History
What began in Hamburg in 1925 as a metal trading business
is now a modern family-owned company with one of Germany's most diverse ranges of aluminium products.
Foundation and growth
W. Hartmann & Co. GmbH was founded in Hamburg on 30 October 1925 by Walter Hartmann and Ulrich Grajecki. The “& Co.” in the company name is a reminder of Grajecki’s former partnership, even though he left the business in the early 1960s. During its first decades, W. Hartmann & Co. primarily supplied shipyards along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts.
Walter Hartmann
An era of new beginnings
Following the construction of the Berlin Wall, the company realigned its business and benefited from the economic recovery of post-war Germany. The company grew to around 600 employees across numerous branches, with a clear focus on non-ferrous metals, particularly copper and copper alloys. Many churches in Hamburg still have copper roofs dating back to this period. The post-war years were characterised by growth and innovation. W. Hartmann & Co. was not only successful in traditional metal trading, but also became a reliable partner to the construction industry. To mark its 50th anniversary in 1975, the company produced a film documenting its eventful beginnings and dynamic development during Germany's post-war economic boom.
The W. Hartmann & Co. Profile System
From the 1960s onwards, W. Hartmann & Co. expanded its range beyond non-ferrous metal semi-finished products to include system solutions for windows, doors and facades, initially as a distributor and later as a developer of its own systems. This innovation led to the successful “W. Hartmann & Co. Profile System”. Under the leadership of Walter Hartmann and later his daughter Ingrid Spahn, the company established itself as a recognised and trusted partner of the German construction industry.
The successful E2000 and E5000 series shaped the 1970s, alongside the further processing of aluminium, copper and brass semi-finished products into high-quality finished products.
Cooperation with Hueck
Following German reunification in 1989, W. Hartmann & Co. experienced a short but intensive period of growth as part of the economic development of eastern Germany. However, when government support programmes came to an end, the company had to respond to the changing market conditions. The systems division was sold to the then competitor Hueck in Lüdenscheid – a strategic decision aimed at safeguarding the economic stability of the company's core business.
A third-generation family business
The takeover by Roland Spahn, grandson of the company's founder, marked the beginning of a period of strategic realignment. Spahn fundamentally restructured the company and successfully guided it into the modern era. Today, W. Hartmann & Co. is part of the Spahn-Hamburg Group and is known internationally, particularly for its extensive stock range of surface-finished aluminium semi-finished products.
A film produced for BAU 2017 presents W. Hartmann & Co. as a modern, dynamic metal trader with a clear commitment to quality.
100 years of W. Hartmann & Co. – looking to the future
Effective 1 January 2023, Managing Directors Michael Wachsmann and Roland Spahn stepped down from the company's management in accordance with the company's policy that managing directors should not be older than 61. They continue to support the company as fully authorised signatories (Prokuristen). They were succeeded as Managing Directors by Gregor Krausa, responsible for operations in Gladbeck, and Sascha Michalke, responsible for controlling and administration in Oststeinbek.
On 30 October 2025, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. As part of the anniversary, the company's legal form was also changed from a GmbH & Co. KG to a GmbH.
In April 2026, Roland Spahn transferred all shares in the company, without consideration, to the non-profit Walter Hartmann Foundation in Ahrensburg. The foundation is now the company's sole owner, with future profits being used to support its charitable purposes. Roland Spahn continues to provide strategic guidance to the company in his role as Chairman of the Foundation's Board.
