Klaus Grohe, the youngest son of Hans Grohe and long-standing leader of the Hansgrohe Group, passed away on January 3, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on April 3, 1937, in Aachen, Germany, he studied business and economics in Bern, Switzerland, and completed numerous internships before joining his father's company in 1968 as an authorised signatory and Head of Sales. Over nearly five decades, Klaus Grohe guided the Schiltach-based company as Managing Partner, Chairman of the Executive Board, and later Chairman of the Supervisory Board, transforming it into a global player in the sanitary industry. He was deeply passionate about product design, particularly perfecting showers and faucets, while also emphasising the importance of international marketing. His vision and pragmatic leadership helped establish the brands AXOR and Hansgrohe on the global stage.
© Hansgrohe Group
Hans Juergen Kalmbach, Chairman of the Executive Board of Hansgrohe SE, described Klaus Grohe as a pioneer whose principles, customer focus, and entrepreneurial vision remain deeply embedded in the company. Richard Grohe, Klaus's eldest son, highlighted his father's legacy in reinventing the family business, creating global prosperity, and instilling values of integrity and cohesion across generations. Klaus Grohe's passing has been mourned widely, with colleagues and industry figures praising his contributions to design, entrepreneurship, and the enduring global success of the Hansgrohe Group. His influence on the company's DNA and the wider sanitary industry is regarded as profound, and his legacy is expected to endure for generations.
Source: LinkedIn.
