Paul Hartmann Sr. and the foundation of the Paul Hartmann dressing material factory

It was Paul Hartmann Sr. (1812-1884) who lent his name to the today’s PAUL HARTMANN AG The real founder of the Paul Hartmann company was Paul Hartmann Sr. After completion of his education, he entered his father’s business, the Ludwig Hartmann Company in 1838, which was handed over by the latter to his three sons Paul, Carl and Eduard and renamed "Ludwig Hartmanns Söhne" (Ludwig Hartmann’s sons) in 1843. Paul Hartmann took over the cotton-spinning mill in Heideneim. The acquisition of the “Scheckenbleiche” (bleaching plant) at his own account in 1867 enabled him to set up an own independent company, the firm „Paul Hartmann - Bleiche, Färbereigeschäft und Appreturanstalt" (bleaching, dyeing and finishing company). That acquisition would turn out to be a clever move soon. It was already in 1873 that Paul Hartmann started the systematic production of absorbent cotton wool whose high potential he had recognized fast. That year is also described as the official foundation date of the Paul Hartmann dressing material factory. From that year on, the surgical dressing company has continuously developed. Paul Hartmann Sr. said, that for him work was not a burden but rather belonged to the „necessities of life“. In this manner, he made very courageous entrepreneureal decisions and worked with modern methods already at that time. The further successful rise of his company can probably be contributed to those particular personal characteristics.

Paul Hartmann Sr. – The personal key data

1812: Born as the eighth child to Ludwig Hartmann 1838: Enters his father’s business (spinning mill / Herbrechtingen) 1843: Take-over of the cotton-spinning mill in Heidenheim 1867: Acquisition of the Scheckenbleiche (bleaching plant) 1873: Industrial production of absorbent cotton wool starts 1873: Year of official foundation of the Paul Hartmann dressing material factory 1874-1884: Continuous development of the dressing material company 1884: Death from heart disease Paul Hartmann Sr. left four sons: Paul Hartmann Jr., Albert, Oscar and Arthur. Back to history overview