Erwin Sannwald: The Calw patriarch and his legacy for the city
Erwin Sannwald shaped Calw by founding the United Blanket Factories and courageously defended himself against National Socialism.

Erwin Sannwald: The Calw patriarch and his legacy for the city
When looking at the history of the city of Calw, one personality in particular stands out: Erwin Sannwald. Born in Nagold on November 19, 1872, he experienced the tumultuous times of the 20th century with its plethora of challenges, including the two world wars, inflation and the dark years of the Nazi dictatorship. Despite all these storms, Sannwald built United ceiling factories Calw AG, a company that has had a lasting impact on Calw. Originally formed in 1895 from the Calw stuff trading company, which was founded in 1650, the factory enjoyed a high status in the region under Sannwald's management.
From 1901 until his death in 1947, Sannwald held various leadership positions, most recently as sole director. His direction was clear: he stood up for his employees, be it by building apartments or supporting a company health insurance fund. A notable aspect was his open resistance to National Socialism. Sannwald not only rejected anti-Semitism, but also helped a Jewish representative of the blanket factories to escape to what is now Israel. This creates the image of a socially minded entrepreneur who had the well-being of his employees in mind even in difficult times.
A legacy in crisis
However, with the economic upheavals in the 1970s, challenges arose for the blanket factories. Competition from Italy and Asia hit the company hard. Five decades after Sannwald's death, in 1997, the company had to file for bankruptcy, which illustrates the profound change in the textile industry. Sannwald died on June 19, 1947 in Calw, but his direct influence on the city and its economic development remained noticeable.
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