"Continually Reinspiring"
Interview with Dr. Henrik Haverkamp, CEO DACH of Wella Company
For 145 years, Wella has stood for professional hair care and innovative solutions in the beauty industry. Today, the company is one of the leading brands worldwide. In a conversation with Wirtschaftsforum, Dr. Henrik Haverkamp, CEO of Wella in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, spoke about innovations that inspire and his vision for the future of the traditional company.
Wirtschaftsforum: Dr. Haverkamp, when you look back at the over 145-year history of Wella, which milestones have been particularly formative?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: 145 years is indeed a long time. A decisive moment was in 2003, when the company was sold by the listed family business to Procter & Gamble. This was followed by the transition to Coty in 2016, and finally to our current owner KKR in 2020. Each transition has left its mark, but with KKR we are once again stronger as an independent company. This long-term orientation, coupled with investments in crucial areas, has been very helpful to us. Alongside this, it has always been product innovations that have driven us forward in the market.
Wirtschaftsforum: What innovations are currently in focus?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: With the Briogeo brand, for example, we are serving the growing interest in clean beauty and sustainable ingredients in the hairdressing sector. Our new hair color, ColorXpress, reduces the processing time from 30 to 10 minutes. This is a real gain for hairdressers in light of the skilled labor shortage. Additionally, we have introduced a line in the drugstore market with Clairol Professional colorstrong, which makes our color expertise also experienced in retail.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does the company present itself today?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: The company headquarters is located in New York, with other key functions in Geneva. We employ over 5,000 staff worldwide. Our economic development is very positive. Especially in the area of hair color, we have achieved the highest market share in Germany since 2010 – a clear sign that we are on the right track. We are following a clear growth plan and are investing specifically in innovative products. Innovations are crucial in the beauty industry to continuously excite consumers. This innovative strength significantly contributes to our growth, and we expect this trend to continue.
Wirtschaftsforum: You have been the Managing Director for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland since 2022. What initiatives have you been able to introduce in this role?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: We have significantly sharpened our structures. For instance, we created the Omnichannel sector independently and focused more on selected key areas. We have also ventured into new paths in marketing, for example with TikTok. At the same time, we have positioned our brand portfolio more clearly: some brands are strategically played in the Salon channel, others in E-Commerce or Retail. This has sharpened our profile and we are perceived as more modern.
Wirtschaftsforum: What factors, in your opinion, make Wella so successful?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: An important factor is our loyalty to our roots: The Salon channel remains our core, with our own training centers and over 100 master hairdressers in the German-speaking region alone. The second point is the backing of our owner KKR, who thinks and invests for the long term. And last but not least, our high level of innovation, with which we continuously introduce new products and services to the market.
Wirtschaftsforum: How would you describe the corporate culture?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: Wella is often still perceived as a classic German company. In fact, we are strongly international. Our culture is open, minimally hierarchical and collegial – characteristics that also stem from collaboration with American owners. This climate fosters creativity and a joy for innovation.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where would you like to see the company in the coming years?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: We still have enormous potential for growth. The market for premium hair care products is far from as developed as that for skin care. Here, we want to significantly expand our share and make products accessible to consumers that offer above-average quality. I am convinced that we can continue our dynamic growth.
Wirtschaftsforum: Finally, a personal question: What drives you in your work?
Dr. Henrik Haverkamp: I am thrilled to see companies and people grow. It is like gardening: You plant something, nurture it, and experience how something great emerges from it. This long-term view – success in the company as well as the people who work in it – is my motivation.