Company

Company

Welcome Inside!

When you visit HORA’s headquarters, you’ll hear a steady hum in the workshop - the sound of our lathes and machining centres shaping steel bars. There’s a squeak here, a crunch there; it’s all part of the process of crafting a control valve housing. The air smells of cooling lubricant emulsion, with a hint of fresh paint just down the hall.
“It feels like home,” says Managing Director Ralf Schulze. “I've been part of the HORA family for a long time. The sounds, the smells - they’re all familiar.” His co-director, Oliver Wehking, nods with a smile, adding, “I couldn’t agree more. There's something inspiring in the atmosphere - a creative, inventive energy.”
We leave the workshop, change out of our safety shoes, and step into the company bistro, following the appetizing aroma. Here, sunlight streams through the glass façade, brightening the space and creating a warm, inviting ambiance. The bistro is filling up, but it’s cosy and relaxed. Ready for a coffee or a bite to eat? Let’s talk about what we can achieve together.

Who We Are?

As control technology specialists with decades of experience, we’re your first choice for high-quality, fully self-financed products. This independence allows us to be a robust, reliable partner. Together with our clients and partners, we make water and steam circuits safer and more efficient. In sectors like energy generation, gas infrastructure, building automation, and process technology, we ensure that your systems operate smoothly with minimal maintenance.
And if any issues do arise, we’re readily available to assist - without the hassle of waiting on hold. Why is maintenance and consulting so straightforward with us? Quite simply: all development and production happen right here at our facility. Simply reach out - we’re here with the expertise you need, anytime, day or night.

HORA in numbers

Founding year

Founding year

Employees

Employees

Turnover

Mio. €

Turnover

self-financed

%

self-financed

Export rate

%

Export rate

Our Journey of Growth

HORA was founded in 1967 by Georg Dresselhaus to bring control valves to the heating technology market. In the 1970s, we expanded into industrial and power plant technology. By the 1980s, HORA was developing valve calculation software and introducing a patented steam-converting valve for power plant applications. Prof. Dr. Dieter Dresselhaus became sole shareholder in 1995, and by the late 90s, the company had grown to 200 employees with a turnover of 23 million euros.
We entered the new millennium with a training centre of our own and expanded into the Chinese market, holding our first sales conference in Beijing. In 2008, we won the MX Award for best manufacturing company among German SMEs, followed by more awards and the AEO certificate in 2011, which accelerated exports. By 2013, we had exceeded the 50-million-euro turnover mark.
Today, Prof. Dr. Dieter Dresselhaus, as sole shareholder, leads the company as the second generation. Over our decades-long history, HORA has consistently grown and evolved into a highly specialised technology leader, trusted by customers and partners worldwide. Ralf Schulze has served as Managing Director since 2016, joined by Oliver Wehking in 2019.

 

The People Behind Hora’s Success

Our team of around 300 dedicated employees and trainees is the heart of our company. Engineers make up 30% of our workforce, bringing technical expertise and practical experience. Across departments, our specialists continually expand their knowledge through regular training, ensuring you’ll always have a knowledgeable contact for your needs. 

Partnerships Building Lasting Connections. 

Our network of customers, partners, and suppliers is expanding around the world. We collaborate closely with research facilities and scientific institutes, staying connected to technological advancements and integrating new insights into our product development. This helps ensure that our valves and actuators will continue to meet market demands for years to come.

Business Management

Business Management

Ralf Schulze and Oliver Wehking

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