Vita

“Never gray – always black or white.” That was the motto of Jürgen E. Schrempp. Schrempp has overcome many challenges throughout his career. In doing so, he has been able to rely on his extensive international experience, willingness to take risks and flexibility. Those who know him describe Schrempp as a likeable and congenial man with an engaging manner who has a highly valued view on matters, a keen sense of humor and an unshakeable sense of loyalty. He owes his indisputable success to these characteristics.

Jürgen Schrempp celebrating his 40th anniversary with Daimler.
Schrempp is also a passionate cigar smoker.
Schrempp led the Daimler Group for 10 years. He was considered the intellectual father of its expansion strategy, which culminated in the 1998 merger with Chrysler.
Worldbank President James Wolfensohn mit Jürgen Schrempp
Former Chairman of the Management Board of Daimler-Benz AG, Prof. Werner Breitschwerdt
Presentation of David Waller´s book: Die Stunde des Strategen: Jürgen Schrempp und der DaimlerChrysler Deal.
Political network: Jürgen Schrempp with Colin Powell, former US Secretary of state during the first term of President George W. Bush.
Sean Connery – the ultimate “007”.
Jürgen Schrempp with golf equipment of “007 SEAN CONNERY”
Game Farm near Krüger Park in South Africa with Loana and Luca Schrempp and Game Warden
CEO of Chrysler, Robert Eaton with Jürgen Schrempp.
Jürgen Schrempp at Formula 1
Perfect advice: Niki Lauda explains to Schrempp how to control the Formula 1 in a curve.
Bernie Ecclestone with Jürgen Schrempp
Tennis Star Boris Becker und Jürgen Schrempp
David Coulthard, Jürgen Schrempp and Mika Häkkinen
Simon Murray, great friend and outstanding international Entrepreneur and Investor. Fellow Boardmember at Richmont.
Jürgen Schrempp as a soccer player in his youth
A piece of history: the Daimler-Benz factory in Baden-Württemberg, 1958.
Jürgen Schrempp in his childhood
Jürgen Schrempp – Special Military Training
Juli 1994: Signing of Support Agreement for Fokker: Jürgen Schrempp with Minister of Economy Koos Andriessen and CEO of Fokker Ben van Schaik
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Jürgen Schrempp.
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Klaus Mangold and Jürgen Schrempp on business trip in China with C.K. Lau and K.S. Gan of Lei Shing Hong LTD and staff members
Jürgen Schrempp during business trip in China assisted by two staff members
Group Foto of members of company Lei Shing Hong LTD in Hong Kong
Schrempp and his wife Lydia: “… and she is my closest friend.”
Family Schrempp, Oktoberfest in Munich
Colin Ellis (CEO of Cu29 Limited) with Loana and Jürgen Schrempp
Jürgen Schrempp with Johannes Fritz, Head of Mercedes-Benz in Munich
Prof. Wolfgang Pförringer’s annual invitation to the Munich Oktoberfest.
Schrempp and Former Mitsubishi CEO Katsuhiko Kawasoe in 2000.
Otto Schilly, former Federal Minister of the Interior and Schrempp.
Jürgen Schrempp and Jürgen Hubbert, member of the Board of DaimlerChrysler AG until 2005.
Richard Grasso, Robert Eaton, Jürgen Schrempp and Wall Street President William Johnston at the NYSE in November 1998.

Jürgen E. Schrempp served as Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG / DaimlerChrysler AG until 2005. He served as President of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, President of Euclid, USA, as well as Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz Aerospace.

Schrempp spent much of his 45-year career at Daimler steering the Group’s businesses in Europe, the USA and South Africa.

He started in the International Service Department at the Head Office of Daimler in Stuttgart after graduating as Engineer.

Subsequently he was posted to South Africa with Mercedes-Benz. As head of customer service he was responsible for the country wide service organisation and appointed Board Member responsible for engineering.

He then moved to the United States where he served as president of Euclid Inc., overseeing the successful restructuring of the Daimler-Benz AG subsidiary in Cleveland, Ohio, followed by the sale of this US off highway truck company.

He returned to South Africa in 1985 as president of Mercedes-Benz of South Africa. Even at that early stage he campaigned for the abolition of apartheid.

He was called back to Germany to become Director worldwide sales & marketing of Commercial Vehicles; later appointed to the Board.

With the strategic decision of the Board to enter the aerospace business he structured the various parts in Germany in one company – first Deutsche Aerospace and then Daimler Aerospace.

With this strong position, he was able together with French industrialist Jean-Luc Lagardère, to form the European aerospace company EADS, today AIRBUS.

The new group immediately became the world´s second largest aerospace company, whose establishment was considered an important milestone in Europe´s competition with United States.

After becoming chairman of the management of the board of Daimler, he was instrumental in the merger with Chrysler, the majority acquisition of Mitsubishi and the equity participation in Hyundai. This “Three Pillars” strategy, to expand the reach of Daimler-Benz into the major global markets and benefit from economies of scale, particularly as far as the development of new technologies were concerned, was after his departure abandoned.

He retired on his request after 45 years with the company, 17 years on the board of which he served ten years as chairman of the executive board.


“IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND BEST RELATIONSHIP I’VE HAD IN MY CAREER.”

Hilmar Kopper, Supervisory Board Chairman of DaimlerChryslerAG (from 1998 to 2007).

Sadly, Hilmar Kopper passed away on November 11, 2021. His obituary contained these remarks:

“Kopper chaired the Daimler Supervisory Board for 17 years. The idea of a merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler was presented to him by the former CEO Jürgen Schrempp 1998 when he visited Kopper at his home. Kopper fully agreed with his idea and immediately open a bottle of 1975 Chateau Lafite to celebrate the occasion. When Schrempp´s concept of a “World AG” failed, Kopper defended the manager strongly against any criticism.”


Iron Mineral Beneficiation Services (IMBS) is a South African company focused on the production of metallic iron units. IMBS has developed Finesmelt™, a cost efficient technology capable of processing fine and superfine iron ore in an environmentally friendly manner.

Jürgen E. Schrempp is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Shareholders.

CURRENT MANDATES >>

Sealing the deal: Robert Eaton and Jürgen Schrempp during the DaimlerChrysler merger.
Jürgen Schrempp meeting H. E. Faure E. Gnassingabe, President of Togo (right) and Sir Sam Jonah of Ghana (left) in Togo, March 2011.
25.03.1993: Acquisition of Fokker by Daimler-Benz AG. From left: Dr. Manfred Bischoff, CEO of Fokker Erik-Jan Nederkoorn and Jürgen Schrempp.
Courage and adventure: Schrempp flying the Eurofighter.
Looking forward to the future of South Africa full of hope: Nelson Mandela and Jürgen Schrempp.
Schrempp received the Brazilian National Order of the Southern Cross, awarded by Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Felipe Lampreia.
Hilmar Kopper, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler-Benz AG from 1998 to 2007.
Sir Sam Jonah, Jürgen Schrempp, John Beachy Head and Alexander Grubman.
George Bush Sr. (former US President) and Katsuhiko Kawasoe (former CEO of Mitsubishi).
Kgalema Motlanthe was President of SA between 2008 and 2009.
Mario Illien, founder of Ilmor Energeering Limited, with Schrempp at the GP in 2005.
Formel 1: Mario Illien, Lydia Schrempp and Mika Häkkinen
Schrempp with Minister Wieczorek-Zeul and Muhammad Yunus, founder of Microloans.
2006 Bambi Awards: Lydia Schrempp with her husband Jürgen.
Jürgen Schrempp and Bono an Irish singer-songwriter of rock band U2 and activist for social justice causes at the GBC meeting
from left: President Öttinger, Jürgen Schrempp and Ambassador of South Africa Mr. Funde
Dinner with former Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl.
Alexander Haig (right) served as United States Secretary of State under President Reagan and White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Nixon and Ford.
Gerd Käfer, owner of restaurant Käfer Schänke in Munich with Jürgen Schrempp
Werner Baldessarini, former Chairman of Hugo Boss and Jürgen Schrempp

YOUTH AND STUDY

Jürgen E. Schrempp was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany on September 15, 1944. His father was running the administration of the university Freiburg, his mother was a Housewife. Jürgen Schrempp went to high school “Rotteck Gymnasium” in Freiburg.

After an apprenticeship as car mechanic at Daimler-Benz, he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Applied Science in Offenburg, Germany. He graduated with a degree (Bachelor; Diplom Ingenieur) in engineering. He financed his study by playing trumpet in a band. He also has had various jobs to support his living, like armed guard at a camping place in France, scaffolding builder, floor installers, sewer cleaner, brick builder.

PRIVAT

Schrempp currently resides in Munich. He is married to Lydia; the couple has two children. He has two sons from his previous marriage.

The life of Jürgen E. Schrempp in figures

Prof. Dr. h. c. Jürgen E. Schrempp

P.O. Box 200651
80006 Munich
Germany

© Jürgen E. Schrempp 2024