Udo Hardieck, the co-founder of the global fashion retailer Gerry Weber, died yesterday aged 74.
Alongside the brand’s eponymous Gerhard Weber, Hardieck founded the retailer in 1973, which then traded as Hatex.
After growing the women’s fashion brand for over a decade, Hatex changed its name to Gerry Weber in 1989 and joined the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Alongside his role on the management board of the company, in which he looked after production, IT and logistics, Hardieck is largely credited with the creation of the Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament, which is now part of the ATP World Tour series.
He was also a key figure in founding the Teutoburger Wald Golf Club, and the construction of the Gerry Weber tennis stadium in Halle, which seats 12,300 people.
“The loss of Udo Hardieck left us deeply saddened,” Gerhard Weber and international chief executive Ralf Weber said.
“Our thoughts and those of the entire staff are with his family. We remember Udo Hardieck as our company founder, an investor and a committed entrepreneur. Until the very last moment he stood by us as a knowledgeable adviser, reliable partner and longstanding friend.”
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