A century of innovation
Hydraulics and drive technology
Herbert Hänchen GmbH is celebrating its 100th anniversary and looks back on an impressive corporate history, characterized by innovation, quality, and a pioneering spirit in the fields of hydraulic cylinder, drive systems, and clamping units.
Founded in July 1925 by Herbert Hänchen in Penzig, Silesia, the company began as a vehicle repair and authorized service shop, as well as a dealership for AutoUnion and Magirus. Even back then, the precision finishing of metal surfaces—in particular the “ hone ” (cross-grinding method), which remains a hallmark of the company to this day—was a crucial part of its work. By the end of World War II, the company employed around 100 workers, who were primarily engaged in the machining of vehicle engines.
Establishment of the Company in Ostfildern
Following the turmoil of the war, the company was forced to relocate to Naumburg an der Saale in 1945 and eventually moved to Ruit near Stuttgart—now known as Ostfildern—in 1950. There, Herbert Hänchen made a fresh start by repairing engine cylinders and crankshafts in a barn. He was increasingly supported in this endeavor by his children, who were training in mechanical engineering and actively working in the company.
Amid the postwar economic miracle, Herbert Hänchen recognized the enormous potential of the expanding hydraulics industry. The groundbreaking decision to specialize in the manufacture of hydraulic cylinders beginning in 1952 laid the foundation for the company’s future success. Even back then, Hänchen-hydraulic cylinder s were distinguished by their high quality standards. In the decades that followed, the company expanded steadily. Starting in 1953, the first buildings and factory halls were constructed at the current location in Ostfildern. This expansion was followed by further construction phases, as well as the establishment of a new plant in Oettingen, Bavaria, in 1972. These developments established Hänchen as an innovative medium-sized company.
Development of the Product Portfolio
hydraulic cylinder,Clamping Units, Special-Purpose Machines
The company's innovative strength was particularly evident in the field of cylinder design: in 1964, Hänchen introduced the synthetic coating of sliding surfaces, which led in 1965 to the development of the Servocop® cylinder featuring special Teflon®-based sealing systems. In the following decades, Hänchen brought forth numerous other innovations, including the Servofloat® floating gap seal (1972), cylinders with the Servobear® hydrostatic bearing (1991), and the Servoseal® for particularly energy-efficient drives (2017). These developments underline the company's ambition to always create the perfect hydraulic cylinder for every application.
Another important business area is the development of clamping units. As early as 1965, Siegfried Hänchen, son of the company founder, developed the Hydroriegel. This clamping unit, bearing today's brand name Ratio-Clamp®, serves to protect people, machines, and tools in the event of a power failure or shutdown of the plant. It holds round rods securely even under load and added an important component to the company's product portfolio.
In the 1990s, Hänchen also recognized its customers' demand for complete hydraulic drive solutions and, on this basis, established the Ratio-Drive® business segment. This offers customized solutions ranging from individual axis systems to complete special machines.
Knowledge Transfer in Hydraulics
Education and training have played a central role in Hänchen's corporate philosophy from the very beginning. As early as the 1960s, it was recognized that high-end products also require explanation. To meet this demand, Hänchen focused on a broad market presence by its employees. Participation in the industrial trade fair in Hanover in 1957, where Hänchen exhibited hydraulic cylinders for the first time, marked the beginning of a long tradition of trade fair presence. In 1995, Hänchen presented EKAT at the Hanover trade fair, an electronic catalog that considerably simplified product selection for customers. This was followed in 2013 by the internet-based configuration system HäKo, marking a further step toward digitization and customer service. Since 2003, this offering has been complemented by customer training courses focusing on hydraulic cylinders, available both online and in person.
Hänchen in 2025
Today, the family-run business is managed in its third generation by Tanja and Stefan Hänchen. With the same pioneering spirit and passion for quality, they are continuing their grandfather's life's work. Herbert Hänchen GmbH, with its nearly 200 employees, still stands for innovation, precision, and reliability after a century. In its anniversary year as well, Hänchen demonstrates its ongoing innovative strength through the autumn launch of a new product in the field of clamping units. This new development highlights the company's continuous commitment to product improvements and adaptation to current requirements.