With a consistent production in Germany, Wolfgang Grupp created a unique selling point for his textile company Trigema, the television advertising with a monkey and several talk show appearances also made him a well-known entrepreneur himself. Grupp has now revealed that he is already thinking very specifically about his end at Trigema – and also has clear ideas about who should lead the company afterwards.
The handover will certainly not be easy, because Grupp is an “old-school” entrepreneur: he runs Trigema as a registered businessman, so in case of doubt he is liable for all the company’s mistakes with his private assets. Another detail shows that Trigema is not just a lucrative business for him: Grupp lives in a villa directly opposite the company’s headquarters, so he can get into the company quickly at any time.
Despite all the solidarity: After several decades at the helm of Trigema, Wolfgang Grupp is now thinking of quitting, as he told “Forbes” in an interview. And these thoughts are already very concrete: Grupp would like to hand over all his shares to his wife Elisabeth Grupp this year at the age of 81. But she shouldn’t stay at the helm for long either: Within just six months, the company should finally go to one of the two children, Bonita or Wolfgang Grupp Junior.
According to the Swabian company, this is a clever move in order to have to pay less tax: According to Grupp, the short time is necessary in order not to have to pay inheritance tax twice. By the way, it is still open whether Bonita or Wolfgang Junior should ultimately be at the helm of the company: According to Grupp, his wife should make this decision. Both had promised him ten years ago that they would continue to run the company in his spirit.
What: “Forbes”
