Robert Schwarzenbach & Co
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Textile manufacturing |
| Founded | 1829 |
| Fate | Ended manufacturing operations in 1981; transitioned to real estate and investment business |
| Headquarters | Zurich , Switzerland |
Area served | Worldwide, primarily United States |
| Products | Silk and jacquard fabrics |
| Owner | Schwarzenbach family |
Number of employees | 28000 (1928) |
Robert Schwarzenbach & Co, also referred to as Schwarzenbach, Huber & Co or The Schwarzenbach Enterprises, was a textile manufacturing company with Swiss-American roots. Established in 1829, the firm focused on producing silk and jacquard fabrics. By 1928, it had grown to become the largest textile enterprise worldwide, employing more than 28,000 individuals across various locations and achieving revenues of CHF 267 million. The majority of its sales were conducted in the United States through its New York City branch, Schwarzenbach, Huber & Co. In 1981, the company ended its manufacturing operations and transitioned into a privately held real estate and investment business, remaining under the ownership and management of the Schwarzenbach family.
Literature
- Verein für Wirtschaftshistorische Studien Zürich (Hrsg.): Schweizer Pioniere der Wirtschaft und Technik, Bd. 10, 1959 (in German)
- Robert J.F Schwarzenbach, The Schwarzenbach Enterprises, New York, 1917
- Fritz Hess: Thalwil im 19. Jahrhundert, Zürcher Dissertation, 1938 (in German)
- Hans Jakob Zwicky: Chronik der Gemeinde Thalwil, 1995 (in German)
- E. Vögtlin: An die Firma Robert Schwarzenbach anlässlich des Jubiläums 1954 (in German)
- Hochschule Luzern, Silk Memory: Schwarzenbach
- Hochschule Luzern, Silk Memory: Mechanische Seidenstoffweberei Adliswil MSA (in German)