09.12.2025

Hagedorn rescues Hüffermann

Germany’s Hagedorn group has acquired crane and aerial lift sales and rental company Hüffermann Krandienst, rescuing it from administration.

The acquisition expands Hagedorn’s heavy haulage division, which came with the acquisition of crane rental company Wasel in 2021 adding more than 500 new employees and a fleet of more than 1,000 cranes, aerial work platforms telehandlers and trucks taking Hagedorn's equipment fleet to more than 2,000 units, while employment levels at its heavy haulage and logistics business now exceeds 1,000 people, possibly giving it market leadership in Germany.

The Hüffermann group, headquartered in Wildeshausen with additional locations – including Bremen, Hamburg, Potsdam, Leipzig, and Frankfurt – complements Hagedorn's network and strengthens the company's presence, particularly in northern and eastern Germany. It filed for insolvency in late September, leading to the appointment of an Administrator.

Hagedorn was established in 1997 by Thomas Hagedorn and is based in Gütersloh near Bielefeld, with locations in Berlin, Hanover and Cologne. Ownership remains with the family, with the company headed by Barbara and Thomas Hagedorn.

Hagedorn partner Christian Hülsewig said: "The Hüffermann group brings strong teams, reliable technology, and established structures. Crucially for us, we are acquiring the company's substance and securing skilled jobs. Together with Wasel, we are expanding our technical and regional capabilities, enabling us to provide even more reliable support for industrial, infrastructure, and energy projects. This creates stability for employees and strengthens our portfolio in the nationwide market."

Hüffermann's insolvency administrator, Tim Beyer, added: "With Hagedorn, we have found an investor who will secure jobs and reliably continue business operations. The fact that this prospect is in place before Christmas sends an important signal to employees and customers."

Vertikal Comment

This acquisition comes at a time when demand for larger cranes, heavy lifts, and haulage is beginning to grow rapidly, thanks to high levels of investment going into renewables such as wind and the conversion of industrial plants at the same time, government spending on infrastructure, such as bridge replacements, along with road and utility networks updates and renewals.

While the timing was against Hüffermann, it does look to be favouring the more conservatively managed Hagedorn, expect this to be a deal that works, and that Hagedorn continues to grow through expansion and acquisition.