NRW is already facing major challenges in terms of business succession. The situation of business succession in the Sauerland is also coming to a head. A look at the current figures shows a high demand for solutions for family-run medium-sized businesses. After all, successfully organised business succession in the Sauerland is considered essential for the region’s economic earning power.

Study with 11,209 companies

For our regional study “Sauerland” we have divided the companies into two turnover categories. One group of companies has an annual turnover of EUR 250,000 up to and including EUR 5 million, while the other group includes companies with a turnover size of EUR 5 million or more. In total, the Sauerland has 11,899 companies in both groups, although we only include 11,209 companies in the study because the age of the decision-makers is known here.

Turnover classes up to 5 million euros

If we look at the first grouping of companies, we see that the majority of entrepreneurs are between 45 and 50 years old. Here we have a total of 2,218 decision-makers in the Sauerland. Directly after that, with a total of 1,856, come the entrepreneurs aged between 50 and 55. The 55 to 60 age group, which is directly affected by a possible business succession, has a relatively high number of 1,438 entrepreneurs. The remaining age groups from 61 to 80 years comprise a proud 830 entrepreneurs. A figure that should encourage short-term action.

Companies with an annual turnover of 5 million euros or more

The figures in this turnover class are almost analogous to the first grouping of enterprises. Of a total of 1,966 enterprises considered, the age group 45 to 50 years again leads the statistics with 497 entrepreneurs. This is also followed by entrepreneurs aged between 51 and 55 with 391. With almost equal numbers, entrepreneurs aged between 40 and 45 (317) and entrepreneurs aged between 55 and 60 (308) are neck and neck. The remaining entrepreneurs come to a total of 197, whereby even 2 entrepreneurs are well over 80 years old.

Overall view

If we look at the cumulative figures, we find that 45% of the entrepreneurs in Sauerland are over 55 years old, and 69% of the entrepreneurs are over 50 years old.

Certainly, not all of these companies have a succession problem because the Sauerland region in particular is home to many family businesses that are already going to pass the company on to the next generation. However, a rather high number of unresolved business successions remain. In our view, there is an urgent need for action here.