Top 20 Most Famous German Companies

Top 20 Most Famous German Companies

Despite the very bold dark chapters in Germany’s history, it has proven to be the land of resilience. Renowned for its precision, engineering prowess, and remarkable cultural contributions, Germany stands as a testament to the power of transformation.

See some facts about Germany here!

Its flourishing economy has nurtured a plethora of iconic companies that have become household names worldwide. From biotech pioneers to automotive giants, Germany boasts a diverse selection of companies spanning numerous industries.

This article will discuss some of Germany’s most famous companies. Enjoy!

1. Mercedes-Benz

John Y. Can, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A name synonymous with class, luxury, and automotive excellence, Mercedes Benz is an automotive company based in Stuttgart, Germany. With history dating all the way back to 1926 Mercedes-Benz is now a global product and one of the world’s leading car manufacturers.

It was incorporated in 1926 following a merger between Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft which were companies founded by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler.

After the merger, the resulting company was renamed Daimler-Benz which became DaimlerChrysler in 1998 following the acquisition of the Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler divested again in 2007 at which point the company became Daimler AG.

The name Mercedes-Benz was only adopted in February 2022. Some of the company’s marque vehicle models include the Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach.

Read about the Mercedes Benz Stadium here!

2. Siemens

Rufus46, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A behemoth in the tech industry, Siemens is a German conglomerate that specializes in digitizing and automating manufacturing processes. It was founded in 1847 by Werner von Siemens and Johann Georg Halske as Siemens & Halske.

Over the years it has held different names such as Siemens-Schuckertwerke and Siemens AG. Today, Siemens is a global powerhouse, operating in more than 200 countries.

Siemens has headquarters in two German cities, Berlin and Munich, and is recognized as the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe.

3. BMW

Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

BMW is a prestigious and world-renowned motor vehicle manufacturer known for its luxury vehicles and motorcycles. Headquartered in Munich, BMW is an abbreviation for Bayerische Motoren Werke.

The company was founded in 1910 by Gustav Otto in Bavaria. It would not take its current name until 1922 when it was renamed.

A world-renowned brand, BMW produces motor vehicles in several countries beyond Germany including Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its products are marketed as either BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce for automobiles or BMW Motorrad for motorcycles.

4. Volkswagen

AndreasPraefcke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Volkswagen is a globally recognized automotive manufacturer that designs and produces passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles, engines, and turbomachinery. The company, infamous for its cars, also provides lesser-known services such as fleet management, leasing, and financing.

Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen was founded in 1937 in Berlin by the German Labour Front which had Nazi Party affiliations. The first car manufactured under Volkswagen is the infamous Beetle which was produced from 1938 to 2000.

Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, and the Ducati are some of Volkwagen’s most well-known brands. Volkswagen’s operations are carried out in over 150 countries overall, with more than 100 production facilities spread across more than 27 nations.

5. Deutsche Telekom

Qualle, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deutsche Telekom AG is a giant telecommunication based in Bonn, Germany that is hailed as one of the largest in Europe and by extension the world. It is also recognized as DT, DTAG, and Telekom.

Its history dates all the way back to 1947 when the German federal government’s postal administration formed the Deutsche Bundespost. Deutsche Telekom AG as it is known today was created when Deutsche Bundespost was split by the government into 3 entities in 1989.

The other 2 are Deutsche Post (DHL) and Deutsche Postbank. One of DT’s biggest subsidiaries among the many is the mobile communications brand T-Mobile.

6. Allianz

Allianz is an internationally recognized financial service based in Munich, Germany. It offers several services in the finance industry including insurance and asset management among other services.

Allianz was founded in 1890 by Carl von Thieme in Berlin. Its first products were marine and accident policies.

The company first expanded outside Germany in 1893 by opening offices in London. Today, the company has expanded exponentially and is recognized as one of the world’s largest insurers and financial services companies.

Besides its financial and insurance operations, Allianz is famous for owning the naming rights to the Allianz Arena in Munich. Football (soccer) fans will recognize this as the home of Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München.

Read about the best German athletes here! Some of whom have graced the Allianz Arena.

7. Adidas

Avda, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Adidas AG is a multinational powerhouse in the sportswear industry with a history as captivating as its brands. The company was founded in 1949 by Adi Dassler and that’s where the company’s name is from.

However, its foundation came after a falling out between brothers Adi Dassler and Rudolf Dassler which led to the split of the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory. Following the split, Adi’s brother Rudolph formed one of Adidas’ biggest rivals Ruda. Which later became Puma!

Over the years, Adidas has grown into a global brand. It is recognized as the largest sportswear brand in Europe and globally it comes second only to Nike.

8. Bayer

Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bayer AG is a multinational pharmaceutical and biotech company based in Leverkusen Germany. A giant in the biotech sector, Bayer deals in the development of agricultural chemicals and seeds, pharmaceuticals, and biotech products.

It was founded in 1863 by Friedrich Bayer and his partner, Johann Friedrich Weskott as a dye factory. Over the years, Bayer diversified its portfolio becoming a giant in the industry and expanding outside Germany.

Bayer Operates in over 90 countries worldwide and its products and services touch the lives of millions, addressing pressing global challenges such as healthcare, crop protection, and environmental sustainability.

While Bayer has played an undeniable positive role, parts of its history paint a very grim picture. This is because of alleged involvement in the Nazi war, the holocaust, the use of slave labor, and using humans in dangerous chemical tests.

9. Audi

A subsidiary of Volkswagen, Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer known for its luxury cars. Alongside brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi is a leader in the industry and among the best-selling luxury vehicle brands.

Audi has a very complex history dating all the way back to 1885. However, the current iteration of the company was created in 1960 when Volkswagen acquired it and later merged it with NSU Motorenwerke.

Audi is a global brand that has a total of nine production facilities. Its models are marketed using the company name, Audi, such as the Audi A6, Audi Q7, Audi R8, and the Audi e-Tron.

10. SAP

MichaelBr90, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

SAP is a German software company recognized globally for its enterprise business management software. It was founded in 1972 by five former IBM employees namely Dietmar Hopp, Hasso Plattner, Claus Wellenreuther, Klaus Tschira, and Hans-Werner Hector.

At the time of its foundation, it was known as ‘Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung’ and became ‘Systeme, Anwendungen und Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung (SAP GmbH)’ in 1981.

It wasn’t until 2005 that it was restructured into SAP. With headquarters in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, SAP has expanded globally and currently has regional offices in over 180 countries.

11. Uniper

Uniper GmbH, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Probably not as flashy as the other names on this list, Uniper SE is a behemoth in the Energy industry whose importance makes it all the more noticeable. The name is a blend derived from the words “unique” and “performance”.

Founded as recently as 2016, Uniper is a German electric utility company that has quickly become a formidable entity in the energy landscape. It currently operates in over 40 countries besides Germany spanning Europe and the Americas.

12. Aldi

Aldi is a global retail powerhouse infamous for their unique approach to discount grocery shopping. While under one name, the company has two separate chains (Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord) with quite an interesting origin.

The company was formed by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 after they took control of their mother’s retail shop. The company expanded over the years thanks to excellent management from the brothers.

However, in 1960 the brothers split following a dispute over whether the stores should sell cigarettes. They introduced the name Aldi in 1962 which was short for Albrecht-Diskont. Following the split, Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd were born.

Aldi Nord oversees operations in northern and western Europe, while Aldi Süd controls southern and eastern Europe and the United States.

13. Schwarz Gruppe

Didi999, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Schwarz Group is a multinational retail giant that has maintained the family feel over the course of its long history. The company runs several grocery shops using the brand names Lidl and Kaufland.

Lidl, a discount supermarket chain, is celebrated for its affordable prices and extensive product range. Kaufland, on the other hand, offers a broader assortment, including groceries, household items, and electronics.

It was founded in 1930 by Josef Schwarz and has its headquarters in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Today the company has expanded significantly beyond Germany’s borders. There are almost 1300 Schwarz Group stores in over 33 countries.

14. DHL Group

Stefan Kühn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Deutsche Post, commonly referred to and recognized as DHL, is an international logistics, courier service provider, and supply chain management company. It is one of the largest courier companies in the world and by far the largest in Europe.

Deutsche Post (DHL), in its present form, came into existence in 1995 following the privatization of its predecessor, the Deutsche Bundespost. DHL’s furthest-reaching subsidiary is the Parcel division which claims to have reached over 220 countries around the globe.

15. Robert Bosch

Pjt56, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Referred to simply as Bosch, Robert Bosch is a German multinational technology and engineering company. Named after its founder, German engineer Robert Bosch, the company was founded in 1886 in Stuttgart.

It started as a small workshop dedicated to precision mechanics and electrical engineering and has grown into a world-renowned multi-billion-dollar establishment. Bosch’s innovative solutions span various sectors, including automotive technology, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology.

While it may not be the most famous in the world, Bosch’s revenue generation ranks it s the largest automotive producer and supplier in the world.

16. BASF

Rudolf Stricker, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

BASF chemical producer that has global recognition for its innovation and longevity in the business world. The company’s name in full is Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik which translated to English is ‘Baden Aniline and Soda Factory’.

BASF works in a number of industries, including chemicals, plastics, performance materials, and agricultural solutions. Friedrich Engelhorn founded BASF in 1865, and it has endured.

Today, its operations span nearly 80 countries, with a customer base in over 190 nations.

17. Munich Re

Unknown authorUnknown author (Munich Re), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Munich Reinsurance Company better known as the Munich Re Group is a German multinational insurance company. It is recognized as one of the world’s reinsurance companies.

Reinsurance is the insurance that an insurance company takes to insulate itself from probable risks. So in this regard, Munich Re is the guardian angel of insurance companies.

It was founded in 1880 by Carl von Thieme and has its headquarters nestled in Munich, Germany. Munich Re has carved a prominent path in the insurance landscape, fostering trust, stability, and unmatched expertise.

See some facts about the city of Munich here!

18. EnBW

Wald-Burger8, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Officially known as EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG simplified as EnBW is a German energy company. As its full name suggests, the company is based in Germany’s Baden-Württemberg state.

It was founded in 1997, following the merger between two pre-existing energy companies, Baden-Württemberg, Badenwerk AG, and Energie-Versorgung Schwaben AG. With a primary focus on electricity generation, EnBW harnesses diverse energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear power.

It operates not only within Germany but also in several countries worldwide, including Austria, Sweden, and Turkey.

19. Merck

Montgomery County Planning Commission, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Merck Group is an international biotechnology, science, and technology company based in Germany. Its operations revolve around Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Electronic manufacturing.

Merck has a long history dating to the 17th century when Friedrich Jacob Merck assumed ownership of the Engel-Apotheke (“Angel Pharmacy”) in Darmstadt. Today, Merck operates in more than 140 countries worldwide, delivering innovative medicines, vaccines, and other healthcare solutions that have transformed countless lives.

Discover the most famous biotech companies in the USA here!

20. Deutsche Bahn

Bahn Tower, Raimond Spekking, Wikimedia Commons

Deutsche Bahn, abbreviated as DB or DBAG is a German-state-owned national railway company. Stemming from the merger of the East and West German railways, Deutsche Bahn emerged as Germany’s national railway company, built upon a legacy that traces back to the 19th century.

Today, Deutsche Bahn stands as one of the world’s largest railway operators, offering a comprehensive range of services encompassing passenger transportation, logistics, and infrastructure management. It operates in several European countries.

In conclusion, the companies mentioned above are in part responsible for enhancing Germany’s standing as a global economic force. It should, however, be noted that the list barely scratches the surface of Germany’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

See some of the best places to visit in Germany here!