Early Life
Martin Viessmann was born in Allendorf, Germany, in either 1953 or 1954. He is the grandson of Johann Viessmann, who founded the Viessmann Group in 1917. Unlike his predecessors, Martin did not complete an apprenticeship, but instead pursued business administration at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. He also earned a doctorate in social and economic sciences from the University of Innsbruck in 1989.
Rise to Success
Viessmann joined the family business, Viessmann Group, as a commercial director in 1979. He became CEO in 1992 and led a large-scale internationalization campaign, increasing the foreign share of the business from less than 10% to over 50%. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 23 production divisions in 12 countries. In April 2023, the heating technology division of Viessmann was acquired by Carrier Global for 12 billion €, with the business continuing as Viessmann Climate Solutions SE.
Key Business Strategies
Viessmann has focused on energy-efficient products and has been a proponent of sustainable practices, including the use of renewable energy and reducing CO2 emissions. He has been instrumental in the company's commitment to sustainability and has positioned Viessmann as a key player in the global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote efficient climate control. The Viessmann Group has also invested in start-up companies and new ventures.
Philanthropy
The Viessmann Generations Group blends entrepreneurship with philanthropic commitments, investing in climate action, health, education, and poverty alleviation through the Viessmann Foundation and family-led initiatives. In 2025, the Viessmann Foundation committed to a €1,000,000 donation to Water.org to expand access to safe water and sanitation.
