The history of Talanx AG
Talanx AG has functioned operationally as a holding company since 1996, yet it can look back on one hundred years of experience.
As the starting signal in the evolution of a highly capable, flexible multi-brand group, the company began its work in 1996 – at the time still under the name HDI Beteiligung AG. This was the year when the HDI Group began to reorganize its structures in a process from which a financially strong enterprise ultimately emerged. This cash-rich Group can now respond flexibly to market requirements with its various brands.
The repositioning of what was then the HDI Group had become necessary for two reasons: firstly, in view of the Group's rigorous strategy and, secondly, with an eye to the requirements that capital markets place on a company of our size. 1998 saw the renaming as Talanx AG in order to draw a clear dividing line between the holding company and the brands of the operating units.
In 2006 Talanx embarked on a new chapter in its history. The acquisition of the Gerling companies, which – with just as long a history as HDI – stand for experience and tradition in retail and industrial business –, set new standards in the insurance market. By forming two efficient and powerful subgroups, one to transact property & casualty insurance and the other to handle life insurance, Talanx has its sights set firmly on vigorous organic growth in private customer business and profit-oriented expansion of its industrial business. What is more, with its acquisition of Gerling the Talanx Group has achieved its goal of becoming a balanced group with more stable profitability.
With a view to better aligning the company's organization with clients' requirements and enhancing customer satisfaction, the previous two-way split into "Property/Casualty Primary Insurance" and "Life Primary Insurance" was replaced in the Talanx Group effective 1.1.2011 with a three-way split geared to customer groups:
On 1.1.2011 Talanx Deutschland AG (formerly HDI-Gerling Leben Serviceholding AG) commenced operations as the umbrella company for the new division of Retail Germany. At the same time Talanx International AG (formerly HDI-Gerling International AG) took the helm of Retail International division. Even though both divisional companies bear the Talanx name, they will continue to operate with their respective brands. The division of the Industrial Lines will continue to be headed by HDI-Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG.
The name Talanx
