HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeStrategyback to Research & KnowledgeHilti: Our culture journeyback to Strategy

Case Study

Hilti: Our culture journey

By John L. Ward and Colleen Lief

21 pages

December 2005

Reference: IMD-3-1434

From the humble ambitions of two brothers, Hilti AG came a long way to win the 2003 Bertelsmann Prize. Hilti was a world leader in professional construction tools and equipment with sales approximating $2.8 billion, operations in 120 countries and a global workforce of around 15,120 who together shared in an award-winning corporate culture. Culture at Hilti, was inseparable from strategy. So when challenged at several points in their history, the company relied on the strength and underpinnings of its corporate culture to see it through. Now, with new governance changes afoot, Hilti would need to leverage this valuable resource once again.

Keywords

Adaptation, Corporate Culture, Drilling

Settings

World/global, Liechtenstein
Hilti, Materials, Construction Materials
1941-2005

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

This case study is part of a series

Keep reading

Case Study

YCH Group: How to remain an innovative family business across generations

Family Business Innovation

By Marleen Dieleman and Sophia Xuefei Qiu

Article

Unexpecting The Expected - Adapting To A Changing World

In complex situations, expertise can hold you back. Explore seven mindset shifts for unexpecting the expected and navigating uncertainty with greater agility.

Change Management Leadership Strategy

By Martin Fellenz

in I by IMD

Article

Transitioning from CFO to CEO - Top Tips

Transitioning from CFO to CEO demands bold leadership, comfort with risk and a redefined view of finance as shared by four top executives on the journey.

Growth Leadership Organizational Transformation Strategy Team

By Jean-François Manzoni

in I by IMD

Article

Strategic use of AI in healthcare and pharma drives market advantage. Here’s how

AI is fundamental to the competitive strategies of the most advanced healthcare and pharmaceutical firms. Here is how they are adopting AI to be data-driven leaders.

Innovation Strategy Technology Management

By Tomoko Yokoi and Michael R. Wade

in I by IMD

Article

Family offices and questions about peak wealth

The recent Family Capital Viewpoint, entitled "Have We Hit Peak Wealth" has raised a question that feels both provocative and urgent. It explores how extreme spending—mega yachts, $400 melons, gold-plated mansions—is colliding with economic anxiet...

Family Business

By Peter Vogel

in Family Capital

10 July 2025

Podcast

“We were so scared of our IPO”: Leaders Unplugged with former On-CEO Marc Maurer

ON’s Marc Maurer shares how purpose, humility, and bold choices fueled the brand’s rise—from anti-metaverse to IPO—in this inspiring leadership talk.

Innovation Leadership Strategy

By Alyson Meister and Marc Maurer

in I by IMD

Article

Work-Life Balance - Lessons From Family Enterprises

Leaders face burnout as work and life blur. Learn how enterprising families set smart boundaries to maintain work-life balance and thrive.

Family Business Work-life Balance

By Jennifer Jordan and Peter Vogel

in I by IMD

Video

Poul Weihrauch - Mars CEO - Sustainable Growth

Mars CEO Poul Weihrauch shares how long-term family ownership enables purpose-led leadership, sustainable growth, and ethical decision-making at scale.

Change Management Corporate Governance Ethics Family Business

By Jean-François Manzoni

in I by IMD

Article

Why Mark Zuckerberg and Meta can’t build the future

Last week, a notification flashed. “Add your email address for extra security,” my phone chirped. It was from WhatsApp. I stared at the screen, a single question forming in my mind: Security? Or surveillance? I tapped “No.” The feeling wasn’t ange...

Strategy Leadership

By Howard H. Yu

in The Star

1 July 2025

Article

Only connect: How to keep disparate workforce elements happy and motivated

Today’s workforce often includes a mix of permanent employees, freelancers, and outside contractors – but even organizations with mostly external workforces or highly autonomous workforces need proximity to succeed over the long term. Here are fou...

Strategy Team

By Sebastian Reiche

in I by IMD

YCH Group: How to remain an innovative family business across generations

By Marleen Dieleman and Sophia Xuefei Qiu
Case reference: IMD-2659 ©2025

Summary

YCH Group, a pioneering family-owned logistics company in Asia evolved from a small transport business into a regional leader in supply chain solutions focused on e-commerce, the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics. This remarkable transformation was thanks to executive chairman Dr Robert Yap, a visionary who was fond of disruption and who remained at the forefront of innovations in the industry. As Dr Yap contemplated the future of YCH, he wondered how his focus on innovation might endure. His son, Ryan Yap, represented a new generation with different ideas about how to protect the company's core. The case asks participants to rethink legacy as not merely a fixed heritage of traditions passed down but one of continual change and entrepreneurship. It also invites learners to evaluate and discuss how YCH should prepare for a new era of success.

Reference IMD-2659

Organization YCH Group

Industry Logistics and Supply Chain

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Family Business

Innovation

Browse all topics

Unexpecting The Expected - Adapting To A Changing World

By Martin Fellenz
in I by IMD

Summary

In complex situations, expertise can hold you back. Explore seven mindset shifts for unexpecting the expected and navigating uncertainty with greater agility.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Change Management

Leadership

Strategy

Browse all topics

Transitioning from CFO to CEO - Top Tips

By Jean-François Manzoni
in I by IMD

Summary

Transitioning from CFO to CEO demands bold leadership, comfort with risk and a redefined view of finance as shared by four top executives on the journey.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Growth

Leadership

Organizational Transformation

Strategy

Team

Browse all topics

Strategic use of AI in healthcare and pharma drives market advantage. Here’s how

By Tomoko Yokoi and Michael R. Wade
in I by IMD

Summary

AI is fundamental to the competitive strategies of the most advanced healthcare and pharmaceutical firms. Here is how they are adopting AI to be data-driven leaders.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Strategy

Technology Management

Browse all topics

“We were so scared of our IPO”: Leaders Unplugged with former On-CEO Marc Maurer

By Alyson Meister and Marc Maurer
in I by IMD

Summary

ON’s Marc Maurer shares how purpose, humility, and bold choices fueled the brand’s rise—from anti-metaverse to IPO—in this inspiring leadership talk.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Leadership

Strategy

Browse all topics

Poul Weihrauch - Mars CEO - Sustainable Growth

By Jean-François Manzoni
in I by IMD

Summary

Mars CEO Poul Weihrauch shares how long-term family ownership enables purpose-led leadership, sustainable growth, and ethical decision-making at scale.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Change Management

Corporate Governance

Ethics

Family Business

Browse all topics

Why Mark Zuckerberg and Meta can’t build the future

By Howard H. Yu
in The Star 1 July 2025

Summary

Contact