A "Würth-ization" 90 Years Reinhold Würth

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The dpa authors Julian Weber, Robin Wille and Oliver Schmale pay tribute here to the achievements of Reinhold Würth ...

Reinhold Würth has turned his father's two-man business into a billion-dollar group. But he has also worked on many other construction sites. Now he is celebrating another birthday. A few lines - thoughts, observations, perhaps an insight. Reinhold Würth, also known as the King of Screws, has been recording his life in diaries for decades. This is probably one of the best documented businessman biographies in Germany. After all, there is plenty to tell. Writing diaries had become a habit for him. Reinhold Würth turned his father's screw business into a global corporation that today has a turnover in the billions. Perhaps the daily writing is a basis on which a student can one day build a dissertation, Würth remarks. And on April 20, the entrepreneur, who is now one of the richest Germans, can also celebrate his 90th birthday.

In control of the joystick in every respect

Reinhold Würth's story begins on that day in 1935. After spending time at war and school, he began an apprenticeship in his father's screw wholesaler in Künzelsau in 1949. However, he did not remain an apprentice for long, as his father Adolf Würth died just five years later. The then 19-year-old took over the small business without further ado and expanded it on a grand scale over the following decades. Today, the Würth Group is the global market leader in the field of fastening and assembly technology. The product range comprises over one million products that are of interest to trade and industrial companies, among others. These include screws and dowels, but also tools and industrial safety articles, for example. Some are even manufactured in-house. More than 88,500 people worked for Würth at the last count. Würth has perhaps also been able to make his company so big because he himself is a passionate salesman. He comments: "The sales profession is the best in the whole world because you are constantly in contact with all kinds of people who live on God's earth." Incidentally, he often took the controls of an airplane on the way to his customers.

If you are rich, you should set an example of discipline!

Incidentally, one of Würth's companions is Albert Berner. The two went to school together. But later they even became rivals. The Berner Group has a similar range of products, but is much smaller. Berner began his apprenticeship as a wholesale merchant at Würth in 1952: "Because I had a driving license, I was able to join the sales force," says Berner. In the course of this, he learned how to deal with customers and how to sell from the ground up. And he also has an anecdote that connects the two! It's about a sales tour they both arranged to go on at Lake Constance. While Reinhold Würth was waiting for him, he met his wife Carmen. The two have been married since 1956. Looking back today, Würth says that he would not do anything differently, even if not all his dreams have come true. He also believes that anyone who has a lot of money should set an example of discipline. Some time ago, he also warned his employees not to vote for the AFD simply out of short-lived resentment and protest. Incidentally, the entire region is now known as Würth country. A nearby airport, a university, a symphony orchestra and a cultural and congress center all bear the Würth name. Würth is also a patron of the arts and has continued to expand his collection. Most recently, it comprised over 20,000 works, which can be seen in several museums in his home country and at Würth locations abroad.

Reinhold Würth was never completely away from the action

Würth stepped down from day-to-day operations over 30 years ago. At that time, the company was already owned by several foundations. Würth had witnessed too many other family businesses suffer or even collapse due to inheritance issues. However, even after stepping down, the patriarch kept a watchful eye on the development of his company. He always had the business figures at hand, as is emphasized. He was especially pleased that in 2023, the revenue surpassed the 20-billion mark. As chairman of the foundation's supervisory board, he was always involved in major strategic decisions. Only recently, after more than 75 years of work, did the family entrepreneur draw a final line here as well. Since the beginning of the year, the younger generation has taken the helm.

However, the "old man's" words are likely to continue carrying weight. According to himself, he does not intend to interfere much. "I might chime in a bit from the background, but I will hold back," he commented. He plans to celebrate his birthday with his family, according to a spokesperson. At the end of April, a ceremonial event is also scheduled to take place in Künzelsau. It’s quite possible that Reinhold Würth will record his thoughts in his diary afterwards, as he has done many times in his life. Currently, however, his company is also grappling with the economic crisis. For 2024, Würth anticipated reduced revenue and thus a certain drop in profits. But he does not worry about the future, as it is concluded.