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Ernst Kottmann ([[1874]]-[[1944]]) was a businessman in the watchmaking industry well-known as director of the [[Langendorf Watch Company]] factory in [[Langendorf]] with his younger brother, [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]]. | Ernst Kottmann ([[1874]]-[[1944]]) was a businessman in the watchmaking industry well-known as director of the [[Langendorf Watch Company]] factory in [[Langendorf]] with his younger brother, [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]]. | ||
Ernst "Ernest" Kottmann was born on December 5, [[1874]] in [[Solothurn]]. Although the [[Kottmann]] family was well-known in watchmaking circles, it was more accomplished in medicine. Rather than follow his father, Dr. Auguste Kottmann, into medicine, Ernst and his brother studied business. Ernst attended the Business School in Nancy before working in banking in Geneva for three years. He traveled to Australia, China, and Japan pursuing a career in finance. | Ernst "Ernest" Kottmann was born on December 5, [[1874]] in [[Solothurn]]. Although the [[Kottmann]] family was well-known in watchmaking circles, it was more accomplished in medicine. Rather than follow his father, Dr. Auguste Kottmann, into medicine, Ernst and his younger brother [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]] studied business. Two other brothers, Walter and Kurt, followed their father's profession. Ernst attended the Business School in Nancy before working in banking in Geneva for three years. He traveled to Australia, China, and Japan pursuing a career in finance. | ||
Ernst Kottmann married Dora Stünzi. Their sons [[Hans Kottmann|Hans]] and [[Guido Kottmann|Guido]] followed Ernst in working for the Lanco factory, taking over following his death. | Ernst Kottmann married Dora Stünzi. Their sons [[Hans Kottmann|Hans]] and [[Guido Kottmann|Guido]] followed Ernst in working for the Lanco factory, taking over following his death. | ||
In late [[1898]] Ernst Kottmann returned to Solothurn to work in the watch family his uncle [[Charles Kottmann|Charles]] had run since 1880. He took over the factory in [[1899]] and spent the next 46 years of his life working to strengthen the factory, with his brother [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]] joining soon after. The factory employed as many as 1,200 workers under his management, | In late [[1898]] Ernst Kottmann returned to Solothurn to work in the watch family his uncle [[Charles Kottmann|Charles]] had run since 1880. He took over the factory in [[1899]] and spent the next 46 years of his life working to strengthen the factory, with his brother [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]] joining soon after. The brothers were given signature power over the firm in January, [[1903]], following the resignation of [[Lucien Tièche]], who had taken over following Charles Kottmann's death but was plagued by worker unrest. On February 10, [[1915]], the brothers were promoted to co-directors of the firm. | ||
Ernst was a stabilizing factor and the factory workers saw him as a true successor to his uncle Charles, who was loved for his contributions to their welfare. Along with his brother, Ernst oversaw the growth of the firm to become the largest producer of export watches in Switzerland. The factory employed as many as 1,200 workers under his management, yet most of the production used automatic machinery. | |||
Rather than becoming involved in politics, Ernst Kottmann focused on commercial matters. He was a member of the Solothurn Chamber of Commerce from 1907-1942, which he chaired for several years, and the Comité Central of the [[Chamber Suisse de l'Horlogerie]]. He was also a member of the screw and screw thread standardization subcommittee from 1922. | Rather than becoming involved in politics, Ernst Kottmann focused on commercial matters. He was a member of the Solothurn Chamber of Commerce from 1907-1942, which he chaired for several years, and the Comité Central of the [[Chamber Suisse de l'Horlogerie]]. He was also a member of the screw and screw thread standardization subcommittee from 1922. | ||
In the 1940s, Ernst Kottmann's health began to suffer, though he did not let others know. Still, he retired, leaving the | Ernst was given signatory power over the firm in [[1929]], rising above his brother. He replaced Hans Buggle as a delegate to the board of directors following his death in [[1931]]. In March [[1942]], following the death of board chairman Robert Schöpfer, Ernst Kottmann took the position of vice-chairman of the board. | ||
The two sons of Ernst and Dora Kottmann-Stünzi followed their father into management of the Langendorf factory. [[Hans Kottmann|Hans]] joined the firm in [[1929]] at 19 years of age, becoming sales manager. The younger [[Guido Kottmann|Guido]] followed soon after, shadowing his uncle [[Rudolf Kottmann]] in managing the workers' crisis fund among other duties. The brothers' involvement in the firm set the workers and board members at ease and they were well-prepared to take over from their father and uncle. | |||
In the 1940s, Ernst Kottmann's health began to suffer, though he did not let others know. Still, he soon retired from day to day work, leaving management of the firm to his younger brother Rudolf. On the night of October 15 [[1944]], he suffered a heart attack. He died in Langendorf the following day at the age of 70. Management of the factory fell to his brother [[Rudolf Kottmann|Rudolf]] and Ernst's sons [[Hans Kottmann|Hans]] and [[Guido Kottmann|Guido]]. | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Latest revision as of 13:35, 21 June 2024
Ernst Kottmann (1874-1944) was a businessman in the watchmaking industry well-known as director of the Langendorf Watch Company factory in Langendorf with his younger brother, Rudolf.
Ernst "Ernest" Kottmann was born on December 5, 1874 in Solothurn. Although the Kottmann family was well-known in watchmaking circles, it was more accomplished in medicine. Rather than follow his father, Dr. Auguste Kottmann, into medicine, Ernst and his younger brother Rudolf studied business. Two other brothers, Walter and Kurt, followed their father's profession. Ernst attended the Business School in Nancy before working in banking in Geneva for three years. He traveled to Australia, China, and Japan pursuing a career in finance.
Ernst Kottmann married Dora Stünzi. Their sons Hans and Guido followed Ernst in working for the Lanco factory, taking over following his death.
In late 1898 Ernst Kottmann returned to Solothurn to work in the watch family his uncle Charles had run since 1880. He took over the factory in 1899 and spent the next 46 years of his life working to strengthen the factory, with his brother Rudolf joining soon after. The brothers were given signature power over the firm in January, 1903, following the resignation of Lucien Tièche, who had taken over following Charles Kottmann's death but was plagued by worker unrest. On February 10, 1915, the brothers were promoted to co-directors of the firm.
Ernst was a stabilizing factor and the factory workers saw him as a true successor to his uncle Charles, who was loved for his contributions to their welfare. Along with his brother, Ernst oversaw the growth of the firm to become the largest producer of export watches in Switzerland. The factory employed as many as 1,200 workers under his management, yet most of the production used automatic machinery.
Rather than becoming involved in politics, Ernst Kottmann focused on commercial matters. He was a member of the Solothurn Chamber of Commerce from 1907-1942, which he chaired for several years, and the Comité Central of the Chamber Suisse de l'Horlogerie. He was also a member of the screw and screw thread standardization subcommittee from 1922.
Ernst was given signatory power over the firm in 1929, rising above his brother. He replaced Hans Buggle as a delegate to the board of directors following his death in 1931. In March 1942, following the death of board chairman Robert Schöpfer, Ernst Kottmann took the position of vice-chairman of the board.
The two sons of Ernst and Dora Kottmann-Stünzi followed their father into management of the Langendorf factory. Hans joined the firm in 1929 at 19 years of age, becoming sales manager. The younger Guido followed soon after, shadowing his uncle Rudolf Kottmann in managing the workers' crisis fund among other duties. The brothers' involvement in the firm set the workers and board members at ease and they were well-prepared to take over from their father and uncle.
In the 1940s, Ernst Kottmann's health began to suffer, though he did not let others know. Still, he soon retired from day to day work, leaving management of the firm to his younger brother Rudolf. On the night of October 15 1944, he suffered a heart attack. He died in Langendorf the following day at the age of 70. Management of the factory fell to his brother Rudolf and Ernst's sons Hans and Guido.