125 years of Walther Schoenenberger
A life dedicated to the power of fresh plants
Otto Greither was born in 1925. After his father had died when he was still a child, he took responsibility for Salus following the death of his mother in 1945 and rebuilt the company after the devastation of the war.
Throughout his work at Salus, he consistently combined the company's tradition with his enduring enthusiasm for progress and innovation. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to recognise at an early stage how things were changing and what developments people and markets would need in the future. He promoted new products and production methods, as well as the company's expansion into international markets. By acquiring Schoenenberger and Herbaria, he shaped the Salus Group as it exists today.
Entrepreneurship in harmony with people and nature
What stood out most in Otto Greither's work was the way he combined entrepreneurship with his love of people and nature. Many decades ago, he became deeply involved with ecological and sustainable agriculture. He rejected the use of pesticides and herbicides, as well as the genetic modification of plants. For him, the Salus Group's commitment to sustainability with resource-efficient production, environmental protection and sustainable energy was both a guiding principle and a matter of course.
People were just as important to him as sustainability. Otto Greither was socially committed in many areas and put great emphasis on the sense of community within his companies. His work and his commitment to society were recognised, among other honours, with the Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany), the Bayerischer Verdienstorden (Bavarian Order of Merit) and the honorary citizenship of Bruckmühl.
Salus was Otto Greither's life's work. His understanding of entrepreneurship – shaping the future while combining economic success with responsibility for people and nature – continues to shape the Salus Group to this day.
“Otto Greither shaped the Salus Group, and me personally, in a truly unique way. We will carry on his entrepreneurial legacy in his spirit,” says Dr. Florian Block, Managing Director of the Salus Group and husband of Katrin Greither-Block, who, as a shareholder and granddaughter of Otto Greither, is part of the fourth generation of the owning family.
The entire Salus Group will honour Otto Greither's memory. His legacy will live on within the company – now and in the future.
