1921
Founded in
4th
Generation
250
employees
That's
JENZ
As a family-owned company, JENZ is a leading manufacturer of biomass-producing machines. With around 250 employees, we develop and produce state-of-the-art machines that are used for the efficient shredding of wood and green waste as well as biogas substrates. The result is sustainable biomass products for further energy use, which means that we are making an important contribution to the development of bioenergy as a supporting pillar of the energy transition.
Our actions are characterised by two key features: a sustainable approach to the environment and economic benefits for our customers. As a family-run company, we stand for the values that have made us strong over decades: quality, innovation and sustainability.
JENZ GenerationS
TODAY
Hans Heinrich Hermeier
Elisabeth Holland and Hans Heinrich Hermeier join the management of JENZ GmbH on 1 July 2021. Elisabeth Holland will leave this position on 1 July 2024, but will remain with the company as an authorised signatory and Head of Human Resources and Marketing.
Elisabeth Holland and Hans Heinrich Hermeier join the management of JENZ GmbH on 1 July 2021. Elisabeth Holland will leave this position on 1 July 2024, but will remain with the company as an authorised signatory and Head of Human Resources and Marketing.
3rd Generation
Anna Hermeier and
Uwe Hempen-Hermeier
Dipl. Oec. Uwe Hempen-Hermeier, son-in-law of Wilhelm and Therese Hermeier, becomes managing director of JENZ GmbH in 1992. His wife Anna Hermeier is the authorised signatory in charge of human resources and accounting.
Uwe Hempen-Hermeier
Dipl. Oec. Uwe Hempen-Hermeier, son-in-law of Wilhelm and Therese Hermeier, becomes managing director of JENZ GmbH in 1992. His wife Anna Hermeier is the authorised signatory in charge of human resources and accounting.
2nd Generation
Maria Therese Hermeier and
Wilhelm Hermeier
Dip. Ing. Wilhelm Hermeier, son-in-law of Hans Jenz, takes over the management of JENZ GmbH in 1955. His wife Maria Therese Hermeier (née Jenz) is responsible for bookkeeping.
Wilhelm Hermeier
Dip. Ing. Wilhelm Hermeier, son-in-law of Hans Jenz, takes over the management of JENZ GmbH in 1955. His wife Maria Therese Hermeier (née Jenz) is responsible for bookkeeping.
1st Generation
Hans Jenz and
Marie Jenz
Hans Jenz founded the company as a village smithy on Wegholmer Straße on 6 January 1921.
Marie Jenz
Hans Jenz founded the company as a village smithy on Wegholmer Straße on 6 January 1921.
HistorY
More than 100 years ago, Hans Jenz founded a smithy. These earliest beginnings and the following generations resulted in an internationally active family business that develops and produces innovative wood shredding and biomass processing machinery.
Discover our history: From a smithy to market leader.
1921
Founding
On 6 January 1921, Hans Jenz establishes a smithy at our present location in Wegholm, Friedewalde. The master blacksmith specialises in the manufacture of small agricultural implements and carriages.
On 6 January 1921, Hans Jenz establishes a smithy at our present location in Wegholm, Friedewalde. The master blacksmith specialises in the manufacture of small agricultural implements and carriages.
The 1940s
The first gear rack tipper
The first tipper with gear rack for agriculture is built and receives an award from the German Agricultural Society (DLG).
The first tipper with gear rack for agriculture is built and receives an award from the German Agricultural Society (DLG).
The 1950s
The first generational change & the invention of the inertia brake
In 1955, Wilhelm Hermeier, son-in-law of Hans Jenz, takes over the management of JENZ GmbH. Unknown to many: Wilhelm Hermeier invented the inertia brake for trailers and is named as the inventor in the 1956 patent specification. Find out more: Click here.
Entering the wood processing market
In 1959, JENZ builds the first stationary wood chipper. The machine has a horizontal intake and is used in veneer mills.
In 1955, Wilhelm Hermeier, son-in-law of Hans Jenz, takes over the management of JENZ GmbH. Unknown to many: Wilhelm Hermeier invented the inertia brake for trailers and is named as the inventor in the 1956 patent specification. Find out more: Click here.
Entering the wood processing market
In 1959, JENZ builds the first stationary wood chipper. The machine has a horizontal intake and is used in veneer mills.
The 1970s
The first mobile chipper & building international relations
In cooperation with the Finnish company Algol, the first JENZ mobile chipper is created, mounted on a forwarder with a 220 kW Scania diesel engine.
In cooperation with the Finnish company Algol, the first JENZ mobile chipper is created, mounted on a forwarder with a 220 kW Scania diesel engine.
The 1980s
Changed company focus
With the entry of Dipl. Oec. Uwe Hempen-Hermeier (son-in-law of Wilhelm and Therese Hermeier) into the company, the focus changes to mobile waste shredders for separately collected garden and green waste.
The first waste shredder
JENZ builds the first waste shredder in 1986 (image).
In 1989, the AZ 50 followed with more than 300 hp, the most powerful machine of its kind at the time.
With the entry of Dipl. Oec. Uwe Hempen-Hermeier (son-in-law of Wilhelm and Therese Hermeier) into the company, the focus changes to mobile waste shredders for separately collected garden and green waste.
The first waste shredder
JENZ builds the first waste shredder in 1986 (image).
In 1989, the AZ 50 followed with more than 300 hp, the most powerful machine of its kind at the time.
The 1990s
The first mobile chipper with PTO drive
In the aftermath of the 1997 World Climate Conference, biomass is gaining importance as a renewable energy source. In Germany, the EEG leads to an increasing demand for machines for processing woody biomass. Mobile chippers are developing into the company's second mainstay. In 1992, the first PTO-driven mobile chipper is built: the HEM 25 (image).
The second generational change
In the same year, Uwe Hempen-Hermeier takes over the management of the company. His specific focus is on sustainability, quality and economic efficiency.
In the aftermath of the 1997 World Climate Conference, biomass is gaining importance as a renewable energy source. In Germany, the EEG leads to an increasing demand for machines for processing woody biomass. Mobile chippers are developing into the company's second mainstay. In 1992, the first PTO-driven mobile chipper is built: the HEM 25 (image).
The second generational change
In the same year, Uwe Hempen-Hermeier takes over the management of the company. His specific focus is on sustainability, quality and economic efficiency.
2000 - 2005
Market leader in Germany
In 2002, JENZ first becomes market leader in heavy mobile chippers and builds the HEM 1000 (image), the strongest mobile chipper in Europe at the time.
TÜV certification
The first certification follows in 2005: DIN ISO 9001
In 2002, JENZ first becomes market leader in heavy mobile chippers and builds the HEM 1000 (image), the strongest mobile chipper in Europe at the time.
TÜV certification
The first certification follows in 2005: DIN ISO 9001
2006 - 2010
New products and technologies
The first chipper truck-driven by a carrier tractor is delivered. New technologies such as the TwinGear drive concept and conveyor discharge on PTO chippers are introduced.
Production expansion & founding of JENZ Austria
Production expands by 1,000 m2.
The JENZ subsidiary is founded in Austria.
TÜV certification
Certification according to DIN ISO 14001.
The first chipper truck-driven by a carrier tractor is delivered. New technologies such as the TwinGear drive concept and conveyor discharge on PTO chippers are introduced.
Production expansion & founding of JENZ Austria
Production expands by 1,000 m2.
The JENZ subsidiary is founded in Austria.
TÜV certification
Certification according to DIN ISO 14001.
2011 - 2015
New products and technologies
The easy striker system for biomass processors is introduced and patented. The presentation of the JENZ Cobra with rotating and elevating driver's cab and dual engine technology sets new standards in terms of operator friendliness.
Investments and expansion
JENZ continues to expand: Construction of a new logistics hall, a TÜV-approved brake test stand and a new surface treatment centre.
Carbon-neutral across the board
The expansion of the photovoltaic system leads to first energy self-sufficiency in 2012, which is maintained until today.
The easy striker system for biomass processors is introduced and patented. The presentation of the JENZ Cobra with rotating and elevating driver's cab and dual engine technology sets new standards in terms of operator friendliness.
Investments and expansion
JENZ continues to expand: Construction of a new logistics hall, a TÜV-approved brake test stand and a new surface treatment centre.
Carbon-neutral across the board
The expansion of the photovoltaic system leads to first energy self-sufficiency in 2012, which is maintained until today.
2016 - 2020
New products and technologies
These include, among others: Chippertruck 2.0 with automatic transmission, introduction of the easy2 machine control system, further development of the biomass processor (BA) series, e.g. with laterally swivelling discharge conveyor (image).
New construction
Completion of the new reception and office building and the hall for machine handovers to customers.
JENZ Professional Days & Open House
Successful JENZ Professional Days with around 800 invited guests and over 2,500 visitors for the open house day.
These include, among others: Chippertruck 2.0 with automatic transmission, introduction of the easy2 machine control system, further development of the biomass processor (BA) series, e.g. with laterally swivelling discharge conveyor (image).
New construction
Completion of the new reception and office building and the hall for machine handovers to customers.
JENZ Professional Days & Open House
Successful JENZ Professional Days with around 800 invited guests and over 2,500 visitors for the open house day.
2021 to date
100th company anniversary & still market leader in Europe
In 2021, JENZ celebrates its 100th anniversary and is considered a hidden champion: JENZ is the market leader in Europe in the niche market for mobile machines used to process woody biomass.
The third generational change
The siblings and great-grandchildren of the company founder, Elisabeth Holland and Hans Heinrich Hermeier join the management in the same year and now lead the company in its fourth generation.
In 2021, JENZ celebrates its 100th anniversary and is considered a hidden champion: JENZ is the market leader in Europe in the niche market for mobile machines used to process woody biomass.
The third generational change
The siblings and great-grandchildren of the company founder, Elisabeth Holland and Hans Heinrich Hermeier join the management in the same year and now lead the company in its fourth generation.
