Höckh Metal Cleaning Systems

What Höckh Metal Cleaning Systems does

Höckh Metall-Reinigungsanlagen GmbH is a German, family-owned manufacturer of industrial parts cleaning and degreasing systems, founded in 1972 in Pforzheim-Büchenbronn and headquartered in Neuenbürg since 1985/86. The company designs and builds capital equipment for precision cleaning, degreasing, and conservation of metal components, with three core technology platforms sold under the MULTICLEAN brand: solvent-based systems (MULTICLEAN-S, MULTICLEAN-LC, MULTICLEAN-F, MULTICLEAN-S MAX) operating under full vacuum, aqueous systems (MULTICLEAN-A, MULTICLEAN-P, HÖCKH-WDW, JET-CLEAN, UNI-CLEAN) for water-based processes, and hybrid systems (MULTICLEAN-DUO) combining both approaches. The portfolio ranges from compact standardized units to large bespoke installations, including a 65,000-liter full-vacuum system commissioned in 2005/06 that the company describes as the world's largest. Underlying proprietary technology centers on the 1987 patent for the first solvent cleaning system with vacuum drying, the 1990 Vacuum Shock drying method, and modular system architecture configurable across basket sizes from 60 kg to 6,000 kg capacity with throughputs of 3–14 batches per hour or up to 350 parts per minute for aerosol-can cleaning.

The company serves metal-processing firms as its primary customer base, with additional vertical exposure in aerosol-can manufacturing, automotive supply chains, aerospace, and medical technology. Revenue is generated through project-based capital-equipment sales complemented by spare parts and service revenue from the installed base; pricing is quote-based with no publicly disclosed standard rates. Go-to-market combines direct sales from the Neuenbürg headquarters (led by Michael Höckh and David Bartels) with a network of country-specific sales representatives across more than 25 European countries plus the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, and Taiwan, and a North American manufacturing license granted in 1991/92 to SURFTRAN (a Robert Bosch Corporation company). Certifications include ISO 9001:2015 and WHG-Fachbetrieb (German Water Resources Act specialist), supporting access to regulated end markets.

The business is owner-managed by the second generation of the Höckh family: Dipl.-Ing. Michael Höckh has served as Managing Director since 2008, and Dipl.-Kfm. Joachim Höckh joined as Managing Director in 2013 following founder Jürgen Höckh's retirement. No external investors, private equity, parent company, or public-market participation are disclosed. The company is actively operating, with continuing product launches (MULTICLEAN-P in 2010, MULTICLEAN-DUO series), regular trade-show participation (parts2clean, Global Industrie, Space Tech Expo Europe, SIANE Industries), and a career program promoting a 4-day work week while recruiting service technicians and other roles.

Name

Höckh Metal Cleaning Systems

Legal name

Höckh Metall-Reinigungsanlagen GmbH

Website

https://hoeckh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Höckh Metall-Reinigungsanlagen GmbH is a German, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1972 that designs and builds industrial parts cleaning and degreasing systems (solvent, aqueous, and hybrid MULTICLEAN platforms) for the metal processing, automotive, aerospace, medical, and aerosol-can industries, selling globally through direct sales and a network of country-specific representatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Parts Cleaning Systems

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Manufacturing Facility Cleaning (IMAIADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning Chemicals (IMAEABAG)

Keywords

• Industrial parts cleaning
• Metal degreasing systems
• Aqueous cleaning equipment
• Solvent cleaning systems
• Metal processing machinery

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuenburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Cleaning Equipment Sales: Customized industrial parts cleaning systems sold as capital equipment. Solutions range from standardized compact systems to complex custom systems. Revenue from initial equipment sales with ongoing service and spare parts revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Höckh designs, manufactures, and services industrial parts cleaning systems under the MULTICLEAN brand for the metal processing industry. The portfolio includes solvent-based, aqueous-based, and hybrid cleaning systems for precision cleaning, degreasing, and conservation of metal components, ranging from standardized compact units to fully customized large-scale installations.

Product overview

Höckh Metal-Reinigungsanlagen GmbH offers precision industrial parts cleaning systems under the MULTICLEAN brand, operating since 1972 as an international systems partner for the metal processing industry. The product portfolio consists of three main system types: (1) Solvent-based MULTICLEAN-S series for heavy oil and grease contamination using full-vacuum technology, including entry-level LC-III, compact STANDARD, PRO variants (S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4) for various basket sizes, and MAX for custom configurations; (2) Aqueous-based MULTICLEAN-A series for emulsions, compounds, and fingerprints, including STANDARD, PRO variants (A-1, A-2, A-3), MAX for custom needs, plus specialized HÖCKH-WDW for aerosol canisters, JET-CLEAN for spray cleaning, and UNI-CLEAN for ultrasound immersion; and (3) Hybrid MULTICLEAN-DUO series combining solvent and aqueous processes for complex contamination requiring both. Additional offerings include refurbished used machines and comprehensive automation solutions (manual loading, roller conveyor, cleanroom interface, robot feed, shuttle systems). The company also provides technology center services for cleaning tests, CAD simulations, personnel training, and global spare parts supply.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MULTICLEAN: Industrial parts cleaning systems including solvent-based (MULTICLEAN-S, MULTICLEAN-LC), aqueous (MULTICLEAN-A), and hybrid (MULTICLEAN-DUO) series for precision cleaning, degreasing, and conservation of metal components.
• MULTICLEAN-LC
• MULTICLEAN-S
• MULTICLEAN-A
• MULTICLEAN-DUO
• JET-CLEAN
• UNI-CLEAN
• HÖCKH-WDW
• Vacuum Shock

Products and services

• MULTICLEAN-S Solvent Cleaning Systems Full-vacuum solvent-based cleaning systems available in compact, PRO (S-1 through S-4), STANDARD, and MAX variants for different basket sizes and throughput requirements; supports up to 6000 kg part weight with integrated bath maintenance via bypass distillation.
• MULTICLEAN-A Aqueous Cleaning Systems Vacuum-assisted aqueous precision cleaning systems with ultrasound in STANDARD, PRO (A-1, A-2, A-3), and MAX variants for removing emulsions, compounds, and fingerprints from metal parts.
• MULTICLEAN-DUO Hybrid Cleaning Systems Combined aqueous and solvent-based cleaning systems in STANDARD, DUO S-1, and DUO S-2 configurations for complex contamination requiring both process types.
• HÖCKH-WDW Aerosol Canister Cleaning System Specialized multi-stage aqueous spray cleaning system for internal and external cleaning of cold-extruded aluminum aerosol canisters and rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies, handling up to 350 parts/minute.
• JET-CLEAN Spray Cleaning System Compact front-loading spray cleaning system for workshop and maintenance applications, available in 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm, and 1800mm sizes with PLC control and optional deionized water tank.
• UNI-CLEAN Ultrasound Immersion System Multi-tank ultrasound immersion cleaning system for tools and molds, available in 150L, 300L, 500L, 800L, and bespoke sizes with cascade rinsing and hot-air drying.
• Automation Solutions Automation options for cleaning systems including manual loading, automatic roller conveyor loading, cleanroom interface with sluice, batch discharger, robot feed, and shuttle systems for multiple roller conveyors.
• Refurbished Used Systems Refurbished previously-owned and exhibition cleaning systems, such as the 2019 MULTICLEAN-LC-III for hydrocarbon/isoparaffin use.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cycle rates up to 350 parts/minute for aerosol canister cleaning
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Chinese Sales and Service CooperationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2005Establishment of sales and service cooperation in China for local support of Chinese customers.
• SURFTRAN/Robert Bosch CorporationcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 1991Licensed to manufacture MULTICLEAN systems for North America. SURFTRAN, a Robert Bosch Corporation company, received manufacturing rights for the modular MULTICLEAN-S aqueous cleaning series for the North American market.
• HAUSWIRTH S.A.S (France)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for France. Contact: Hugo Hauswirth, 11 rue Meissacker, 67250 Soultz-sous-Forêts.
• Elektroautomatik (Sweden)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Sweden. Contact: Johan Willbo, Kärrlyckegatan 20 B, 418 78 Göteborg.
• Thowald Ice Cleaning SRL (Romania)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Romania. Contact: Thomas Waldenberger, Str. Ion Luca Caragiale Nr. 32, 307160 Dumbravita/Timis.
• Springmann Austria GmbH (Austria)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Austria (Vorarlberg & Tirol). Contact: Willy Graf, Leusbüntweg 49a, 6800 Feldkirch.
• Springmann AG (Switzerland)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representatives for Switzerland with offices in Büro Ost (Niederbüren) and Büro West (Neuchâtel).
• IB Industries Ltd. (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for UK and Ireland. Contact: Ebrahim Patel, 7 Browning close, Bolton, BL1 3XF.
• Glavimans Machinesen Gereedschappen B.V. (Netherlands)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Netherlands. Contact: Pampus 22, 3251 ND Stellendam.
• CriticalFlow (Portugal)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Portugal. Contact: Armando Pereira, Parque Industrial de Tábua, Lote 11, 3420-316 Tábua.
• Stevia Kft. (Hungary)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Hungary. Contact: György Szirmai, Örnagy u.8, 1143 Budapest.
• Nerkon s.r.o. (Czech Republic)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Czech Republic. Contact: Roman Havlík, Pompova 602/4, 61700 Brno.
• Primakem d.o.o. (Slovenia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Slovenia. Contact: Rudi Smid, Cesta na Loko 2, SI-4290 Trzic.
• MB TRADING SRL (Romania)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Romania. Contact: Marius Breaz, Str. Dr. Iosif Nemoianu, no.13A, ap.7, 300011 Timisoara.
• MERTAŞ Endüstriyel (Turkey)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Turkey. Contact: Murat Uygun, Zambak Sk. No: 19A-D6, Altintepe, 34840 Maltepe-Istanbul.
• European Industrial Cleaners Alliance / Shanghai Hefen (China)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for China. Contact: Simon Li, No. 2888 South Qilianshan Road, Room 1205 Bldg B YaoGuang Central Intl Tower, 200331 Shanghai.
• Eco-Lander Precision Tech Co., Ltd. (Taiwan/Southeast Asia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Contact: Sarah Hung, No. 18, Gongye 8th Rd., Dali Dist., Taichung City 412.
• Fachverband Industrielle Teilereinigung e.V. (FiT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association for industrial parts cleaning. Höckh is a member and contributes to developing guidelines such as the FIT-Richtlinie on filmic contamination control.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cleaning Technologies Group (CTG): US-based industrial cleaning equipment manufacturer offering aqueous, solvent, and ultrasonic systems (including Blackstone Neyland and Ram Products brands). Comparable in serving automotive, aerospace, and general metalworking customers with capital equipment sales plus aftermarket.
• Dürr Ecoclean: Subsidiary of Dürr AG and the largest direct competitor in industrial parts cleaning systems. Offers aqueous, solvent, and ultrasonic cleaning lines serving automotive, aerospace, and medical customers — directly comparable product portfolio, customer verticals, and technology scope to Höckh's MULTICLEAN family.
• Walther Trowal: German manufacturer of surface finishing and cleaning equipment including vibratory finishing and parts washing systems. Overlaps with Höckh in industrial parts cleaning for metal components and similar SME-to-midmarket customer profile.
• Pero AG: German manufacturer of industrial parts cleaning systems with aqueous and solvent-based product lines. Comparable as a mid-sized German specialist competing in the same European customer base with similar customization-driven, project-based GTM.
• Karl Roll GmbH & Co. KG: German manufacturer of industrial cleaning and degreasing systems (RollWasch product family). Comparable as a German mid-market specialist with project-engineered cleaning systems and similar target verticals.
• MecWash Systems: UK-based manufacturer of aqueous parts washing and degreasing systems. Comparable in offering modular aqueous cleaning equipment to automotive, aerospace, and general industrial customers with a similar consultation-led sales approach.

Emerging players

• Bio-Circle Surface Technology: German manufacturer of cleaning equipment and chemistry including aqueous parts cleaning systems. Comparable in targeting industrial parts cleaning with a chemistry-plus-equipment model, though smaller and more chemistry-led than Höckh.

Broad incumbents

• Rösler Oberflächentechnik: Larger German-headquartered surface treatment and finishing equipment manufacturer with broad product portfolio including cleaning. Comparable in serving metal processing customers but operates as a broader incumbent rather than a parts-cleaning specialist.
• Branson Ultrasonics (Emerson): Industrial ultrasonic cleaning equipment brand owned by Emerson. Comparable in supplying ultrasonic cleaning solutions to industrial customers, though positioned as part of a much broader automation and process equipment portfolio.

Regional players

• Tht Srl: Italian manufacturer of industrial parts washing and degreasing systems. Comparable in product offering (aqueous and solvent cleaning) but primarily serves Southern European and Mediterranean customers rather than competing head-to-head in Höckh's core DACH/North American base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Höckh Metal Cleaning Systems