40 Years of Unlocking
Better Growth
Over four decades, Simon-Kucher has focused on driving sustainable and profitable growth across industries.
What began as a pioneering effort in pricing strategy has expanded to include innovation in pricing, sales, marketing, and digital transformation. Our data-driven insights empower businesses to reach their full potential, attracting top talent and clients worldwide.
As you scroll through our story, explore the milestones, innovations, and people that defined Simon-Kucher’s journey. Join us in celebrating 40 years of transformative growth and discover how we’ve helped businesses unlock their true growth potential.
Every new project starts with an ambition.
- Hermann Simon
Transformative Growth
1985
Establishing
our roots
A vision for
sustainable growth
since 1985, Simon-Kucher has been guided by forward-thinking leaders dedicated to building value and resilience. From our founders' strategic vision to today's innovatve leadership, each transition has refined our mission to empower businesses toward smarter sustainable growth.
Discover the milestones and leadership shifts that have shaped our journey and redefined growth for our clients.
Where it all began: Our founders' vision laid the foundation for everything we stand for today.
- 1985 - Establishing our roots
Simon-Kucher was founded in Bonn, Germany in 1985 as a university spinoff by Prof Dr Hermann Simon, Dr Eckhard Kucher, and Dr Karl-Heinz Sebastian. Their vision: Use scientific methods to address real-life business challenges and help companies grow. The company was led by Hermann Simon as CEO from 1995 until 2009.
- 2009 - Dr Georg Tacke and Dr Klaus Hilleke take the reins
Founder Prof Dr Hermann Simon stepped down in 2009 as CEO and remained Chairman. He was succeeded by co-CEOs Dr Georg Tacke and Dr Klaus Hilleke. In 2016, Georg Tacke took on the role as sole CEO. When he retired at the end of 2019, Tacke handed over a global company with 39 offices in 26 countries.
- 2020 – Andreas von der Gathen and Mark Billige elected as CEOs
Mark Billige and Dr. Andreas von der Gathen have played a pivotal role in Simon-Kucher’s evolution. Over their five years as co-CEOs, they have transformed the firm from the "best-kept secret" in consulting to a recognized global leader in pricing and growth consulting.
- 2025 – Joerg Kruetten and Dr. Gunnar Clausen appointed Co-CEOs
In 2025, Joerg Kruetten and Dr. Gunnar Clausen became co-CEOs. With deep expertise in strategy, pricing, and business transformation, they bring decades of leadership and innovation, ensuring Simon-Kucher continues driving success for clients worldwide.
1996
Shaping
the future
Concepts that
revolutionized business
Our stroy is deeply intertwined with groundbreaking ideas that have helped shape the future of pricing, marketing and sales. Our founder, Hermann Simon, coined the now-familiar term "Hidden Champions" back in 1996, an idea that has since inspired countless businesses worldwide.
Here, we spotlight the innovative frameworks and strategies that not only distinguish us but have propelled entire industries forward. Discover our though leadership and best selling business books.
Hidden Champions
Published 2009, Springer
Hermann Simon published his landmark book "Hidden Champions: Lessons from 500 of the World’s Best Unknown Companies," highlighting small and mid-sized firms that dominate niche markets globally. This concept became a key part of our consulting focus, particularly on helping these firms with pricing and growth strategies.
Value pricing
Simon contributed to the advancement of value pricing, arguing that pricing should be determined by the customer’s perception of value, not the cost of production. He pointed out that many companies lose significant revenue because they underprice their products, failing to capture the full value they deliver to customers. His research showed that companies can substantially increase profitability by aligning prices with the perceived value customers receive from a product or service. Simon-Kucher has continued to apply value-based pricing strategies in real-world scenarios, proving their effectiveness across industries.
Monetizing Innovation
Published 2016, Wiley
The concept of Monetizing Innovation was formalized in our firm's 2016 book, Monetizing Innovation, authored by partners Madhavan Ramanujam and Georg Tacke. This framework highlighted the importance of integrating pricing strategy into the innovation process from the very beginning. This concept encourages businesses to integrate pricing and customer value research early in the product development cycle, ensuring that products are designed to meet market needs and maximize revenue potential.
Beating inflation
Published 2022, Springer
Beating Inflation examines inflation from multiple perspectives and offers actions and strategies for companies to ensure their survival. The book explains how it is not a question of eliminating inflation, but how to cope with it in order to suffer as little damage as possible. This includes not just price management, but also sales, finance, purchasing, cost management along with digitalization and innovation activities in equal measure.
The Demand Revolution
Published 2024, The MIT Press
In "The Demand Revolution," authors Andreas von der Gathen, Nicolai Broby Eckert, and Caroline Kastbjerg reveal how 60 years of awareness and exposure to sustainability have reshaped consumer behavior and reset expectations. As a result, the majority of consumers are now willing to buy sustainable solutions. This powerful shift places environmental practices on equal footing with price, quality, and brand. The book offers a strategic framework for businesses to seize this opportunity, creating enduring competitive advantages and unparalleled customer loyalty through innovative business models.
1996
Growing across
borders
A global vision for success
Since opening our first international office in Boston in 1996, Simon-Kucher’s global expansion has been pivotal to our impact. Each new location has offered fresh opportunities to share our expertise with diverse markets, cementing our reputation as a global leader in growth strategies.
Explore the milestones of our expansion here.
Today, with over 2,000 team members across 30+ countries, we are one of the world’s fastest-growing consulting firms.
2011
Thought leadership
Studies shaping industry thinking
A core part of our legacy lies in our thought leadership, exemplified by landmark studies like our Global Pricing Study, first launched in 2011. Alongside our renowned reports, our bestselling books – from Monetizing Innovation to The Demand Revolution – have explored the shifting dynamics of value, innovation, and sustainability, consistently setting the agenda for pricing, marketing, and sales strategies. Together, these insights help businesses navigate the complexities of their industries.
Explore the studies and publications that have established Simon-Kucher as an authoritative voice in business insights.
2017
Our expanding team
The people behind our progress
With each step forward, our team has been the force behind our success. Reaching milestones – such as welcoming our 1,000th team member in 2017– reflects not just growth in numbers, but in shared vision and commitment. Discover how our team’s collaboration and talent have shaped our journey and continue to drive what we can achieve together.
2017
1000 employees
2022
2,000 employees
2018
100 Partners
As a partnership, we are privately owned by our Partners who are responsible for our future development and economic success, and that of our clients. In 2018, we crossed the remarkable milestone of having appointed 100 Partners.
One thing we've always believed in is that successful employees make us a successful company. And we understand our key asset is our team. That’s why in 2021 we enhanced our existing employee experience initiative: YouFirst – putting a stronger emphasis on how we reward, recognize, interact with, and value our team.
2021
YouFirst initiative puts our employees first
The key to Simon-Kucher's success: hiring, developing, and nurturing the best talent to thrive in our culture - past and future.
- Georg Tacke2020
Helping build a better future
Creating positive impact for our
people, planet, and society
Our journey extends beyond business; it’s about contributing to meaningful change. Through initiatives that drive sustainability, champion diversity and inclusion, and promote social responsibility, Simon-Kucher is dedicated to a future that benefits and creates opportunity everyone.
Discover how we’re making a positive impact – for our people, our planet, and society as a whole
- Publishing our first annual ESG report
We've always been committed to making a positive change. Serving our community and clients to the best of our ability is simply part of our DNA. It is, therefore, only natural that this focus extends to our commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability. In 2020, we published our first annual global ESG report.
- Empowering sustainable business growth
At Simon-Kucher, we empower businesses to achieve their sustainability goals by integrating sustainable practices into commercial strategies. By designing market-fit sustainable products, optimizing pricing for green offerings, and developing strong value propositions, we ensure initiatives drive both environmental impact and competitive advantage, positioning companies as leaders in the transition to a greener future.
- Projects that make a difference
At Simon-Kucher, we offer pro bono support to non-profit organizations, leveraging our expertise in strategy, marketing, and pricing. By collaborating with these clients, we help them maximize their impact, optimize resources, and drive sustainable growth, making a difference in the communities they serve.
We've always been committed to making a positive change. Serving our community and clients to the best of our ability is simply part of our DNA. It is, therefore, only natural that this focus extends to our commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainability. In 2020, we published our first annual global ESG report.
At Simon-Kucher, we empower businesses to achieve their sustainability goals by integrating sustainable practices into commercial strategies. By designing market-fit sustainable products, optimizing pricing for green offerings, and developing strong value propositions, we ensure initiatives drive both environmental impact and competitive advantage, positioning companies as leaders in the transition to a greener future.
At Simon-Kucher, we offer pro bono support to non-profit organizations, leveraging our expertise in strategy, marketing, and pricing. By collaborating with these clients, we help them maximize their impact, optimize resources, and drive sustainable growth, making a difference in the communities they serve.
2021
Innovating for tomorrow
Simon-Kucher Engine &
Simon-Kucher Elevate
In 2021, we launched Simon-Kucher Engine, our tech arm providing cloud-based software for automated decisions in pricing, sales, and marketing, boosting revenues. We also unveiled Simon-Kucher Elevate, our digital consulting business merging tech, data, and strategy to optimize growth across digital strategy, sales, marketing, and pricing.
Explore our advanced tools for optimizing pricing, sales, and marketing.
GenAI
AI has taken the world by storm, revolutionizing the way businesses operate and make decisions. What once seemed like science fiction is now a driving force behind innovation across industries. Companies are using AI and big data analytics to transform pricing strategies, enabling more precise, real-time adjustments based on customer behavior and market conditions. In sales and marketing, AI-powered tools are rewriting the playbook. From predicting sales trends to offering personalized product recommendations, AI is empowering companies to stay ahead of the curve. Simon-Kucher is at the forefront of these trends, guiding companies to harness AI's full potential. Discover our insights on how GenAI is shaping the future of business and how you can stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
2022
Recognition
and excellence
Awards that
celebrate our impact
Over the years, Simon-Kucher has been honored with numerous awards that reflect our commitment to excellence and leadership in the industry. From being named a global leader by Forbes to other prestigious recognitions, these awards validate the results-driven solutions we deliver to clients worldwide. Discover the milestones in our journey of excellence, showcasing the moments when our dedication to innovation and growth strategies received recognition on the global stage.
Growth isn't just sales or innovation – it's about aligning with customer desires for long-term profits and societal impact.
- Mark Billige
2023
Celebrating 40 Years of Unlocking Better Growth
In 2023, we introduced a new brand that better reflects who we are today. While much has evolved over the last forty years —our offerings, our reach—our heritage and legacy remain core to our journey. As we look to the future, we continue moving toward our vision of becoming the world’s leading growth specialist.
2025+
Build on our legacy of success
For 40 years, we’ve empowered businesses with smart pricing, marketing, and sales strategies that deliver results. Let’s connect and explore how we can help your business grow.
From pioneering pricing strategies to delivering complete commercial growth solutions, we’ve been helping businesses genuinely meet people’s needs, driving trust, loyalty, and sustainable success.
- Dr Gunnar Clausen & Joerg Kruetten, Co-CEOs