I've certainly heard of Hahnel, but not sure in what capacity (I don't own any, must have seen it in a shop somewhere).
But they're certainly not some new start-up, fly-by-night, or cheap chinese crap, take that how you will.

Not sure if this link will work, but there's a search for decent brands in a nice pricerange. I was considering the Manfrotto MK293/4 series at one point, For me they're just a little too short, a little too heavy, and carry not quite enough, but they're nice for the price (instead i'm getting a $300 Carbon Fibre tripod and $200 ballhead, that's the price you pay for 'a little bit better'...)