Martin Meier – The Building Family.

Convincing solutions, uncompromising quality, and a living tradition of craftsmanship: As a fifth-generation, family-owned company, these values form the foundation of the Martin Meier Group. With over 200 employees across nine business sectors – construction, project development, residential construction, commercial construction, building renovation, construction material trade, building component trade, ready-mix concrete plant, and property management – the family business offers a comprehensive range of modern building and living solutions, all from a single source, in the Eichstätt and Ingolstadt regions.

During an intensive, multi-year planning phase for the new headquarters in the Preith/Eichstätt industrial area, HAUFF focused on the design of the professional trade market, workplace and counter planning, as well as the showroom construction.

The result is a milestone for both long-standing companies, Martin Meier and HAUFF, in terms of architectural achievements and product presentation, with each product category emphasizing different key aspects.

The first positive impressions from showroom visitors and the steadily increasing foot traffic validate the investment decision. They also encourage forward-thinking, even in uncertain times, with the goal of turning today’s prospects into tomorrow’s loyal customers.

Here is the interview with Andreas Meier, the fifth-generation owner and CEO of the Martin Meier Group:

The Martin Meier Group is a long-standing company from Eichstätt with a broad range of services. Essentially, you cover the entire construction portfolio. Where do you see your most important areas of focus?

Our largest area of focus is the construction material trade. However, it's difficult to rank our areas of focus in terms of importance because our strength lies in the synergy between the different sectors, allowing us to leverage efficiencies across the business.

Which product ranges do you primarily showcase?

Historically, our product focus has been on doors and construction elements. With the new location, we’ve expanded into a full-service provider for building and living solutions. Since the move, our customers can now explore products beyond construction elements and landscaping, such as tiles and flooring.

What was your goal for the new location?

At the new location, we’ve become more efficient and can offer greater convenience to our customers—since all aspects of the company are now consolidated in one place.

In terms of the showroom, our primary goal was inspiration: we wanted to create a space where people can experience the worlds of building and living.

The showroom allows customers to explore all product ranges at their leisure, touch materials, and receive personalized advice in a modern and pleasant atmosphere.

At the same time, convenience was a key factor. With our 122-meter-long drive-in logistics hall, we not only significantly increased our storage capacity but also streamlined the order fulfillment process, making it quicker and more straightforward.

How did the process unfold from the initial idea to completion, and how long did it take?

In 2020, we requested a complete concept for the showroom and professional trade market, including office spaces—at that time, we only had an empty floor plan for the ground floor of the new building.

The final plan was ready at the beginning of 2022.

We officially opened our new location in April 2023.

How satisfied are you with the result?

We are very satisfied. HAUFF found a way to meet the various demands of our specialized departments and showcase all product ranges in the best possible way.

What are the customer reactions?

We've noticed that customers have responded very positively to the atmosphere of our showroom. Their feedback confirms that focusing on inspiration was the right choice.

In conversations with customers, they often mention how the layout of the showroom encourages them to browse and explore.

Because of the positive reception, we introduced a showroom Sunday shortly after the move—many customers have more time on Sundays and enjoy being inspired. Our outdoor landscaping display is even open 24/7.

What did you particularly enjoy about working with HAUFF?

The thoughtfulness and critical approach in developing the concepts for the showroom and trade market. Our contact person really immersed themselves in understanding our company and target audience, paying close attention to our specific needs.

HAUFF was also incredibly flexible in the design process. We worked together to refine the best solutions, ensuring a cohesive final concept, which was then successfully implemented. Communication was always smooth, with quick feedback on interim results.

Do you have a favorite piece of furniture?

Yes, the "Alex" floor cabinet for wood and parquet flooring, complete with a specialized surface sample grip rail.

What can we continue working on?

Since the opening, we've made some minor additions, such as introducing more sample surfaces and presentation options for individual components. Additionally, the journey toward a fully digital showroom is an ongoing process that we need to continue advancing together.

Any other remarks or comments?

Thank you for the collaboration and the intense personal exchange. HAUFF was always available to us and proved to be a reliable and strong partner throughout every phase of developing our showroom.