Ernst Kottmann
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.
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.
In the 1940s, Ernst Kottmann's health began to suffer, though he did not let others know. Still, he retired, leaving the work to his younger brother. 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 his sons Hans and Guido.