Our founders` stories

The HARTMANN GROUP began going further for health in 1818 when industrial pioneer Ludwig von Hartmann acquired the Meebold spinning mill. His son, Paul Hartmann Sr., later founded the Paul Hartmann Bleaching, Dyeing and Dressing Company, a dressing material factory that revolutionised wound care. Our founding fathers were more than industrial pioneers, however. They instilled a drive, optimism and commitment to improving healthcare that lives on in the business to this day. Thanks to them, we are still innovating, actively seeking to improve healthcare through: wound management, disinfection, risk prevention, incontinence management and personal healthcare.

Who was Ludwig von Hartmann?

Ludwig von Hartmann was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1766. By 1791 he was the Director of the Heidenheim-based textile factory, Meebold, Schuumlle and Co. Under his management the company acquired a bleaching company and, in 1812, he built one of the first mechanical cotton mills, the Aelteste Verbandstoff-Fabrik of Germany.

Six years later he took over the company, renaming it the Ludwig Hartmann Company. It quickly became one of the largest cotton mills in Germany producing caps, stockings and handkerchiefs. By now Ludwig was one of the most important industrial pioneers in the Kingdom of Württemberg.

From Ludwig Hartmann to Ludwig Hartmann`s Sons

In 1843 Ludwig handed over the bleaching plant and the spinning mill to his three sons: Carl, Eduard and Paul Sr. with the request that "two entities remain together and not be separated". Carl assumed responsibility for the management of the bleaching plant. Eduard took over the spinning mill in Herbrechtingen and Paul took charge of the Heidenheim cotton mill. The sons gradually brought the indebted company back to profitability changing its name to Ludwig Hartmann’s Sons.

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