Regional B2B distributor for plumbing, heating, and building systems
Hempelmann is a mid-sized German distributor supplying plumbing, heating, climate control, roofing, and electrical trades. The tech stack is traditional (SAP FI, Microsoft 365, Aruba/Cisco infrastructure) with no active modernization — typical for a logistics-heavy wholesale business. Hiring has decelerated to 1 role in the last 30 days across a lean finance-focused headcount mix, suggesting operational consolidation rather than growth mode.
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Hildesheim, Hempelmann operates as an owner-led partnership serving professional trade contractors across Germany. The company distributes across seven trade categories: plumbing, heating, installation, climate/ventilation, roofing, tools, and electrical. Distribution reaches customers through 18 rapid-pickup locations (ABEXen) and dedicated same-day or twice-daily delivery via company-owned fleet. The business model sits between suppliers and trade practitioners, supported by an ELEMENTS showroom for direct customer consultation.
Three-tier distributor model: supplier → Hempelmann (18 pickup points + 2x daily delivery) → trade contractors, plus direct customer consultation via ELEMENTS showroom.
Seven core trades: plumbing, heating, installation, climate/ventilation, roofing, tools, and electrical systems, with focus on sustainable and renewable building technologies.