Reinhold Würth
Reinhold Würth | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 20, 1935 Öhringen, Germany |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Known for | Expanding Würth Group into multinational corporation |
| Notable work | Founder and chairman of Würth Group |
Reinhold Würth (born 20 April 1935) is a German entrepreneur who expanded his father's screw distribution business into the international Würth Group, which achieved €19.9 billion in revenue in 2022. As of November 2024, Forbes assessed his fortune at $33.6 billion, ranking him as the 45th wealthiest individual worldwide.
Life
Early Years
Reinhold, son of Adolf Würth—who established a screw wholesaling company in 1945—left formal education at age 14 to begin an apprenticeship within the family enterprise.
Career Development
Following the death of his father in 1954, Würth assumed control of the company in 1956 and transformed it from a regional supplier into a multinational corporation serving commercial and industrial sectors. He expanded by acquiring screw manufacturing firms and initiating international operations, launching the first overseas branch in the Netherlands in 1962.
By 2020, the Würth Group encompassed over 400 subsidiaries across more than 80 countries, with revenues totaling €14.4 billion. Würth withdrew from daily management duties in 1994 but continued as chairman of the advisory board until 2006. To ensure long-term corporate continuity, he established four family foundations in 1987 and led their Supervisory Board until December 31, 2024, when his grandson Benjamin Würth took over. Since 2006, his daughter Bettina has served as chair of the advisory board.
Together with his spouse Carmen, he founded the nonprofit Würth Foundation in 1987. Würth holds the honorary designation Prof. Dr. h. c. mult..
Tax Controversy
In 2008, allegations arose accusing Würth of tax evasion concerning cost allocations between domestic and foreign subsidiaries. He resolved the matter by reimbursing owed taxes and paying fines amounting to approximately €3.5 million; the conviction was annulled in 2012. Authorities emphasized that no personal enrichment was involved. Subsequently, Würth obtained Austrian citizenship and contemplated moving the company headquarters to Switzerland but ultimately abandoned these plans due to logistical challenges and family opposition.
Financial Status
Würth is counted among Germany’s wealthiest families; Forbes ranked him and his family 47th globally in 2024 with an estimated net worth of $27.5 billion, while Business Insider estimated it at around €33.54 billion.
Family
Married since 1956 to Carmen Würth, they have three children and primarily reside at Hermersberg Castle near Niedernhall. The family practices the New Apostolic Church faith. Würth owns an additional home in Salzburg and previously piloted private aircraft as a licensed commercial pilot.
In 2015, his son with intellectual disabilities was abducted but later released unharmed; however, the accused was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Family Roles within the Company
Daughter Bettina Würth joined the business and has led the advisory board since 2006. Grandson Benjamin Würth was appointed CEO of Würth International AG in 2019 and succeeded Reinhold as chairman of the Foundation Supervisory Board in 2025. Cousin Sebastian Würth manages the Offshore Division and serves on the advisory board. Granddaughter Maria Würth participates on the art advisory board of the Würth Foundation, overseeing its museums and galleries.
See also
External links
- 1935 births
- Living people
- People from Öhringen
- Businesspeople from Baden-Württemberg
- 20th-century German businesspeople
- 21st-century German businesspeople
- German billionaires
- German industrialists
- Knights of the Legion of Honour
- Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Recipients of the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
- Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau
- Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres