Family and colleagues have paid tribute to ‘a courageous creator and unwavering visionary’, Helmut Wagner, founder and honorary president of Rehau, who has died at the age of 95.
Jobst Wagner, his elder son said: “The great sympathy for the passing of our father comes from many regions of the world. We are very touched by this as a family. It shows how great the legacy will be that Helmut Wagner has left behind as one of the pioneers of modern industry, as a courageous creator and unwavering visionary.
“We will honour the memory of Helmut Wagner by resolutely continuing his impressive work. His entrepreneurial spirit will continue to guide us in the future.”
Helmut Wagner founded the company in 1948 in the city of Rehau, Germany, and continued at the helm until handing over the management to his sons Jobst Wagner and Dr Veit Wagner as chairman and vice chairman respectively of the company’s Supervisory Board.
Today, Rehau remains a family business, now also with the third generation taking an active role, with 20,000 employees in more than 170 locations worldwide. Rehau Group CEO William Christensen said: “We owe this in particular to the vision and courage of Helmut Wagner. In deep mourning and sincere gratitude for the achievements of the company’s founder, the Rehau family is especially united in these days.”
Helmut Wagner died on Sunday, January 24, in Switzerland, with his family around him.
