Wilhelm Zangen (born 30 September 1891 in Duisburg – died 25 November 1971 in Düsseldorf) was a German industrialist and supporter of the Nazi Party.
Zangen had a strong business brain and by his late 30s he was one of the leading figures in the German business world.[1] In December 1934 he became chairman of Mannesmann mills in Düsseldorf, a role he held until 1957. In this position Zangen oversaw the use of slave labour in the company's tube rolling mills.[1]
He joined the Nazi Party and SS in 1937 and was awarded the title Wehrwirtschaftsführer.[1] Other positions he filled under the Nazis included head of the German Industry Association, vice-president of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Düsseldorf and deputy chair of the Berlin-based Reich Economic Chamber, as well as directorships of a number of companies.[1]
After the war Zangen was briefly imprisoned for his use of slave labor and his involvement in arming the Nazi regime.[2] He served only four months of his sentence.[3] He continued with his role at Mannesmann, serving as overall company chairman from 1957 to 1966.[1]