100 Years of Accessories History
What began in 1923 with the production of photo accessories and packaging for photochemicals, later complemented by wholesale trade in laboratory equipment, continues to shape the world of accessories to this day. In its anniversary year 2023, Hama offers around 18,000 products in its portfolio.
Hama has been a family-owned company since 1923. After the death of the founder, his son Rudolf Hanke and son-in-law Adolf Thomas took over management, joined in 1987 by the founder’s grandson Christoph Thomas. In September 2015, the shareholders transferred their shares in “Hama Hamaphot Hanke & Thomas GmbH & Co KG” to the “Adolf and Christoph Thomas Foundation” and the “Martin and Rudolf Hanke Foundation”. The motivation behind this decision was the conviction that a company is not property but a responsibility.
Martin Hanke
Martin Hanke led Hama from its founding in 1923 until his death in 1958.
Rudolf Hanke and Adolf Thomas
After Martin Hanke’s death, Rudolf Hanke and Adolf Thomas took over management in 1959.
Wolfgang Notnagel and Hans Seidl
Wolfgang Notnagel (1966–1990) and Managing Director Hans Seidl (1981–2007) actively contributed to Hama’s success and growth over decades. The same applies to Paul Esmann (1977–2013), who established the product management team at Hama, now comprising more than 120 members, and led it for over three decades.
Christoph Thomas joined the company in 1987 and became a member of the Executive Board in 1993.
Adolf Thomas
In February 2002, Hama GmbH & Co KG mourned the loss of its chief executive Adolf Thomas.
Christoph Thomas, Elena Hanke, Rudolf Hanke and Oliver Hanke
In 2015, partners Christoph Thomas, Elena Hanke, Rudolf Hanke and Oliver Hanke transferred their shares to the foundations.
Rudolf Hanke
On his 80th birthday, November 28, 2017, Rudolf Hanke announced his retirement from active business life.
Christian Sokcevic
In 2020, Christian Sokcevic was appointed Managing Director of Hama GmbH & Co KG. He manages the company together with Christoph Thomas, Chairman of the Board.
Management: Thomas Kopp, Roland Handschiegel, Christoph Thomas, Jörg Hempen, Maximilian Bartl, Christian Sell-Maier
Executive team 2023: Thomas Kopp, Roland Handschiegel, Christoph Thomas, Jörg Hempen, Maximilian Bartl, Christian Sell-Maier and Christian Sokcevic.