Early Life
Reinhold Würth was born on April 20, 1935, in Öhringen, Germany. He joined his father's wholesale screw business in 1949 at age 14, becoming the second employee and first apprentice. After his father's death in 1954, at the age of 19, Reinhold took over the management of the company.
Rise to Success
Under Reinhold's leadership, the regional trading business transformed into the global Würth Group. He focused on international expansion, establishing the first foreign subsidiary in the Netherlands in 1962. Over the decades, the company expanded its operations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. His strategies included direct sales and innovative distribution models, which contributed to its success.
Key Business Strategies
Würth's business strategy centered on a customer-focused approach. They targeted specific industries, like automotive, construction, and manufacturing, and ensuring Würth became a go-to supplier. He has expanded the product range to over 100,000 different products. His emphasis on employee motivation and a strong corporate culture helped drive growth and innovation, establishing the company as a market leader. Reinhold retired from operational management in 1994, but has remained active as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Würth Group's family trusts.
Philanthropy
Alongside his wife, Carmen, Reinhold Würth established the Würth Foundation in 1987. The foundation supports various initiatives in arts and culture, research, science, education, and social integration. His collection of art includes over 18,300 works. He is a noted philanthropist, known for his support of cultural projects and social causes, including the Carmen Würth Forum.