Early Life and Education
Hans Georg Näder was born on September 4, 1961, in Duderstadt, Germany. He attended Eichsfeld Grammar School and later studied Business Administration at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, graduating in 1988. His upbringing was closely tied to the family business, Ottobock, founded by his grandfather, Otto Bock, which provided prosthetics after World War I. Näder's father, Max Näder, expanded the company, setting the stage for Hans Georg to take the helm.
Rise to Success
In 1990, at the age of 28, Hans Georg Näder took over the management of Ottobock from his father. Despite initial skepticism, he successfully internationalized the family business and made it a global market leader in prosthetics. Under his leadership, annual sales grew from €100 million to over €1 billion. Näder focused on technological advancements and expanding the company's reach, establishing a strong presence in over 60 countries with more than 8,000 employees. In 2017, he sold a 20% stake to EQT, a private equity firm, but bought back those shares in March 2024.
Key Business Strategies
Näder's leadership is characterized by a commitment to innovation. Ottobock has been at the forefront of prosthetic technology, including the development of computerized knees and other advanced solutions. He introduced new business areas, such as EDP technology, which led to the creation of the digitalization service provider Sycor. The company has also worked closely with the Paralympics since 1988, producing equipment and custom prosthetics for athletes. Näder's focus on research and development and strategic investments has solidified Ottobock's market-leading position.
Philanthropy
Näder is actively involved in philanthropy through the Ottobock Global Foundation, which supports various humanitarian projects. The foundation provides prostheses, orthoses, and wheelchairs to those in need, including refugees and victims of natural disasters. He has also supported initiatives to promote urban development and has been recognized for his contributions to his community.