Since it was founded in 1756, Haniel has developed from a commodities trading company based in Duisburg into an international Group. It is still a family-owned business to this day. Its operations are focused on trade and services. Responsibility for the operating business rests with the five divisions, all of which occupy market-leading positions. Haniel distinguishes between wholly-owned investments (CWS-boco and ELG), majority investments (TAKKT and Celesio) and minority investments (METRO GROUP). Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, the Holding Company, is responsible for Group-wide strategic and financial leadership as well as human resources development. In 2010, Haniel generated 27.4 billion euros turnover with around 58,000 employees.
Driving force in the Ruhr area
In order to increase continually the company value, Haniel has been forward-thinking in its actions from the very start – also in terms of social aspects. Franz Haniel (1779-1868), grandson of the company’s founder, was thus not only a pioneer of industrialisation in the Ruhr area, but also the person who masterminded socially responsible management. As early as the 19th century, his achievements included establishing the first company-owned housing estate for workers and creating a “Support fund for Sick Workers”. Today, the 600-strong Haniel family undertakes a social responsibility, primarily via the Haniel Foundation.
