Early Life and Career
Kai-Uwe Hollweg was born in Bremen, Germany, on October 13, 1937. He graduated from the Rudolf-Steiner-Schule and went on to complete an apprenticeship as a wholesale merchant while also attending the Staatliche Handelsschule. In August 1956, he became a personally liable partner in his father's company, Cordes & Graefe, located in Bremen.
Rise to Success
Hollweg's career progressed within the family business, Cordes & Graefe, a plumbing and heating supplies company. He served as the Geschäftsführer of Cordes & Graefe Sanitär- und Heizungsgroßhandlung in Bremen. His leadership extended to other related entities, including Cordes & Graefe Beteiligungs- und Finanzierungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. in Bremen and GC Sanitär- und Heizungs-Handels-Contor GmbH in Bonn. From 1969 to 1971, he was the second chairman of the Bundesverband Junger Unternehmer (BJU). In 2016, Hollweg transitioned from the management board to the advisory board of Cordes & Graefe. He later became the chairman of the advisory board.
Key Business Strategies
Key strategies involved in Hollweg's success include his leadership in the Cordes & Graefe group, which grew through acquisitions to become one of the largest wholesalers in the industry. As the leader, he helped the company navigate the complexities of the plumbing and HVAC market. His focus on the three-stage distribution process has been a key factor in the group's success. His business expertise includes the management of a large-scale wholesale operation and the establishment of a significant market presence.
Philanthropy
Together with his wife, Karin, Kai-Uwe Hollweg founded the Karin and Uwe Hollweg Foundation in 1996. The foundation is dedicated to promoting art, culture, and the preservation of historical monuments. The foundation supports various cultural projects and has notably supported the reconstruction of the Dresden Frauenkirche and other church restorations in eastern Germany.