Heinz Hermann Thiele

In Memory of

We mourn the loss of Heinz Hermann Thiele, long-time Chairman of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse, a visionary entrepreneurial personality with strategic foresight who shaped the global rail and commercial vehicle industry for over 35 years. Heinz Hermann Thiele dedicated his entire life to the service of the company with tireless personal commitment. In doing so, he always set the highest standards for himself as well as for his employees. This amazing energy and willpower, coupled with the ability to persevere, has led Knorr-Bremse to incredible success.

Mr. Thiele always combined his entrepreneurial and personal success with social responsibility. As a patron, Mr. Thiele not only founded the non-profit organization Knorr-Bremse Global Care e.V. in 2005, but also supported numerous other social and scientific projects around the world. In Munich, Mr. Thiele’s sponsorships include the Bavarian State Opera, the Lenbachhaus, the Deutsches Museum and the Technical University of Munich. Among many other honors, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit First Class (Bundesverdienstkreuz Erster Klasse), the Bavarian Order of Merit (Bayerischer Verdienstorden) and, in 2015, the German-Brazilian Personality Award.

As a far-sighted entrepreneur, Heinz Hermann Thiele placed the management of the company in the hands of external managers almost 15 years ago. A further step towards securing the future viability was the IPO in 2018, when he opened the company to the capital market and other investors. Today, the development of the company is in the hands of a highly experienced management team that will continue Knorr-Bremse’s successful growth path together with the Supervisory Board, Senior Management and all employees in the spirit of Mr. Thiele. Heinz Hermann Thiele always placed great emphasis on above-average and successful growth with a pronounced will to shape the company. We are very grateful to him for this lifetime achievement.

Book Owner: Gill Inman

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Paul Johnson

I was greatly saddened to hear of the sudden and untimely death of Heinz Thiele. He was an entrepreneur held in the highest regard, who provided strong leadership and created a world class company with a global reputation for excellence. Westinghouse Brakes was bought in April 2000 and thrived as part of his Knorr-Bremse family of businesses. He recognised and harnessed the strength of the cultural differences in the various countries by keeping their separate identities, yet providing a common reporting framework which enabled him to successfully manage the expanding Group. He will be missed and we may not see his like again. On a personal level I particularly remember his visit to the UK accompanied by his daughter Julia, when we spent a most enjoyable evening at dinner, listening to stories and learning more about the family man rather than the business man. I know he very much enjoyed and appreciated his stay at Lucknam Park. Good causes around the world have substantially benefited from Knorr-Bremse Global Care – a generous and lasting legacy. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends. Paul Johnson …

March 8, 2021
6:20 pm

Toby Kinton

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Thiele. During my time at Knorr-Bremse, I have seen him as a visionary and inspirational leader and a role model for the power of hard work and perseverance. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time. …

March 2, 2021
11:50 am

Andry Nykorak

I was very saddened to hear the news of the passing of Mr Thiele. I joined Knorr-Bremse in 2002 and since then have been part of the amazing growth and success of the company, which has been driven by the inspirational leadership of Mr Thiele. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family at this sad time. May he rest in peace. …

February 26, 2021
12:45 pm

Nicola Clark

Very sad to hear the news of Mr Thiele’s passing. He was a remarkable visionary who created a company of which I am proud to be part of, as are the many thousands of team members who have been able to develop their careers within Knorr Bremse and would like to thank him for those opportunities. Deepest condolences to his family at this sad time and may he rest in peace. …

February 26, 2021
12:37 pm

Rob Harker

I offer my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Herr Thiele at this sad time. He will be sadly missed within Knorr-Bremse, the company that he has led to become a global success and that we are all proud to be a part of. May he rest in peace. …

February 26, 2021
11:43 am

Helen Walsh

Such sad news to hear of the passing of Heinz Hermann Thiele, deepest condolences to his family. Such an inspirational leader who has steered Knorr-Bremse to be a company to be proud to be working for. Rest in peace. …

February 26, 2021
8:19 am

Michael Bull

Such sad news this week to learn Heinz Hermann Thiele has passed away. He was the definition of an entrepreneur and has grown Knorr-Bremse into a world-leading organisation with an excellent reputation. Without Mr Thiele, Knorr-Bremse would not be in the position it is today; his contribution will not be forgotten and all employees are incredibly grateful to work for an organisation with such a great history and success story. I offer my condolences to his family and friends. …

February 26, 2021
8:05 am

Mark Fletcher

I extend my deepest sympathies to Herr Thiele’s family. It was saddening to hear of his unexpected passing. He was inspirational and drove Knorr-Bremse from a medium sized company to the globally successful company it is today. He will be missed. …

February 25, 2021
4:08 pm

Mark Carrol

Deeply sad to hear the news of the passing of Herr Thiele, a man who achieved so much and to whom we all owe a great deal. His vision, passion and drive resulted in an outstanding company that we are proud to be a part of. The task is now to continue to build on his extraordinary success. My thoughts and best wishes to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. …

February 25, 2021
2:08 pm

Tim Sharpe

Tremendous loss, my condolences to Mr Thiele’s family. The whole of the Knorr-Bremse family will be shocked and saddened by this unexpected news. I personally had the honor of meeting Mr Thiele and you could tell not only he was a great entrepreneur and visionary leader but also the values he held inspiring new generations of employees. …

February 25, 2021
12:37 pm

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