2023 family businesses hall of fame

11 January 2024, Munich. They are the heroes and heroines of entrepreneurship. This year, three particularly impressive people are being inducted into the “Hall of fame of family businesses”.

It recognises individuals from German family businesses who have made outstanding achievements at their company and are role models in society.

Neben einem erfolgreichen Wirken in der Unternehmensführung bewertet die Jury dabei auch die Leistung der Familie, wenn diese als Haupteigner maßgeblich und erfolgreich auf die Strategie des Unternehmens einwirkt.

This award was initiated by the editorial team of the Handelsblatt newspaper together with the Foundation for Family Businesses, whose managing director Stefan Heidbreder is a member of the jury.

This year, Natalie Mekelburger, managing partner of the cable and adhesive tape specialist Coroplast Group, and Jürgen Heindl, founder of the corrugated cardboard and paper manufacturer Progroup AG, were recognised. As well as posthumously for his life’s work, Götz Werner, founder of the chemist’s chain dm-drogeriemarkt. His son Christoph Werner accepted the award from Sebastian Matthes, Editor-in-Chief of Handelsblatt.

More than 170 owners of family businesses attended the gala in Munich, organised by Handelsblatt with the support of auditing firm KPMG Deutschland and the Foundation for Family Businesses.

The members of the jury:

· Sebastian Matthes, Editor-in-Chief of Handelsblatt
· Klaus Becker, Spokesman of the Executive Board of KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
· Stefan Heidbreder, Managing Director of the Foundation for Family Businesses
· Dr Martin Herrenknecht, Chairman of the Executive Board, Herrenknecht AG
· Dr Hubertine Underberg-Ruder, President of the Board of Directors, Underberg AG
· Friedrich von Metzler, Partner, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. KGaA
· Susanne Veltins, Owner, Veltins Brewery