UHREN AG becomes WATCHES AG. FORTIS WATCHES AG is pleased to announce
that, from 1 September 2018, the traditional brand‘s continuing operation under a new leadership is secured and will also be expanded: Jupp Philipp, entrepreneur and passionate wearer of FORTIS watches, will take the reins. Since 1912 FORTIS UHREN AG has been continuously manufacturing precision watches at the Grenchen location in Switzerland. Many technological achievements, such as the serial production of the first automatic wrist watch (Harwood), alarm functions and many more, highlight the key role of the FORTIS brand in the history of the watchmaking industry. However, in the more recent past FORTIS UHREN AG has also suffered as a result of the general crisis in the industry, price pressure and market changes. Therefore, under Mr. Maximilian Spitzy‘s leadership new solutions have been sought – and found. Starting 1 September 2018, the core elements of the FORTIS UHREN AG will be transferred to the new FORTIS WATCHES AG in order to ensure a smooth and unencumbered relaunch of the traditional brand. This allows the continuation of the company‘s operations after 106 years of progress. Furthermore, all employees will keep their jobs, because they are the „heart and soul of the brand.“ (JP)
In a first step, the headcount will even be increased, especially in the sales department.
The direction is clear. The first and foremost vision: „Every customer is entitled to value preservation and it is our duty to ensure this.“ (JP) This guiding principle describes succinctly – almost philosophically – the cornerstones of the future focus and shall forever constitute the creed for all strategic and operational decisions.
In order to put this vision into practice, Mr. Philipp will bring in experienced support from the industry: Mr. Lorenz Aebischer (previously working for renowned brands such as Auguste Reymond, Mido and Tissot) will manage FORTIS WATCHES AG beginning on 1 September 2018. Initially a precise analysis and strategy development with all of its components will be in the foreground. „Of course, it should be clear to everyone that such a process will take its time. Nevertheless we will immediately get together
on 1 September and start to work on the individual topics over the coming months as a team. It will take some time to create the foundations, organise the FORTIS network and make everyone believe in the guiding principle.“ (LA)
The entrepreneur, Jupp Philipp (42), comes from a family that has lead an established group of companies for more than 100 years, having been founded by his great-grandfather in Bavaria, Germany.
Today, the group consists of several more companies in different countries (Italy, Austria,
Switzerland, etc.) and produces fruit juice concentrates, natural flavours, etc. for renowned international key customers. Together with his family, he has been living and
working in Eastern Switzerland for 12 years. In future he will spend an increasing share of his time in Grenchen, for as an aficionado, FORTIS is not only an investment, but a true passion. „One of our future priorities will be the regular exchange with partners and enthusiasts. Only when all opinions and ideas are taken into consideration can well-informed decisions be made.“
The new CEO of FORTIS WATCHES AG, Lorenz Aebischer (48), can look back on more than 20 years experience and a number of successes in the industry. He has been Product Manager and Head of Marketing & Sales with Mido, Director for the Swiss
Market with Tissot, or more recently has overseen the brand Auguste Reymond – all these experiences will now be valuable at FORTIS. „The first step will now be to get to know the company from within, support colleagues and employees in their working environments, meet domestic and international partners, and generate the right approach from all these bits of information.“
„Only then will we begin to integrate every single business element into our strategy to live our vision.“ „It will be important to know that we will go about solving the upcoming challenges at FORTIS as a team. Any CEO is always only as good as the team that assists them with putting the vision into practice. Having gone through the initial introductory
meetings at FORTIS, I have no doubts that we will work well together and I‘m looking forward to the tasks ahead.“ (LA)
For any additional information or if you have questions please email info@fortis-swiss.com or contact us at the following address:
FORTIS WATCHES AG
Lindenstrasse 45
2540 Grenchen
Switzerland
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