Early Life
Hansjoerg Wyss was born in Bern, Switzerland, on September 19, 1935. He received a master's degree in civil and structural engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in 1959 and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1965. Wyss began his career in the textile industry, working in various roles, including as a factory engineer and project manager for Chrysler in Pakistan, Turkey, and the Philippines. He also worked in the steel industry in Brussels, Belgium, and ran a side business selling airplanes.
Rise to Success
Wyss's career took a significant turn when he met a surgeon who co-founded Synthes, a Swiss medical device manufacturer. In 1977, Wyss founded Synthes USA, the U.S. division of Synthes, and became its president. He expanded operations by opening a manufacturing plant in Colorado, focusing on training surgeons and expanding sales teams. Wyss served as Synthes' worldwide CEO and chairman until the company's acquisition by Johnson & Johnson in 2012.
Key Business Strategies
Wyss's success at Synthes stemmed from his strategic vision and focus on innovation within the medical device industry. He expanded Synthes USA by focusing on training surgeons and building a strong sales team. His leadership propelled Synthes to become a global leader in medical device innovation. He sold the company to Johnson & Johnson for $19.7 billion in cash and stock in 2012.
Philanthropy
After selling Synthes, Wyss has dedicated his resources to philanthropy, supporting various causes, including environmental conservation, scientific research, and progressive organizations. He founded the Wyss Foundation in 1998, focusing on land preservation and conservation efforts in the American West. He signed The Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. He has donated over $1.35 billion in charitable contributions since 2004.