Early Life
Hans-Werner Hector was born on January 17, 1940, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. He studied mathematics at the University of Saarland, earning a Master of Science degree. After his studies, he began working at IBM in Mannheim, where he recognized the potential of managerial standard software, which became the foundation for his future endeavors.
Rise to Success
In 1972, Hector co-founded SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) with Hasso Plattner, Dietmar Hopp, Klaus Tschira, and Claus Wellenreuther. SAP was created to develop standard software for real-time data processing, which revolutionized the way businesses operated. After the company's IPO, Hector took charge of developing SAP's US business. He later left SAP in 1997 after disagreements with his partners.
Key Business Strategies
Hector focused on building SAP's North American business and contributed to the company's expansion. He also strategically transferred shares in SAP to a Jersey Islands trust in 1996 to diversify his portfolio, but this move caused conflicts with his partners, leading to his departure. After leaving SAP, he made investments in software, health, and biotechnology start-ups.
Philanthropy
Hans-Werner Hector and his wife, Josephine Hector, have been involved in philanthropy. They established the H.W. & J. Hector Foundation in 1995 and Hector Stiftung II in 2008. The foundations support various causes, including art, culture, medical research, and education. They also donated to the renovation of the city museum in Weinheim. In 2008, he established the Hector Science Fund at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
