Reinhold Wurth

Reinhold Wurth Biography

Reinhold Würth is a renowned German businessman and art collector best known for transforming his father's small screw wholesaling business into the global Würth Group, a leader in the industrial supply sector. Taking over the company at the young age of 19, Würth expanded the business internationally, turning it into a multinational enterprise operating in over 80 countries with tens of thousands of employees. Besides his business achievements, he is notable for his extensive art collection and philanthropic initiatives.

Childhood

Reinhold Würth was born on April 20, 1935, in Künzelsau, a town in the Hohenlohe region of Germany. He was the son of Adolf and Alma Würth. His father founded a screw wholesale business in 1945 in Künzelsau, a company with which Reinhold was closely involved from an early age. His upbringing was influenced by his family's entrepreneurial spirit, and he received violin lessons as a child. At the age of 14, Reinhold was withdrawn from upper secondary school by his father to begin an apprenticeship in the family business, marking the start of his career path.

Education

Reinhold Würth's formal education was cut short when his father took him out of upper secondary school to apprentice in the family business. He completed his commercial training and became a wholesale and retail salesman by 1952. Despite not pursuing higher academic degrees initially, Würth earned numerous honorary doctorates later in life, acknowledging his contributions to business and culture. He also headed the Institute for Entrepreneurship at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 1999 to 2003.

Career

Reinhold Würth took over the management of the family company at 19 following the sudden death of his father in 1954. Starting with just two employees and modest annual sales, he steadily expanded the business. In 1962, Würth established the first foreign subsidiary in the Netherlands, marking the beginning of international growth. Over the following decades, the company expanded to over 400 subsidiaries in more than 80 countries worldwide. He stepped down from operational management in 1994, later serving as chairman of the advisory board and of the supervisory board for the family foundations that hold company shares. The Würth Group has become a global leader in fastening technology, serving many industrial sectors with a vast product range.

Family Life

Reinhold Würth married Carmen Linhardt in 1956. Together, they have three children and several grandchildren. The family resides primarily at Hermersberg Castle near Niedernhall, Germany, which they restored to its historical grandeur. Both Reinhold and Carmen are members of the New Apostolic Church. Würth's daughter Bettina succeeded him as chairwoman of the company's advisory board in 2006, and his grandson Benjamin took over as chairman of the supervisory board in 2025, exemplifying the family's ongoing involvement in the business.

Achievements

Würth's most notable achievement is the monumental growth of the Würth Group from a small screw wholesaler to a multinational conglomerate with revenues exceeding €14 billion. His visionary leadership, international expansion, and innovative sales techniques set new standards in the industry. Additionally, Würth is an avid art collector, amassing a collection of around 20,000 works exhibited in several museums. He and his wife founded the non-profit Würth Foundation to support arts, culture, education, and science. Würth has been honored with numerous awards, including honorary doctorates, the Great Distinguished Service Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany, and freedoms of several towns in recognition of his social contributions.

Controversies

In 2008, Würth faced allegations of tax evasion related to cost allocation between domestic and foreign subsidiaries. The Stuttgart prosecutor's office investigated him and associates, resulting in a penalty order including fines reportedly up to €3.5 million. Würth repaid the tax debt and accepted the penalties to avoid protracted legal proceedings and reputational harm. The conviction was expunged in 2012. Würth later acquired Austrian citizenship and considered relocating the company headquarters to Switzerland, although the plan was abandoned.

Reinhold Wurth Summary

Reinhold Würth is a pioneering German entrepreneur who turned a small family business into a global industrial powerhouse. His business acumen, international vision, and dedication to culture and philanthropy have made him a highly respected figure in both business and art circles. Despite minor controversies, his legacy is one of remarkable growth, family leadership continuity, and significant social contributions through his foundation and art patronage. Würth's influence extends beyond industry into cultural and educational realms, marking him as a multifaceted leader.