Wilhelm Franz (entrepreneur)

Wilhelm Franz (born July 19, 1913 in Bremen ; † April 10, 1971 ) was a German electrical engineer and entrepreneur. After working for C. Lorenz AG in Berlin-Tempelhof , he founded his own company in 1938, " Elektromesstechnik Wilhelm Franz KG" (EMT Franz), which specialized in the manufacture of special control and measuring devices for radio and communications technology.

Because of the increasing Allied bombing raids on Berlin, the company moved to Schuttertal near Lahr in 1943 and shortly afterwards to Dingelsdorf on Lake Constance . In 1945 the company moved again to Lahr . After a break due to dismantling , EMT gradually resumed production in 1948.

During the war, Wilhelm Franz established contacts with manufacturers of audio equipment in Switzerland ( Studer , Thorens ). Franz discovered a niche in the market : the design and manufacture of high-quality record players for broadcasters . Because of their quality and reliability, EMT turntables enjoy cult status among audiophiles, especially in Southeast Asia . He also designed devices for recording studio needs (measuring devices, limiters , compressors and reverb devices ).

Since none of his four children could take over the EMT company after the death of Wilhelm Franz (the twins Alexander and Anette were only 4 years old, the son Klaus-Wilhelm from his first marriage had already died (suicide 1961) and the daughter Christiane (from 1st marriage) was married in France), the family business was continued by his wife Hildegard Franz and two other managing directors (Erich Vogl, Hans-Peter Kerkemeier).

literature

• Stefano Pasini: German Perfection - The History of the Legendary EMT Turntables. Costa Editore, Bologna 2001.

Web links

• Link to Pasini's book
• Website Pasinis on EMT
• Website of an American importer
• Article about EMT turntables by H. Jakobi (PDF file; 213 kB)