Haniel, officially known as Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, is a privately held holding company headquartered in Duisburg-Ruhrort, Germany. Founded in 1756 as a colonial goods store, the company has remained under family ownership for over 265 years, making it one of Germany’s oldest and most significant family-owned enterprises. The Haniel family, now numbering more than 600 members, remains deeply involved in the company’s governance and philanthropy.
With its origins in trading, Haniel expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries into merchant shipping, steelmaking, mining, and a variety of industrial ventures—playing a major role in the industrialization of the Ruhr region. The group helped pioneer early worker welfare initiatives and company housing. Historically, Haniel’s shipping and industrial interests made it a central player in the economic development of the Duisburg region.
Today, Haniel manages a diversified investment portfolio, focusing especially on majority holdings in European business services companies. Its substantial investments include companies such as CWS (hygiene solutions), BekaertDeslee (textile production), ELG (metal recycling), ROVEMA (packaging machines), and TAKKT (B2B equipment distribution). The group also pursues financial investments in high-growth sectors internationally. In 2022, Haniel reported revenues exceeding €4.2 billion and employed over 21,000 people.
Current projects reflect Haniel's dual focus on financial performance and sustainability. Notably, its portfolio companies are encouraged to develop solutions that address both market needs and environmental concerns, exemplified by ELG’s advances in scrap metal recycling and CWS’s hygiene services. Haniel’s approach remains rooted in long-term, responsible ownership shaped by continuity and adaptation.