Early Life
Martin Viessmann was born in Allendorf, Germany, in either 1953 or 1954. He is the son of Hans Viessmann and the grandson of Johann Viessmann, who founded the Viessmann Group in 1917. He earned a diploma from the University of Erlangen.
Rise to Success
Viessmann's career is centered on the Viessmann Group, a leading manufacturer of heating systems and climate control solutions. He joined the family business after completing his studies in 1979. Under his leadership, the company expanded globally, with 23 production sites in 12 countries and a workforce of 14,500 employees as of 2022. He has been a key figure in decarbonizing heating systems, focusing on sustainability in product design and operations. In 2023, the Climate Solutions business division was sold to Carrier Global for €12 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Viessmann focused on innovation, sustainability, and international expansion. He emphasized the development of energy-efficient climate solutions, including heat pumps and renewable energy systems. He also spearheaded the company's digital transformation, including digital platforms for energy management. In 2022, the Viessmann Group's revenue reached €4 billion, a 19% increase over the previous year.
Philanthropy
Viessmann and his wife Annette have been involved in philanthropy, creating the Viessmann Foundation. The foundation supports initiatives in climate action, health, education, and democracy. In 2025, the Viessmann Foundation donated €500,000 to support eight grassroots organizations in Germany. In 2025, the foundation committed to a €1,000,000 donation to Water.org over three years.