In a spontaneous speech of thanks, Mr Hanauer showed how delighted and moved he was – among other things also by the handmade photo album full of memories from bygone years. He paid tribute to the achievements of the emz family and expressed once again how close to his heart the firm still is.
Ernst Hanauer was born in Berlin in 1930. His father was a member of the extended board of AEG and in charge of foreign business. Towards the end of the war, the family returned to their native Upper Palatinate. From the very beginning, Ernst Hanauer supported the establishment of emz in Zangenstein in 1948. After his apprenticeship and studies, he officially joined the company in 1959 and was always particularly committed to the technical development of products and processes.
From 1961 onwards, he ran emz alongside his father, but, after his father’s illness in 1967, he became the sole managing director of emz. Under his leadership, important decisions were made for the company. He dealt with the company's in-house training of skilled workers, founded the firm’s own development department and set up its sales department. He thus turned emz from a pure contract manufacturer to a supplier of innovative components and a sought-after development partner for customers.
The entry into the new business fields of household appliances and environmental technology also succeeded during his time with the company. In 1995, Thomas Hanauer joined emz as 2nd managing director and designated successor. The smooth transition to the 3rd generation of entrepreneurs was an important concern for Ernst Hanauer, one that still makes him particularly proud today.
Congratulations and many happy returns!
