The entrepreneur Lothar Horn passed away on 5th February 2023 at the age of 66 after a long, serious illness. Lothar Horn was the managing director of Paul Horn GmbH in Tübingen. He shaped the Horn Group into an internationally successful manufacturer of precision tools with production sites in England, Italy, the Czech Republic and the USA. In addition there are subsidiaries in France, Hungary, China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand. At the same time Lothar Horn made his company the largest commercial employer in Tübingen. In 1991 the IT-experienced and technologically-enthusiastic son of company founder Paul Horn joined his parents’ company. He became Managing Director on 1st January 1995. From 2009 to 2019 he was chairman of the Precision Tools Association of the VDMA. In 2021 he received the Tool and Mould Making Medal of Honour, which recognises pioneers, visionaries and exemplary personalities in the industry. In 1999 Lothar Horn created new production and administration facilities as well as a demonstration, research and development center at the main plant in Tübingen. Over the years various expansions followed. Currently the largest building in industrial use in Tübingen belongs to Paul Horn GmbH. With Lothar Horn’s son Markus, managing director of Paul Horn GmbH since 2018, the third generation is now leading the family business into the future, together with Matthias Rommel, also managing director.
Lothar Horn coined phrases such as “Technology determines costs” and “No car drives, no plane flies and no artificial joint can be inserted by doctors without using precision tools”. Loyalty to Tübingen was a major concern for him. Not only were investments in the company at this location important to him, but also social commitment. In addition to visible signs such as the Paul Horn Arena in Tübingen and the Paul Horn Hall at the Stuttgart trade fair center (hall 10), he supported above all social institutions as well as the youth and junior staff of sports clubs, for example.
With Lothar Horn, the Horn Group loses an outstanding entrepreneur and a wonderful person.
The entire Horn Group mourns with the family.
