100 years of Paul Lechler

Nowadays, one would refer to Paul Lechler as a successful businessman and visionary: at the age of 22, he joined his father's paint and varnish factory “Christian Lechler und Sohn” in Stuttgart-Feuerbach as a partner and quickly charted a route to success. The chemical factory focused on the sustainable improvement of wood through special varnishes to make furniture more durable and resistant – a flourishing business at the time. Following the death of his father in 1878, Paul Lechler sold the factory. Just one year later, he established a new trading company in Stuttgart. The company known as "Paul Lechler" initially sold lubricating oils and wood preservatives, later adding technical products such as gaskets and seals to the range. This was the foundation of what was later to become ElringKlinger AG.

During the Christmas season of 1875, the young entrepreneur and his father made the decision to step up their social commitment. Around 10 percent of the profits generated by the factory they managed together were to be donated to the poor and needy. Paul Lechler continued to pursue his charitable work throughout his life and stipulated in his will that this tradition should be upheld. In 1928, his son established a permanent legal form for the charity account through which Paul Lechler had transferred the donations: It was then, three years after his father's death, that Paul Lechler Jr. established a so-called Stiftung, i.e., a charitable foundation. This charitable commitment has been embraced ever since – through the work of the aforementioned foundation. Its efforts are underpinned to a large extent by ElringKlinger's commercial success as a company. Today's Lechler Stiftung supports charitable projects in the fields of education and health, in addition to providing assistance for youngsters, the elderly, and the disabled.

Throughout his life, Paul Lechler was committed to social causes and set up various organizations and institutions. Alongside his desire to respond to people's needs, Paul Lechler actively addressed the social issues of his time. He was involved in a number of projects and advocated social reforms, on which he wrote numerous articles. Upon the death of his father in 1878, Paul Lechler sold the family business and worked as a volunteer carer for the poor in Stuttgart. He later went on to establish a new company – the origins of today's ElringKlinger AG. In 1882, he set up a "Büro zur unentgeltlichen Arbeitsvermittlung," a form of non-profit employment agency. This was followed in 1887 by the "Nothilfeverein," a Stuttgart-based emergency aid association. The Hymnus Boys' Choir in Stuttgart, the German Institute for Medical Mission (Difäm), and the present-day Paul Lechler Hospital for tropical diseases, based in Tübingen, can also be traced back to Paul Lechler.

The Lechler family remains loyal to the company to this very day. Family members from subsequent generations are members of the Supervisory Board and continue to oversee ElringKlinger's endeavors – a company now listed on the stock exchange – together with other employer and employee representatives.