Schmitz Cargobull bids farewell to company owner Dr Heinz Schmitz

October 2025 - The Supervisory Board, the Executive Board and the employees of Schmitz Cargobull AG mourn the loss of Dr Heinz Schmitz, who passed away on 17 October 2025 at the age of 88. His life was characterised by a sense of responsibility, integrity and the ambition to always find successful solutions for customers and partners.

After the death of his father August Schmitz in 1970, Dr Heinz Schmitz took on the role of personally liable partner in Schmitz-Anhänger Fahrzeugbau-Gesellschaft OHG and was appointed Managing Director of what would later become Schmitz Anhängerbau GmbH & Co. KG in 1971. Together with his cousin Peter Schmitz, who also joined the management in 1973, he led the company in the third generation with commercial skill and foresight.

Dr Heinz Schmitz recognised the signs of the times early on. As an experienced businessman, he understood the economic challenges and opportunities of the industry. Together with Peter Schmitz, an experienced engineer and designer, he strategically expanded the company and established it as a technology and market leader for trailers. The addition of Bernd Hoffmann, an expert in sales and marketing, was another smart move that set the course for sustainable success.

The company was massively expanded in the 1970s and 1980s and production capacities were increased. In the 1990s, the management team initiated a strategic reorientation, with a reduction in the product range and the introduction of a modular production system with international assembly plants. The company was also renamed from Schmitz Anhänger to Schmitz Cargobull, the memorable and globally recognisable brand name, in order to position the company internationally. From 2002 to 2010, Dr Heinz Schmitz was a member of the company's Supervisory Board.

Dr Heinz Schmitz was also committed to the interests of the industry beyond his own company. From 1993 to 2000, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) for seven years, where he represented the trailer, body and container manufacturers' group. His commitment to the trailer industry, which is characterised by medium-sized companies, was appreciated far beyond the borders of the company. Even after his active career, Dr Heinz Schmitz remained closely associated with the company and the industry.

In Dr Heinz Schmitz, we are not only losing an important entrepreneur, but also a person who took responsibility and always kept an eye on the future. His work has left its mark - in the history of the company, in the hearts of his companions and in the Schmitz family, who will carry on his legacy.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and all his loved ones. We will honour the memory of Dr Heinz Schmitz.