Early Life and Family
Gabriele Gebauer was born in 1940. She represents the third generation of the Gebauer family to lead MEWA, a company founded by her grandmother's husband, Hermann Gebauer, in 1908. The company started as a mechanical weaving operation in Saxony, initially producing industrial cleaning cloths. Her upbringing in a family deeply involved in the textile industry laid the foundation for her future career.
Rise to Success
Gebauer took over leadership of MEWA in 1979, alongside her husband Rolf Beisse. Under her guidance, MEWA expanded significantly, relocating its headquarters to Wiesbaden in 1965. She diversified the company into workwear in 1968, leading to extensive growth across Europe. The company now operates in 12 European countries and serves over 172,000 business customers.
Key Business Strategies
Gebauer's leadership was instrumental in transforming MEWA into a major player in textile services. Her key strategies included expanding the company's service offerings, such as workwear and cleaning fabrics, and establishing a strong presence throughout Europe. She focused on providing professional laundry solutions and ensuring high-quality service for customers. MEWA's 2023 sales were approximately $990 million, handling 1.2 billion cleaning fabrics annually and outfitting 1.1 million workers with professional attire.
Philanthropy
Gabriele Gebauer is involved in philanthropy through the Gabriele Gebauer Mewa Stiftung (foundation). The foundation was established in 1995.