The Viessmann Legacy

At Viessmann, our story spans generations, grounded in responsibility and shaped by legacy since 1917. What started as a small workshop in northern Bavaria has grown into a global leader in climate and energy solutions. Throughout the years, we’ve remained guided by values of trust, integrity, and a shared mission to care for people and the planet.

In 2024, we launched Viessmann Generations Group, empowering entrepreneurs and addressing urgent global challenges like climate change, clean air, and education. Our mission now extends beyond homes, shaping interconnected living spheres and deepening our commitment to future generations.

What began as a small workshop in northern Bavaria has grown into a global leader in climate and energy solutions. Over the decades, our values - entrepreneurial, team-oriented, responsible - remained constant.

With the launch of Viessmann Generations Group in 2024, we’re evolving once more: empowering visionary entrepreneurs and creating a global impact network focused on today’s most urgent needs - greenhouse gas reduction, clean air and water, food, education and science, health & well-being as well as defending our democratic values.
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As our vision expands beyond the boundaries of the home, so does our purpose: evolving from crafting living spaces to shaping interconnected living spheres. This transformation embodies our holistic, systemic mission - one that spans physical, digital, and societal dimensions, while deepening our commitment to future generations.
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With over a century of entrepreneurial responsibility, the Viessmann Generations Group is committed to driving positive impact. Through strategic investments and partnerships, we address humanity’s most urgent challenges to keep our planet livable.

THE VIESSMANN LEGACY

At Viessmann, our story is one of generations - rooted in responsibility and shaped by legacy. Since 1917, each generation has built on the last to expand our impact, guided by trust, integrity, and a shared mission: caring for our people and planet. 

What began as a small workshop in northern Bavaria has grown into a global leader in climate and energy solutions. Over the decades, values - entrepreneurial, team-oriented, responsible- remained constant.

Our Legacy

Johann Viessmann

In 1917, Johann Viessmann (*1879), a skilled Metal craftsman with a passion for technology, founded his workshop in Hof an der Saale. His breakthrough came when he built a faster, more efficient steel boiler for a local gardener - an innovation that sparked a century of progress.

Dr. Hans Viessmann

Dr. Hans Viessmann (*1917), Johann’s eldest son, transformed the company into a global industrial force. A trained machinist, he modernized production, expanded the team, and launched new products in response to shifting energy demands. In the 1950s and 60s, he introduced oil-fired and dual-fuel systems, During the 1970s oil crisis, he focused on energy efficiency and renewable solutions. Guided by the principle “Bring work to the people”, Hans drove international expansion, opened sites in France and Canada, registered over 1,500 patents - laying the groundwork for Viessmann’s global growth.

Prof. Dr. Martin Viessmann

Prof. Dr. Martin Viessmann (*1953), son of Hans, became CEO in 1991. With a strong academic and business background, he led Viessmann through global expansion, with international revenue surpassing 50%.

He repositioned the company around sustainability and digitalization, introduced lean production, and fostered a culture of trust and collaboration. His “Alliance for Work” in 1996 created 800 new jobs in Allendorf. A pioneer in climate-friendly tech and digital transformation, Martin set the stage for Viessmann’s leadership in the global energy shift.

Max Viessmann

Max Viessmann (*1989), the fourth generation, joined 2015 and became CEO by 2020. With a background in industrial engineering and experience at BCG, he led a cultural and organizational transformation focused on purpose, agility and innovation. Under Max’s leadership, Viessmann scaled digitization and sustainable solutions, built a collaborative global culture, and expanded the ecosystem through new ventures and partnerships. True to the family legacy, Max embraced the belief: “Challenges - no matter how big - keep us moving forward.”

2023: A Transatlantic Partnership

The Viessmann Generations Group co-created a landmark alliance with Carrier Global, expanding the reach of Viessmann's Climate Solutions worldwide. The climate crisis demands global collaboration, and this partnership marked the beginning of a growing ecosystem of like-minded innovators. The Viessmann product - owned by Viessmann Generations Group and licensed to Carrier - remains a strong and trusted name, continuing to stand for quality and innovation across the globe.

2024: A New Era

In 2024, Max launched the Viessmann Generations Group, ushering in a new chapter for the family legacy. This evolution created a global ecosystem focused on solving urgent challenges - climate action, water, air, food, and well-being - while continuing to co-create living spheres for generations to come.