Germany is one of the top powerhouses in Europe with a highly developed social market economy. However, in 2019, according to Destasis, Germany hit the lowest economy expansion since 2013 - only 0.6%. Although the manufacturing sector has been the least performer in 2019, the country maintained its momentum and leading position in exports.
The country is one of the most outstanding exporters of precision parts, electronic and electrical equipment, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, food and other income items. Moreover, many specialized wonder products result from the SME arch - Mittelstand accounting for almost a third of total exports. We at Global Database compiled this list of top 50 companies in Germany by sales in 2019 to provide you a quick look at the German business landscape.
1.Volkswagen AG - $275.2B
Volkswagen AG (further Volkswagen) leads our list of top 50 companies in Germany by sales in 2019 with a prominent $272.5B mark. Aside from taking the charge, and also known as Volkswagen Group on the international stage, Volkswagen focuses its efforts on designing, manufacturing and distributing passenger and commercial vehicles, motorcycles and proprietary engines. Additionally, they offer financing, leasing and fleet management services whilst keeping the title of largest automaker by sales even in 2019.
2.Daimler AG - $189.2B
Daimler AG (further Daimler) is the second contender on our list and is better known as the trusty Mercedes-Benz. It is chiefly preoccupied with automotive products: cars, busses, trucks and motorcycles under several brands, however, similar to Volkswagen it equipped itself with a financial services arm under the name of Daimler Financial Services. Daimler originates from the merger of Benz & Cie and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. In 2019, the business reported $189.2B in sales.
3.Allianz SE - $122.4B
Allianz SE (further Allianz) is a multinational financial services company primarily focused on offering high-quality insurance and asset management. While Allianz is third on our top 50 companies in Germany reporting $122.4B in sales, it secured the 25th rank in the Forbes top 2020 by boasting an extensive $1,183.5B in assets comprising PIMCO, Allianz Global Investors and Allianz Real estate. Allianz’s network stretches over 70 countries directed by the main hub in Munich.
4.Bayerische Motoren Werke AG - $116.6B
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (further BMW) is another German automotive manufacturer pushing luxury vehicles and motorcycles out from the conveyor belt. BMW started out in 1916 as an aircraft engine maker but the production stalled due to the ban imposed after the war resuming it only amidst the world war 2 and the joint venture BMW-Rolls Royce in the 90s. At the dawn of 2019, BMW managed a feat of $116.6B in sales.
5.Siemens AG - $97.4B
Siemens AG (further Siemens) is a multinational conglomerate company comprising multiple divisions advancing the brand name in their respective fields. Amongst them the chief divisions are Industry, Energy, Healthcare, and Infrastructure & Cities. Siemens has an impetuous portfolio of products, the most profitable being its industrial automation followed by the medical diagnostics equipment generating approximately 12 percent of the total sales. Siemens communicated $97.4B in sales for its operations in 2019, thusly making it into the top 5 largest companies in Germany by sales in 2019.
6.Deutsche Telekom AG - $90.1B
Deutsche Telekom AG (further DT) is a telecommunications company formed in 1995 by the privatization of Deutsche Bundespost Telekom, one of the three entities that were split from Deutsche Bundespost in 1989. DT has over 30 international subsidiaries where it holds substantial or major shares. DT telecommunications products include: fixed-line, mobile phone, broadband, digital television & media, IT services which have helped DT achieve $90.1B in sales in 2019.
7.Deutsche Post AG - $70.9B
Deutsche Post AG, operating under the trade name Deutsche Post DHL Group, is a multinational package delivery and supply chain management company. As you may infer, its predecessor is the Deutsche Bundespost split and eventual privatization. The express division, better known as DHL, is a wholly owned subsidiary present in 195 countries. Numerous acquisitions down the road have helped Deutsche Post expand its business area and culminate into $70.9B in sales as of 2019.
8.BASF SE - $66.5B
BASF SE (further BASF) is a multinational company dealing in chemicals spread across 6 business segments: chemicals, plastics, performance products, functional solutions, agricultural solutions, and oil and gas. The BASF group has its brand stretched through subsidiaries and joint ventures in over 80 countries with almost 400 production sites on all continents. Even if it was surpassed as the largest chemical producer in the world, BASF ranks 107 on Forbes top 2020 and 8th on our top 50 companies in Germany by sales with an impressive $66.5B in sales in 2019.
9.Bayer AG - $49.9B
Bayer AG (further Bayer) is a multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company headquartered in Leverkusen. Their history started in 1863 as a drug and dye factory, followed by the successful synthesization of the revolutionary aspirin and other additions to the medical world. On the corporate front, Bayer has separated its operational and strategic managements under 4 core businesses: pharmaceuticals, consumer health, crop science, animal health. In 2019, Bayer successfully achieved $49.9B in sales, justly receiving the 9th position on our top 50 companies in Germany by sales.
10.Continental AG - $49.8B
Continental AG (further Continental) is an automotive parts manufacturer headquartered in Hanover. Amongst the several products leaving their production sites, Continental is the fourth-largest tire manufacturer in the world. Founded in 1871 and producing rubber, it found its success in the development and production of plain tread and eventually grooved tires. Five divisions make up Continental: Chassis and Safety, Powertrain, Interior, Tires and ContiTech. In 2019, this tire powerhouse has reported $49.8B in sales.
11.E.ON SE - $45.9B
E.ON SE (further E.ON) is an electric utility company based in Essen and runs the world’s largest investor-owned electric utility service providers. While the greek name translates as ‘age’, it is a rather young blood in the corporate world as it was founded in 2000 through the merger of VEBA and VIAG. E.ON’s operations are stretched across three business areas: Customer solutions, Energy Networks, Renewables. By the end of 2019, E.ON achieved $45.9B in sales.
12.ThyssenKrupp AG - $44.7B
ThyssenKrupp AG (further ThyssenKrupp) is a multinational conglomerate concentrated on industrial engineering and steel production. It ranks 35th-largest steel producer. ThyssenKrupp is also a young blood created by the merger of Thyssen AG and Krupp. In addition to being excellent in steel producing it boasts a stacked product portfolio ranging from machines and industrial services to high-speed trains. Its subsidiary ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems manufactures various types of boats for the German and foreign navies. In 2019, ThyssenKrupp’s selling transactions generated $44.7B.
13.Talanx AG - $43.6B
Talanx AG (further Talanx) is a multinational financial services company, headquartered in Hanover, and present in well over 150 countries worldwide. As a multi-brand provider, Talanx Group operates in the insurance and financial services sector. The various brands under Talanx’s banner are spread out across 4 business segments: Industrial Insurance, Private and Commercial Lines Germany/International, Property/Casualty Reinsurance. For the year 2019, their deals amounted to 43.6B.
14.Deutsche Lufthansa AG - $40.8B
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (further Lufthansa) is the largest German airline, and when taking into account all of its subsidiaries ranks as the second largest airline in Europe based on passengers carried. It is one of the founding fathers of the world’s largest global airline alliance - Star Alliance. In addition to carrier services, Lufthansa owns several aviation-related companies providing catering, repair and maintenance services. Closing 2019 on a $40.8B sales mark, it scores the 14th place in our top 50 companies in Germany list.
15.Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA - $39.6B
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA (further Fresenius) is a healthcare company chiefly dealing in dialysis, a very important service for people with renal dysfunctions, and management, engineering of healthcare facilities. On the structure front, Fresenius is divided in 4 business segments as follows: Medical Care, Helios, Kabi, Vamed. Their 295,200 employees alongside excellent medical services have immensely contributed to the generation of $39.6B in sales across 2019.
16.Deutsche Bank AG - $37.7B
Deutsche Bank AG (further Deutsche Bank) is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded in Berlin in 1870 in the scope of financing foreign trade and bolstering German exports. Deutsche Bank’s network is present in well over 58 countries with a more influential presence in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company labels itself as a universal type bank projecting three major divisions: Private & Commercial Bank, the Corporate & Investment Bank, and Asset Management. Deutsche Bank closed 2019 on $37.7B in sales, and a whopping $1,636.2B in assets.
17.Munich Re Group - $36.1B
Munich Re Group (further Munich Re) is a reinsurance company founded back in 1880. Under its subsidiary, ERGO, Munich Re has classified itself as one of the world’s largest leading reinsurers. The company’s rich history goes back to 1880, followed by the harsh years of both wars. Besides being an ace in reinsurance business, the Group also does asset management through MUNICH ERGO AssetManagement GmbH (MEAG) founded in 1999. Having achieved $36.1B in sales as of 2019, Munich Re ranks 17 on our top 50 companies in Germany by sales in 2019.
18.SAP SE - $31.1B
SAP SE (further SAP) is a multinational software corporation fixated on creating enterprise software, which manages business operations and customer relations. Its enterprise resource planning (ERP) software may ring a bell or two. SAP was founded in 1972 by the hands of 5 ambitious IBM engineers eventually snowballing further down the enterprise slope. However, it’s not only the big players that can access its services. Through SAP PartnerEdge, small and medium businesses (SMEs) can also enjoy their resources and program benefits. All in all, SAP’s deals for 2019 amounted to $31.1B.
19.Metro AG - $29.8B
Metro AG (further Metro) is a multinational wholesale business operating primarily cash and carry stores under the Metro brand. In some European countries, it uses the Makro brand. At the time of writing, the Metro network comprises around 670 stores in European and Asiatic countries. The company was established in 1963, with the opening of the first hypermarket in Essen by the Ernst Schmidt and Wilhelm Schmidt-Ruthenbeck brothers. In 2019, the wholesale club has emptied its rafts in exchange for almost $29.8B, thusly ranking 19th in our top companies in Germany by sales in 2019.
20.Adidas AG - $25B
Adidas AG (further Adidas) is a multinational company in the apparel and accessories industry. While not first on our top 50 list, it is the largest European sportswear manufacturer and second place in the world, after Nike. The company was founded by Adol Dassler, later joined by his brother, in 1924, which was experimenting with replacing heavy metal spikes with canvas and rubber. The three stripes branding bought for 1,600 Euros and two bottles of whiskey, has propulsed Adidas ahead of the game. In 2019, Adidas sold $25B worth of products.
21.Ceconomy AG - $23.9B
Ceconomy AG (further Ceconomy) is a consumer electronics retailer and is the result of the 2017 Metro Group demerger into a separate company alongside the food retail division due to the businesses being better off as developing separately. Ceconomy is, however, the largest European consumer electronics retailer through Media-Saturn-Holding and is not stopping on acquiring additional subsidiaries to further its goal. As it stands, the business reported $23.9B in sales in 2019.
22.Henkel AG & Company, KGaA - $22.5B
Henkel AG & Company, KGaA (further Henkel) is a chemical and consumer goods company headquartered in Dusseldorf. Henkel is active on both the consumer and industrial sector front. It was founded in 1876 by a science oriented merchant aided by two partners, with the first creation being a universal silicate detergent. The company is divided into three operating business units: Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care, and Laundry & Home Care. Each holding top positions in their respective markets. Henkel achieved $22.5B in sales in 2019.
23.EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG - $22.3B
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (further EnBW) is an electric utilities company, headquartered in Karlsruhe, primarily serving the Baden-Württemberg state. EnBW was founded in 1997 by the merger of two utilities companies, followed by two additional M&A operations. It is an active sponsor of several sports clubs. EnBW owns 14 power plants facilities and 3 power line spans. In 2019, their jolts of electricity and other products brought in $22.3B worth of sales.
