Heinrich Weiss (1942 – 2025)
Heinrich Weiss, the entrepreneur and former CEO of SMS group, passed away on September 8 surrounded by his family.
Heinrich Weiss remained closely involved in the company’s development until recently. For more than five decades, he led the family business as its fourth‑generation head. The company’s origins trace back to his great‑grandfather, Carl Eberhard Weiss, who opened a forge in Siegerland in 1871 that eventually became Siemag (Siegener Maschinenbau) AG. After completing engineering studies in Munich, Heinrich Weiss joined the company in 1968 and was appointed Chairman of the Managing Board in 1971. Under his leadership, the company entered a period of strong growth and global expansion. 1973 marked the company’s merger with Schloemann, based in Düsseldorf. The company’s further development was shaped by major acquisitions, notably Mannesmann Demag in 1999 and Luxembourg‑based Paul Wurth in 2021.
Until 2024, Heinrich Weiss served as the sole chairman of the Family Foundation and carefully prepared the generational transition.
Beyond his dedication to the company, Heinrich Weiss also served for decades on economic policy bodies, leading the China Working Group of the Asia‑Pacific Committee of German Business from 1982 to 1997, acting as Federal Chairman of the CDU Economic Council from 1983 to 1988, and presiding over the Federation of German Industries (BDI) from 1991 to 1992. Among other appointments, he served on the supervisory boards of Deutsche Bahn, Commerzbank and Bertelsmann, and on the Board of Directors of Bombardier.
Vita
| June 5, 1942 | Born in Berlin, grew up in Hilchenbach, district Siegen, Germany |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Master degree in electrical engineering (Dipl.-Ing.) at the Technical University, Munich |
| 2001 | Honorary doctorate (Dr.-Ing. E. h.) from RWTH University of Technology, Aachen |
| 1968 | President, Siemag Maschinen- und Stahlbau Netphen GmbH, Netphen (Sieg) |
|---|---|
| 1971 | Chairman and CEO, Siemag Siegener Maschinenbau GmbH, Hilchenbach |
| 1974 - 2013 | Chairman and CEO, SMS group, Düsseldorf |
| 2013 - 2017 | Chairman of the Supervisory Board, SMS group, Düsseldorf |
| since 2016 | Chairman of the Weiss Family Foundation Board |
Mandates in Business (selection):
| since 2014 | Chairman of the Board, Gottfried Schultz GmbH & Co. KG, Ratingen |
|---|---|
| 2005 - 2015 | Member of the Board, Bombardier Inc., Montréal, Canada |
| 2000 - 2015 | Member of the Supervisory Board, Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin |
| 1978 - 2014 | Member of the Shareholders´ Committee and Supervisory Board, Voith AG, Heidenheim |
| 1983 - 2010 | Member of the Board, Thyssen Bornemisza Group, Monaco |
| 1986 – 2009 | Member of the Supervisory Board, Commerzbank AG, Frankfurt/Main |
| 1996 – 2006 | Member of the Supervisory Board, Hochtief AG, Essen |
| 1991 – 2001 | Member of the Supervisory Board, Bertelsmann AG, Gütersloh |
| 1979 – 1995 | Member of the Supervisory Board, IKB Deutsche Industriebank, Düsseldorf |
| 1988 – 1993 | Member of the Board, ABB-Konzern, Zurich |
Mandates in Politics (selection):
| 1995 –2013 | Chairman, Foreign Trade Advisory Council to the Secretary of Economics and Technology, Berlin |
|---|---|
| 1987 - 2012 | Member of the Board, Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Berlin |
| 1982 - 2012 | Member of the Board, Asia Pacific Committee of German Business, Berlin |
| 1982 - 1997 | Chairman, China Group of the Asia Pacific Committee of German Business, Berlin |
| 1991 - 1992 | Chairman, Federation of German Industry (BDI), Berlin |
| 1983 - 1988 | Chairman, Economic Advisory Council of the CDU Party, Berlin |
Condolences
Public condolence books are available at the main entrances of our sites in Hilchenbach and Mönchengladbach.
Alternatively, you can leave your message via the email address condolences.heinrich.weiss@sms-group.com.