Early Life
Martin Walter Haefner was born in 1954 in Zurich, Switzerland. He is the son of Walter Haefner, a Swiss businessman and a notable figure in the auto industry. Walter Haefner worked for General Motors Corporation in Switzerland before venturing into car dealerships. He also founded Automation Center A.G., a computer services company in Zürich in 1964.
Rise to Success
Martin Haefner studied mathematics at ETH Zurich. He worked as a high school teacher for many years. At the age of 50, he took over the management of AMAG, the family-owned importer of Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and SEAT cars in Switzerland. He also became the main shareholder of Schmolz + Bickenbach, a steel producer with factories in several countries. A significant achievement was the sale of his participation in the US software company CA Technologies.
Key Business Strategies
Haefner's key business strategies involved taking control of AMAG and diversifying investments. He later became the sole owner of AMAG. He made strategic investments, leveraging the proceeds from the sale of CA Technologies to expand his business interests.
Philanthropy
Haefner is involved in philanthropic endeavors, focusing on education, healthcare, and social causes. In December 2024, he and his wife, Marianne, established the Martin+Marianne Haefner Foundation. The foundation's assets are to be used for charitable purposes, primarily in Switzerland, in four areas of activity: science and technology, combatting absolute poverty, culture and biodiversity of flora and fauna.