In their compilation of the world’s richest, Forbes found a record-breaking 1,826 billionaires with a net worth of $7.05 trillion.
We’re showcasing just seven industry-leaders around the globe who built their fortune in manufacturing-related fields.
1. Who: Li Hejun
Worth: $29.4 billion
What: Hejun chairs renewable energy companyHanergy Holdings. Hanergy Holdings focuses on thin-film solar technology and works on wind and hydropower generation. Last year, he published his first book “China’s New Energy Revolution.”
2. Who: Georg Schaeffler and Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler
Worth: $26.5 billion and $6.6 billion
What: Georg, the wealthiest man in Germany, acts as a co-proprietor of Schaeffler Group along with his motherMaria-Elisabeth. Schaeffler Group encompasses Schaeffler AG, one the largest manufacturers of ball bearings and machine components.
3. Who: Aliko Dangote
Worth: $15.7 billion
What: Dangote is currently Africa’s richest man, partly thanks to his Dangote Group, which includes operations in food and cement manufacturing. His net worth significantly declined from $25 billion in the past year along with the demand for cement and the Nigerian currency.
4. Who: Reinhold Wuerth
Worth: $6.6 billion
What: Wuerth became the second employee at his father’s wholesale screw business when he was only 14 years old. Wuerth’s father died five years later in 1954 and left him to lead the company. Today, Wuerth Group leads in assembly and fastening materials supply.
5. Who: Murat Ulker and Ahsen Ozokur
Worth: $4.3 billion and $1.7 billion
What: Ulker chairs Turkey’s largest food company, Yildiz Holding, and his sister, Ozokur, acts as a major shareholder. Yildiz Holding currently counts Godiva Chocolatier among its list of companies.
6. Who: Mitchell Rales and Steven Rales
Worth: $4 billion and $3.7 billion
What: Brothers Mitchell and Steven own numerous companies, including an early acquisition they renamed Danaher Corporation, which currently stands as a major global manufacturer.
7. Who: Diane Hendricks
Worth: $3.6 billion
What: Hendricks owns and chairs ABC Supply and presides over Hendricks Holding Co. ABC Supply is the nation’s largest roofing, window and siding wholesale distributor, and Hendricks Holding Co. includes enterprises in fields such as manufacturing, logistics and construction.
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