Enkelfähig is a platform developed by Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, a longstanding family-owned investment holding company based in Duisburg, Germany. Haniel, founded in 1756, is among Europe’s oldest family businesses and currently manages a diversified portfolio of companies, including complete or controlling interests in industries such as B2B services, textiles, logistics, and business equipment. As of 2022, Haniel reported €4.2 billion in revenue and had over 21,500 employees.
The term "enkelfähig" describes Haniel’s guiding principle: investing in ways that benefit not just current stakeholders but also future generations. This approach shapes both strategy and operations at Haniel headquarters, notably influencing significant urban development initiatives. For instance, Haniel is collaborating with the City of Duisburg and other partners to redevelop post-industrial port areas, previously used for coal storage, into sustainable urban spaces. The projects exemplify the application of “enkelfähig” by focusing on environmental restoration, new usage models for legacy sites, and community engagement.
The website enkelfaehig.de serves as Haniel’s communication platform for this philosophy, offering information and updates about projects, company practices, and the group’s historical evolution. Detailed examples from recent years include substantial investment in the circular economy through their company CWS, and in education and business services within Europe and North America.
Enkelfähig is not a standalone charitable organization or NGO, but rather the visible mission of Haniel’s long-term, cross-generational investment and development activities anchored in Duisburg.