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Founder of Häfele – Adolf Häfele
On December 1, 1923, two young entrepreneurs Adolf Häfele and Örmann Funk founded the company “Products of the Hardware and Tool Industry” in Aulendorf, marking the beginning of the development of Häfele. After four years, the company became a private enterprise owned by Adolf Häfele.
The company focused on manufacturing for the woodworking industry, then moved its headquarters to the city of Nagold – a center for furniture production. This opened up great development opportunities for Häfele.
In 1948, Häfele officially celebrated its 25th anniversary with 29 employees and rapidly increasing revenue. In 1949, during the post-World War II national reconstruction period, the founder’s grandson – Walther Thierer, then 26 years old, took charge of the company .
Join Häfelehome to learn about the senior members of the Board of Directors who have made important strategic decisions to help Häfele develop sustainably.
Gregor Riekena – CEO of Häfele Group
A graduate of Business, Gregor Riekena joined Häfele as Head of Marketing in 2011 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2015 as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). On his way to becoming the successor of Sibylle Thierer, he has gained a deep understanding of the company at both a national and international level. He is also responsible for the Häfele Group’s brand strategy and the development of its global e-commerce platform. From 2023, he will take over as CEO of the Häfele Group. With his understanding of the company at both a national and international level, Gregor Riekena plays a key role in shaping the future, developing strategies and development goals for Häfele.
Areas of responsibility:
Ms. Sibylle Thierer – Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Häfele Group
As the third generation heiress of the Häfele family, Ms. Sibylle Thierer assumed the position of CEO & President from 2003 until the end of 2022. Sibylle Thierer has made a great contribution to the development and expansion of Häfele. For more than 20 years, she has led the company to become a world-leading expert in the production and distribution of interior fittings and door hardware, electronic access control systems, LED lighting, etc.
It can be said that Ms. Sibylle Thierer represents the biggest change in the history of door and furniture fittings. She has devoted herself to the furniture fittings industry, and metal components, which were originally considered purely technical accessories in the furniture industry, have been elevated to a new level by her. Ms. Sibylle Thierer realized that door and furniture fittings are the key to enhancing the emotions and personalization of furniture and fittings. This is also the meaning of the slogan she created in 2007: “Without fittings, furniture is just a pile of boards”. In an era where the functionality of furniture is becoming increasingly important, this slogan has elevated furniture fittings from obscurity to the main focus of planners, designers and furniture manufacturers.
Since 2023, she has transferred all management and operational responsibilities to Gregor Riekena. However, as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, she continues to have core responsibility for the Häfele Group’s operations.
Areas of responsibility:
Stefan Huber – Managing Director of International Business, Häfele Group
Stefan Huber currently holds the important role of Managing Director of International Business at Häfele. He joined the group in 1996 as a product manager. In 1998, he was given the responsibility of Managing Director of Häfele Japan. In 2006, he became an integral part of Häfele’s global executive board.
Michael Distl – Executive Director of Finance, Human Resources, Legal and Facilities Management
Michael Distl became a member of Häfele and joined the Company’s Board of Directors in February 2020. He assumes the role of Managing Director for Finance, Human Resources, Legal and Facilities Management.
With his extensive experience and knowledge, he is responsible for shaping financial strategies, managing human resources, and ensuring that all company operations fully comply with legal regulations and management regulations.
Areas of responsibility:
Boris Katic – Managing Director Supply Chain Management
Boris Katic joined Häfele as a management executive in November 2022, taking on a key role in the areas of purchasing, logistics and quality management. His key responsibilities include the approach and management of procurement processes, supply chain optimization, product and service quality assurance, and the highest industry standards. He is an integral part of the management team, contributing to the development and optimization of Häfele’s operations.
The size of the Häfele Group
Häfele is an international group headquartered in Nagold, Germany. Häfele is the world’s leading specialist in hardware , furniture fittings, lighting systems and electronic locks. With a global workforce of 8,000 employees and its headquarters in Nagold, together with a network of 38 subsidiaries and distribution outlets worldwide, Häfele has established a strong position in the furniture industry with customers in more than 150 countries.
Known for the high quality of its products and services , Häfele focuses on key product and solution groups including furniture fittings, hardware, electronic access control systems, sanitary ware, home appliances, lighting and smart home systems, project solutions.
With many products stored in Vietnam, Häfele has established a large-scale product base, quickly responding to diverse customer and market needs in a flexible and efficient manner.
The Häfele management team has made continuous efforts to develop and maintain the leading position in the interior and architectural equipment industry to this day. Hopefully, the information shared has helped readers better understand the information and the role of the management team in shaping and promoting the development of Häfele.