What Hoffmann + Krippner does

Hoffmann + Krippner GmbH & Co. KG is a German family-owned manufacturer specializing in custom human-machine interface (HMI) solutions, headquartered in Buchen (Odenwald region). The company operates three integrated product divisions: Input Systems (membrane keypads, touch systems with optical bonding, capacitive keyboards, front panels, and complete ruggedized HMI units), Printed Electronics (capacitive sensor films and polymer potentiometers produced via screen printing on polyester substrates), and Connectivity (the tap2.cloud NFC/RFID digital nameplate platform and ROSI IoT gateway). Core manufacturing integrates screen printing, laser cutting, low-temperature soldering, GT domed-key molding, and HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing within a single facility.

Revenue is generated through B2B project-based sales of customized HMI hardware, supported by engineering, prototyping, and series production services. Pricing is quote-driven and tied to project scope, customization, and volume, typically delivered under multi-year contracts with embedded long-tail support. The go-to-market is sales-led with direct enterprise engagement, complemented by trade show presence (e.g., all about automation Hamburg), the Technology Case digital-evaluation program, and content marketing via a multilingual website. The customer base spans medical technology, mobility and transportation, mechanical and plant engineering, measurement and control, building automation, and military/defense, with named reference customers including Siemens, Audi, NETSTAL, Kässbohrer, corpuls/GSR, Hocoma, Brabender, Rotalign, and Willy Grob. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485 (medical devices) certifications, and was designated KRITIS critical infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its role supplying HMI components for ventilators and infusion pumps.

Name

Hoffmann + Krippner

Legal name

Hoffmann + Krippner GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://de.hoffmann-krippner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hoffmann + Krippner is a German family-owned manufacturer of custom input systems, sensors, and IoT connectivity solutions serving medical, mobility, industrial, and defense OEMs with membrane keypads, touch systems, printed electronics, and NFC-based HMI platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Input Systems and HMI Manufacturing

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Touchpads & Touch Input Modules (HDACAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Control Panels & Enclosures (Panel Building, MCCs, Integration) (IMAGABAJ), Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules) (IMAGAJAK)

Keywords

• Membrane keypads
• Touch systems
• HMI solutions
• Printed electronics
• Industrial input systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Büchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Input System Manufacturing: B2B manufacturing of customized membrane keyboards, touch systems, and HMI solutions. Revenue generated from design, prototyping, and series production of customer-specific input systems. Pricing based on project scope, quantities, and technical requirements.
2. Engineering and Development Services: Product design, construction, prototyping, and consulting services from initial concept through to serial production. Integrated into overall project pricing or quoted separately for complex developments.
3. Printed Electronics Components: Sale of capacitive sensor films, potentiometers, functional films, and printed electronic components. Volume-based pricing for series production.
4. IoT and Connectivity Products: tap2.cloud NFC tags, ROSI IoT gateways, and connectivity solutions sold as components or integrated into customer products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hoffmann + Krippner manufactures custom input systems for industrial, medical, and mobility applications, including membrane keypads, touch systems with optical bonding, capacitive keyboards, and complete HMI units. The portfolio also covers printed electronics (capacitive sensor films, polymer potentiometers) and IoT connectivity hardware (tap2.cloud NFC tags, ROSI IoT gateway, HeliBar barcode scanner). Production combines screen printing, 3D printing, laser processing, and electronics manufacturing under one roof in Buchen, Germany, with full-service capability from concept through prototyping to series production.

Product overview

Hoffmann + Krippner is a German specialist manufacturer of input systems (Eingabesysteme), sensors, and IoT connectivity solutions, serving industrial, medical, and mobility sectors. The core product portfolio is organized into three divisions: (1) Input Systems — including membrane keypads (Folientastaturen), touch systems with optical bonding, capacitive keyboards, front panels, and complete HMI solutions (rugged devices, medical keypads, embedded systems, enclosures); (2) Printed Electronics — featuring capacitive sensor films and polymer potentiometers produced via screen printing on flexible polyester substrates; and (3) Connectivity — led by the tap2.cloud NFC/RFID-based digital identification and IoT platform, alongside the ROSI IoT gateway hardware. Supporting technologies include SideLED illumination, GT-domed key technology, and 3D printing (HP Multi Jet Fusion). The company operates as a single integrated manufacturer offering product design, prototyping, and series production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• tap2.cloud: A system for device identification and marking using RFID/NFC technology, enabling digital nameplates and product information access via smartphone.
• SideLED
• GT-Technologie
• Optical Bonding

Products and services

• Folientastaturen (Membrane Keypads) Flexible membrane keypads serving as human-machine interfaces, available with or without illumination, with embossed keys and GT technology for enhanced tactile feedback. Used in medical technology, industrial machinery, and mobility applications.
• Touchsysteme (Touch Systems) Touch-based input systems with optical bonding for enhanced visibility and durability, designed for industrial and medical applications requiring robust human-machine interfaces.
• Optical Bonding Optical bonding process that fills the air gap between touch display and cover glass, eliminating reflections and improving readability in bright environments while increasing robustness against shock and vibration.
• Kapazitive Tastaturen (Capacitive Keyboards) Capacitive input keyboards based on printed electronics technology, offering ultra-thin, flexible, and robust touch surfaces that can be illuminated and integrated into curved surfaces.
• Front Panels Custom-designed front panels serving as the visible interface layer for machines and devices, combining graphic design with functional input elements.
• HMI Komplettlösungen (HMI Complete Solutions) Complete Human-Machine Interface solutions integrating display, keypad, electronics, and housing into a unified device. Includes medical keypads, ruggedized HMI units, embedded systems, and housing solutions.
• Rugged Devices Robust input systems with displays designed for harsh environments (dust, dirt, moisture, extreme temperatures), meeting IK08 impact resistance and IP67/IP69K protection standards. Used in construction, logistics, agriculture, and rescue services.
• Kapazitive Sensorfolien (Capacitive Sensor Films) Ultra-thin, flexible capacitive sensor films printed on polyester substrate using screen printing. Can be integrated into curved surfaces, illuminated with RGB LEDs, and used for capacitive buttons, sliders, and wheels in industrial and consumer applications.
• Potentiometer (Printed Polymer Potentiometers) Printed polymer potentiometers manufactured using functional printing technology, available in various geometries for integration into electronic assemblies.
• tap2.cloud Digital product identification and IoT connectivity platform integrating NFC/RFID technology into HMIs. Enables digital nameplates compliant with DIN SPEC 91406, access to manuals, spare parts ordering, and service management via a customizable web app connected to the Connect One Cloud.
• ROSI IoT-Gateway Battery-powered or continuously operated IoT gateway with integrated modem (M2M SIM), GPS antenna, and IP65-rated housing. Connects sensors and communicates via proprietary cloud for automated data transmission and process triggering.
• HeliBar – Online-Barcode-Scanner IP65-rated 2G/3G mobile barcode scanner with wireless charging capability. Reads 1D and 2D barcodes and transmits data over-the-air via GPRS IP connection or SMS fallback. Designed for mobile data capture in logistics and warehouse environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% productivity increase achieved through Trotec mirror laser production solution (per Trotec case study)

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• HK SYSTEMScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology network partner for digital business solutions. Co-developed tap2.cloud system for NFC-based product identification and digital nameplates compliant with DIN SPEC 91406. HK SYSTEMS provides IoT platform components and digital business model building blocks.
• Connect OnecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed tap2.cloud system providing the Connect One Cloud platform for managing digital product information and the Connect One App for user-friendly access to product data via NFC smartphone scanning.
• HP Inc. / HP Tec CentercoreTechnology or IntegrationPart of HP's network of 3D printing experts. Provides access to HP Multi Jet Fusion technology for additive manufacturing. Advises companies on integrating 3D printing into product development processes. Capabilities include PA12 material printing with 21μm accuracy and print speeds exceeding 3cm layer height per hour.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grayhill: US manufacturer of custom input devices, HMI, and ruggedized operator interfaces for medical, industrial, and military applications. Comparable in product category and regulatory-driven customer segments.
• Marquardt Group: German manufacturer of switches, input systems, and HMI solutions for automotive, industrial, and home appliances. Directly comparable in technology portfolio (membrane keypads, capacitive sensors) and customer base.
• Schurter: Swiss input systems specialist offering membrane keypads, touch systems, and HMI solutions for industrial and medical applications. Direct competitor in the same European Mittelstand segment with similar regulatory certifications.
• RAFI Group: German manufacturer of membrane keypads, HMI systems, and pushbutton switches serving industrial and medical customers. Closest direct peer to Hoffmann + Krippner with overlapping product portfolio, customer segments, and Made-in-Germany positioning.
• EAO Group: Swiss HMI specialist producing switches, keypads, and complete operator interface systems for transportation, industrial, and medical markets. Competes head-to-head with H+K in rugged and medical HMI segments.

Broad incumbents

• Phoenix Mecano: Swiss industrial enclosure and HMI housing manufacturer. Comparable in enclosures and front panels (a subset of H+K's portfolio) but also operates in a broader industrial components portfolio.
• C&K (Littelfuse): US switch and input device manufacturer (now part of Littelfuse) serving industrial, medical, and automotive markets. Comparable in input devices but operates as a much larger incumbent.
• Molex (Touch & Input Solutions): Large US-based electronic solutions provider with a membrane switch and capacitive touch product line. Overlaps with H+K but as part of a much broader interconnect and electronics portfolio.

Emerging players

• ISORG: French printed electronics sensor company producing organic photodetectors and capacitive sensors on flexible substrates. Comparable to H+K's printed electronics division but focuses on large-area image sensors.

Regional players

• BOPLA (Phoenix Mecano Group): German enclosure manufacturer under Phoenix Mecano serving industrial HMI and electronics housing needs. Comparable in enclosure and front panel products within DACH region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hk_gmbh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCv6P28AB9Rov9Wpq3iXfyRQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/HoffmannKrippnerBuchen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hoffmann-krippner-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/hoffmann_krippner

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Hoffmann + Krippner