List of the 5,000 Largest Companies in Germany [2022 Update]

Download the unique database of the largest German companies as Excel file

Our current database of the largest German companies has been created through years of work and research. Our unique database of the largest German companies can be downloaded as a handy Excel file after purchase. It contains a large number of relevant data points. Starting with the industries of the companies up to turnover, contact data and names of managing directors. Our clients use the list for new customer acquisition, partner identification and market research.

Which industries are included in the list of the 5,000 largest German companies?

A special feature of the list of the largest German companies is the classification of the companies into industries. The industry classification was made on the basis of the companies’ core business and allows an uncomplicated filtering of the Excel list according to relevant companies for the respective concern. The following industries can be found in the overview (including sample companies):

• Industrial companies (automotive suppliers, mechanical engineering companies, etc.) | e.g. Leoni AG, Gebr. Knauf KG
• Chemical companies (paint & coatings manufacturers, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals companies, construction chemicals, etc.) | e.g. BASF SE, Wacker Chemie AG
• Trading companies (retail, wholesale, etc.) | e.g. Otto (GmbH & Co KG), Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co. KG
• Food companies (baked goods manufacturers, breweries, meat producers, etc.) | e.g. DMK Deutsches Milchkontor GmbH, J. Bünting Teehandelshaus GmbH & Comp.
• Real estate companies (housing companies, project developers, etc.) | e.g. Vonovia SE, Vivawest Wohnen GmbH
• Service companies (consulting firms, cleaning companies, etc.) | e.g. Bilfinger SE, DEKRA SE
• Logistics companies (freight forwarding logistics, parcel logistics, etc.) | e.g. Dachser SE
• Construction companies (building construction, civil engineering, road construction, etc.) | e.g. Bauer AG
• IT companies (software companies, hardware companies, IT consultancies, etc.) | e.g. SAP SE, Bechtle AG
• Energy companies (electricity suppliers, electricity producers, network operators,e tc.) | e.g. Stadtwerke Köln GmbH
• Financial companies (banks, asset managers, insurance companies, etc.) | e.g. DZ BANK AG, LVM Versicherung
• Consumer goods companies (fashion companies, toy manufacturers, sports companies etc.) | e.g. PUMA SE
• Holding companies (automotive suppliers, mechanical engineering companies, etc.) | e.g. Körber AG, INDUS Holding AG
• Healthcare companies (hospitals, nursing home operators, etc.) | e.g. Vivantes – Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH, Schön Klinik SE
• Gastronomy companies (system gastronomy, catering, etc.) | e.g. Compass Group Deutschland GmbH
• Media companies (newspapers, TV, book publishers, etc.) | e.g. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA

List of the 25 largest companies in Germany

To give you an impression of our list of the largest German companies, we present the 25 companies with the highest revenues in Germany in detail. We go into detail about the field of activity and the current situation of the company. You are able to get a quick overview of the German economy: the focus is on technology, the automotive industry and mechanical engineering.

1. Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg: 222.9 billion euros in sales (2020).

The VW Group is undisputedly Germany’s largest automaker and is in a constant battle with Toyota and General Motors for the top global position. In addition to the Volkswagen brand, the following brands belong to Volkswagen: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat and Skoda brands. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – including the MAN and Scania brands – is a separate division. VW operates worldwide and has over 650,000 employees.

Update 2021: Volkswagen sales fell by 12 percent in 2020 due to Corona. With its future program “TOGETHER – Strategy 2025,” Germany’s largest automaker aims to transform itself into a global leader in sustainable mobility. Targets include: 33 e-models by 2025, expansion of battery technology and autonomous driving.

2. Daimler AG, Stuttgart: 154.3 billion euros in revenue (2020).

Mercedes-Benz stands for premium vehicles all over the world and is the best-known brand of Daimler AG. In addition, the automotive group deals with the production of vans, trucks and buses. The heart of Daimler beats in the two plants in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen. Production takes place worldwide with around 300,000 employees.

Update 2021: The Corona pandemic caused an 11 percent drop in revenue at Daimler in 2020. Essential for the future development of the Group is the planned split of the Group into two companies: Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans for automotive manufacturing and Daimler Trucks & Buses for truck and bus manufacturing.

3. Deutsche Telekom AG, Bonn: 101 billion euros in revenue (2020).

Deutsche Telekom was created in 1995 from the former telecommunications division of Deutsche Bundespost. Today, the company is the market-leading telecommunications provider and also the largest telecommunications company in Europe. Its business is based on two pillars: Telekom Deutschland bundles services for consumers and business customers. T-Systems International is responsible for major customers.

Update 2021: In 2020, Deutsche Telekom achieved record revenue and revenue growth of over 25 percent. The U.S. business was largely responsible for this, with revenue growth of over 50 percent. In 2021, the company aims to surpass this result. The strategic focus is on the following topics: fiber optics, 5G and digitization.

4. BMW AG, Munich: 99 billion euros in sales (2020).

The BMW Group, headquartered in Munich, is the No. 3 automaker in this country. In addition to the BMW brand, the group includes the British brands Mini and Rolls Royce. In addition to cars in the premium segment and sports cars, BMW manufactures motorcycles and engines. BMW employs around 135,000 people.

Update 2021: With a drop in sales of “only” 5 percent, BMW has come through the Corona year 2020 quite smoothly compared to other carmakers. Things are expected to pick up again in 2021. The highlight of the year will be the market launch of the new BMW iX series. BMW wants to set standards in terms of e-mobility.

5. Siemens AG, Munich: 86.85 billion euros in sales (2020).

Siemens AG is one of the most important companies in the German economy. In Germany alone, Siemens has 125 locations and is represented in 190 countries. The Munich-based company is active in many different business areas, including automotive supplier, mechanical engineering, software, railroad technology and electrical industry. Siemens AG currently employs 293,000 people.

6. Allianz SE, Munich: 83.0 billion euros in gross premiums (2020)

Allianz SE is the market leader in Germany for insurance and one of the largest insurance groups worldwide. Founded back in 1890, the Group developed into a global player after the Second World War. The Allianz Group covers the entire insurance business and has a large fund company, Allianz Global Investors. Dresdner Bank, which was part of the Group for a time, was sold to Commerzbank in 2008/2009.

Update 2021: The Allianz Group has come through the Corona year 2020 quite unscathed – not least thanks to a good property and liability insurance business. In 2021, it hopes to benefit from the general economic recovery after Corona. Growth is expected in the coming years through increased offerings for sustainable provision.

7. Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart: 71.5 billion euros in sales (2020).

The Bosch story begins in 1886 as a backyard workshop in Stuttgart. Today, Bosch is one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers and at the same time a conglomerate with different business sectors. Automotive Technology is a focal point, accounting for 60 percent of sales. Other Bosch divisions are Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods Technology, and Building Technology. Bosch has around 400,000 associates worldwide.

Update 2021: At Bosch, the Corona crisis was reflected in a 6.4 percent drop in sales in 2020. Only the Consumer Goods sector saw an increase in sales. Nevertheless, the company believes it is well positioned for the future. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence solutions, and electromobility will shape Bosch’s future strategy.

8. REWE-ZENTRALFINANZ EG, Cologne: 68.25 billion euros in sales (2020)

REWE-Zentralfinanz EG, headquartered in Cologne, is the parent company of REWE Group.REWE is the largest food retailer in Germany. The supermarket chain specializes primarily as a retailer and grocer. Among others, Billa, Penny and DER Touristik Deutschland belong to REWE.

9. Deutsche Post AG, Bonn: 66.8 billion euros in revenue (2020).

Deutsche Post was created in 1995 from the former Deutsche Bundespost – Postdienst and has developed into an internationally active group in the express, parcel and freight business (DHL brand). Nationally, Deutsche Post maintains its monopoly position in the mail business (Deutsche Post brand). In recent years, it has been able to benefit from the e-commerce boom in the parcel business, while the mail business has declined.

Update 2021: Deutsche Post is one of the clear Corona winners. Revenue rose by 5.5 percent in 2020, while operating profit improved by more than 17 percent to 4.8 billion euros. The main driver of success was the parcel and express business (DHL), which benefited from the e-commerce boom in Corona times.

10. EDEKA ZENTRALE AG & Co. KG, Hamburg: 61.0 billion euros in sales (2020).

EDEKA is one of the major players in German food retailing and at the same time a complex organization in which cooperative and corporate structures coexist. EDEKA ZENTRALE AG & Co. KG in Hamburg bundles important holdings of the group and is a partner of the EDEKA regional companies, which in turn stand alongside the EDEKA stores. EDEKA ZENTRALE accounts for approximately two-thirds of the Group’s sales.

Update 2021: 2020 was a successful year for the EDEKA Group. Sales grew by 9.5 percent, with particularly strong growth of 14.2 percent in independent food retailing. EDEKA stores benefited from the fact that they remained open despite lockdowns. 2021 also bodes well for business.

11. E.ON SE, Essen: 60.9 billion euros in sales (2020)

E.ON SE was created in 2000 from the two conglomerates VEBA and VIAG. E.ON is the holding company of an electricity provider from Essen and the largest energy company in Germany. In 2016, it sold its conventional energy business to the independent Juniper SE and focused on energy networks, renewable energies and the dismantling of German nuclear power plants. E.ON employed 78,126 people in 2020.

12. BASF SE, Ludwigshafen: 59.1 billion euros (2020).

BASF’s origins date back to 1865. Today, BASF is the world’s largest chemical group in terms of sales. The Group employs around 115,000 people and has sites in more than 80 countries. Its main business areas are chemicals, plastics, performance products, system solutions, crop protection/nutrition and oil/gas. The main site in Ludwigshafen is considered the largest chemical site on earth.

Update 2021: BASF was able to close fiscal 2020 with virtually unchanged sales, while earnings fell by 23 percent – partly due to the pandemic. BASF aims to achieve CO2-neutral growth by 2030 and keep its greenhouse gas emissions at 2018 levels despite increasing production. The 2021 sales target is 61 to 64 billion euros.

13. Munich Reinsurance Company, Munich: 54.9 billion euros in gross premiums (2020).

Munich Re is the world’s largest reinsurer and was founded back in 1880. For a long time, the company was closely intertwined with the Allianz Group. Today, it goes its own separate ways. With its subsidiary Ergo Group, Munich Re is also active in the primary insurance business. Ergo is one of the leading insurance companies for private and business customers in Germany.

Update 2021: 2020 led to high Covid-19-related losses at Munich Re, with profits falling to €1.2 billion. In reinsurance alone, pandemic losses accounted for 3.4 billion euros. In 2021 the aim is to return to the pre-Corona profit level of EUR 2.8 billion.

14. Uniper SE, Düsseldorf: 51.0 billion euros in sales (2020).

Uniper is a 2016 spin-off from the E.ON energy group. In a complex restructuring at the time, conventional power generation, global energy trading and other E.ON businesses were bundled under the umbrella of the new company Uniper. In the meantime, the Finnish energy group Fortum has acquired almost half of Uniper’s shares, and a takeover is intended.

Update 2021: 2020 was successful for the Uniper energy group. The previous year’s result was exceeded, thanks above all to a successful gas business. Uniper aims to make its European power generation CO2-neutral by 2035. It plans to add one gigawatt of solar and wind power production by 2025.

15. AUDI AG, Ingolstadt: 50.0 billion euros in sales (2020)

AUDI has existed as a car brand for over 100 years. In the 1960s, AUDI was purchased by VW. Since then, AUDI AG has been a subgroup within the VW Group, but operates independently. The two main plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm are of central importance. However, production also takes place abroad. AUDI has over 90,000 employees.

Update 2021: The Corona year 2020 also left its mark on the VW subgroup AUDI. Sales fell by a good 10 percent compared to 2019. The company expects significantly better figures again for 2021 – partly due to new e-models. The Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron model series expand the electric portfolio and are expected to boost business.

16. Bayer AG, Leverkusen: 41.4 billion euros in sales (2020).

Bayer, headquartered in Leverkusen, is one of the major pharmaceutical and chemical companies. The Group is divided into three divisions: Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health (dietary supplements, non-prescription products) and Crop Science (crop protection products). Bayer intends to further expand its market position with the acquisition of the U.S. agricultural chemicals group Monsanto.

Update 2021: Bayer sales declined by 4.9 percent in 2020 – due to currency effects in Latin America. A record net loss of EUR -10.1 billion was achieved. This is due to extensive risk provisioning because of the Monsanto glyphosate issue – a good basis for better figures again from 2021.

17. Talanx AG, Hanover: 41.1 billion euros in sales (2020)

After Allianz and Munich Re or Ergo, the Talanx Group is number 3 in the German insurance market. The main owner is HDI VvaG. A variety of insurance activities are bundled under the Talanx umbrella. Talanx includes Hannover Re – a major reinsurer – HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie, HDI-Gerling Industrieversicherung, PB Versicherung and Targo Versicherungen, among others.

Update 2021: Talanx was able to achieve premium growth of just over 4 percent and a consolidated profit of 637 million euros in 2020. In 2021, the company aims to increase the result to between 800 and 900 million euros. The insurer is pushing sustainability – in operations, underwriting, investments and social commitment.

18. Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin: 39.9 billion euros in sales (2020).

Deutsche Bahn is still 100 percent state-owned. Formed in 1994 from the merger of Bundesbahn and Reichsbahn, the Group operates long-distance and short-distance passenger rail services as well as freight transport. The rail network is the largest in Europe. The complex group with more than 300,000 employees is constantly struggling with its structures.

Update 2021: Deutsche Bahn is one of the pandemic sufferers. 2020 ended with a drop in revenue of over 10 percent and an operating loss of 2.9 billion euros. The main loss-maker was long-distance passenger traffic. Deutsche Bahn expects better figures for 2021. A positive operating result is not seen until 2022.

19. Continental AG, Hanover: 37.7 billion euros in sales (2020).

Continental grew up with tires for automobiles. Today, the Hanover-based company is considered one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers. The rubber and tire business is still of central importance. A second mainstay is automotive solutions (chassis, powertrains, interior equipment). Continental AG has been a sister corporation of the Schaeffler Group since 2009.

Update 2021: Corona hit Continental in 2020 in the middle of a challenging restructuring process and came at the worst possible time given the company’s 150th anniversary. Consequence: a double-digit decline in sales and a loss of almost one billion euros. With the spin-off of the subsidiary Vitesco Technologies and systematic cost reductions, the company now wants to reposition itself.

20. Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Bad Homburg: 36.3 billion euros in sales (2020).

Fresenius traces its roots back to a Frankfurt pharmacy founded in the 15th century. Today, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA is Germany’s largest hospital and healthcare group. The Fresenius Helios division operates 112 hospitals. The majority-owned Fresenius Medical Care is a leader in dialysis procedures. Other business segments include hospital and therapy services.

Update 2021: In 2020, the Fresenius health care group achieved about 5 percent sales growth and almost stable earnings. As a major hospital operator, it was directly affected by the pandemic. Despite expected negative Corona effects in 2021, the company aims to achieve comparable sales growth and earnings stability in 2020.

21. ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, Friedrichshafen: 32.6 billion euros in sales (2020)

The history of ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN began in 1915 with gears and transmissions. Today, chassis and driveline technology for vehicles form the core business and make the company one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world. However, ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN also has a widely diversified Industrial Technology division. The company has nearly 150,000 employees.

Update 2021: 2020 was marked for ZF Friedrichshafen by the pandemic and the transformation of the automotive industry. Both factors caused weaker business with a 10 percent drop in sales and several hundred million euros in losses. The acquisition of the U.S. automotive supplier WABCO means an institution for the future. Better business is expected in 2021.

22. thyssenkrupp AG, Essen: 28.9 billion euros sales (2019/2020).

The company name thyssenkrupp combines two traditional names in German steel production. Steel remains the core business today. In addition, thyssenkrupp is active in international raw materials trading and as a supply chain management service provider. As part of a merger of the steel activities with the Indian group Tata Steel, thyssenkrupp is realigning itself.

Update 2021: For fiscal 2019/2020 thyssenkrupp suffered a 15 percent drop in sales due to the pandemic, mainly in the materials and components business which is dependent on the auto industry. EBIT came to -1.6 billion euros. Nevertheless thyssenkrupp is continuing the Group’s reorganization – among other things through restructuring and the sale of the elevator business.

23. Porsche AG, Stuttgart: 28.7 billion euros in sales (2020).

Porsche in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen is a world-renowned sports car manufacturer. The name of company founder Ferdinand Porsche is closely associated with VW history. Since 2009, Porsche AG has been part of Volkswagen as a subgroup, but Porsche remains an independent brand. The company has approximately 30,000 employees.

Update 2021: Porsche is an exception among German automakers. It also achieved a new sales record in the Corona year 2020 – albeit with a mini-plus of 0.6 percent. The E-Performance concept Porsche is gearing up for electromobility – with electric and plug-in hybrid models such as the Porsche Taycan.

24. PHOENIX Pharma SE, Mannheim: 27.3 billion euros in sales (2020).

Mannheim-based Phoenix Pharma SE is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in Germany. The company has 164 distribution centers in Europe alone and is one of the leading healthcare providers in Europe. Phoenix Pharma SE was formed in 1994 through the purchase of several regional pharmaceutical companies by Adolf Merckle. The company continues to be part of the Merckle Group.

25. METRO AG, Düsseldorf: €25.6 billion in sales (2019/2020).

METRO was one of the pioneers of self-service wholesale in Germany in 1963 and developed into a major retail group in the following decades. In the last ten years, the company has been completely restructured. In 2015, the Kaufhof department store chain was sold and in 2017 the food business was spun off. The spun-off food division continues to operate under the METRO name. It operates 760 METRO stores with 150,000 employees.

Update 2021: METRO ended fiscal 2019/2020 with sales losses of 5.4 percent due to Corona. Each month of lockdown cost the company €400 million. The financial year 2020/2021 will still be characterized by Corona effects. Thereafter, the company aims to return sales and profits to pre-pandemic levels.

Picture source: Unsplash(Florian Wehde)& Unsplash(Mateo Krössler)