History

180 Years of Entrepreneurship and Creativity

Bertelsmann has undergone constant change in the past and will continue to do so in the future as it perpetuates its growth and success story. At every stage in its history, Bertelsmann has successfully managed technological innovation, changing user habits and market upheavals, including the current mega-trend of digitization. In the past, the company has revolutionized book sales and distribution, was one of the initiators of commercial television in Germany, and introduced employee profit-sharing very early on. From this interplay of continuity and change, Bertelsmann draws the certainty of being ideally equipped for the years to come.

Milestones of Corporate History

From the protestant publishing house to the modern media, services and education company of today: discover here, how Bertelsmann devoloped to what it is today - a creative an international company.

Corporate History

Bertelsmann's Corporate Archive is open to the public and gives doctoral students, other students, and academics the opportunity to research the company’s history. We disclose documents in compliance with the Federal Archives Act.

Bertelsmann during the National Socialist Era

In 1999-2002, Bertelsmann became the first German media company to undertake an independent review of its corporate history during the National Socialist era. In early 1999, the then Bertelsmann AG commissioned a panel of four scholars to investigate this part of its history.

Bertelsmann Vinyl Collection

By presenting the “Vinyl Collection,” the Bertelsmann Corporate Archive is making parts of its vast record collection accessible to the general public for the first time. This collection provides a unique documentation of the music history of the Bertelsmann Clubs, which distributed an important and popular record program for their members between 1956 and 1992.

The History Room

At Bertelsmann, the company's history is also family history. When the newly built headquarters on Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse was inaugurated in 1976, the tradition of the Bertelsmann / Mohn entrepreneurial families was also incorporated. A digital tour of this History Room makes the family’s Protestant history in the 19th and 20th centuries come to life.

Reinhard Mohn

Reinhard Mohn laid the foundation that made it possible for the Christian publishing company in Gütersloh to grow, over six decades, into the Bertelsmann Group as it stands today: Europe´s largest media enterprice. A global player with more than 100,000 employees.

Chairmen and CEOs since 1971

On July 1st 1971, Bertelsmann was converted into a stock corporation. The family-owned company became a major corporation that is led by the management and governed by the supervisory board and the annual general meeting, as per German stock corporation law.