Adolf Würth
German entrepreneur (1909–1954)
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Adolf Würth (/wuːrth/woor-th February 7, 1909 – December 14, 1954), also spelled Wuerth, was a German businessman. In 1945, he founded what today is known as Würth Group, the world's largest industrial screw distributor.[1] He is the father of Reinhold Würth.
February 7, 1909
Adolf Würth | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Adolf Würth February 7, 1909 |
| Died | December 14, 1954 (aged 45) |
| Occupations | Businessman, screw wholesaler |
| Known for | Founding Würth Group |
| Spouse |
Alma Schrott Kindermann
(m. 1932) |
| Children | 2, including Reinhold |
Early life and education
Würth was born in Ilsfeld, Grand Duchy of Baden to Friedrich Würth. His father was a farmer, winemaker and innkeeper.[2][3] In 1922, he became an apprentice in the hardware business of the Reisser Brothers in Kupferzell, which operated stores in Künzelsau, Öhringen and Schwäbisch Hall.[4]
Career
Immediately after World War II, Würth founded his independent company Adolf Würth, Holzschrauben, Künzelsau (en: Adolf Würth, wood screws, Künzelsau) as a sole proprietorship on July 16, 1945.[5] However, his wife Alma could also be seen as the initiator of the venture.[6][7][8]
After the end of the Second World War, my mother was more of the driving force behind urging my father to become self-employed
In December 1952, the company moved into its own headquarters on Bahnhofstrasse in Künzelsau.
Personal life
On August 6, 1932, he married Alma Kindermann (née Schrott; 1913–2006).[9] She was previously widowed and had no children from her marriage. They had two sons;
- Reinhold Würth (April 20, 1935), who scaled Würth Group to its multinational level and today is estimated to be worth $26.9 billion.[10]
- Klaus-Frieder Würth (April 11, 1944)
Würth died on December 14, 1954, after a heart attack. After his death the family business was taken-over by his wife and his 19-year-old son Reinhold. They turned the company into a multinational screw concern (today also known as Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG - named after the founding father).