The Heraeus family owns one of the world’s leading international technology and materials companies, Heraeus Holding. Headquartered in Hanau, Germany, the Heraeus portfolio includes operations in the environmental, energy, electronics, health, mobility and industrial applications sectors. With more than 13,000 employees, it generates over $24 billion in yearly revenue.
Pharmacist and chemist Wilhelm Carl Heraeus founded the business after taking over his father’s pharmacy in 1851. The company grew into prominence with Wilhelm’s innovative technique of melting a much sought-after metal, platinum, in an oxyhydrogen gas flame.
At the end of the 19th century, Dr Wilhelm Heraeus and Heinrich Heraeus inherited the business from their father. The family’s third generation joined the business in the 1920s when cousin Reinhard Heraeus took over management of the company’s business affairs. Representing the family’s fourth generation, Dr Jürgen Heraeus, Reinhard’s son, assumed the leadership role of the company in 1983. Under Jürgen’s stewardship, the company bloomed globally, and the founding of Heraeus Holding GmbH was established in 1985. Today, Dr Jürgen Heraeus is Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Shareholders Committee of Heraeus Holding GmbH. He also served as Chairman of the German United Nations Children Fund for ten years.
