PRETTL group

In 1953, in Pfullingen, Germany, Franz W. Prettl laid the foundation for what would become a quietly sprawling industrial success story. The company started with a core principle from its founder: never become dependent on a single market. This philosophy of diversification became the central playbook for PRETTL's journey from a local manufacturer to a global enterprise. As the business grew, Franz Prettl's sons, Erhardt and Rolf, joined the leadership, steering the company through decades of expansion. The model was to build a federation of independent companies, each with the freedom to pursue its own strategies and markets under the PRETTL umbrella. This structure allowed the group to enter diverse sectors including Automotive, Electronics, Energy, and Home Appliances. Now in its third generation, with Willi and Johannes Prettl at the helm, the family's founding vision continues. A significant chapter in their story unfolded in 2023 when PRETTL sold its large automotive subsidiary, Prettl SWH Group, to FIT Hon Teng, a part of Foxconn. This was not a sign of decline, but a strategic realignment. The sale sharpened the group's focus on its other core areas and its commitment to future-oriented fields. The move reflects a playbook of strategic acquisitions and divestitures, including a private equity investment from Trilantic Europe in 2006 to fuel growth in specific divisions. Today, the PRETTL Group continues to operate as a collection of specialized companies, a testament to its enduring strategy of diversified, decentralized success.