Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH

What Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH does

Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German manufacturer of industrial wood drying kilns and proprietary control systems, founded in 1948 and headquartered in Gehrden near Hannover, Germany. The company operates under the Hildebrand-Brunner brand and is led by managing directors Reinhard Brunner and Christopher Brunner. It designs and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of lumber drying equipment including conventional kilns, continuous/progressive kilns (HCK-Alexander series), vacuum kilns (HIGH VAC), steaming chambers, heat treatment kilns, and custom specialty kilns for non-wood materials. The product line is enhanced by patented innovations such as Greenkilns (thermal coupling for 15-25% energy reduction), Hildebrand Turbo Technology (adjustable airflow baffles), Kiln Prime Zone (multi-zone continuous drying), and Hildebrand Weight Precision Technology (wireless stack measurement).

The company generates revenue through industrial kiln equipment sales, spare parts and components, service contracts and inspections, and control systems/software (B7300, B8400). Pricing is quote-based and project-specific with no public pricing. It sells primarily to sawmills and lumber producers as its core customer segment, with secondary applications in industrial process companies requiring heat treatment for non-wood materials. Distribution operates through direct sales from the German headquarters combined with an extensive global network of regional sales representatives and channel partners across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with a dedicated service center in Nashville, Tennessee for USA/Canada support.

The company holds wholly owned subsidiary Brunner Trockentechnik GmbH (control systems and electronics) and has acquired 50% stakes in Kronseder Trockentechnik and Hildebrand International S.R.L. (Romania). Its go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with channel partner distribution, supported by trade show participation (Ligna, Eurobois), industry publications, downloadable technical brochures, and multilingual website presence in German, English, and Spanish. The company markets itself as 'HILDEBRAND-BRUNNER ist das Original' emphasizing 60+ years of continuous operation and 30+ years of patent-protected innovation in the wood drying industry.

Name

Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH

Legal name

HILDEBRAND HOLZTECHNIK GmbH

Website

https://brunner-hildebrand.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH is a German family-owned manufacturer of industrial wood drying kilns and proprietary control systems, serving sawmills and industrial processors globally since 1948 through direct sales and an international channel partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Wood Drying Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAMABAD

Wood Drying & Kiln Operations

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Paper & Forest Products/Sawmills & Wood Processing

SECONDARYIMAHAEAE

Industrial Furnaces, Kilns & Thermal Processing Equipment

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Process & Industrial Plant Equipment

Keywords

• Industrial wood drying
• Lumber drying kilns
• Vacuum kiln technology
• Kiln control systems
• Sawmill equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Gehrden / Hannover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Kiln Equipment Sales: Sale of wood drying equipment including conventional kilns, vacuum kilns, channel/progressive kilns, steaming chambers, and custom specialty kilns
2. Spare Parts and Components: Sale of replacement parts including aluminum sheets, profiles, rubber/plastic/silicone materials, insulating materials, screws, fans, motors, heating accessories, electronic components, sensors, and software
3. Service Contracts and Inspections: Preventive maintenance, inspection, and service contracts for Hildebrand and competitor kilns, including operator training
4. Control Systems and Software: Sale and installation of computer control systems (B7300, B8400) for kiln management and energy optimization

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH manufactures industrial wood drying kilns including conventional kilns, vacuum kilns (HIGH VAC), channel/progressive kilns (HCK-Alexander), steaming chambers, heat-treatment kilns and custom specialty kilns for non-wood materials. The company also produces computer-based control systems (B 7300 HEB and B 8400 DS) and supplies spare parts, preventive maintenance, inspections and operator training to sawmills and industrial processors worldwide.

Product overview

Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH (also known as Hildebrand Brunner) is a manufacturer of industrial wood drying kilns with over 60 years of experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of drying solutions including conventional dry kilns, continuous/progressive kilns (HCK-Alexander), vacuum kilns (HIGH VAC series), steaming chambers, and custom specialty kilns. All systems are supported by proprietary computer-based control systems (B 7300 HEB, B 8400 DS) for managing drying processes, energy consumption, and fan speed regulation. The product line is enhanced by patented innovations including Greenkilns for energy efficiency, Hildebrand Turbo Technology for improved airflow control, HIGH VAC Master for vacuum drying advancement, and Kiln Prime Zone for continuous kiln flexibility. The company also offers modular self-install options (HT-ECO-Basic) and comprehensive service, spare parts, and training support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Greenkilns: Eco-friendly wood drying initiative that recovers heat from exhaust air, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 15–25% through thermal coupling, elimination of dead heat loss, and storage heat recovery.
• HIGH VAC Master
• Hildebrand Turbo Technology (HTT)
• HT-ECO-Basic
• Kiln Prime Zone (KPZ)

Products and services

• Konventionelle Holztrockner (Conventional Kilns) Standard dry kilns for lumber drying, including high temperature kilns, heat treatment chambers, and pre-dryers. One of the most frequently used dryers in the wood industry, including the HTR100 model, for sawmills processing sawn timber.
• Kanaltrockner / Progressive Kiln (HCK-Alexander) Continuous kiln system for continuous lumber drying operations, featuring the HCK-Alexander technology with Kiln Prime Zone (KPZ) capability for sawmills needing high-throughput drying.
• HIGH VAC Vacuum Kilns Vacuum drying kilns where lumber dries quickly in overheated, dry steam. Boiling point of water is decreased from 100°C to about 40–60°C, enabling gentle but faster drying than conventional kilns. Targeted at sawmills and industrial processors needing rapid drying of sensitive species.
• Dämpfkammern (Steaming Chambers) Steam chambers for stress-free drying/steaming, steaming of board and block products, including short steaming times for beech/walnut and tropical lumber. Used by sawmills and wood-product manufacturers to equalize moisture and color.
• Sonderkammern (Custom Specialty Kilns) Specialty kiln chambers for processing materials other than lumber, including polymer concrete pipes, concrete panels, plastics, castings, foods, textiles, and paper products. Targeted at industrial process companies needing custom heating solutions.
• Temperatur-Behandlungskammer (Heat Treatment Kilns) Kilns for heat treatment and tempering of lumber and other materials, used to alter wood properties and meet specification requirements.
• Steuerungen / Control Systems (B 7300 HEB and B 8400 DS) Computer-based kiln control systems (B 7300 HEB and B 8400 DS) for managing drying processes, energy management, and fan speed control, including remote diagnostics capability. Sold and installed as standalone systems to sawmills and kiln operators.
• Greenkilns Technology Energy-efficient drying initiative using thermal coupling to retain heat energy within the system, avoiding dead heat loss through decoupled air valves, and recovering storage heat during cooling. Achieves 15–25% energy and CO2 reduction.
• HT-ECO-Basic Economical modular dry kiln system for self-installation with computer control B 7300 HEB. Available in three lengths (6.5m, 10.5m, 12.0m) with different power levels for various wood types, targeted at smaller sawmills.
• Hildebrand Turbo Technology (HTT) Patented technology using height-adjustable aluminum baffles controlled by computer systems to alternately stress and relax lumber, improving creep behavior for faster drying and better quality sawn timber. Enables temporary extreme airflow increase without high power consumption.
• HIGH VAC Master Advanced vacuum kiln feature using HIGH-STEAM-PULSATION/DRYING+REVERSING technology including Magic Point steam plastification, steam pulsation, pressure-change climate, and extra conditioning for fast, safe, stress-free lumber drying at 70–95°C without honeycomb risk.
• Kiln Prime Zone (KPZ) Patented continuous kiln feature with vertical longitudinal partition walls and multi-row fans allowing different drying conditions within the same kiln. Enables drying of different lumber thicknesses on each track simultaneously.
• Ersatzteile (Spare Parts and Components) Sale of replacement parts including aluminum sheets, profiles, rubber/plastic/silicone materials, insulating materials, screws, fans, motors, heating accessories, electronic components, sensors, and software for Hildebrand and competitor kilns. Dispatched via freight, courier or overnight services.
• Service Contracts and Inspections Preventive maintenance, inspection, and service contracts for Hildebrand and competitor kilns, including operator training. Provided via European service hotline (+49(0)5108/6409-40 or -43) and North American service (+1(615)662-0745).

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-25% reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and regional.

• Brunner Trockentechnik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated company within the BRUNNER Group. Co-copyright holder of the website and shared branding 'HILDEBRAND-BRUNNER'. Provides control systems and electronics division with phone +49(0)5108/6409-43.
• Kronseder TrockentechnikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHildebrand Holztechnik GmbH acquired 50% stake in Kronseder Trockentechnik, expanding their presence in the wood drying equipment market.
• Torex Handels AG (Switzerland)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for Switzerland. Contact: Marcus Hess, Durisolstr. 1B, 5612 Villmergen, Switzerland. Phone: +41 566224922.
• Sauseurope (France)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for France. Located at 1 rue des Entrepreneurs ZA de la Foret, 45210 Fontenay sur Loing, France.
• Hartmann Handelsgesellschaft (Russia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Russia. Located at Eldenaer Straße 35, 10247 Berlin, Germany.
• OOO Inter-Lovel (Russia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Russia. Located at Privonaya str. 70, build. 1, 109431 Moscow, Russia. Contact: Andrey Pasjutin.
• HILDEBRAND INTERNATIONAL S.R.L. (Romania)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Eastern Europe. Located at Str. Santalui no. 20, 445300 Tasnad/Satu Mare, Romania. Contact: Alexandru Szasz.
• Timsan Teknik Insaat (Turkey)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Turkey. Located at Ahi Evran Cad. No:111 OSTIM OSB, 06370 Ankara, Turkey. Contact: Serhan Akzu.
• Spencer J. Corps (Japan)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Japan. Located at 4441-3 Yamada, Yamada Town, Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Ken 889-4601, Japan.
• Shimada Maschinenbau GmbH (Japan)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Japan. Located at Aza Kishi 1, Fukushima Iwaki, 972-8334 Watanabemachi Tanabe.
• JKL Product Solutions Pty Ltd (Australia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Australia. Contact: Daniel Coombes, Unit 6/91 Landsborough Ave, Scarborough Qld 4020, Australia.
• Nukor Sawmilling (PTY) Ltd (South Africa)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for South Africa. Located at Nukor House, 403 Commissioners Street, ZA-2043 Johannesburg, South Africa. Contact: Andreas Maier.
• Mendes Maquinas (Brazil)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Brazil. Located at BR-470 Km 249, University District, 89520-000 Curitibanos - SC, Brazil. Contact: Guilherme Oliveira.
• BEP Engineering Services Ltd (Canada)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative for Canada. Located at Unit A 5454 192nd St., Surrey, B.C. V3V8E5, Canada.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• GEA Group AG: Global industrial equipment supplier with thermal processing and drying technologies serving food, dairy, and chemical customers. Comparable as an industrial drying/furnace equipment manufacturer, though broader in scope and not focused on lumber drying kilns.
• Andritz AG: Large global industrial group with a wood processing and drying equipment business alongside pulp, paper, and biomass technologies. Overlaps with Hildebrand at the high-end sawmill and wood-panel customer segment and competes on large multi-kiln contracts.

Direct peers

• Valutec AB: Swedish manufacturer of industrial wood drying kilns serving sawmills across Europe and internationally. Directly comparable to Hildebrand in product portfolio (conventional, channel, and vacuum kilns) and customer base (sawmill operators), with strong Northern European market share.
• Nardi: Italian producer of industrial dry kilns for lumber and similar thermal processing equipment. Comparable to Hildebrand in core wood-drying kiln offering and in serving the broader Mediterranean and international sawmill market.
• Baschild S.r.l. Italian manufacturer of wood drying kilns including conventional, vacuum, and special-application kilns. Overlaps with Hildebrand in core product categories and serves the same European sawmill customer base, particularly in Southern Europe.
• Mühlböck Holztrocknungsanlagen GmbH: Austrian specialist in wood drying kilns and drying technology for the sawmill industry. Directly comparable product line (conventional and progressive kilns, control systems) and target customer (sawmills and lumber producers) within the same DACH region.

Emerging players

• Höcker Polytechnik GmbH: German industrial equipment specialist in dust extraction and air-handling systems adjacent to wood processing facilities. Overlaps with Hildebrand at the sawmill customer interface but focuses on exhaust/air quality rather than drying kilns.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hildebrand-holztechnik-gmbh

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 Hildebrand Holztechnik GmbH