Haniel: Creating Value for Generations

Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH is a 100% family-owned company based in Duisburg since its founding in 1756. The company manages a portfolio of independent companies with the goal of creating value for generations as a leading purpose-driven investor.

To this end, we align our portfolio strictly “enkelfähig”, i.e.: following clear performance and sustainability criteria. Currently, the Haniel portfolio includes ten investments: BauWatch, BekaertDeslee, CWS Cleanrooms, CWS Fire Safety, CWS Hygiene, CWS Workwear, Emma – The Sleep Company, KMK kinderzimmer, ROVEMA and TAKKT. In addition, Haniel manages a financial stake in CECONOMY and minority interests in high-growth start-ups.

In 2023, the Haniel Group has nearly 22,000 employees and sales of EUR 4.4 billion.

The Haniel Group differs from other family businesses in that: since the beginning of the 20th century, the management of the Group has been entrusted to external managers. There are no family members within the Group. Therefore, corporate decisions can be made without being influenced by family commitments to achieve the best business results.

Family members only transfer Haniel shares to each other. This means that it is not possible to sell shares to people outside the business. The General Meeting of Shareholders consists of more than 750 shareholders. The General Meeting of Shareholders is held once a year and from its members the Family Advisory Board – the link between the family and the company – is elected for a term of five years. The Advisory Board consists of up to 30 family members, of whom four are elected to the Supervisory Board by the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders elects two non-family members to the Supervisory Board, who together with the family members form the shareholder representative group of the Supervisory Board. Here, they jointly determine the principles of business policy and influence corporate strategy. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, together with family members, forms the shareholder representative group of the Supervisory Board. Here, they jointly determine the principles of business policy and influence corporate strategy. Shareholders and employee representatives have equal representation in this co-determined supervisory body, and they jointly appoint and dismiss the members of the Management Board, monitor their work and support them in an advisory capacity. The four members of the Supervisory Board form the Audit Committee, which also has equal representation. This committee monitors the accounting processes as well as the effectiveness of the internal control system, the risk management system, the internal audit function and the compliance management system. In addition, this committee reviews and confirms the impartiality of the auditors of the financial statements.