Rethmann Gruppe

Rethmann Gruppe

Rethmann Gruppe was founded in 1934 in Selm, Germany, by Josef Rethmann as a local haulage and ash-disposal business. Norbert Rethmann later expanded the holdings into the four independent operating companies that exist today. The family office manages governance, capital allocation and philanthropy for the Rethmann family across these platforms. The portfolio centers on recycling and water services through Remondis, global logistics through Rhenus, sustainable food and industrial products through SARIA, and public transport through Transdev. Investments take the form of direct ownership and strategic co-investments rather than fund commitments. The groups operate across Europe with Transdev active in 19 countries. Confirmed holdings include the full Remondis, Rhenus and SARIA platforms plus the controlling interest in Transdev. The family maintains a board of four members drawn from the Rethmann line. Klemens Rethmann and Ludger Rethmann serve on the executive board while Martin Rethmann chairs the supervisory board. July 2025: Rethmann Gruppe acquired an additional 32 percent stake in Transdev from Caisse des Dépôts, increasing its ownership. Adjacent vehicles include the family foundation Stiftung der Deutschen Lions. The architecture differs from typical single-family offices because the same family members who sit on the holding-company board also chair the operating subsidiaries. This direct overlap between ownership, governance and management reduces layers between capital decisions and industrial execution.