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Strategic course proves its worth: In a persistently challenging market environment, Hafele's Strategy 2030 is becoming increasingly effective. The company has succeeded in keeping its level of revenue stable, developing new market potential together with its customers and increasing its long-term competitiveness. The basis for this is consistent alignment with integrated solutions consisting of intelligent hardware and fitting systems, electronic access control systems, lighting and networking, supplemented by customised, future-oriented services.

At interzum 2025 it became clear how consistently the global player, with headquarters in Nagold in the Black Forest, is implementing its purpose of "Maximising the value of space. Together.". Co-Creation and Co-Engineering represent the strategic cornerstones of this: Co-Creation enhances the customer's range of services by means of jointly developed solutions, whereas Co-Engineering optimises processes in close cooperation, such as in production and logistics. Against this background, the Hafele Group confirmed its operational strength and maintained its revenue level in 2025. Despite challenging economic and geopolitical framework conditions, the company is looking ahead to 2026 with confidence.

Stable revenue level

The internationally operating Hafele Group employs about 8,000 people worldwide and has subsidiaries in 39 countries. The proportion of foreign sales is 82 per cent. As of 31 December 2025, the company generated sales of EUR 1.72 billion – a decrease of one per cent or, adjusted for currency effects, a three per cent increase compared to the previous year. Particularly the strong performance of the Euro in relation to various currencies had a negative impact.

Challenges as an opportunity

The property sector has diminished significantly in countries such as China and Thailand. The challenges in India, which remains a key market with considerable growth potential, are different. Although new regulatory requirements have placed a burden on supply chains, Hafele has used the situation to invest more heavily in the market of the future.

"We have repositioned our business model in India by using a consistent 'Make in India' strategy, establishing our own production capacities, localising new suppliers in India and investing in a start-up company," explains Boris Katic, Managing Director of Supply Chain Management. This has led to stable and solid growth in the local currency and has laid the foundations for future business expansion.

The trading framework conditions have also had an impact in the USA. Nevertheless, business developed in a positive way. Michael Distl, Managing Director of Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Facility Management and IT, emphasises that the US business has "developed in a very pleasing way in dollar terms", but that the exchange rate to the Euro has partially relativised the reported growth.

Highlights and growth regions

After a difficult year, the Vietnamese property market is showing the first signs of stabilisation at the start of 2026. There were also signs of a cautious recovery in New Zealand following a recession. Brazil, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, which are regions of key importance for future growth, have developed in a positive way. Accordingly, Hafele has moderately expanded its international presence. A new warehouse was opened in the Middle East following the establishment of a subsidiary in the previous year. Portugal was established as an independent subsidiary in the Region Western Europe. CEO Gregor Riekena categorises this from a strategic point of view: "Building on our successful international expansion, we are now focusing specifically on markets with concrete growth prospects and investing in the further expansion of our global presence there."

Strategy 2030 – from vision to implementation

Against the background of a persistently challenging market environment, interzum, the leading international trade fair for furniture production and interior design, had particular strategic importance. The appearance of the Hafele Group at the event in Cologne in 2025 not only improved the company's external positioning but also acted as an internal reference point for the consistent implementation of Strategy 2030 and the purpose of "Maximising the value of space. Together.". The focus was not so much about presenting individual products than showing how living and working spaces can be designed more functionally, efficiently and sustainably together with partners.

Specific Co-Creation and Co-Engineering projects, which were implemented with partners from all seven Hafele sales regions worldwide, revealed some of the possibilities. Rooms can be flexibly adapted to the changing requirements of their users using solutions for intergenerational living or micro-living, for example. Furniture systems and kitchens with suitably developed lighting solutions increase the functionality and the atmosphere for the residents. Applications such as these clearly demonstrated how Hafele partners can increase their added value and the operational depth that Strategy 2030 has achieved.

As this approach shows, Hafele increasingly regards trade fairs and other platforms as places for dialogue and joint further development with customers, planners, architects and partners. interzum 2025 represented the step from strategic orientation to concrete implementation, which Hafele will continue to push forward with in 2026. "Communication, inspiration and Co-Creation will continue to be the main focus in 2026 – as the basis for designing living and working spaces that are fit for the future together with our partners," emphasises Gregor Riekena. At Euroshop (22–26 February 2026), Hafele will be demonstrating how functionality creates atmosphere, and at Holz-Handwerk (24–27 March 2026), visitors will be able to experience the added value that Hafele brings to joiners/cabinet makers by supporting them in all of the key steps of their work processes.

Hafele demonstrates innovative strength in retail

Hafele will be presenting a comprehensive shop concept at Euroshop 2026. The "Black Forest Experience Shop" shows how lighting, hardware and fitting systems and intelligent access control systems create flexible room concepts. Energy-optimised light solutions, modular components and retrofittable systems reduce conversion times and increase the adaptability of retail areas, which is a key factor in increasing the value of retail space.

Comprehensive alignment with joiners/cabinet makers

"Hafele is driven by that which inspires joiners/cabinet makers." With this clear commitment to the target group of cabinet makers and joiners, Hafele is using the upcoming Holz-Handwerk trade fair to present solutions that inspire joiners/cabinet makers, make their work easier and open up new business opportunities. The main focus is on product solutions and services that make everyday working life noticeably easier and make companies fit for the future. In this way, Hafele takes on complex light planning or supplies complete drawers as well as other customised furniture elements and lighting, for example. Everything is underpinned by a clear attitude: "Hafele cares." The goal is to work together to make the increasingly complex requirements of joiners/cabinet makers easier, better and more economical.

The Complete Hafele for Furniture Fittings: sustainably conceived, with service-orientated implementation

With the revised content of the new edition of the comprehensive reference tool "The Complete Hafele for Furniture Fittings", Hafele has combined the two furniture fittings catalogues for technology and design into a compact overall volume for the first time. The new edition will be available to customers at the beginning of July. The 1,000-page reduction in the print volume represents a responsible use of resources. At the same time, Hafele provides the complete product documentation online as an e-catalogue and in the online shop, with daily updates so that customers can access the latest information at any time. The catalogue provides interior design professionals with a practical planning tool and also a useful aid during sales discussions.

Milestone and added value: Häfele Lighting

Light is becoming increasingly important in furniture manufacturing and interior fitting. Hafele Lighting combines light in furniture and light in the room to create a networked overall experience. The Hafele Lighting catalogue, which was published for the first time in 2025, underlines the company's claim to position itself as a globally operating light brand, and rethink about light together with international partners – in the sense of holistic value creation of space.

Dynamic developments at the Nagold site

The further development and expansion of the Nagold site also has a high priority at Hafele. The investment at the existing logistics site on the Wolfsberg represents a clear commitment to the domestic market and the region. The company is taking an important step with the commissioning of the new logistics building this year. Logistics represent the final interface to the customer, and is therefore a key factor for performance capability, delivery speed and reliability – particularly during periods of supply chain disruption. Accordingly, the new building has consciously been designed to be more than just a classic logistics centre. It represents technological innovation, efficient processes and a clear entrepreneurial attitude.

"In logistics, it can be measured how quickly and reliably we serve our customers. Particularly in view of global uncertainties, flexible systems and adaptable processes are crucial," says Boris Katic. The new building is also a prerequisite for long-term competitiveness in the international environment and is a physical representation of the company's values: "It stands for our powerful brand, our understanding of sustainability and responsibility, and our purpose of: Maximising the value of space. Together."

Hafele regards the overall complex with its event area, partner areas, offices and catering as a deliberately open place for communication. Partners, customers and suppliers are invited to experience the project and the attitude behind it first-hand. The investment also opens up new perspectives for the region. Based on the major questions of our time concerning urbanisation, digitalisation, demographic change and sustainability, Hafele is creating a platform for working on innovative answers in a partnership-like and solution-oriented manner. "As a family business, we have strong local roots and are internationally networked and experienced in a wide variety of markets at the same time. This gives us the responsibility for bringing customers, suppliers and partners from the region and around the world together in Nagold. In this way, we are creating something completely new," says Sibylle Thierer, the chairperson of the Hafele Board of Directors. "The place of the future that is being created here is not about ready-made answers, but about an open space for experimentation. We want to design the living and working spaces of tomorrow together by getting together and communicating."

Hafele is planning to invest a total of about EUR 70 million in 2026.

Outlook 2026

The geopolitical framework conditions and the industry environment will remain challenging in 2026 – for the fourth year in succession. "It is therefore crucial to have a clear focus on the strategic priorities. This allows us to remain capable of acting, even in the current market environment, and to realise growth opportunities together with our partners. Cooperation along the entire value chain is vital – together with development and supplier partners and also with customers and partners within the industry. In this way, we develop living and working spaces together with our partners in a targeted manner, creating sustainable added value for the people who live and work in them," emphasises Gregor Riekena.

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