85 YEARS OF REINHOLD WURTH - MONTHLY CIRCULAR 2020 SPECIAL EDITION
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To the Management of the Würth Group
MONTHLY CIRCULAR
2020 SPECIAL EDITION
85 YEARS OF
REINHOLD
WURTH
WISHES
GREETINGS
CONGRATULATIONS
INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
INTRODUCTION
DEAR COLLEAGUES,
In 1949, Reinhold Würth became the first offer his employees and all the people in the
apprentice in his father’s screw wholesale region the possibility to experience art and
business at the age of 14. Last year, he could culture. With the opening of Museum Würth 2,
look back on 70 years of work within the Würth an old dream of his became a reality: making
Group—an extraordinary anniversary by itself. the most precious pieces of the Würth Collection
Over these 70 years, the company Würth has available to the public in a permanent exhibi-
seen an almost unprecedented development: tion—a decision that will shape the Würth
From a two-man business, the former hardware Group’s public image for years to come.
wholesaler has grown into a group of compa-
nies with almost 80,000 employees worldwide In spite of his tremendous success, Professor
that generated sales of 14.3 billion euros in Würth has always remained a person that
2019. Today, the Group’s equity stands at more attaches great importance to values like
than 5.6 billion euros—a breathtaking develop- modesty, gratitude and a down-to-earth
ment. Only very few people spend such a long mentality. Regardless of sales charts and profit
time actively pursuing their careers and Professor margins, he never forgot and keeps on telling
Würth can look back on a successful and everyone that, at the end of the day, our salaries
fulfilled professional career with pride. are all paid by our customers. He always
reminds us of our duty to offer professional and
Professor Würth is an impressive businessman friendly customer service and to not only satisfy
and one of today’s greatest patrons of art. The their needs, but to wow them with the Würth
Würth Collection currently comprises more than experience. In all his years in the Würth Group,
18,000 works. Last year, the exhibitions and Professor Würth has always shown by example
cultural events of the Würth Group across that the customers and the people who work at
Europe attracted more than 533,000 visitors. Würth are the company’s greatest assets.
Art and culture are an integral part of the Würth
Group. After all, Professor Würth has always 2020 was supposed to be a very special year
taken the social responsibility that comes with for us: Professor Würth celebrated his 85th
private ownership quite seriously. Back in 1987, birthday and the Würth Group completed the
he and his wife Carmen established the Würth 75th year of its success story. Unfortunately, the
Foundation, which promotes numerous projects COVID-19 crisis thwarted our original plans. We
in the fields of art and culture, research and were thus only able to celebrate Professor
science, education and training, as well as Würth’s birthday in a small but very select circle
integration of migrants and refugees. The work on 20 April, in compliance with COVID-19
and commitment of Würth in its home region is restrictions, as the big birthday party and
reflected in a great variety of different initiatives, anniversary celebrations had to be canceled.
one of the latest of which is the opening of
Museum Würth 2 on the Gaisbach campus. For Dear colleagues, with this special edition on the
Professor Würth, it has always been important to occasion of Professor Würth’s 85th birthday and
2 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
INTRODUCTION
the 75th anniversary of the Würth Group, we would like to invite Dear colleagues, in these special times, we seek extraordi-
you to an entertaining trip down memory lane of the company’s nary solutions. Enjoy reading this special edition!
history. It is fascinating to see how the Würth company has
evolved in the last 75 years. The great number of greetings sent Dear Professor Würth, on behalf of all employees of the
on the occasion of Professor Würth’s birthday is particularly Würth Group, the Central Managing Board once more wishes
impressive. Many celebrities from the most different fields sent you a very happy 85th birthday. Stay the proactive and
their birthday greetings and no matter what background the curious person you are and, above all, stay healthy for many
well-wishers have, their greeting messages are all characterized years to come.
by great appreciation and respect of Reinhold Würth the entrepre-
neur and Reinhold Würth the man. Best regards,
ROBERT FRIEDMANN DR. STEFFEN GREUBEL
Chairman of the Central Member of the Central
Managing Board Managing Board
BERND HERRMANN JOACHIM KALTMAIER
Member of the Central Member of the Central
Managing Board Managing Board
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 3
INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
FOREWORD
BY BETTINA WÜRTH
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
Those who know my father also know that his Co. KG at indoor arena Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-
relationship to the company is extraordinary—for Halle in Stuttgart, Germany. Yet another
a variety of reasons, not only because of the highlight for me was our 2015 anniversary week
success story of the entrepreneur Reinhold in Gaisbach, when we welcomed opera singer
Würth. There has been a correlation right from Kathleen Battle on stage as a surprise guest for
the beginning: In 1945, Adolf Würth GmbH & my father.
Co. KG was registered in Künzelsau; my father
was born ten years prior in Öhringen. If I remember correctly, my father first had the
idea of building our own event venue in
With the age gap between entrepreneur and Gaisbach during one of the planning rounds
enterprise amounting to exactly ten years, the around the anniversary celebrations in 2005.
years in which we celebrated milestone birth- He noted his ideas down on a napkin. Over the
days were quite remarkable ones. For instance, I years, these ideas came to maturity and finally
vividly recall the year 1995. Back then, we had resulted in a call for tenders and an official
a huge celebration for my father’s 60th birthday architectural competition. In 2015, we cut the
and the 50th anniversary of Adolf Würth GmbH & first sod. Only 19 months later, we celebrated
the inauguration of Carmen Würth Forum on the
occasion of my mother’s 80th birthday on 18
July 2017. Right on schedule for the anniversary
in 2020, we opened additional facilities
extending Carmen Würth Forum—even though
the opening celebrations for the annex had to
take place on a small scale due to COVID-19.
With Carmen Würth Forum, my father not only
put an idea from 2005 into practice, he also
underlined his ambition to secure the continued
existence of the Würth Group by firmly rooting it
in this very region irrespective of its size.
The general conditions could not have been
better. 2020 could have been an extraordinary
anniversary year. It is therefore most unfortunate
that, due to the current situation, we cannot
celebrate my father’s 85th birthday and the 75th
4 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
INTRODUCTION
company anniversary the way we—as well as
the well-wishers, whose greetings we published
on the following pages—would have wanted to.
My father’s 85th birthday and the 75th compa-
ny anniversary are not only reasons for congrat-
ulations. For me, these milestone anniversaries
are the perfect opportunity to thank my father
from the bottom of my heart for his incredible
lifetime achievement. His actions have been and
will be leading the way for the company, laying
the foundations for the success of the Würth
Group’s almost 80,000 employees.
Dad, on behalf of your entire family as well as of
the Advisory Board of the Würth Group and all
employees, I would like to express my deepest «For me, these milestone anniversaries are the perfect opportunity to
respect and say THANK YOU. With this thank my father from the bottom of my heart for his incredible
publication, we would like to wish you all the lifetime achievement. His actions have been and will be leading the
best and many happy returns! way for the company, laying the foundations for the success of the
Würth Group’s almost 80,000 employees.
Dad, on behalf of your entire family as well as of the Advisory Board
of the Würth Group and all employees, I would like to express my
deepest respect and say THANK YOU. With this publication, we
would like to wish you all the best and many happy returns! »
BETTINA WÜRTH
Chairwoman of the Advisory Board
of the Würth Group
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 5
INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
MILE
STONES
20 April 1935
Born in Öhringen, Baden-Württemberg
Reinhold Würth
1949 B ecomes the first apprentice in his father’s screw whole- in his infancy
saling business in Künzelsau, at the age of 14, commer-
cial wholesaling training
1954 After the death of his father Adolf Würth, Reinhold
Würth takes over the company with two employees.
He closes the first business year under his direction
(1955) with double-digit sales growth and annual
sales of approximately DEM 170,000
1956 Marries Carmen Linhardt
1958 Birth of his daughter Marion
1961 Birth of his daughter Bettina
Company outing (1960)
The first company car, an Opel Olympia (1951)
Administrative building in Gaisbach (1991)
Company logo (1956) Würth Express (1973)
Preparation of a delivery at Bahnhofstraße in Künzelsau
(mid-1950s)
Office building in Gaisbach (1969)
6 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
MILESTONES
Adolf Würth with son Reinhold (approx. 1953)
1962 Establishment of the first international company in the Neth-
erlands—Today, the Würth Group’s more than 400 compa-
nies operate in more than 80 countries around the world
and employ more than 78,000 people. At the end of 2019,
sales amounted to EUR 14.3 billion
1965 Birth of his son Markus
1985 Distinguished Service Cross of the Order of Merit of the
Company logo (1983)
Federal Republic of Germany
1987 Establishment of the Würth Foundation by Reinhold and
Official inauguration of the new administrative building in Gaisbach (1992)
Carmen Würth
1991 Appointed Honorary Senator of Eberhard Karls University
Tübingen
1991 Beginning of the close cooperation between the Würth
Foundation and Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland (JMD).
This cooperation led to the establishment of the Würth Prize
of Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland
1991 Inauguration of the new administrative building (company
headquarters) in Künzelsau-Gaisbach with integrated
Museum Würth displaying changing aspects of the Würth
Collection of art and sculptures to the general public for free
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 7
INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
Reinhold Würth and his daughters Marion
(l.) and Bettina (r.) and son-in-law Markus
at the German Founder’s Prize (2004) Award ceremony of the Great Distinguished Service Cross of the Order of Merit
of the Federal Republic of Germany (2005)
New Advisory Board Chair (2006)
Acquisition of the Darmstadt Award ceremony of the Würth Prize of
Madonna (2012) Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland (2018)
1993 Reinhold Würth withdraws from the operative company man-
agement and becomes the Chairman of the Advisory Board of
the Würth Group
1995 Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrap the administrative building
1996 Distinguished Service Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of
the Federal Republic of Germany
Company logo (2010)
1999 Appointed Honorary Professor of University of Karlsruhe Rein-
hold Würth establishes the Interdisciplinary Institute for Entre-
preneurship and directs it until the end of summer 2003
2001 Opening of Kunsthalle Würth in Schwäbisch Hall in presence AW KG achieves one billion
of then German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder euros in sales for the first time
(2007)
2003 Carmen and Reinhold Würth are awarded the honorary citi-
zenship of the town of Künzelsau
Opening of Kunsthalle Würth in the
2004 German Founder's Prize presence of Gerhard Schröder (2001)
2006 Bettina Würth assumes the Chair of the Advisory Board. Rein-
hold Würth takes the Chair of the Supervisory Board of the
Würth Group’s Family Trusts
2007 H onorary doctorate in art history of the University of
Palermo, Italy
2007 Honorary doctorate of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
2007 The first individual Würth company (AW KG) reports one bil-
lion euros in sales
2008 Opening of Johanniterkirche in Schwäbisch Hall as home to
the collection of Old Masters
2008 Foundation of Reinhold Würth Musikstiftung gGmbH to pro-
mote the appreciation of diversity and the importance of
music as an indispensable element of our cultural identity
8 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
MILESTONES
2012 Carmen and Reinhold Würth receive the James Simon
Prize in Berlin
2012 Acquisition of Madonna of Jakob Meyer zum Hasen, cre-
ated by Hans Holbein the Younger
2013 Honorary Senator of Heilbronn University
2013 Inauguration of Forum Würth / Würth House Rorschach,
Switzerland
2014 The sales volume of the Würth Group reaches the mark of
ten billion euros for the first time
2017 Inauguration of the first section of the Carmen Würth
Forum culture and convention center with integrated cham-
ber music hall, which is also home to the newly founded
Würth Philharmoniker orchestra
2019 Reinhold Würth celebrates 70 years in business
2020 Completion of the second section of Carmen Würth Forum
with integrated Museum Würth 2
Opening of Carmen Würth Forum (2017)
2020 75th anniversary of the Würth Group
« When I look at the company, I am filled
with a sense of joy, satisfaction and
gratitude, but this all would never have
been possible without so many hard-
working employees. »
Prof. Dr. h. c. mult. Reinhold Würth
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 9
INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS | WEDDED TO VALUES WELCOMING CHANGE WORKING TO EXPLORE NEW AVENUES 10 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
INTRODUCTION
MY BIRTHDAY
ON 20 APRIL 2020
DEAR COLLEAGUES,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
As we all know, the COVID- 19 pandemic prevented us from throwing the big birthday
party scheduled for 20 April 2020. Instead, I could spend this cloudless 20 April 2020
with my closest family and had a wonderful, light-hearted day in a very easygoing
atmosphere.
Many of the invited guests sent very nice birthday wishes instead and I was delight-
ed about each and every one of them, although it cost me days to answer the many
many letters.
In the following, I have taken the liberty as to share a few birthday greetings that have
been very important to me with my employees. It is easy to see that the company is
enjoying widespread recognition—a success that would not have been possible without
the support and hard work of our 78,000 employees.
Conclusion: My 85th birthday more or less coincides with the 75th company anni-
versary and I would like to seize this opportunity to thank each and every one of you,
from the Supervisory Board of the Würth Group’s Family Trusts and Advisory Board,
the Central Managing Board and all other colleagues for this wonderful collaboration.
The praise, gratefulness and appreciation expressed by the well-wishers are not my
own to keep but belong to all of us!
Best regards,
REINHOLD WÜRTH
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 11INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
THE WELL-WISHERS
HRH Gerhard Bauer
Carl, Duke of Württemberg Administrator of the District of Schwäbisch Hall
Angela Merkel Thomas Strobl
Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Minister of Internal Affairs, Digitalization and
Germany Migration of Baden-Württemberg
Prof. Monika Grütters Stefan Neumann
MP, Minister of State with the Chancellor, Mayor of the town of Künzelsau
Federal Government Commissioner for Culture
Harry Mergel
and the Media
Lord mayor of the city of Heilbronn
Winfried Kretschmann
Hermann-Josef Pelgrim
State Premier of Baden-Württemberg
Lord mayor of the town of Schwäbisch Hall
Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut
Dr. Wilfried Haslauer
Minister of Economic Affairs, Labor and Housing
Governor of the region of Salzburg
of the State of Baden-Württemberg
Philipp Lahm
Dr. Matthias Neth
Former German soccer player and 2014
Administrator of the District of Hohenlohe
World Cup winner,
Joachim Gauck Chairman of Philipp Lahm Foundation
Former President of the Federal Republic of
Prof. Dr. Michael Eissenhauer
Germany
Director-General Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Prof. Horst Köhler
Arnulf Freiherr von Eyb
Former President of the Federal Republic of
Member of the State Parliament of
Germany
Baden-Württemberg
Dr. Susanne Eisenmann
Prof. Dr. jur. Wolfgang Freiherr
Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs, Youth
von Stetten
and Sports of Baden-Württemberg
Evelyne Gebhardt
MEP, Member of the European Parliament
Reinhold Gall
Member of the State Parliament of Baden-
Württemberg
12 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
ENCOUNTERS
ON PAPER
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 13INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
HRH
CARL, DUKE OF WÜRTTEMBERG
« Despite all the troubles we are facing, I did
not want to miss the opportunity to pause for
a minute and honor a man whose achieve-
ments have been invaluable for our country
and beyond. You, dear Mr. Würth, can look
back with pride on a life that has been full
and exceptional in every way—with all the
highs and lows that make life what it is. […]
Detailing your tremendous commitment in
social and cultural fields would simply go
beyond the scope of this letter. Nevertheless,
the name of Reinhold Würth is an actual
“brand” in this area, too. But I also would
like to highlight the personal relationship we
have had for many years. »
14 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
ANGELA MERKEL
FEDERAL CHANCELLOR
OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
« You never ceased to drive forward the
evolution of the Würth family business into
an international group of companies [...]
with great dedication [...] In addition, you
are an active patron of culture. [...] Your
anniversary is a welcome opportunity to
express my gratitude and my respect for this
achievement. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 15INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
PROF. MONIKA GRÜTTERS
MP, MINISTER OF STATE WITH THE CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
COMMISSIONER FOR CULTURE AND THE MEDIA
« For over half a century, you have been an
ardent collector and you allowed others to
partake in your passion for art. […]
On the occasion of your birthday, I wish to
thank you very much for your generous and
impressive sponsoring and patronage
activities. May art and culture never cease
to inspire you in the years to come. »
16 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
WINFRIED KRETSCHMANN
STATE PREMIER OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
«A
long with my congratulations, I would like
to express my heartfelt thanks and apprecia-
tion of your life’s work. Your name stands for
entrepreneurial initiative and vision, for
courage and innovative power and a distinct
entrepreneurial intuition together with huge
business success. You committed yourself to
the people of Baden-Württemberg and
expressed your emotional attachment to our
state, not only by being a responsible busi-
ness representative, but also by promoting
and sponsoring art and culture. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 17INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
DR. NICOLE HOFFMEISTER-KRAUT
MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, LABOR AND HOUSING
OF THE STATE OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
«M
y heartfelt congratulations on your 85th
birthday. In addition, I wish to express my
congratulations on the 75th anniversary of
the Würth Group. To my mind, it is remarka-
ble how you as a visionary entrepreneur
have been a champion for Baden-Württem-
berg as a business location thanks to your
year-long and consistent commitment to the
region and how you accomplished one of
the greatest business success stories of
postwar Germany. [...] Dedicated people
and entrepreneurs like you are the ones who,
with their innovative companies and showing
particular personal commitment, do not only
export high-quality products and services but
also carry our social values and a corporate
culture of personal appreciation and a spirit
of partnership into the world. »
18 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
DR. MATTHIAS NETH
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DISTRICT OF HOHENLOHE
« With this letter, [I] would like to thank you
once more for your great commitment, [...].
Not only was a huge number of jobs created
thanks to the Würth Group, your sponsoring
and patronage activities in the fields of art,
culture, science and sports are also enriching
our entire region in the most diverse areas
Thank you very much for this commitment. I
am also particularly grateful for your gener-
ous support in these dramatic times. Your
donation of face masks was distributed
among institutions in the district that have
been urgently waiting for these supplies. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 19INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS | ONLINE BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 20 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
CONGRATULATIONS
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 21INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
JOACHIM GAUCK
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
« On the occasion of your birthday, let me tell
you, it is with utmost respect that I look at
everything that you accomplished as an
entrepreneur and patron. You are an art
aficionado and your commitment as a
generous patron and sponsor is in a class of
its own in Germany and abroad. Doing more
than only what is required, getting involved,
sponsoring, being a patron: this is civic spirit
par excellence, the type we need now more
than ever to protect our social cohesion. »
22 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
PROF. DR. HORST KÖHLER
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
« O wing to the COVID-19 crisis, we cannot
celebrate this special birthday together. I do
hope that our reunion is only postponed so
that all of us can celebrate your many
achievements and outstanding feats in your
lifetime, both as businessman and as a
patron of the arts. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 23INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
DR. SUSANNE EISENMANN
MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, YOUTH AND SPORTS
OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
« My most heartfelt congratulations on your
85th birthday. […] I am very much looking
forward to our next encounter! Stay safe. »
24 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
EVELYNE GEBHARDT
MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
« At the same time, it is very important to me to
use this opportunity to thank you and express
my appreciation for your extensive social
and cultural commitment and your strong
belief in the idea of a unified Europe. You
are giving so much to our region and are
such an asset to it. Your patronage reflects
the importance you attach to sharing your
outstanding economic success as entrepre-
neur with society. This is something that [...]
characterizes you in a very unique fashion. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 25INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
REINHOLD GALL
MEMBER OF THE STATE PARLIAMENT OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
« Congratulations on your 85th birthday! [...]
You will have the time and leisure to look
back on 85 impressive years and an abso-
lutely unique lifetime achievement. I am truly
in awe of your work, for which I would like
to express my deepest respect and appreci-
ation. In doing so, I am not only thinking of
your corporate success story, but also and
primarily of your and your family’s social,
educational and cultural commitment to our
region that is an enormous benefit for many
individuals and the region as a whole. »
26 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
GERHARD BAUER
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DISTRICT OF SCHWÄBISCH HALL
« F or the future, I wish you and your relatives
all the best, good health, optimism and
stamina. I also hope that any concerns about
the economic consequences of the current
crisis will soon be overcome and that both
the Würth Group and the Würth Foundation
can continue their successful work. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 27INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
THOMAS STROBL
MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, DIGITALIZATION AND MIGRATION
OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
« Thanks to your widespread commitment,
particularly to art and culture, you are, for
me personally, one of the most significant
entrepreneurs in Baden-Württemberg and a
person of great merit indeed. Kunsthalle
Würth is a wonderful present you gave to
the people in Baden-Württemberg. »
28 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
STEFAN NEUMANN
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF KÜNZELSAU
« ”We Are Family“—for us, this is much more
than just a new slogan on our welcome signs.
Today, on your 85th birthday, we are think-
ing of you especially and would like to [...]
send you our most heartfelt congratulations.
We wish you all the best, good health and
well-being. I am looking forward to our next
personal meeting. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 29INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
01 02
ENCOUNTERS
03
04 05
06 07
30 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionENCOUNTERS
08
10
09
11
12
13
01 Günter Grass and Hans Magnus Enzensberger, 2006
02 Nelson Mandela, London, 2000
03 Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 2015
04 Günther Oettinger, 2013
05 Tomi Ungerer, 2010
06 Christo and Jeanne-Claude, during the installation of “The Gates“ in
New York’s Central Park, 2005
07 Dalai Lama, Visit by the Dalai Lama at the invitation of Akademie Würth
during his tour of Germany, 1999
08 Georg Baselitz, 2008
09 Gerhard Schröder, 2005
10 Magdalena Jetelová,1997
11 Alfred Hrdlicka, 2008
14
12 Philip Glass, 1995
13 Luis Trenker, 1979
14 Winfried Kretschmann, at Johanniterkirche in Schwäbisch Hall, 2012
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 31INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
HARRY MERGEL
LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HEILBRONN
« Congratulations on your 85th birthday, I
wish you all the best and many happy
returns. Most of all, however, I wish you the
best of health, lots of vigor and zest for life
so that you can see many more of your
plans and dreams come true. […] Please
take care of yourself and stay safe! »
32 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
HERMANN-JOSEF PELGRIM
LORD MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF SCHWÄBISCH HALL
« You sponsored many projects in Schwäbisch
Hall. Art and culture […] will certainly
become even more important now—it is
particularly in difficult times that people feel
the need for beauty and aesthetics, for the
creative analysis of the global condition.
On behalf of the city of Schwäbisch Hall, I
would like to thank you very much for your
generous support. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 33INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
DR. WILFRIED HASLAUER
GOVERNOR OF THE REGION OF SALZBURG
« [I] would like to thank you for everything you
have done and facilitated these past years
and hope that on your birthday, you have
the time to celebrate, to reflect on decisive
moments of the past, yet first and foremost, I
wish you many positive and happy moments
in the present and in the future. »
34 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
PHILIPP LAHM
FORMER GERMAN SOCCER PLAYER AND 2014 WORLD CUP WINNER,
CHAIRMAN OF PHILIPP LAHM FOUNDATION
« In Künzelsau, I felt and experienced that
traditions are very much alive and that, for
many decades, you have been accompa-
nied by many committed and loyal compan-
ions. I was a witness to your success being
supported by everybody around you. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 35INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
PROF. DR. MICHAEL EISSENHAUER
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
STAATLICHE MUSEEN ZU BERLIN
« Firstly, I would like to tell you how pleased
I am to see you in such good health. [...] It
is great to see and experience the expertise
and professionalism of your colleagues in
the field of art and culture in the Würth
Group. Yet, I also enjoy the insights into the
economic and organizational set-up of the
Würth Group. »
36 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
ARNULF FREIHERR VON EYB
MEMBER OF THE STATE PARLIAMENT OF BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
« There are many impediments caused by this
pandemic, but perhaps there is something
positive to it also. This is not just about the
fact that now, we have more time for the
people around us, we are also forced to
think about whether we actually had our
priorities straight in the first place. »
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 37INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
PROF. DR. JUR. WOLFGANG FREIHERR VON STETTEN
« During your birthday celebration, you
would have been honored for your life’s
work in so many different ways. Thanks to
your museums, your concerts and your
support of so many other cultural events,
you have greatly influenced and promoted
cultural life in the Hohenlohe region. The
highlight is (...) the Forum dedicated to your
dear wife, Carmen Würth. Some visitors
coming from big cities are extremely aston-
ished to see all the things that are on offer
here. Thank you very much. »
38 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionCONGRATULATIONS
“Reinhold Würth has proven that commer-
cial thinking can go hand in hand with a
WISHES
strong passion for art. Both, but especially
the great success of his business activities,
serve as the basis for a patronage that
benefits society as a whole and that has,
for many years, characterized the
cooperation with Stiftung Preußischer
Kulturbesitz (Prussian Cultural Heritage
AND
Foundation) located in Berlin.”
PROF. DR. HERMANN PARZINGER |
President of Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
GREETINGS
“Vision requires openness, openness to change! Standstill can only be avoided if you are prepared to
change, unwilling to stay the same all the time, if you remain curious and embrace new developments!
It is only through the unwavering zest for new things in life that you stay a visionary and open-minded
individual! This is the maxim of both the collector and the entrepreneur Reinhold Würth.”
PROF. DR. PETER-KLAUS SCHUSTER | Director-General Emeritus of Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and Chairman of the association Freunde der
Museen Würth und der Künstlerfamilie Sommer e.V.
“It is simply astounding what Mr. Würth has done with his father’s
two-man operation in such a short amount of time. He has dedicated
his life to the company, to his employees, and to our customers.
Without him, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG would never have
“His trademark is developing visions and
achieved the milestone of 2 billion euros in sales. We admire him and
inspiring others to follow them.
are eternally grateful to him for this achievement!”
His passion for art is sure to have benefited his
professional life as well.” NORBERT HECKMANN | Chairman of Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG
WINFRIED KRETSCHMANN | State Premier of Baden-Württemberg
“Reinhold Würth is frequently portrayed as the patron always calling the shots. This is owing to his
experience that allows him to make quick decisions. At the same time, however, the patron is a
“primus inter pares” who is careful in his considerations, relies on other people’s expertise and looks
forward to a fresh start full of curiosity. In other words, somebody who is “ enterprising” in the literal
meaning of the word—and this for a long time coming.”
DR. CHRISTOPH BECKER | Director of Kunsthaus Zürich and Chairman of the Art Advisory Board of the Würth Group
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 39INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
« Reinhold Würth epitomizes a mixture of brilliance and
tolerance, of commercial precision and generosity as a
patron of the arts, of ambition and reliability, of being
down-to-earth and having an appreciation for ethical and
moral dimensions. »
Prof. Dr. Hans Küng,
Professor of Theology at Tübingen University
40 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
ART IS AN
EXPRESSION
OF THOUGHT
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 41INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
PRESENT BY CARMEN WÜRTH
FOR HER HUSBAND, REINHOLD,
ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY ON 20 APRIL 2020
Ben Kamili (*1969)
Ich schenk Dir meinen Himmel, 2019 (I give my heaven to you)
Oil on canvas, ten parts
150 x 1000 cm (total)
Würth Collection, Inv. 18364
42 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
TOGETHER WITH CARMEN WÜRTH, THE ARTIST CHOSE THIS TEXT BY
MATTHIAS CLAUDIUS (1740-1815) TO ACCOMPANY THE PICTURE
WHOSE TITLE APPEALED ESPECIALLY TO CARMEN WÜRTH.
Evening Song The moon has been arising, We vain and wretched sinners So, brothers, in His keeping
the stars in golden guising presume to be the winners, prepare yourself for sleeping;
adorn the heavens bright. but we know nothing yet. cold is the evening breeze.
The woods stand still in shadows, So many neat solutions Spare us, Oh Lord, Your ire,
and from the meads and meadows are nought but great delusions let rest us by the fire,
lift whitish mists into the night. that farther off the path us get. and grant our ailing neighbour peace.
The world in stillness clouded God, grant us Thy salvation! (1778 / 1783, Complete Works IV. Part,
and soft in twilight shrouded, No worldly aspiration, source: Claudius-Gesellschaft e. V.)
so peaceful and so fair. no vanity allow!
Just like a chamber waiting, Like children simple-hearted,
where you can rest abating and joyful like we started,
the daytime's mis'ry and despair. let us become and teach us how!
Behold the moon – and wonder – And lastly, grant us leaving
why half of her stands yonder, the world without much grieving,
yet she is round and fair. let peaceful be our death.
We are the ones who're fooling When from the earth You take us,
'cause we are ridiculing let heaven's joy await us
as our minds are unaware. stand by us, Lord, at our last breath.
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 43INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
PRESENT BY THE WÜRTH COMPANY ON THE OCCASION OF
PROF. WÜRTH’S 85TH BIRTHDAY
Wall clock with movable figures and tufa,
around 1880, Wasseralfingen
Wall clock in wooden box, carved and mounted figures, tufa
38.5 x 40 x 23 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18392
44 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
PRESENTS BY ARTISTS
FROM THE WÜRTH COLLECTION ON THE OCCASION OF
PROF. WÜRTH’S 85TH BIRTHDAY
Horst Antes (*1936)
Untitled, 2020
Pencil on paper with dedication overleaf
29.7 x 21 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18386
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 45INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
Georg Baselitz (*1938)
Untitled, 2020
Ballpoint on paper with dedication 29.5 x 21 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18382
46 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
Christo (1935–2020)
L’ Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped (Project for Paris)
Place de l’Étoile – Charles de Gaulle, 2019
Collage
43.1 x 55.9 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18389
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 47INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
Hans Magnus Enzensberger (*1929)
Untitled, 2020
Prof. Dr. h. c. mult. Reinhold Würth and his wife Carmen
29.5 x 20.8 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18387
48 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
Antony Gormley (*1950)
Untitled, 2020
Indian ink on paper with dedication overleaf
19.2 x 27.8 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18390
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 49INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
Anselm Kiefer (*1945)
Untitled, 2020
Photography with dedication
37 x 55.3 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18385
50 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionART
PRESENT BY PETER FEMFERT ON THE
OCCASION OF PROF. WÜRTH’S 85TH
BIRTHDAY
Johannes Heisig (*1953)
Portrait of Reinhold Würth, 2020
Oil on canvas
73.3 x 83.8 cm
Würth Collection, Inv. 18391
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 51INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS | IN THE PRESS 52 Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition
PRESS
Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung
Newpaper extract, dated 12 April 2020
What are you most proud of as entrepre- and, naturally, loyalty. For the most part, Würth
neur? I’d be a liar if I told you I wasn’t proud of does not have any scheming and feuds behind
what has been achieved. When I started, the busi- closed doors you so often find in other companies.
ness had two employees. Today, the Würth Group
has more than 78,500. I was lucky, though, too: It Have you ever experienced a crisis like the
was a good time, shortly after the end of World current one before in your life? I have never
War II, to start up a business. And I always knew: experienced anything similar in my 85 years. This
Without loyal companions, I would have failed. is really a very serious turning point, and I can only
We did this together. agree with Mr. Macron when he says: The virus
has declared war on all of us. On the other hand,
Which experiences as an entrepreneur do I find it comforting to see that the people are com-
you cherish the most? I have lived through so ing closer together. The current experience intensi-
many wonderful moments, I couldn’t begin to fies this feeling of togetherness. The coronavirus
name them all. I am always glad to see how faith- pandemic making us all equal. It does not differen-
ful and loyal many of my employees are to me and tiate between the rich and the poor, the ones on
to the company. There are people in this company top and the ones at the bottom.
I would entrust with all my money without a mo-
ment’s hesitation, because I know they would not
embezzle it. In the company, I have always at-
tached great importance to straightforwardness
Wirtschaftsnachrichten
Newspaper extract, dated 17 April 2020
“I do hope that the company in its current
form will still exist thirty or forty years from
now. As a matter of fact, I am absolutely
convinced of it,” Würth says now. One
thing, however, is clear: “Nothing will last
forever here on earth, this has clearly been
proven by the history of economics.”
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 53INTRODUCTION | MILESTONES | CONGRATULATIONS | ENCOUNTERS | ART | PRESS |
Heilbronner Stimme
Newspaper extract, dated 18 April 2020
“In his 65 years as boss, he led his family com-
pany with foresight onto the international
stage. His trademark is developing visions and
inspiring others to follow them.” This is how
State Premier Winfried Kretschmann character-
ized Reinhold Würth whose work he called “a
blessing for Baden-Württemberg”. Deputy
State Premier Thomas Strobl, who was born
and raised in Heilbronn, says that “Reinhold
Würth’s lifetime achievement is simply sensa-
tional—he is one of the most important entrepre-
neurs there is.”
Reinhold Würth hat eine umfangreiche Kunstsammlung und zahlreiche eigene Museen.
Gefeiert
wird im denkbar kleinsten nem Vater, musste auch
Kreis. Auf seinem Schloss Her- „Päckchen sortieren, während
mersberg bei Künzelsau nimmt meine Schulkameraden ins
Reinhold Würth persönlich nur die Glück- Freibad am Kocher gingen".
wünsche seiner Frau Carmen entgegen. Schon wenige Jahre später
Bei seinem vergangenen runden Geburts- schlägt das Schicksal zu: Der
tag konnte er noch 500 geladene Gäste be- Vater stirbt überraschend, im
grüßen. Doch im Zeichen des Coronavirus Alter von 19 Jahren muss Reinhold Würth
ist eben alles anders. Das gilt nicht nur für 1954 den Betrieb übernehmen.
die Familienfeier, sondern auch für die Natürlich hatte der Junge auch Glück
wirtschaftliche Entwicklung beim welt- in der Nachkriegszeit wurden im Zeichen
weit größten Händler für Schrauben und des Wirtschaftswunders immer mehr
andere Befestigungselemente: In man- Schrauben gebraucht. Und dabei hat ein-
chen Ländern ging der Verkauf drastisch geschlagen, was er sich zum Motto ge-
zurück, weil die Vertreter die Kunden macht hatte: zu den Kunden hinfahren,
nicht mehr besuchen konnten. Im elektro- nicht zu warten, bis diese sich melden.
nischen Handel dagegen gebe es Zuwäch- Wer auf der Matte steht, verkauft seine
se um mehr als zehn Prozent, berichtet Schrauben leichter. Die Schrauben brach
Würth. So wie jetzt im Internet, wuchs das ten Milliarden, heute kann der einfluss-
Unternehmen fast stetig während der ver- reichste Unternehmer Hohenlohes nicht
gangenen Jahrzehnte. Aus dem Kleinbe- nur über seine Familienstiftungen einen
trieb in der Künzelsauer Schlossmühle ist Weltkonzern steuern. Er ist zum Schloss-
inzwischen eine Gruppe mit 78 000 Be- herrn geworden und kann mit seiner 85
schäftigten und einem Umsatz von mehr Meter langen Jacht über die Weltmeere
als 14 Milliarden Euro geworden. schippern. Darüber zu reden, das ist für
Der Anfang war für Reinhold Würth al- ihn kein Problem: „Ich habe noch nie et-
les andere als einfach, aber schien schnell was verprasst", meint er. Er habe das
Erfolg versprechend. „Den 16 Unternehmen groß gemacht, und da dürfe
Jahre alten Bubi haben die er sich doch auch etwas Luxus leisten.
Kunden nur schmunzelnd Schließlich habe er „zwei Arbeitsleben"
Stuttgarter Zeitung ernst genommen", erinnert er
sich. Damals half er noch sei
hinter sich: „Meine Arbeitszeit dauerte oft
zehn bis zwölf Stunden am Tag." An seiner
dated 20 April 2020
54 Monthly Circular 2020 Special EditionPRESS
Fränkische Nachrichten
Festtag: Professor Dr. Reinhold Würth wird 85 Jahre / Vom
Zweimannbetrieb zum Weltunternehmen mit knapp 79 000 Mitarbeitern Newspaper extract, dated 20 April 2020
Mann mit einzigartiger
Erfolgsgeschichte On his birthday, Reinhold Würth freely admits:
Von Werner Palmert tungsaufsichtsrats
springen, um dessen
trieb hat
pe
derZweimannbe-
Würth-Grup-
die Feierlichkeiten
zu übernehmen. Aus diesem
am
springen,
Kundenbeziehungen
trieb
um dessen Zweimannbe-
zu übernehmen.
Für Reinhold Aus diesem
Würth waren und sind
“This all would never have been possible with-
Künzelsau. Eigentlich sollte im Jahr Stammsitz
Kleinstbetrieb Künzelsau-Gaisbach
in wurde bis zum heuti- Kleinstbetrieb
es auch heute nochbis
wurde heuti-
Kundenbe-
diezum
2020 beim Weltunternehmen Würth
ein Doppeljubiläum gefeiert wer-
den: An diesem Montag wird Profes-
gen Verantwortung
aus
nen
den,
79 000 der
rundGästen,
gegenüber sei-
Tage ein Weltimperium
Familie undund
Beschäftigten
abgesagt: „Wenn
nem Jahresumsatz
mit
Freun-
von rund
ei-
alle14 aus-
Mil-
gen
rund
nem
Tage ein
ziehungen,
schäftserfolg
dieWeltimperium
undJahresumsatz
die Basis für denmit
79 000 Beschäftigten
bilden. Derenund
von runddie
Pflege sind deshalb
Ge-
ei-
Ausbau
14 Mil-
wich-
out so many hard-working employees.”
sor Dr. Reinhold Würth 85 Jahre. Die nahmslos ihren
liarden Euro. istleisten,
Beitrag
Heute die Würthkön- liarden
tigstenEuro. die täglichen
Heute ist des
Komponenten Würth
Geburtstagsfeierlichkeiten waren in Gruppe
nen der Verbreitung
wir mit mehr als 400 desGesell-
Virus Gruppe
Handelns mitimmehr als 400
Vertrieb. Gesell-
Die persönli-
einem würdigen und festlichen Rah- entgegenwirken.
schaften in über 80 Dann werden
Ländern wir
vertre- schaften in über 80
che Beziehung ist Ländern vertre-je-
das Herzstück
men geplant und im Juni sollte in ei- dieses
ten. Neben gemeinsam
Virus dem offenbarenbesiegen",
unter- derNeben
ten. dem offenbaren
Partnerschaft mit Würth.unter-
Der Ju-
“When I look at the company, I am filled with
ner Festwoche auf das 75 -jährige Be- der Jubilar". Geschick
nehmerischen
so Wenn allen wieder
handelte nehmerischen Geschick
bilar erkennt aber auch: handelte
„Ohne die
stehen des Unternehmens zurück- Feiern zumute ist, will
der Vorzeigeunternehmer
zum dernach
stets Un- der Vorzeigeunternehmer
vielen stets nach
tüchtigen Mitarbeiterinnen
geblickt werden. Doch dann kam ternehmer
dem Mottodas Fest nachholen.
„anpacken, zupacken, demund Motto „anpacken,
Mitarbeiter zupacken,
hätte dieses Werk
durch die Coronapandemie alles an- Mit 14 Jahren hatte Reinhold
machen". machen".
niemals gelingen können."
a sense of joy, satisfaction and gratitude.”
ders. Würth auchKaufmannslehre
Abereine die Eigenschaften der
inEhr- Aber
Dasauch die Eigenschaften
Bekenntnis Ehr-
zu den Wurzeln
elterlichen Schraubenhandlung
lichkeit, Dankbarkeit, Demut, Be- be- lichkeit, Dankbarkeit,
und seiner Demut, Be-
Heimat Hohenlohe prägt
Feierlichkeiten abgesagt Als junger
scheidenheit
gonnen. Mann mit
und Respekt 19 Jah-
zeichnen scheidenheit
sein Tun von und Respekt
Anfang zeichnen
an. Das beweist
Der erfolgreiche Ausnahmeunter- denmusste
ren „Mann er mitnach dem plötzlichen
der einzigartigen Er- das vielfältige Engagement in den
nehmer und Vorsitzende des Stif Tod seines Vatersaus,
folgsgeschichte" kalte
ins wie es Wasser
Minis- Bereichen Kunst und Kultur, For-
tungsaufsichtsrats der Würth-Grup- terpräsident Winfried Kretschmann schung und Wissenschaft sowie Bil-
pe hat die Feierlichkeiten am zum 70. Arbeitsjubiläum Rein-
von dung und Erziehung der Stiftung
Stammsitz in Künzelsau-Gaisbach hold Würth in seiner Laudatio for- Würth, die Reinhold Würth gemein-
aus Verantwortung gegenüber sei- mulierte. sam mit seiner Frau Carmen vor 33
nen Gästen, der Familie und Freun- Für ihn selbst waren der Aufbau Jahren gegründet hat.
den, abgesagt: „Wenn alle aus- des Unternehmens eine Mission, Unterstützt werden auch soziale
nahmslos ihren Beitrag leisten, kön- Freude, Hobby und Spaß, wie der Ju- Projekte, wie die Integration von
nen wir der Verbreitung des Virus bilar einmal betonte. Auch mit 85 Flüchtlingen und Migranten. Es
entgegenwirken. Dann werden wir Jahren geht er immer noch ins Büro setzt sich fort in der Unterstützung
dieses Virus gemeinsam besiegen", und spricht Briefe ins Diktafon, des Sports als Zeichen dafür, was
so der Jubilar". Wenn allen wieder denn: „ich habe meinen Beruf nie als Leidenschaft und der Wille zum Er-
zum Feiern zumute ist, will der Un- Last empfunden". folg bewirken können. Das Engage
ternehmer das Fest nachholen. Jahrelang war Reinhold Würth ment ist bei Würth Teil der Unter-
Mit 14 Jahren hatte Reinhold selbst als Verkäufer der eigenen Pro- nehmenskultur, die auf einem festen
Würth eine Kaufmannslehre in der dukte unterwegs zuerst mit seinem Wertegerüst aufbauend gerade in
elterlichen Schraubenhandlung be- Vater, dann alleine. „Von ihm habe der jetzigen Zeit deutlich macht,
gonnen. Als junger Mann mit 19 Jah- ich unheimlich viel gelernt", sagt er dass Respekt, Achtung, Fürsorge,
ren musste er nach dem plötzlichen noch heute dankbar über die ge- Bodenständigkeit, Rücksicht oder
Tod seines Vaters ins kalte Wasser meinsame Zeit, die ihn bis heute ein einfaches „Danke" nicht aus der
präge. Ein Beruf, der mehr eine Be- Mode kommen, sondern die Ge-
rufung als ein Job ist. meinschaft auch durch schwierige
Zeiten tragen. „Wenn ich auf die Fir-
ma blicke, verspüre ich Freude, Be-
friedigung und Dankbarkeit."
Haller Tagblatt
Newspaper extract, dated 20 April 2020
His daughter Bettina heads the highest man-
agement body, the Advisory Board. She de-
scribes her father with the following words:
„Verrückte Sachen gemacht” “Every action he takes is focused on sustain-
Geburtstag Der Unternehmer Reinhold Würth wird heute
85 Jahre alt. Wie hält er seinen Konzern zusammen? Mit ability.” Robert Friedmann, the Chairman of
the Central Managing Board—the Würth
„Ehrlichkeit, Geradlinigkeit, Bescheidenheit und einem Stück Demut". Von Jürgen Stegmaier
/i
angsamen Schrittes geht von einer „fast märchenhaften Er- die körperlichen Betätigungen. ten der Unternehmensgruppe.
Reinhold Würth über die folgsgeschichte". Mehr als 400 Ein Schmunzeln huscht über sein Seine Tochter Bettina Würth
steinige Fläche zum Red- Gesellschaften gehören der Gesicht. Er sei ein wilder Skifah- steht dem obersten Gremium vor,
Group’s top executive—has come to the con-
nerpult. Die ersten Worte Würth-Gruppe an, knapp 80 000 rer und Radfahrer gewesen. „Ich dem Beirat. Sie beschreibt ihren
scheinen dem Unternehmer Menschen arbeiten für die unter- bin die schwärzesten Pisten hin- Vater mit den Worten: „Sein gan-
schwerzufallen. Doch schon nach schiedlichen Betriebe. Als Unter- untergefahren", verrät Würth. zes Tun ist auf Nachhaltigkeit
wenigen Sätzen kommt er in nehmer erfährt Reinhold Würth Heute habe sich der Sport auf das ausgerichtet." Robert Friedmann,
clusion: “Reinhold Würth loves what he
Fahrt. Beim Spatenstich zum Ent- allerhöchste Anerkennung. Ihm Schwimmen reduziert, jeden Tag als Sprecher der Konzernführung
wicklungszentrum in Gaisbach werden ehrenhalber Professuren eine halbe Stunde. der Topmanager der Gruppe, ist
sprudelt es aus dem Unternehmer und Doktorwürden verliehen. zu der Erkenntnis gelangt: „Rein-
„Mit Freunden war ich auf den
nur so heraus. So spricht kein al- Sein Reichtum gilt als nahezu un- hold Würth liebt, was er tut." Und
Cinque Torri in den Dolomiten.
ter Mann. Seitdem ist ein Jahr ver- ermesslich. Er fliegt im eigenen Norbert Heckmann, Chef der
does.” And Norbert Heckmann, the CEO of
Wir waren eine Siebenerseil-
gangen. Wortgewandt, agil, Flugzeug um die Welt, schippert schaft. Wir haben uns 200 Meter AWKG, der Würth-Muttergesell-
schnell, spontan, verbindlich so auf der eigenen Jacht durch die senkrecht an einer Wand abge- schaft, ist sich sicher: „Seine
wirkt Reinhold Würth auch die- Karibik oder vor New York. Er seilt. Ich habe schon ganz schön wichtigste Devise ist es, eine so-
ser Tage bei einer Videokonfe- selbst bezeichnet sich als boden- lide Basis zu schaffen."
verrückte Sachen gemacht",
the Würth Group’s parent company AW KG,
renz. ständig und bescheiden. Linsen räumt Reinhold Würth ein.
Persönliche Treffen schließt er mit Spätzle gehören zu seinen Wort für Wort
Verrückt ist auch seine Karri-
derzeit aus. Die Mitarbeiter, die Lieblingsspeisen. Als Würth 2019 sein 70 -Jahr -Ar-
ere als Unternehmer verlaufen.
ihn bei der Konferenz unterstüt- beitsjubiläum feierte, betonten
So viele Mitarbeiter, so viele Be-
Netzwerk durch Europa
is certain of one thing: “His most important
zen, tragen Gesichtsmasken. In
triebe, so viel Verantwortung. langjährige Begleiter die Detail-
seinem Unternehmen, so heißt es, Würth sammelt Kunst, baut Mu- tiefe, über die er verfüge. Wie
Wann nimmt er sich Zeit zum
regiere er durch. Angenommen, seen und öffnet deren Türen für
Nachdenken? Reinhold Würth lässt sich diese angesichts der
er könnte dies auch im politi- jedermann. Der Sammler hat in Größe des Konzerns aufrechter-
sinniert. Dann lacht er. Feste Zei-
schen Bereich angesichts Corona der Kunstszene ein Netzwerk ge- halten? „Das ist eine Frage des Le-
motto is creating a robust foundation.”
ten zum Nachdenken habe er
tun was würde er veranlassen? schaffen, das sich durch ganz Eu- sens. Wenn man Wort für Wort
nicht. Aber in seinem Kopf sei im-
„Ich finde, Frau Merkel hat das ropa zieht. So sieht man in der mer ein Gedanke. „Die Frage für Wort liest, gibt das Tiefe."
gut gemacht mit ihrem Kabinett. Haller Kunsthalle Werke aus Pa-
müsste lauten: Wann denken Sie Die Schriftlichkeit ist für
Es bleibt nicht viel anderes übrig ris, London und Berlin. Würth wichtig. Sie gibt ihm Si-
nicht? Das ist nur, wenn ich schla-
als eine Kontaktsperre", sagt er. 85 Jahre was ist ihm im Lau- cherheit und Verbindlichkeit.
fe. Ansonsten denke ich ununter-
Reinhold Würth hat in seinem fe der Zeit wichtiger geworden, „Quod non est in actis non est in
brochen."
was unwichtiger? „Je älter ich mundo", zitiert er aus dem Latei-
Leben vieles richtig gemacht. Als Bei wem landen die Gedanken
werde, desto mehr wird mir be- nischen. Was nicht in den Akten
jungerMann musste er den klei- des passionierten Piloten, der sei-
nen Handelsbetrieb seines über-
wusst, dass die Zeit zu Ende geht. ist, ist nicht in der Welt. „Das
ne Lizenz schon vor Jahren zu-
raschend verstorbenen Vaters Die Stunden sind wertvoller als habe ich schon vor 60 Jahren ein-
rückgegeben hat? Mit wem
übernehmen. Daraus entwickelte das im Alter von 25 oder 30 Jah- geführt: Es gilt nur, was schrift-
tauscht sich der Erfolgsmensch
ren der Fall war." lich da ist. Seitdem ist Ruhe", sagt
er einen Weltkonzern. Baden aus? Ständig mit seiner Frau Car-
Württembergs Ministerpräsident men, mit den Kollegen, mit der
Reinhold Würth und erinnert sich
Auf den schwärzesten Pisten dabei an die Diskussion mit ei-
Winfried Kretschmann spricht Konzernführung, mit den Beirä
Unwichtiger geworden seien ihm nem Außendienstler, dem er einst
Monthly Circular 2020 Special Edition 55Unfortunately, we were unable to duly celebrate Professor Würth’s 85th birthdays and the 75th anniversary of the Würth Group given the circum- stances. Instead, this publication is meant as an opportunity to reflect on these events. Please share the contents with your colleagues at your company. IMPRINT Published by: Würth Group Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG · Reinhold-Würth-Str. 12-17 · 74653 Künzelsau · Germany Responsible for the content: Robert Friedmann Editorial team: Nina Baumgärtner, Ludger Drüeke, Alina Mujcic, Jörn Roßberg, Susanne Sailer International version: Carla Bassermann, Andreas Henschel, Andrea Köhler, Susanne Sommerschuh Conceptual design: DIE NECKARPRINZEN · Print: ZPPD 07/2020 Contact details: Corporate Communication of the Würth Group T +49 7940 15-4928 · communications@wuerth.com The editorial team would like to thank the many people who helped create this publication. Photo credits: Roland Bauer, Frank Blümler, Annette Cardinale Fotografie, Eva Maria Kraiss, Märchenland e.V. – Deutsches Zentrum für Märchenkultur, Christof R. Sage, Andi Schmid, Vitesse Kärcher GmbH, Adobe Stock, Würth Archive
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