Gustave Ulrich: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "Gustave Ulrich (1893-1958) was director of the Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts. Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich was born in 1893 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. He completed his commercial studies there before a rapid but serious technical study in Germany. At a very young age, he took over, with the help of his father, director of the Brasserie de la Comète, the management of a small balance-spring factory, owned by a relative of his mother, the [..."
 
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Gustave Ulrich ([[1893]]-[[1958]]) was director of the [[Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts]].
Gustave Ulrich ([[1893]]-[[1958]]) was director of the [[Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts]].


Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich was born in [[1893]] in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]]. He completed his commercial studies there before a rapid but serious technical study in Germany.
Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich was born into a family of brewers in [[1893]] in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]]. His father was also named Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich ([[1861]]-[[1934]]) and his mother, who came from a watchmaking family, was Anna-Maria-Louise, née Maurer ([[1862]]-[[1950]]). The elder Ulrich was director of the Brasserie de la Comète, a notable local brewery in the town, working with his brothers, Wilhelm and Charles. He taught young Gustave to become a business manager.


At a very young age, he took over, with the help of his father, director of the [[Brasserie de la Comète]], the management of a small balance-spring factory, owned by a relative of his mother, the [[Bucher-Moser]] factory, which he soon bought. A shrewd businessman, full of common sense and prudence, he developed his business, which entered, during the reorganization of the watch industry, into the united hairspring factories, under the name of [[Fabrique Nationale de Spiraux]], whose he became the director.
The young Gustave completed his commercial studies in La Chaux-de-Fonds and showed great promise. He then took a rapid but serious technical study in Germany.
 
A relative of Gustave Ulrich's mother, Fritz Bucher-Moser began manufacturing balance springs in [[Saint-Imier]] by [[1902]] but soon moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds. He soon formed a company called [[Bucher-Moser & Cie]] with funding from brewer Charles-Auguste Girardet. His factory was located at Rue de l'Industrie 16 but soon relocated to Rue de la Chapelle 3. The company used a fox as its logo. The firm failed by [[1914]] and was closed.
 
[[Alphonse Gogler]] (editor of [[Indicateur Davoine]]) opened another balance spring factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds under the name [[La Nationale-Spiraux]] in [[1905]]. This was a well-funded [[Société Anonyme]] and was located at Rue de la Charrière 37. Sensing an opportunity, La Nationale purchased the Bucher-Moser factory assets in [[1916]], forming a new company called [[Fabrique Nationale de Spiraux]]. Gogler brought in the young Gustave Ulrich to manage the operation, which was now located at Rue du Pont 8 and 10.
 
Ulrich proved to be a shrewd businessman and developed this business into a success over the following decade. He impressed Gogler enough to be brought in as a board member for a new graphic design and printing business called Artographic in [[1917]]. The third board member was none other than Saint-Imier balance spring maker [[Emile Schweingruber]]. Although the company failed in [[1923]], it brought together these "dissident" balance spring makers. When Fabrique Nationale de Spiraux was reorganized in [[1926]], Ulrich was the sole owner. The factory was now located at Serre 106.


In 1921, with his brother Arthur, he founded a spring manufacturing section, which began with six workers to employ 140 workers. The hairsprings merged with [[Fabriques Stella]] in La Chaux-de-Fonds and [[W. Ruch & Cie]] in Saint-Imier, to become the Jardinière branch of the [[Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts]]. Director of the latter, he was managing director of the former, at the same time as its commercial director.
In 1921, with his brother Arthur, he founded a spring manufacturing section, which began with six workers to employ 140 workers. The hairsprings merged with [[Fabriques Stella]] in La Chaux-de-Fonds and [[W. Ruch & Cie]] in Saint-Imier, to become the Jardinière branch of the [[Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts]]. Director of the latter, he was managing director of the former, at the same time as its commercial director.
Ulrich also become involved in other industries. On the death of his father in [[1934]], Gustave inherited his share of the family brewery.


It was Mr. Gustave Ulrich who represented these companies in the watchmaking organizations, in particular the [[UBAH]].
It was Mr. Gustave Ulrich who represented these companies in the watchmaking organizations, in particular the [[UBAH]].


Gustave Ulrich died on March 18, [[1958]] after a long illness. He was 66 years old.
[[Category:Biography U]]
[[Category:Biography U]]

Revision as of 02:18, 19 April 2023

Gustave Ulrich (1893-1958) was director of the Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts.

Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich was born into a family of brewers in 1893 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. His father was also named Gustave-Adolphe Ulrich (1861-1934) and his mother, who came from a watchmaking family, was Anna-Maria-Louise, née Maurer (1862-1950). The elder Ulrich was director of the Brasserie de la Comète, a notable local brewery in the town, working with his brothers, Wilhelm and Charles. He taught young Gustave to become a business manager.

The young Gustave completed his commercial studies in La Chaux-de-Fonds and showed great promise. He then took a rapid but serious technical study in Germany.

A relative of Gustave Ulrich's mother, Fritz Bucher-Moser began manufacturing balance springs in Saint-Imier by 1902 but soon moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds. He soon formed a company called Bucher-Moser & Cie with funding from brewer Charles-Auguste Girardet. His factory was located at Rue de l'Industrie 16 but soon relocated to Rue de la Chapelle 3. The company used a fox as its logo. The firm failed by 1914 and was closed.

Alphonse Gogler (editor of Indicateur Davoine) opened another balance spring factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds under the name La Nationale-Spiraux in 1905. This was a well-funded Société Anonyme and was located at Rue de la Charrière 37. Sensing an opportunity, La Nationale purchased the Bucher-Moser factory assets in 1916, forming a new company called Fabrique Nationale de Spiraux. Gogler brought in the young Gustave Ulrich to manage the operation, which was now located at Rue du Pont 8 and 10.

Ulrich proved to be a shrewd businessman and developed this business into a success over the following decade. He impressed Gogler enough to be brought in as a board member for a new graphic design and printing business called Artographic in 1917. The third board member was none other than Saint-Imier balance spring maker Emile Schweingruber. Although the company failed in 1923, it brought together these "dissident" balance spring makers. When Fabrique Nationale de Spiraux was reorganized in 1926, Ulrich was the sole owner. The factory was now located at Serre 106.

In 1921, with his brother Arthur, he founded a spring manufacturing section, which began with six workers to employ 140 workers. The hairsprings merged with Fabriques Stella in La Chaux-de-Fonds and W. Ruch & Cie in Saint-Imier, to become the Jardinière branch of the Fabriques Nationales de Spiraux et de Ressorts. Director of the latter, he was managing director of the former, at the same time as its commercial director.

Ulrich also become involved in other industries. On the death of his father in 1934, Gustave inherited his share of the family brewery.

It was Mr. Gustave Ulrich who represented these companies in the watchmaking organizations, in particular the UBAH.

Gustave Ulrich died on March 18, 1958 after a long illness. He was 66 years old.