?
Hobas is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Hobas founded?
Hobas was founded in 1957. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hobas based?
Hobas is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Hobas make money?
One revenue line is on record: GRP Pipe Systems Sales.
Who are Hobas's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Creative Pultrusions, Amiantit (Flowtite Technology), Strongwell Corporation and Future Pipe Industries. Broad incumbents are Saint-Gobain PAM, JM Eagle, Advanced Drainage Systems, Aegion Corporation and Northwest Pipe Company. Enduro Composites is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hobas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hobas.
What industry is Hobas in?
Hobas's product category is GRP Pipe Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADALAC, Pipes & Tubing (Metal, Plastic & Composite), with a secondary code of IMADALAD, Pipe Fittings, Couplings & Connectors. Its NAICS code is 326122.