MAULBURG, GERMANY — Busch Group announced that its co-founder and co-owner Ayhan Busch celebrated her 90^th birthday on June 8. She remains active in the company to this day, traveling to manager meetings and welcoming guests.

Ayhan Busch manages the company with her husband and her children Ayla, Sami and Kaya Busch.

“My husband and I founded and built the company together — in an equal partnership right from the start,” said Ayhan Busch, adding, “I am incredibly proud of our children, who have developed our company with so much intelligence and success. They have great ideas and, in my opinion, do many things even better than we did.”

Founded over 60 years ago, Busch Group has become the second largest vacuum solutions provider in the world, according to a press release. Under its umbrella of brands are Busch Vacuum Solutions, Pfeiffer Vacuum and centrotherm clean solutions. With a presence in 45 countries, Busch Vacuum employs more than 8,000 team members. The company manufactures in 19 production plants in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Romania, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

“My husband was the technical genius, while I was very strong on the commercial and strategic side of the business,” said Ayhan Busch. “I have always been a very entrepreneurial and market-oriented person.”

Ayhan Busch positioned the company early on to include international markets. As early as 1981, Busch became the first German industrial company to sign a cooperation agreement for production in China. Ayhan Busch also ensured the networking of the executives and discussed optimal strategies for the further development of the company with them.

In 2022, the owners received the Family Entrepreneur of the Year award for their diversity between generations, genders and cultures. That same year, they were awarded the Gold Medal of Honor of the district of Lörrach for their social and cultural commitment. Additionally, Ayhan Busch’s contribution to the company’s success was recognized in an article by the international OPEN Political Economy Network, which named her an important entrepreneurial personality in Europe.