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  • Heinz Dürr

    In memoriam Heinz Dürr

Heinz Dürr (1933 – 2023): Entrepreneur, role model, human being

Heinz Dürr was one of the most prominent entrepreneurial personalities in the Federal Republic of Germany. A “born optimist,” as the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper called him, he became particularly well known as the head of AEG and Deutsche Bahn. But above all, his heart beat for his own company. Heinz Dürr, who died in November 2023 at the age of 90, was many things to the people of the Dürr Group: supporter, visionary, stabilizing force, and approachable figure of identification.

Insights into the life and work of Heinz Dürr

Heinz Dürr with his first car - a Bugatti
Born in Stuttgart in 1933, Heinz Dürr completed an apprenticeship as a locksmith in Uerdingen after finishing secondary school and then went on to study mechanical engineering in his hometown. In the 1950s, he bought his first car, a Bugatti.
Otto Dürr and Heinz Dürr
Heinz Dürr (right) joined the Dürr family business in 1957, when his father Otto Dürr (left) was Managing Director. Three years later, Heinz Dürr himself joined the management team. Heinz Dürr boldly forged ahead with the internationalization of the company. In 1964, he founded the first foreign subsidiary in Brazil – an unusual step for a medium-sized Swabian company at the time.
Heinz Dürr and two employees
Heinz Dürr (center) was always keen to communicate with his employees. The employees appreciated his down-to-earth attitude and approachability.
Heinz Dürr at the christmas party in 1969
At the company Christmas party in 1969, junior boss Heinz Dürr obviously had his hands full.
Employee newspaper for the 75th anniversary of Dürr
Heinz Dürr and his wife Heide gave the corporate culture a modern edge. In the 1960s, Dürr was one of the first industrial companies with an employee newspaper, a library, artwork displayed in the buildings as well as theater and concert performances in the factory.
Heinz Dürr at his start of work at AEG
In 1980, Heinz Dürr stepped down as CEO of his company and became head of the electrical company AEG. The surprising move had been initiated by the then head of Bosch, Hans Lutz Merkle. Heinz Dürr led AEG through a settlement and brought it under the control of Daimler-Benz AG in 1985, where he joined the Board of Management in 1986.
Heinz Dürr at the flotation of Dürr AG.
In 1990, Heinz Dürr floated Dürr AG on the stock market. The proceeds were used to acquire application technology specialist Behr, which went on to become Dürr’s successful painting robot segment.
Heinz Dürr and Helmut Kohl in the railway.
In the 1990s, Heinz Dürr (right) drove forward the railway reform as Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Bundesbahn. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl (left) had brought the entrepreneur to the Bundesbahn. In 1997, the then 64-year-old moved to Deutsche Bahn AG’s Supervisory Board and was its chairman until 1999.
Heinz Dürr and his wife Heide Dürr
Heinz Dürr founded the Heinz and Heide Dürr Stiftung with his wife Heide Dürr in 1998. The foundation focuses mainly on science and research, early-years education, and German-speaking theater.
Heinz Dürr at the Carl Zeiss Foundation
From 1999 to 2003, Heinz Dürr was commissioner of the Carl Zeiss Foundation. There he made a significant contribution to the reform of the foundation status in 1896.
Heinz Dürr at the summer party at the main site in Bietigheim-Bissingen
Always up for fun: Heinz Dürr at the 2013 summer party at the main site in Bietigheim-Bissingen.
Yasmine Blair, Heinz Dürr and Dr. Jochen Weyrauch
With passion and a wealth of memories and anecdotes, Heinz Dürr was committed to celebrating the 125th anniversary of “his” company in 2022.
Heinz Dürr at the Heinz Dürr Award ceremony
Heinz Dürr believed that a company has a responsibility toward society and its employees. Employees have been honored with the Heinz Dürr Award for outstanding achievements since 2001. At the award ceremony in 2023, patron Heinz Dürr thanked the winners for their commitment.
Dürr employees are welcoming Heinz Dürr on his 90th birthday
On his 90th birthday, employees welcomed Heinz Dürr with a birthday serenade in Bietigheim-Bissingen.
Heinz Dürr
Heinz Dürr maintained close ties with the company as Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board until the end. The Berlin-based entrepreneur frequently visited locations in Germany and abroad.

Who was Heinz Dürr? Find out more about a unique entrepreneur