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Klaus Zapf: The Berlin Mover Who Defied Wealth and Hierarchy

From carrying washing machines solo to building an empire, Klaus Zapf’s rags-to-riches tale redefined success in post-war Germany. His story is as unconventional as his legacy.

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2 min read
In this image there is a train moving on the railway tracks. On the either sides of the tracks...
In this image there is a train moving on the railway tracks. On the either sides of the tracks there are platforms. To the left there is a wall of a house. In front of the wall there are street light poles, plants, benches and a cabin. There is a bridge across the platforms. In the background there are buildings and poles.

Klaus Zapf: The Berlin Mover Who Defied Wealth and Hierarchy

A new biography explores the life of Klaus Zapf, a man who reshaped Germany's moving industry while rejecting materialism. Written by Tillmann Schrader, Klaus E. H. Zapf: Everything You Own, You Also Belong To! captures his contradictions—from building a major company in Berlin to living by the motto of owning as little as possible. Zapf’s story also mirrors shifts in German society, from post-war division to reunification and beyond.

Born in 1953 in Bad Rappenau near Heilbronn, Klaus Zapf moved to West Berlin in 1973 to study law. To fund his education, he worked as a bartender and rented out flats in Neukölln. By 1975, he had founded a small moving company in Berlin, which would eventually grow into Zapf Umzüge AG—a firm employing over 400 people at its peak.

Zapf’s hands-on approach became legendary. Once, he single-handedly carried a washing machine to the fourth floor, only to haul it back down when he realised it belonged in the basement. His anti-authoritarian streak meant he disliked being called ‘boss,’ often clashing with staff over hierarchy. Yet his company revolutionised the industry by introducing Germany’s first professional training programme for furniture, kitchen, and relocation specialists. Despite his wealth, Zapf lived frugally, believing possessions restricted freedom. After reunification, he married an East Berlin woman and had a daughter, though the relationship later ended. His company, now employing around 350 people, remains privately owned and honours his legacy by offering discounts to customers facing financial hardship.

Zapf Umzüge AG still operates today, keeping its founder’s principles alive. The biography by Tillmann Schrader ensures his unconventional life—marked by hard work, defiance of convention, and a deep distrust of materialism—won’t be forgotten. His story remains tied to the company’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and professional innovation.

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