100 years of Josef Grünbeck – A visionary who understood water
News General news
On September 17, 2025, the founder of Grünbeck AG would have celebrated his 100th birthday. His life's work continues to shape the company and the industry to this day.
On September 17, 2025, Josef Grünbeck would have turned 100 years old. The founder of today's Grünbeck AG was a man with vision who recognized early on how essential hygienically safe water is for people's quality of life. With technical expertise, entrepreneurial courage, and a deep sense of responsibility, he laid the foundation in 1949 for a company that today sets global standards in water treatment.
What began with the sale of water treatment products developed under his leadership into one of the most respected companies in the industry. Today, more than 750 experts work at Grünbeck AG in Höchstädt an der Donau. The mission remains the same: to supply people worldwide with high-quality water.
Josef Grünbeck was convinced that water is not just a technical medium, but a foodstuff – an attitude that continues to shape the corporate culture to this day. Under the motto “We understand water,” Grünbeck develops sustainable solutions for conserving resources and reducing consumption – from drinking water treatment and systems for heating and cooling to ultrapure water treatment for hydrogen production.
Social responsibility was always a particular concern for Josef Grünbeck. As early as 1968, he introduced the “Grünbeck social partnership participation model” – a milestone in the company's history. “A company is only as strong as the people who support it,” Grünbeck once said. In 2010, the non-profit “Loni and Josef Grünbeck Foundation” was established, which continues to ensure stable shareholder relations and a solid future for the company.
The company's innovative strength is reflected in numerous patents, utility models, and trademarks. Certifications according to DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001 as well as country-specific quality certificates underline the high standards of quality and sustainability. With an annual turnover of around 160 million euros and a global presence, the company fulfills its mission of supplying people worldwide with hygienically safe water.
To mark the 100th birthday of its founder, Grünbeck AG is commemorating Josef Grünbeck – a man who changed the world of water with his thinking and actions – with a series of quotes and stories. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 87. His legacy lives on: in the products, in the corporate culture and in the daily commitment to clean water.
“You have to get things done before they happen” – this quote from Josef Grünbeck is more relevant today than ever before. It stands for foresight, responsibility, and the courage to shape the future.
In addition to his entrepreneurial activities, Josef Grünbeck was also politically active as a member of the Bavarian State Parliament and a member of the German Bundestag. In 1993, he was awarded the Cross of Merit 1st Class of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bavarian Order of Merit for his services.
