Early Life and Career
Udo Schütz was born on January 11, 1937, and began his career as an entrepreneur in 1958, founding Schütz-Werke in Selters, Germany. Initially focused on producing heating oil tanks, Schütz quickly identified the growing demand for industrial packaging, leading to the development of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and other innovative solutions.
Rise to Success
Under Schütz's leadership, Schütz-Werke expanded globally, establishing production facilities in numerous countries, including the USA, Brazil, Japan, China, and Indonesia. The company's success is attributed to its focus on quality, innovation, and sustainable practices. Today, the Schütz Group has 7,000 employees.
Key Business Strategies
Schütz's business philosophy centers on vertical integration and a long-term commitment to private ownership. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability and has also developed lightweight composite materials under the brand CORMASTER, used in the aerospace industry and yacht building. The company also has a strong focus on innovation, for example, Schütz received the Rudolf-Diesel-Medaille in 2024 for his development of the Intermediate Bulk Container.
Philanthropy
Udo Schütz has given 25.5% of the company's shares to the family's charitable foundation, Else Schütz Stiftung.