Who Owns Brita Company?

Brita Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	BCG	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10
	SWOT	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who Owns Brita?

The global water filtration market is a dynamic space, with ownership structures significantly influencing brand strategy and market reach. Understanding who controls key brands like Brita offers insight into their operational direction and competitive positioning.

BRITA GmbH, the original German company, oversees the Brita brand in most global territories. However, a significant territorial licensing agreement grants The Clorox Company exclusive rights to the Brita brand within the Americas.

BRITA GmbH, founded in 1966, achieved a record annual revenue of €727 million in 2024. The company operates globally, distributing products in 69 countries and employing over 2,000 individuals. This extensive reach highlights its significant presence in the water optimization sector, with its Brita PESTEL Analysis offering further market context.

The journey of Brita began in 1966 when Heinz Hankammer established the company, initially named AquaDeMat. Hankammer’s vision was to create a mobile water filter, and he started by crafting filter cartridges by hand from his garden. The company was later renamed after his daughter, Brita, solidifying its identity as a family enterprise.

Founding Vision

Heinz Hankammer's innovative concept was to develop a portable water filter for everyday household use. This foundational idea drove the company's initial product development and market entry.

Family Roots

From its inception, the company operated as a small family business. The entire Hankammer family was actively involved in the early manufacturing and growth phases, contributing to its close-knit operational style.

Product Innovation

The introduction of the first water filter jug for home use in the early 1970s marked a significant milestone. This product innovation laid the groundwork for the brand's future success and market presence.

Ownership Details

As a privately held entity, specific equity splits from the company's early days are not publicly disclosed. However, the company has consistently maintained its identity as a family company.

Early Stability

There are no public records indicating any ownership disputes or buyouts during the company's foundational period. This suggests a unified vision and control structure among the founding team.

Brand Naming

The company's name was changed from AquaDeMat to Brita, honoring the founder's daughter. This personal connection underscores the deep family involvement in the brand's identity.

Brita's Early Years

The early ownership of Brita is intrinsically linked to its founder, Heinz Hankammer, and his family. This period was characterized by hands-on involvement and a clear focus on product development, establishing the brand's core values and direction.

• Founded by Heinz Hankammer in 1966.
• Initially named AquaDeMat.
• Renamed after his daughter, Brita.
• Operated as a family business with family involvement in manufacturing.
• Launched the first home water filter jug in the early 1970s.
• Remains a privately held family company.

The foundational ownership of the Brita company rests with its founder, Heinz Hankammer, who established the business in 1966. The company, initially known as AquaDeMat, was a family venture from its inception, with Hankammer and his family actively participating in its early operations, including the manual production of filter cartridges. This family-centric approach has been a defining characteristic of the Brita brand throughout its history, influencing its corporate culture and strategic decisions. The company's evolution into a recognized name in water filtration began with Hankammer's innovative idea to create a portable filter for domestic use, culminating in the launch of the first water filter jug for home consumption in the early 1970s. While specific details regarding initial equity distribution are not public, the company's enduring status as a family-owned enterprise highlights the continuity of the founding family's vision and control. The absence of reported ownership disputes during this formative period further suggests a cohesive management structure aligned with the founder's objectives, contributing to a stable trajectory for the Brita brand.

Brita SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The global ownership structure of Brita underwent a significant transformation in 2000, creating a bifurcated model. This strategic decision involved a licensing and distribution agreement that ultimately led to a distinct management of the brand in the Americas.

The evolution of Brita ownership began in 1988 with an agreement between BRITA GmbH and The Clorox Company for North and South America. This partnership solidified in 1995 with Clorox acquiring Canadian rights, and by 2000, Clorox secured exclusive rights for the Americas, with BRITA GmbH agreeing to a non-compete clause until 2005. This move allowed The Clorox Company, a publicly traded entity with fiscal year 2024 net sales of US$7.1 billion, to manage the brand within its territories.

Brita's Dual Ownership Structure

Outside the Americas, the Brita brand remains a privately held family business, managed by BRITA GmbH. The Hankammer family, founders of the company, continues to hold significant control.

• BRITA GmbH is owned by the Hankammer family.
• Markus Hankammer, son of the founder, has been CEO of the BRITA Group since 1999.
• Hanvest Holding SE is the ultimate parent company of BRITA SE as of October 2024.
• Brita Hankammer, a family shareholder, sits on the Supervisory Board of BRITA SE.
• The Clorox Company manages the Brita brand in the Americas.

The Brita company owner outside the Americas is BRITA GmbH, which is a privately held family business. Markus Hankammer, son of the founder Heinz Hankammer, has led the BRITA Group as sole CEO since 1999. The ultimate parent company for BRITA SE, the legal form adopted in 2022, is Hanvest Holding SE, as confirmed in October 2024. Brita Hankammer, a family member, is a shareholder in Hanvest Holding SE and serves on the Supervisory Board of BRITA SE, underscoring the family's continued influence and control over the Brita manufacturer ownership details. This structure allows BRITA GmbH to focus on international markets and product innovation, a key aspect of the Growth Strategy of Brita.

Brita PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

As of 2022, BRITA SE operates with a Supervisory Board overseeing its Executive Board, a structure established following its transition to a Societas Europaea. This board plays a crucial advisory and monitoring role for the BRITA Group, particularly evident during the 2023/2024 financial years. The current composition reflects significant family representation and control.

The Executive Board, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the BRITA Group, is led by Markus Hankammer as CEO. He is supported by managing directors Stefan Jonitz and Dr. Rüdiger Kraege. Given that BRITA SE is a privately held family business, the Hankammer family, through their holdings in Hanvest Holding SE, maintains substantial voting power and control over the company's direction. While specific details regarding dual-class shares are not publicly disclosed, this ownership structure ensures continued family influence. There have been no public reports of proxy battles or activist investor campaigns impacting BRITA SE's governance in recent years, indicating a stable ownership environment.

Understanding BRITA's Ownership Structure

BRITA SE's governance is characterized by a strong family influence, a common trait among established privately held companies. This structure impacts how decisions are made and the long-term strategy of the Brita company owner.

• BRITA SE is a privately held family business.
• The Hankammer family holds significant voting power through Hanvest Holding SE.
• Moss Kadey chairs both the BRITA SE Supervisory Board and Hanvest Holding SE.
• Brita Hankammer, a key family member, sits on the BRITA SE Supervisory Board.
• The company has maintained a stable governance structure without public disputes.

The Brita company owner structure is deeply rooted in its history, as detailed in a Brief History of Brita. This privately held nature means that Brita corporation ownership structure is not subject to the same public scrutiny as publicly traded companies. Consequently, details about Brita manufacturer ownership details or specific Brita company financial ownership percentages are not widely available. However, the consistent leadership and board appointments suggest a clear line of succession and strategic continuity, reinforcing the Brita brand owner's commitment to its long-term vision. Understanding who owns Brita is key to appreciating its operational stability and strategic direction, especially for those interested in Brita water filter company ownership history.

Brita Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

BRITA GmbH, now operating as BRITA SE, has maintained its privately held status, with the Hankammer family as the core owners. Recent strategic moves, including significant infrastructure investment and key acquisitions, underscore a commitment to growth and market leadership within the evolving water filtration sector.

The company's financial performance in 2024 was robust, with record sales reaching €727 million, marking a 5.2% increase in earnings. A significant portion of this success, 81%, was driven by international markets outside of Germany. The professional filter and dispenser segments demonstrated strong growth, contributing 31% to total sales in 2024. This period also saw BRITA commit to the Science Based Targets initiative, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. The company's impact is further highlighted by the fact that BRITA products globally helped replace approximately 5.6 billion water bottles in 2024.

Strategic Expansion

BRITA's acquisition of LARQ in February 2024 signifies a strategic move to broaden its product portfolio and market reach. This acquisition aligns with the company's growth trajectory.

Sustainability Commitment

By committing to the Science Based Targets initiative, BRITA is actively working towards reducing its carbon footprint. This includes setting short-term carbon reduction targets for 2030 and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

Market Performance

The company achieved record sales of €727 million in 2024, with 81% of its profit originating from international markets. The professional filter and dispenser segments saw their share of total sales increase to 31% in the same year.

Industry Context

The global water filters market was valued at USD 16.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly. This growth is driven by increasing concerns over water quality and the demand for safe drinking water, influencing companies like BRITA to innovate. Understanding the Marketing Strategy of Brita provides further insight into their market positioning.

Brita Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔