In 1911, Jan Hoopman started out as an independent businessman.

Jan Hoopman came across an opportunity to take over a forge in IJzerlo. As well as providing services to local farmers in the neighbourhood, the company was also a port of call for German customers just across the border. 

When Bram took over the company from his father in 1955, he started a business importing and exporting agricultural goods. He imported brands such as Kemper, ITM-Irus and Gerlach.

Bram Hoopman then saw an opportunity for an invention by Heijnen, a farmer from De Heurne; a tuber picker. The idea was devised by Farmer Heijnen, then Bram developed it further. It was a roaring success, and marked the start of the Hoopman machine factory.

Together with an arable farmer in Zeeland who wanted to pack trimmed onions without tails, Bram Hoopman devised an onion topper. Together with an arable farmer in Zeeland who wanted to pack trimmed onions without tails, Bram Hoopman devised an onion topper. The product quickly became a hit worldwide. The brand name Holaras was created due to the rapid international growth. It is derived from Hoopman, the Dutch word ‘landbouwmachines’ (agricultural machinery) and the German word ‘rasieren’ (to mow). Most of the machines were sold in Germany at the time.

Two farmers from Miste were struck by the idea of spreading the grass in the silage better using mechanical means. This was further developed by Bram, together with agricultural mechanisation company Klein Nibbelink from Bredevoort. Thanks to listening carefully to feedback from users, the silage spreader has been adapted, expanded and improved several times. The silage spreader remains an indispensable tool for farmers and agricultural contractors to this day.

Jan Willem Hoopman has been working for the Hoopman companies since 1981, and became general manager. His work has been mainly on the seed technology side of the company. The company stopped trading and importing the ITM-Irus and Gelach brands and transferred them, so it could concentrate on developing, manufacturing and selling machines.

Following the success and expansion of the range of machines, the company was expanded with a factory covering no less than 2,300 m²

The manufacture of special machines for the international seed industry continued to grow. In addition to developing a unique drying process, sister company Hoopman equipment & engineering has worked on developing systems for priming and disinfecting seeds.

During the celebration of its 100th anniversary, Hoopman Machines was proud to be designated Purveyor to the Royal Court of the Netherlands.

All Hoopman equipment & engineering production facilities are fully integrated in the Hoopman Machines factory.

The sustainability of the machines and long-term employability of its employees is central to Hoopman Machines. By investing in making sure our employees can remain in useful employment in the long run, we keep them engaged, motivated and productive.

To meet the modern needs and wishes of the market, Holaras launches an e-store and an online machine configurator.