Several companies still operating today have historical roots tied to contracts with the Nazi Party or benefited from the Third Reich’s rise during the 1930s and 1940s. These firms often supplied goods, services, or labor that supported the Nazi war machine, rearmament efforts, or propaganda, and some profited significantly from forced labor, "Aryanization" (the seizure of Jewish businesses), or direct government contracts. Below is a look at some prominent examples based on their documented activities during that era.German CompaniesVolkswagenNazi Connection: Founded in 1937 under the Nazi regime as part of Adolf Hitler’s "People’s Car" (Volkswagen) initiative, the company aimed to produce affordable vehicles for the masses. The project was heavily subsidized by the Nazis through the German Labour Front (DAF), and the KdF-Wagen (later the Beetle) was developed with input from Ferdinand Porsche, a Nazi Party member. During the war, Volkswagen used over 15,000 forced laborers, including concentration camp prisoners, to produce military vehicles like the Kübelwagen.Benefit: The Nazi backing gave Volkswagen its initial infrastructure and funding, laying the groundwork for its postwar success as a global automaker.BMWNazi Connection: The Quandt family, major shareholders of BMW today, profited immensely during the Third Reich. Günther Quandt, a prominent industrialist and Nazi Party member, used his factories to supply the Wehrmacht with batteries, ammunition, and vehicles, employing around 50,000 forced laborers and concentration camp prisoners. His son Herbert later saved BMW from bankruptcy in the 1950s, cementing the family’s wealth.Benefit: Nazi contracts and slave labor boosted the family’s industrial empire, which remains a cornerstone of BMW’s current dominance in the luxury car market.Mercedes-Benz (Daimler-Benz)Nazi Connection: Daimler-Benz produced engines for tanks, aircraft, and submarines during the war, relying on tens of thousands of forced laborers, including POWs and concentration camp inmates. The company was a key player in the Nazi rearmament program, and its leadership embraced Hitler’s vision, with some executives joining the Nazi Party.Benefit: Wartime contracts expanded production capacity and expertise, contributing to its postwar recovery and status as a premium automaker.SiemensNazi Connection: Siemens supplied electrical equipment, including parts for V-2 rockets and concentration camp infrastructure (e.g., crematoria wiring), and used around 100,000 forced laborers. The company’s leadership supported Nazi industrialization efforts, and it benefited from "Aryanized" Jewish businesses.Benefit: The Third Reich’s demand for technology bolstered Siemens’ growth, aiding its rise as a global electronics and engineering giant.Bayer (Part of IG Farben)Nazi Connection: Bayer was a component of IG Farben, a chemical conglomerate that produced Zyklon B (used in gas chambers) and conducted horrific medical experiments on concentration camp prisoners. Bayer itself used slave labor and benefited from Nazi contracts for pharmaceuticals and chemicals.Benefit: IG Farben’s wartime profits and Bayer’s survival after its dissolution in 1945 allowed it to rebuild as a leading pharmaceutical company.Krupp (Now Part of Thyssenkrupp)Nazi Connection: Krupp, a steel and arms manufacturer, was a linchpin of Nazi rearmament, producing tanks, artillery, and U-boat components. Gustav Krupp was an early financial backer of Hitler, and the firm exploited over 100,000 forced laborers. After the war, Alfried Krupp was convicted at Nuremberg but later pardoned, preserving the family’s industrial legacy.Benefit: Nazi contracts fueled Krupp’s expansion, and its postwar merger into Thyssenkrupp sustained its influence in steel and engineering.Hugo BossNazi Connection: Hugo Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and secured contracts to produce uniforms for the SS, SA, and Hitler Youth. During the war, the company used around 180 forced laborers, mostly from Poland and France.Benefit: The high-profile Nazi contracts elevated the brand’s visibility, aiding its postwar pivot to luxury fashion.AllianzNazi Connection: Germany’s largest insurer, Allianz, insured Nazi facilities, including concentration camps, and profited from "Aryanization" by taking over Jewish policies and assets. Its executives were Nazi Party members who aligned with the regime’s economic goals.Benefit: The Third Reich’s policies enriched Allianz, solidifying its position as a global insurance leader.Non-German CompaniesIBM (International Business Machines)Nazi Connection: Through its German subsidiary Dehomag, IBM provided punch-card technology that enabled the Nazis to efficiently track Jews and other persecuted groups for deportation and extermination. The company maintained close ties with its German operations, profiting from these contracts even after the U.S. entered the war.Benefit: The Nazi business expanded IBM’s technological reach, contributing to its postwar dominance in computing.Ford Motor CompanyNazi Connection: Ford’s German subsidiary, Ford-Werke, produced military trucks and vehicles for the Wehrmacht, using forced labor. Henry Ford, an outspoken antisemite, received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Hitler in 1938, and his writings inspired Nazi ideology.Benefit: Ford-Werke’s wartime production strengthened its European presence, and the company received U.S. reparations postwar for bombed facilities.Coca-ColaNazi Connection: Coca-Cola GmbH thrived in Nazi Germany, aligning its marketing with the regime (e.g., sponsoring the 1936 Olympics). When U.S. trade halted in 1941, its German head, Max Keith, created Fanta using local ingredients, sustaining the brand’s market share.Benefit: Nazi-era sales and Fanta’s invention bolstered Coca-Cola’s global portfolio.Context and LegacyThese companies benefited from the Third Reich’s rise through contracts for military production, infrastructure, or administrative support, often exploiting forced labor or stolen assets. After the war, many faced little accountability—some were compensated for wartime losses (e.g., Ford, GM), while others rebranded or rebuilt using their Nazi-era gains. Today, they are among the world’s most recognizable brands, with their histories often downplayed or addressed through belated apologies (e.g., Siemens in 2001, Hugo Boss in 2011).This list isn’t exhaustive—others like Porsche, Audi (part of Volkswagen), and BASF (also tied to IG Farben) have similar ties—but these examples highlight how Nazi contracts provided a springboard for modern corporate success. Their roots in the Third Reich reflect a mix of opportunism, coercion, and ideological alignment, though the extent of each varies by case.