An era is coming to an end.

Joachim Lauktien, founder of our company HMC Europe GmbH, stepped down from the management board of HMC Europe GmbH on 24th of September 2025 and is now enjoying his well-earned retirement.

He founded the company in 2002. What began as a one-man operation developed organically and steadily over the years into an increasingly large company. In the mid-2010s, Joachim Lauktien began to withdraw more and more from the operational side of the business. He was always able to rely on his loyal employees, above all his long-standing procurator, Mrs. Karin Gabis.

In 2019, Joachim Lauktien's son Maximilian Lauktien joined him in the management team – and the management is now being handed over to him completely.

Maximilian Lauktien comments with a smile: "We are very grateful to our founder – my father – for everything he has done for our company! From the very beginning, he understood how to run a successful and forward-looking business. This is one of the main reasons why our company is so solid and, above all, debt-free. Handing over your own company, which you founded yourself and built up single-handedly despite all the adversities, is not an easy step, and I am grateful for the trust my father has placed in me. Of course, I am very pleased to be able to further develop the company and position it for the future. We will continue to be the reliable partner for our customers and business partners that we have always been – customer focus was, is and will always be a cornerstone of our company."