Günther Fielmann is the founder, majority shareholder and chief executive officer of Fielmann AG, a German optics company focusing on retail eyewear.
Career
1972 the state-approved optometrist opened his first shop in Cuxhaven. In 1981 he revolutionised the German spectacle market by offering 90 fashionable frames for the allowance of the statutory health insurance funds (initial tariff). Because previously only 6 models were available in exchange for the insurance allowance, Fielmann thus removed the social stigma of having to wear glasses. This liberalisation, favourable media coverage (“Robin Hood of spectacle wearers”) and aggressive marketing allowed his business to grow rapidly. In 1982 a new shop was opened in Kiel offering more than 7,000 frames to choose from. In 1994 the Fielmann KG was transformed into Fielmann AG and went public.
In 2002, Fielmann bought Plön Castle from the state of Schleswig-Holstein and had it renovated extensively. Since 2003 he trains his optometrists in the castle. From 2005/06 onwards bachelor’s and master’s degrees in optometry are being offered in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Lübeck.
Personal life
Fielmann has two children with Heike Fielmann from whom he is divorced.[4] His son, Marc Fielmann, is said to take over the company one day.
Other activities
For each of his employees Fielmann plants a tree every year. In May 2009 he planted the one-millionth tree with chancellor Angela Merkel and minister president Peter Harry Carstensen.
Fielmann is also a passionate organic farmer. He owns the 1,600 hectares manor Schierensee, the 470 hectares manor Marutendorf in Achterwehr, the 180 hectares farm Möglin in Krummwisch and a farm in Lütjensee. The organic products of his farms he sells under the brand Hof Lütjensee.
Guenther Fielmann Net Worth: Guenther Fielmann is a German business executive who has a net worth of $4.3 billion. Guenther Fielmann is the founder, major shareholder and CEO of Fielmann AG, a German optics company focusing on retail eyewear. He started to accumulate his net worth in 1972 when he opened his first optometry shop in Cuxhaven, Germany. Ever since, the company has significantly expanded becoming Europe’s largest chain of optical stores that sells discounted eyeglasses in 671 shops across Germany, Luxemburg, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. Mr. Fielmann took the company public in 1994 and now he owns a stake of 71% along with his children. He intends to name his Marc his successor when the time comes for him to step down. In 2002, Guenther Fielmann bought Plon Castle from the state of Schleswig-Holstein and he had invested heavily in its renovation. He even found a spot in the castle where he can train his optometrists, since he is a state-approved master optometrist. Also a devoted environmentalist, Fielmann has planted a tree for his every employee. Furthermore, he produces organic food on several farms, i.e., a 1,600 hectares large manor Schierensee, 470 hectares large manor Marutendorf in Achterwehr, 180 hectares large farm Mogln in Krummwich and a farm in Lutjensee. Fielmann’s organic products are sold under the brand Hof Lutjensee.
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