Reinhold Hanke was apprenticed to Baer & Maresch during 1853 - 1858. He had various jobs until he moved to Höhr in 1864, where he was briefly a modeller for Knödgen, Maxein & Company. In October 1864, he went into partnership with Ottmar Speyser to form Siderolithwaarenfabrik von Speyser und Hanke zu Höhr. After a short stint, he founded his own company in 1868. Within five years he was exhibiting abroad, including Vienna, Austria.

In 1875, the factory was visited by Kaiserin Augusta, wife of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Recognition and honours soon followed: Ernannt: Augusta, Deutsche Kaiserin und Königin von Preußen, Hoflieferant, 16/8/1876. (Appointed: Supplier to the Royal Court of Augusta, German Empress and Queen of Prussia, on the 16/8/1876.)

When Hanke died in 1886, his wife, Maria (née Krebs) ran the factory, until their sons, August (b. December 1875) & Carl (b. April 1872), were able to take over in 1901. Meanwhile August had studied at the Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur, Berlin, during 1893 and at the Munich Arts & Crafts College, through 1894. While Carl handled the marketing end, August, as designer, ran the factory. In 1912, they joined forces with S.P. Gerz, Reinhold Merkelbach, and Walter Müller to form the marketing firm Steinzeugwerke Höhr-Grenzhausen G.m.b.H. This partnership lasted for a short while. There was a disastrous fire on 1st & 2nd August 1921 after which time production was drastically reduced and they stopped supporting Steinzeugwerke Höhr Grenzhausen Gmbh . Afterwards, August Hanke continued to produce ceramics but at a very low level until his death in 1938. The damaged factories were torn down and the site was subsequently redeveloped, but Rheinstraße 17 (called Marktstraße 10 during 1935/36) was rented by Gerz-Krug- und Steinzeugmanufaktur Inhaber Jean Maas from around 1930 until 1965. The company of Reinhold Hanke remained registered at this address until around 1983. It should be noted that over his life, Reinhold Hanke was responsible for training many future stein designers.