Hesse

Hesse GmbH & Co. KG, widely known by its product brand Hesse Lignal, is a German manufacturer of professional coating solutions headquartered in Hamm, Westphalia. Founded in 1910 by the cousins Fritz and Karl Hesse, the company has remained in family ownership for more than a century and is today led by members of the fourth generation. Its core business is the development and production of lacquers, oils and stains, with a particular focus on water-based and sustainable coating systems for wood and wood-based materials. The company also supplies specialty coatings suitable for glass, plastic and metal. Hesse serves two main customer groups: industrial manufacturers and skilled trades such as joiners and carpenters. For industry, the company offers radiation-curing systems (UV lacquers, excimer, electron-beam curing) and water-based lacquers (1K, 2K and water-UV), aimed at efficient series production of wood materials, paper and plastic films. For the trades, it provides products and services designed to achieve high-quality surfaces in joinery and carpentry work. The company also offers coating services and expert support for architectural and fit-out projects. The Lignal brand has been used since the company's founding and derives from the Latin word for wood, lignum, combined with the word signal. It has become so established that Hesse Lignal is often mistaken for the company name itself. The product portfolio includes PUR and CN lacquers, UV, water and water-UV lacquers, stains, oils and waxes. Environmentally friendly and solvent-free products represent a growing share of the range; the Pro Terra line, introduced in 1996, is based on renewable raw materials. According to the company, around 100 tonnes of lacquers and stains are produced daily in Hamm based on roughly 45,000 formulations. Hesse operates internationally through subsidiaries in France, Belgium, the United States, Munich and Dubai. In Germany, the company employed around 370 people in 2023, with roughly 50 more abroad, and it also trains apprentices. The company has received recognition for its social responsibility, including an award in 2010 from the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe for exemplary workplace integration management. In recent years, Hesse has emphasized corporate communications and employer branding, launching a corporate influencer program called #lackschnacker in early 2025, with about 15 employees sharing insights on LinkedIn. Hanna Hesse, responsible for corporate communications, became CEO in January 2026, marking a generational transition in the family business.

Hesse was founded in 1910 by the cousins Fritz and Karl Hesse, who started the company with the idea of producing lacquers and stains for the woodworking industry. From the beginning, they saw these products not merely as technical necessities but as a way to harmonize with wood and highlight its natural beauty. Their forward-looking approach and commitment to innovation laid the foundation for a company that would grow through intensive research and development. The early years were marked by expansion followed by disruption. After initial production growth, the company had to nearly cease operations from late 1914 to 1919 due to mobilization during World War I. Despite these challenges, the company survived and continued to develop. Over the following decades, Hesse established itself as a chemical company specializing in coatings for wood and wood-based materials. The Lignal brand, used since the company's founding, became a central part of its identity. The name combines the Latin word for wood, lignum, with the word signal, reflecting the company's focus on making wood surfaces stand out. The brand became so well known that Hesse Lignal is frequently assumed to be the company name itself. In 1996, Hesse introduced the Pro Terra product line, which guarantees production based on purely renewable raw materials, reflecting a growing emphasis on environmental friendliness and solvent-free products. By the 2020s, the company was producing around 100 tonnes of lacquers and stains daily in Hamm, based on approximately 45,000 formulations. Hesse has remained a family-owned business throughout its history. In the 2020s, it was led by managing partners Hanna Hesse and Jens Hesse, representing the fourth generation. In Germany, the company employed around 370 people in 2023, with roughly 50 more abroad, and it also trained about 20 apprentices. It operates through five subsidiaries located in France, Belgium, the United States, Munich and Dubai. In 2010, the company received an award from the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) for exemplary workplace integration management. In early 2025, Hesse launched a corporate influencer program called #lackschnacker, with about 15 employees sharing authentic insights on LinkedIn. In January 2026, Hanna Hesse, previously responsible for corporate communications, became CEO, marking a generational transition in the family business.

• 2026

  Hanna Hesse became CEO in January, marking a generational transition.

• 2025

  Launched #lackschnacker corporate influencer program with about 15 employees on LinkedIn.

• 2023

  Employed around 370 people in Germany and about 50 abroad; operated five subsidiaries.

• 2010

  Awarded by Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) for exemplary workplace integration management.

• 1996

  Introduction of the Pro Terra product line based on purely renewable raw materials.

• 1914

  First expansion buildings become necessary; production nearly halted from late 1914 to 1919 due to World War I mobilization.

• 1910

  Founded by cousins Fritz and Karl Hesse to produce lacquers and stains for the woodworking industry.

Specialist for professional coating solutions with a focus on sustainable, water-based lacquers for wood and wood-based materials, serving both industry and skilled trades.

• PUR lacquers

  Polyurethane lacquers for professional wood coating.

• CN lacquers

  Nitrocellulose lacquers for wood surfaces.

• UV lacquers

  Radiation-curing lacquers for industrial series production.

• Water-based lacquers

  1K and 2K water-based lacquers, including water-UV systems.

• Stains

  Wood stains for enhancing natural wood appearance.

• Oils and waxes

  Oils and waxes for wood surface treatment.

• Pro Terra line

  Product line based on purely renewable raw materials, introduced in 1996.

• Excimer and ESH coatings

  Specialty coatings for excimer and electron-beam curing processes.

1. 1Hesse Lignal | Lacke, Öle & Beizen für professionelle Verwenderhesse-lignal.com
2. 2Hesse Historie - Über 100 Jahre Qualität, Fortschritt und Vertrauenhesse-lignal.com
3. 3#lackschnacker: Markenbotschafter bei Hesse Lignalhesse-lignal.com
4. 4Hesse (Hamm) - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Hesse - Wikidatawikidata.org