Horst Paulmann
Horst Paulmann Kemna | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 March 1935 Germany |
| Died | 11 March 2025 (aged 89) Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Founder and chairman of Cencosud |
Horst Paulmann Kemna (22 March 1935 – 11 March 2025) was a German-Chilean entrepreneur and billionaire, recognized as the founder and chairman of Cencosud, which stands as Chile's largest retail enterprise and ranks third across Latin America. As reported by Forbes in July 2022, his net worth was valued at approximately US$2.3 billion.
Background
Paulmann was born to Werner Paulmann, an SS-Obersturmbannführer, and Hilde Kemna. After World War II, to avoid the repercussions of the Nuremberg trials, his family left Germany, traveling through Italy and Argentina before finally establishing themselves in Chile in 1950.
At the age of thirteen, Paulmann took on work as a telephone operator in Buenos Aires and later engaged in crafting wooden toys. The family eventually settled in Temuco, Chile, where his father managed franchise roles at Club Alemán and Club de La Unión. In 1952, they acquired a local eatery named Las Brisas, transforming it into a supermarket. Following the passing of his father, Horst along with his brother Jürgen Paulmann embarked on expanding supermarket operations, inaugurating their initial hypermarket on Av. Kennedy—a 4,000-square-meter facility—which laid the groundwork for what would become Cencosud.
Horst Paulmann fathered three children with Helga Koepfer: Manfred, Peter, and Heike. Later in 2018, he had another son, Hans Dieter Paulmann Bischof, with his partner Katherine Bischof Sepúlveda. He passed away in Germany on 11 March 2025 at the age of 89.
Career
On 10 November 1978, Horst Paulmann established Cencosud and assumed the roles of CEO and chairman. The company employs more than 150,000 individuals throughout Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Its portfolio includes supermarket brands such as Jumbo, Santa Isabel, Disco, Vea, Gbarbosa, Prezunic, Bretas, Perini, and Wong. Additionally, Cencosud operates department stores like (París and Johnson's), home improvement outlets (Easy and Blaisten), shopping centers, as well as credit businesses that have issued over 4.3 million credit cards.
Among its flagship developments is the Costanera Center complex, which boasts South America's tallest skyscraper at 300 meters height, accompanied by a six-level shopping mall, a hotel, and office towers.
Cencosud became publicly traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange in 2004 and later listed on the NYSE in 2011. The Paulmann family continues to be the principal shareholders; Manfred, Peter, and Heike Paulmann Koepfer serve on the board while actively participating in succession planning.
Criticism
In 2012, revelations surfaced regarding Horst Paulmann’s father’s involvement with the Nazi regime; however, Paulmann himself never publicly addressed these disclosures. Official records describe Werner Paulmann as a former Wehrmacht soldier who fled to Argentina to evade capture.
Paulmann has also been criticized for alleged connections to the German cult settlement known as Colonia Dignidad, infamous for torture practices; products from this site were reportedly sold in Cencosud stores and featured in promotional videos filmed there. Additionally, he was noted for expressing admiration toward Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. A scheduled speech by Paulmann at the Kassel Lions Club in 2012 was ultimately canceled due to protests.
Cencosud has faced scrutiny over its labor policies for compensating workers at minimum wage levels for many years and for enforcing strict disciplinary measures against employees—including surveillance practices and sanctioning arrests. The company’s history of large-scale layoffs during economic downturns has further intensified criticism concerning its treatment of staff.
Other engagements
Paulmann held the position of president for the Argentina–Chile Permanent Binational Business Board and was actively involved as a member of the Argentine Business Association. Additionally, he served on the boards of the Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce as well as the Chilean Chamber of Commerce.
Honors
- Entrepreneur of the Year, Diario Financiero (2012)
- World Entrepreneur of The Year, Ernst & Young (2012)
- Konex Award for Service and Commerce Entrepreneur (2008)
- Chilean–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Member of the Year (2007)
- University Extension Award, Universidad Mayor (2006)
- People and Development Distinction Award, Percade Congress (2006)
- Granted Chilean citizenship by grace (2005)
- ICARE Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2005)
- ASA Salvador D’Anna Award for Best Retail Entrepreneur - Argentina (2005)
- Commander degree decoration from Orden de Mayo - Argentina (2004)
- Diego Portales Award recognizing Outstanding Entrepreneurship (2004)