What Elbau does

Elbau (legal entity: ELBAU GmbH & Co. KG, historically Elmpter Baustoffhandel) is a family-owned German specialty retailer of clinker bricks, tiles, and hardscape materials founded in 1973 and headquartered in Niederkrüchten. The company curates and distributes products from over 25 leading manufacturers — including Wienerberger, Röben, Hagemeister, Feldhaus, ABC Klinker, and others — covering fired clay bricks (Klinker, fired above 1,200°C), thin brick slips (Klinkerriemchen) for facades and WDVS systems, interior brick tiles (Wohnraumklinker), reclaimed demolition bricks (Abbruchklinker), floor and wall tiles (Feinsteinzeug, concrete- and wood-look), natural stone, paving products, and installation accessories (mortar, Flexkleber, grout).

Its operating model combines a 10,000 sqm air-conditioned physical showroom with an integrated e-commerce platform at elbau.com/shop. Customers can browse and purchase online, request free samples, schedule callbacks, attend monthly "Schautag" viewing events, or visit the Niederkrüchten site in person for consultation. Pricing is per-square-meter and quote-based for bulk orders; fulfillment is nationwide via partnerships with multiple freight carriers. The technology stack is conventional retail: PayPal checkout, Matomo and Google Analytics for measurement, Google Tag Manager, Google Ads, DV360, Customer Match, and Meta Pixel for marketing — with no proprietary software, APIs, or AI/ML components.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through transactional one-time sales of building materials with no subscription, licensing, or recurring component. The customer base is horizontally distributed across private homeowners (construction, renovation, landscaping) and trade professionals (builders, masons, architects, garden designers, construction companies). Elbau reports over 1,000 completed projects and 50-plus years of continuous operation but does not disclose revenue, headcount composition, or unit volumes. All operations are confined to Germany, with no international footprint.

Name

Elbau

Legal name

ELBAU GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://elbau.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Elbau is a family-owned German specialty retailer (founded 1973, Niederkrüchten) of clinker bricks, tiles, and hardscape products from 25+ manufacturers, operating a 10,000 sqm showroom, an e-commerce shop, and Germany-wide freight shipping for homeowners and trade professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Materials Retail

NAICS

Other Building Material Dealers (44418), Home Centers (444110)

SIC

Retail-Lumber & Other Building Materials Dealers (5211)

akta.pro primary industry

Fasteners, Adhesives & Sealants Retail (Nails, Screws, Glues, Caulks) (CRAIAEAK)

Keywords

• Clinker bricks
• Brick tiles
• Floor wall tiles
• Paving materials
• Building materials retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Niederkrüchten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Clinker Brick Sales: Sale of fired clay bricks including standard clinker, cladding bricks (Verblender), thin brick slips (Klinkerriemchen), demolition bricks (Abbruchklinker), and residential clinker. Products sourced from over 25 manufacturers including ABC Klinker, Röben, Hagemeister, Feldhaus, Wienerberger.
2. Tile Sales: Floor and wall tiles including porcelain stoneware (Feinsteinzeug), natural stone look, concrete look, and wood-effect tiles in various formats and colors.
3. Garden & Outdoor Products: Paving stones, terrace slabs, natural stone, clinker and concrete pavers for landscaping and garden projects.
4. Mortar & Accessories: Supporting products including mortar, flexible adhesive (Flexkleber), grout, and accessories for installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Elbau distributes and sells clinker bricks, brick tiles (Klinkerriemchen), floor and wall tiles, and garden/landscaping products from over 25 leading manufacturers such as Röben, Hagemeister, Feldhaus, and Wienerberger. Customers can browse and purchase through the 10,000 sqm showroom in Niederkrüchten or the online shop, with free sample delivery, expert consultation, and Germany-wide shipping via freight carriers.

Product overview

ELBAU is a building materials specialist (Elmpter Baustoffhandel) offering a comprehensive portfolio of brick, tile, and garden/hardscape products. The core product range includes Klinker/Verblender (high-fired bricks), Klinkerriemchen (brick tiles), Wohnraumklinker (interior bricks), and Abbruchklinker (reclaimed bricks) — all available in multiple formats, colors, and textures from over 25 manufacturers. Complementary product lines include Fliesen (floor and wall tiles) in various finishes including concrete-look, wood-look, and natural stone-look; Terrassenplatten (terrace slabs); Naturstein (natural stone); and Mörtel & Zubehör (mortar and accessories). The company operates both a physical showroom/exhibition spanning approximately 10,000 sqm in Niederkrüchten and an online shop platform for nationwide sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Klinker / Verblender (Clinker Bricks) High-fired brick stones for facades, walls, and paving, resistant to water absorption, frost, and temperature changes. Available in various colors (red, grey, beige) and formats from manufacturers including Röben, Hagemeister, Feldhaus, Wienerberger, and others. For private homeowners and trade professionals.
• Klinkerriemchen (Brick Tiles / Brick Slips) Thin brick tiles (10-15mm thick) that replicate the appearance of solid brickwork. Used for facade cladding and thermal insulation composite systems (WDVS), applied indoors and outdoors with flexible adhesive.
• Wohnraumklinker (Interior Brick Tiles) Brick tiles designed for interior use in living rooms, kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms, available in various colors and textures to create distinctive room aesthetics with rustic charm.
• Abbruchklinker (Reclaimed / Demolition Brick) Authentic recycled bricks with natural patina and color variation sourced from demolition sites. Each stone is unique. Available in styles including Gotik, Romantik, and Eifelbunt. Climate-neutral certified.
• Floor Tiles (Bodenfliesen / Feinsteinzeug) Floor tiles including ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware (Feinsteinzeug) in various finishes (concrete-look, wood-look, natural stone-look) and sizes from 30x60cm to 120x120cm, with indoor and outdoor frost-resistant options.
• Wall Tiles (Wandfliesen) Wall tiles in various sizes (10x30cm, 30x60cm, 32x89cm) and finishes including glossy, matte, and textured surfaces, available in colors such as white, beige, and grey.
• Concrete & Wood Look Tiles (Beton- & Holzoptik) Tiles replicating the appearance of concrete and wood, offering natural aesthetics with the durability of ceramic or porcelain materials.
• Terrace Slabs (Terrassenplatten) Outdoor paving slabs for terraces and garden areas, available in various materials including natural stone and porcelain.
• Natural Stone (Naturstein) Natural stone products for garden and outdoor applications including pathways, patios, and landscaping features.
• Klinker- und Betonpflaster (Brick and Concrete Paving) Paving products made from brick or concrete for outdoor surfaces including driveways, walkways, and garden paths.
• Mortar & Accessories (Mörtel & Zubehör) Mortar, flexible adhesive (Flexkleber), grout, and other accessories required for installation of bricks and tiles.
• Elbau Online Shop E-commerce platform for online purchasing of all Elbau product categories, with sample ordering, inquiry-based pricing for bulk orders, and nationwide delivery. Customers can filter products by attributes like color, format, and price.
• Elbau Showroom / Exhibition (Klinkerausstellung) Physical showroom with approximately 10,000 sqm of air-conditioned exhibition space in Niederkrüchten where customers can experience, compare, and consult on products in person. Features climate-controlled spaces, expert consultation, and monthly Schautag viewing days.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 projects successfully completed

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ABC KlinkercoreTechnology or IntegrationProduct supplier offering creative facade ideas with traditional clinker products. ABC Klinker is one of the key manufacturers whose products are featured in the Elbau showroom and online shop.
• Röben KlinkercoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor clinker manufacturer known for excellent weather resistance and longevity. Featured prominently in Elbau's product range and showroom exhibitions.
• Hagemeister KlinkercoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading manufacturer offering innovative solutions for facades with products that meet highest technical requirements. Highlighted in showroom inspiration section.
• Feldhaus KlinkercoreTechnology or IntegrationTraditional manufacturer producing clinkers that maintain color and form over decades without requiring extensive maintenance. Featured in showroom and shop offerings.
• Wienerberger KlinkercoreTechnology or IntegrationLarge international manufacturer combining centuries of experience with forward-looking innovation. Products available through Elbau.
• Multiple Freight/Spedition PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElbau partners with multiple freight carriers to optimize shipping conditions and costs for heavy building material deliveries throughout Germany. After purchase requests are submitted, Elbau determines optimal shipping conditions and presents the best freight offer to customers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• OBI: Major German home improvement and DIY retailer carrying building materials, tiles, and garden products. Serves overlapping customer segments (homeowners, trade professionals) with a broader, generalist assortment.
• Hornbach: One of Europe's largest home improvement and DIY retail chains, selling building materials, tiles, and garden products. Comparable to ELBAU as a multi-category building materials retailer, though with a much broader assortment and store network.
• Porcelanosa: Spanish multinational manufacturer and retailer of premium ceramic tiles and building products with own showrooms across Europe. Comparable to ELBAU in tile category curation and showroom-based premium positioning.
• Bauhaus: Pan-European home center chain selling lumber, building materials, tiles, and garden products. Overlaps with ELBAU's product mix but operates as a mass-market chain rather than a specialty clinker/tile curator.
• Stark Deutschland: Leading German B2B building materials distributor serving trade professionals. Comparable to ELBAU in serving builders and contractors, though at significantly larger scale and broader product range.
• Raab Karcher: German building materials specialist retailer (part of Stark Group) targeting trade professionals. Overlaps with ELBAU's trade segment and product categories (tiles, masonry, building materials).
• Wienerberger: World's largest producer of bricks and clay building materials, including clinker and facade solutions. Comparable to ELBAU as a clinker supplier/brand; ELBAU retails Wienerberger products but Wienerberger increasingly sells direct to contractors, creating competitive overlap.
• Hagemeister Klinker: Leading German clinker brick manufacturer whose products ELBAU retails. Comparable as a clinker specialist, but operating as a manufacturer rather than retailer — increasingly competitive if it expands direct sales channels.

Direct peers

• Fliesenmax: Specialty German tile retailer offering floor and wall tiles via online shop and showroom. Closely comparable to ELBAU in the tile category, with similar consultative sales model and direct-to-consumer delivery.
• Fliesen.com: Online-first German tile retailer offering floor and wall tiles with sample ordering and nationwide delivery. Directly comparable to ELBAU's online tile channel, though without a comparable physical showroom.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/elbaujansen
• Instagraminstagram.com/elbau_klinkerfliesen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elbau

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Elbau