We assume responsibility for society

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We assume responsibility for society

Putting people at the centre. Investing in relationships. Maintaining respectful relations with one another. These have always been part of the HORNBACH principles and our DNA. Being open to each other, to issues and needs, and listening to one another is not always easy in the face of the many challenges of everyday work life. Nevertheless, it is now more important than ever to come together and strengthen community. Our goal is to create the conditions in which employees can realise their potential.

“We take care of each other – our customers, colleagues, and society equally. We want to be the most humane retailer.”

Social engagement

At HORNBACH, we believe that success is something to be shared. That is why we pass on part of our business success to society. As a company, we want to be an important part of society. We are particularly committed to the communities where we live and work, whether it is through support for clubs, kindergartens, or cooperation with municipalities.

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We have a key focus on children and young people

Our commitment to society is not limited to the work performed by our People in Need Foundation. HORNBACH supports the work of many local associations and organizations at and around our locations. When selecting projects, we generally grant priority to projects offering long-term benefits to children and young people. Environmental protection and heritage conservation are two other areas in which our company is active to the benefit of society.

You can find further information (in German) about our commitment to children and young people here.
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HORNBACH foundation “Menschen in Not”

In 2002, HORNBACH demonstrated its social responsibility by establishing the HORNBACH Foundation „Menschen in Not“ in response to the floods in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, which also affected employees of the family-owned business. The foundation was established with the help of the Hornbach family, the HORNBACH Group, as well as donations from employees and business partners, and 1 million euros were deposited into the foundation.

The foundation helps people who have fallen into need, mostly through no fault of their own, both within and outside the company, in a very pragmatic and uncomplicated way. Thus we were able to quickly take action after the floods in 2021 in several federal states of Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

The board of our foundation consists of four members who work on a voluntary basis. The members of the board of trustees are part of the company, as are the administrative staff of our foundation. Donations to the foundation directly benefit people in need. The company matches the employee donations received each year.

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We have a particular commitment to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region

To promote the development of the region in which we live and work, our contribution is not only financial but also involves our personnel resources. Key characteristics of our region include its economic strength and scientific innovation. It is a strong motor of growth for the whole country. You can find out more at the homepage of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.

As a member of the Association of the European Metropolitan Region of Rhein-Neckar (MRN), our group strengthens the region. The goal is to promote the attractiveness, innovation, and economic strength of the region and to promote it as a multiplier to the outside world. Albrecht Hornbach, Chairman of the Board of HORNBACH Management AG, has been active in the board of the Future Metropolitan Region of Rhein-Neckar Association since 2009.

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Memorial site for victims of National Socialism in Neustadt

“Remember, commemorate, learn” – this is the motto of a memorial site for victims of National Socialism was established in the former Turenne Barracks in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. The HORNBACH Group, which has owned this barracks complex – now the Quartier Hornbach – since 2001, was aware that these circumstances demanded a special approach.

In order to prevent this past from being forgotten, HORNBACH provided the former prison of the barracks to the sponsoring association as a memorial site and financially supported its development. As the only preserved early concentration camp of its kind in Rhineland-Palatinate, this memorial site is a rarity and is worth a visit. HORNBACH supports the work of the memorial site both in terms of personnel – with a company representative on the board of the association and the board of trustees – and financially.

Committed to the culture of remembrance (in German)
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Further information on the memorial for victims of National Socialism (in German)
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Our employees are close to our heart

We are convinced that highly motivated and loyal employees are the basis of our company’s success. In particular, the sales staff and advisors at our DIY stores and garden centers and builders’ merchant outlets play a crucial role in determining our customers’ satisfaction. For HORNBACH, a corporate culture characterized by transparent communications, appreciation, and diversity is therefore a prerequisite for ensuring a high level of employee commitment. 

As a Group with operations across Europe and employees from more than 100 countries, it is important for us to create a working climate that is free of prejudice. Ethnic origin, gender, age, physical disabilities, and religious affiliation are not important to us: The only qualities that count are specialist expertise, commitment, and team spirit.

Equal opportunities and diversity

HORNBACH believes in the power of diversity. It is an important aspect for economic success. That’s why we promote the social, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our employees and try to use it for the benefit of the company. At HORNBACH, more than 25,000 people from over 100 countries work together. Employees of different backgrounds and experiences enrich our teams and our company. This creates more customer proximity, creativity, and innovation, thus making a valuable contribution to the future sustainability of our company.

Our employee’s health

Health protection is an established part of everyday company life, from the introduction of suitable prevention measures to the monitoring of their effectiveness, to identifying the causes of accidents. Not least also due to the challenging situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, the mental health of our employees has also come into focus. The company’s goal is explicitly not only the physical integrity of the workforce, but also their mental wellbeing.

HORNBACH is an attractive employer

HORNBACH is convinced that all business relationships are based on trust. Trust is a core message in the HORNBACH Foundation and thus shapes our work relationships. Fair remuneration is a component of any trust-based work relationship. HORNBACH offers its employees (full-time and part-time) a range of additional benefits in all nine countries where it operates, part-time models are implemented throughout the group. Furthermore, we strive to provide flexible working time arrangements, within the organisational and legal framework, for all our employees – wether at the stores of HORNBACH Baumarkt AG, at the branches of HORNBACH Baustoff Union GmbH or at the Group’s administrative locations.

Given our strategic focus on project customers at our DIY stores and garden centers and on commercial customers at our builders’ merchant outlets, we have a great requirement for well-informed employees who are able to competently support our customers in complex construction and renovation projects.

High-quality advice and service play a key role in determining the satisfaction of our customers and the Group’s business performance and situation. To retain a large number of experienced employees at the company is therefore a further declared aim of HORNBACH. Both the company and its customers benefit from the longstanding experience these employees have of HORNBACH’s product range and services.

Given low unemployment rates across large parts of Europe, recruiting new employees is a challenge. As well as ensuring good working conditions, it is therefore essential for us to provide all employees with attractive opportunities for further training and development.

More information on this topic can be found in our Non-Financial Corporate Statement.

More information on our flexible working time arrangements can be found here (in German)

If you would like to become part of our team, take a look at our careers page (in German)

Further Information

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guidelines

Find out more about our commitment in the latest issue of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Guidelines

The Non-Financial Report

The Non-Financial Report sets out the objectives, strategies, measures, and key figures relating to the main sustainability topics at the HORNBACH Group:

ESG-Statbook

In addition, key sustainability key figures are presented in aggregate form in our ESG Statbook:

Your contact for questions

Anna Krall
Anna Krall
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility