Herbert Hainer is a German businessman who is best known for his tenure as the CEO of Adidas, a multinational sportswear company. He was born on July 3, 1954, in Dingolfing, Germany.
After completing his studies in business administration at the University of Applied Sciences in Landshut, Hainer began his career as a sales manager at Procter & Gamble in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1987, he joined Adidas as a sales director and rose through the ranks to become CEO in 2001.
Under Hainer’s leadership, Adidas became one of the world’s largest sportswear companies, with a market value of over $30 billion. He oversaw a number of successful acquisitions, including the purchase of Reebok in 2006, which helped to expand Adidas’s presence in the United States. Hainer also spearheaded Adidas’s marketing campaigns, which featured high-profile athletes such as David Beckham and Lionel Messi.
Hainer stepped down as CEO of Adidas in 2016 but remains on the company’s board of directors. He has also served as the chairman of the executive board of FC Bayern Munich, a German football club, since 2014.
Hainer’s wealth is estimated to be around $1.3 billion. Much of his fortune comes from his stock holdings in Adidas, where he served as CEO for 15 years. He also owns several properties, including a villa in the French Riviera.
In addition to his business career, Hainer is a passionate sports enthusiast and has been involved in various charitable and philanthropic endeavors. He has donated millions of dollars to support youth sports programs in Germany and is an active supporter of environmental causes.
Here is a timeline of significant events in the life of Herbert Hainer:
- 1954: Herbert Hainer is born on July 3 in Dingolfing, Germany.
- 1980: Hainer graduates from the University of Applied Sciences in Landshut with a degree in business administration.
- 1980-1987: Hainer works as a sales manager at Procter & Gamble in Frankfurt, Germany.
- 1987: Hainer joins Adidas as a sales director.
- 1997: Hainer becomes a member of Adidas’s executive board and is responsible for global marketing and sales.
- 2001: Hainer is appointed CEO of Adidas, succeeding Robert Louis-Dreyfus.
- 2006: Adidas acquires Reebok for $3.8 billion, expanding the company’s presence in the United States.
- 2014: Hainer becomes chairman of the executive board of FC Bayern Munich.
- 2016: Hainer steps down as CEO of Adidas but remains on the company’s board of directors.
- 2018: Hainer is appointed as a member of the supervisory board of the German sportswear company Puma.
- 2021: Hainer is named as a candidate for the presidency of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).
Note: This timeline includes only a selection of significant events in Hainer’s career and is not exhaustive.
5 interesting facts about Herbert Hainer:
- Hainer is a passionate sports enthusiast and is known for his love of football (soccer). He has been involved in the sport both professionally and personally, serving as the chairman of FC Bayern Munich and playing for his local football club in his youth.
- Hainer is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to support various causes, including youth sports programs, environmental conservation, and disaster relief efforts.
- Hainer is multilingual and can speak German, English, French, and Spanish fluently.
- Hainer was awarded the Bavarian Order of Merit, one of the highest honors bestowed by the German state of Bavaria, for his contributions to the economy and society.
- Hainer is a member of the board of directors of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
5 quotes from Herbert Hainer:
- “Success comes from working together and being prepared to take risks.”
- “Football is more than just a game. It’s a way of life.”
- “At Adidas, we believe that sport has the power to change lives and make the world a better place.”
- “We must always look forward and be open to new ideas and perspectives. That’s how we will continue to innovate and grow.”
- “Leadership is about setting an example and inspiring others to achieve greatness.”
