Visionary – Inventor – Doer
Klaus Grohe is many things: entrepreneur, perfectionist, family man. But above all, he is one thing – tireless. Born in 1937, the third son of company founder Hans Grohe shaped the company like no other. With curiosity, drive and unconventional ideas, he leads Hansgrohe to international success.
From the Workbench to the Executive Office
Klaus Grohe does not grow up in the Executive Board Room, but gains practical experience in production and internships abroad. Even during the holidays, he works in the workshop, tinkering and learning the craft from scratch. In 1968, he joined the company as head of organization. A short time later, he took over the sales management and focused on direct customer contact. His recipe for success: listening, understanding and acting.
Down-to-Earth Boss
In 1977, Klaus Grohe became the sole managing director. Despite the leadership role, he remains approachable and pragmatic. Suits and ties? No. Klaus Grohe exemplifies openness and establishes the Hansgrohe management style, characterized by team spirit, innovation and quality standards. In accordance with his principle “The good is the enemy of the better”, he is ready to question everything and take revolutionary paths.
At the end of the 1970s, he pushed ahead with internationalization. Sales are growing, the company is becoming more global.
The Designer among the Tinkerers
With a flair for aesthetics, Klaus Grohe is revolutionizing the industry. As early as the 1960s, he hired industrial designers. In the 1980s, he found the right partners in Andreas Haug and Tom Schönherr, the founders of PHOENIX Design. Later, other design greats, such as Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola and Antonio Citterio joined. These collaborations established an unmistakable design language.
In 1984, a new corporate identity gave the company a fresh look – from packaging to color coding – a novelty for a medium-sized company at the time. At the same time, Klaus Grohe relies on modern marketing for a strong international presence.
Sustainability as a Matter of the Heart
Even before many others think about environmental protection, Klaus Grohe makes sustainability a top priority. In the 1980s, Hansgrohe developed water saving showers, hired the first environmental officer and installed what was then Germany’s largest roof integrated solar power plant. With projects, such as the solar tower, Klaus Grohe shows how economic efficiency and ecological responsibility can be combined. His passion for water drives him. With the Hansgrohe Water Symposia, he raises awareness for the conscious use of this vital resource.
Cosmopolitan and Rooted in Home
Despite his global success, Klaus Grohe remains close to his homeland. For him, the workforce is more than a team – it is a family. Joint activities strengthen cohesion. At the same time, he supports projects in Schiltach and the surrounding area with the Klaus Grohe Foundation. He is a citizen of the world, travels to numerous countries and speaks several languages.
Forever a Role Model
Klaus Grohe leads Hansgrohe to sustainable growth and makes it a pioneer in design and sustainability. AXOR becomes a brand for the highest demands, hansgrohe a premium brand in the bathroom and kitchen sector. In 2022, he will be awarded the German Founder’s Award. His life’s work combines tradition and innovation and inspires for generations.
Farewell to a Visionary Entrepreneur
On January 3, 2026, Klaus Grohe passed away at the age of 88. He laid the foundation for the global success of the Hansgrohe Group and decisively shaped our company’s DNA. His principles and his passion for Hansgrohe will remain forever embedded in the company and in all our minds.
