The editors took the fact into account that Dietmar Harting – in addition to his great contributions to the HARTING Technology Group – has also shaped the course of the electronics industry over many years through his personal commitment. Dietmar Harting joined his parents‘ company in 1967, became managing partner in 1973 and turned the small medium-sized company into a successful global player in his era.

Expert in demand on many committees

Far beyond the borders of the region and the country, Dietmar Harting was well known as the president of German and international organisations and committees. In 1998, he became the first head of an SME to take the helm of the influential Central Association of the Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry (ZVEI) and steered the association back into safe waters following the turbulence caused by the foundation of Bitkom. After his departure in 2004, the ZVEI appointed him honorary president for life.

That same year, Harting became a member of the committee of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and from 2003 to 2009 headed up the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), which thanked him for his work by presenting him with the DIN Ring of Honour. Federal Chancellors Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schröder and Angela Merkel appointed Dietmar Harting to the "Council for Research, Technology and Innovation" and the "Partners for Innovation” initiative. At the international level, "Mr. Standardisation” – as he was dubbed by former European Commissioner Günter Verheugen – headed up the European Electronic Component Manufacturers Association (EECA) and the Comité Européen de Normalization Electrotechnique (CENELEC). 

In 2009, Dietmar Harting was distinguished with an honorary doctorate from Leibniz Universität Hannover acknowledging his outstanding commitment as an entrepreneur and sponsor of science and technology in associations and organisations. At the end of 2019 he was awarded the Karmarsch Memorial Medal by the Leibniz Universitätsgesellschaft Hannover e.V.

In 2008, he was bestowed with the Trade Fair Honorary Gold Medal for his many years of service at Deutsche Messe AG, which included 12 years as Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In 2009, the city of Espelkamp, ​​headquarters of the technology group, bestowed the honorary citizenship on Dietmar and Margrit Harting. In 2009, the couple was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit 1st class.

Handover in 2015 to Philip Harting, the new Chairman of the Board

In 2015, his son Philip, the grandson of the company founder, became the third generation chairman of the Board, which also includes his parents, his sister Maresa Harting-Hertz and three non-family managers.

CEO Philip Harting was voted "Manager of the Year" three times by "Markt&Technik" (2015/2017/2019). Dietmar Harting thanked the entire team of the trade medium for the award. He also expressly thanked his wife and all current and former HARTING employees who have contributed to the more than 75-year success story of the HARTING Technology Group worldwide.