Heinz Hermann Thiele & family
Overview
- Source of Wealth
- brakes
- Industry
- Construction & Engineering
- Residence
- Education
- University of Munich (LLM)
- Children
- 2
Assets
- Knorr-Bremse113,098,000 shares @ --KBX-DE
- Vossloh AG8,798,000 shares @ --VOS-DE
Biography
Heinz Hermann Thiele's Knorr-Bremse AG is the world's leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles.
Coming from modest means and working his way through law school, Thiele joined the firm's legal department in the late 1960s and took over control in the mid-1980s.
He withdrew from operational duties in 2007, chaired the supervisory board, was named honorary chairman in 2016, and took the company public in 2018.
Son Henrik, who was supposed to join Knorr-Bremse's board in July of 2015, suddenly left the company due to differences with his father.
Thiele also owns 50% of railroad equipment maker Vossloh; he left his position as head of the company's advisory board in 2017.
About
Among business leaders, Thiele is one of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's most outspoken critics for her stance on immigration and support for sanctioning Russia.
Daughter Julia runs his charity organization, Knorr-Bremse Global Care, which supports education and water hygiene projects in countries where the company is active.