Early Life
Reinold Geiger was born in Dornbirn, Austria, on July 10, 1947. His father worked as a carpenter. Despite his modest upbringing, Geiger developed a strong interest in education, earning a degree in engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich in 1969 and an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, in 1976.
Rise to Success
Geiger's career began with entrepreneurial ventures. In 1978, he founded AMS Packaging Company in Paris, which specialized in cosmetics packaging. He sold this company profitably, demonstrating his business acumen. A pivotal moment arrived in 1994 when Geiger invested in L'Occitane en Provence. He then took over its management. Under Geiger's leadership, L'Occitane experienced significant growth and global expansion.
Key Business Strategies
Geiger's success is closely tied to his strategic approach to L'Occitane. He oversaw the brand's expansion to over 3,400 outlets in 90 countries. A major milestone was the listing of L'Occitane on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in May 2010. In 2021, Geiger stepped down as CEO but remains Chairman and Executive Director, continuing to guide the company's direction. He owns 70% of the company.
Philanthropy
Geiger created the L'Occitane Foundation in 2006 with the goal of funding quality optometry services. Further details on Geiger's specific philanthropic amounts are not readily available.