Rainer Mayer, Mayer & Cie.’s long-term senior partner and Managing Director, died at the age of 67 on April 1. He had suffered from cancer which was diagnosed in 2013. Now his sons, Benjamin and Sebastian Mayer, will take the lead in the long-established company along with his nephew Marcus Mayer.
For the past years, Managing Directors Benjamin and Marcus Mayer have successfully controlled the company’s fortunes along with Rainer Mayer and have set the course for the future.
Rainer Mayer was born in 1947 in Tailfingen, where he grew up with four siblings. After successfully completing his studies, he joined the company in 1972 at the age of 24 following the death of his father Emil Mayer. Along with his brother Peter who was only in his early thirties, he took on responsibility for the manufacture of circular knitting machines. For more than 40 years, he successfully led the company mastering several economically difficult episodes.
From a serious crisis in 1970s, Mayer & Cie. emerged stronger than ever. A gifted and committed entrepreneur Rainer Mayer also managed to turn the company around after insolvency in 2009.
During the past years, Mayer & Cie.’s sales and turnover have been rising steadily again, order books are full and all the company’s production sites are used to capacity. Managing Directors Benjamin and Marcus Mayer attribute this situation to a major part on Rainer Mayer’s dedication and unfailing optimism. His son Benjamin Mayer says: “We lost a very successful and wise businessman who has decisively shaped Mayer & Cie. for many years. His life and work will remain to be both example and responsibility to us.”
Owner family’s fourth generation takes over
During the past years, Rainer Mayer has shared responsibilities and duties with his nephew Marcus Mayer and his son Benjamin Mayer. The latter is in charge of production, quality and energy management and apprenticeship. He now looks after sales and distribution, which used to be Rainer Mayer’s area of responsibility. Marcus Mayer directs research and development, purchasing and after sales. He joined the company in 2002, and Benjamin Mayer entered in 2013. They both are Managing Directors of the Mayer family’s fourth generation now in charge of the 100 percent familyowned company which itself celebrates its 110th anniversary this year.
Sebastian Mayer, Rainer Mayer’s second son, is also part of the family business dedicating himself to business development.