About hokon
Innovation rooted in a traditional family of master carpenters
hokon — the 13th generation of carpentry craftsmanship. Every piece of wood tells a story.
From a small workshop in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, to a globally active company in the wood industry: the story of hokon is a story of wood, passion, and perseverance.
The founder and head of the brand — a 13th-generation master carpenter — literally grew up surrounded by wood dust. In 1995, he began his craft career with an apprenticeship as a carpenter, completed in 1998 with his first award for good design — the beginning of an extraordinary career. His father had developed loudspeaker enclosures for Dynaudio, IQ, ALR, Tannoy, and many other international top brands.
In 2000, he founded his first own wood processing company, specializing in solid wood staircases. Over the years, interior doors, furniture, and flooring were added.
A milestone in staircase construction: the staircase for Sparebank-Stavanger in Norway — a seven-story wooden building featuring the world's largest freestanding solid wood staircase. By 2026, the world's 11 largest solid wood staircases in public buildings are from hokon, with further references in stores of renowned luxury retail brands worldwide.
From Europe to China: carpenter innovation with a global perspective
2011
hokon expands across Europe. Its founder becomes part of an international network of designers, wood engineers, coating technicians, and architects working closely with leading partners in the wood processing industry.
2017
hokon GmbH is founded. Services span product design, production and process optimization, consulting on software for digital process control, international trade consulting, and marketing solutions.
2018
hokon becomes active in China. In Foshan — China's furniture capital — its own supply chain location is established, led by German designers. The goal: combine European design language with Chinese manufacturing efficiency for staircases, flooring, interior doors, fittings, custom pieces, and MFC and wood-based materials.
2026
TÜV SÜD report TC.26.02.000814-R1, issued 10 March 2026, records low formaldehyde emissions and no detection of the 253 listed SVHC substances for the tested 062A-18mm melamine-faced bamboo chipboard sample. Findings apply to that sample under the report's stated test conditions and detection limits.
Explore our responsibility commitments and test evidence →Awards & recognition
2025
NRW Global Business Award
Germany's highest economic award for international expansion — hokon is the first craft enterprise to receive it in the award's 21-year history.
2018
China Kapok Product Design Award
A bridge between European craftsmanship and Asian design.
2017–2019
HOUZZ Design & Service Awards
Multiple wins for design and service excellence.
“Every hokon material carries the knowledge of 13 generations of carpenters — and the conviction that wood can do more than you think.”
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