Jacob Hofman
The man who kept the factory in Stadskanaal, paints the palaces and took Hofman to 12th place in the Paint500.
Started on the dispersion line
To run the factory, you have to know what it smells like at four in the morning.
Jacob Hofman studied chemical engineering and started on the dispersion line in Stadskanaal in 1998, working shifts. Not because he had to — because his father believed you may only lead a paint factory once you have released a batch yourself, and rejected one yourself.
He took over from his father in 2011 and led the move to Hofman Paint LLC in 2019, holding to one condition: production and the laboratory stay in Stadskanaal.
Under his leadership, decorative finishes in the Middle East grew from four to twenty-two per cent of revenue, and Hofman climbed from 31st to 12th in the Paint500. He also sits on the board of the trade association for paint and printing ink manufacturers.
From shipyard boy to Paint500
Hofman senior starts on the Stadskanaal with marine paint for the Groningen shipyards.
Hofman receives the warrant and takes on the maintenance of the Royal palaces.
After studying chemical engineering, Jacob starts working shifts on the dispersion line.
Jacob becomes responsible for production and the laboratory, and introduces the batch tracing the company still uses.
Jacob takes over from his father. First decision: digitise the colour archive, down to the 1975 formulations.
The international group is formed, with offices in Dubai and São Paulo. Jacob's condition: production and lab stay in Stadskanaal.
The highest ranking ever — and the highest for a family business of this size.
Three questions for Jacob
Why is the factory still in Stadskanaal?
“Because paint is people's work. Half of our staff have been here for more than ten years; you don't relocate that knowledge. And honestly: I live around the corner. If line 2 stops, I'm standing next to it within ten minutes.”
What do you still do on the factory floor yourself?
“Every Thursday morning at seven I join the batch release in the lab. Not to check up — the lab staff are better than I am — but because that is where you hear what is really going on. The best investment decisions were made at that table.”
What is the best paint Hofman ever made?
“H-27 Court Blue. The formulation is my father's, from 1986, and it is still on the palaces. When I drive past, I still glance at the window frames. Occupational hazard.”
“My father used to say: a tin of paint is a promise in a can. That is still how we run this company.”
An appointment with Jacob?
For press enquiries, speaking requests and strategic partnerships: contact our office in Stadskanaal.