Werner L. Oswald (16 March 1904 - 23 February 1979)[1] was a Swiss industrialist and businessman who was most prominently known for founding the EMS-Chemie conglomerate in 1936 which was taken over by the Blocher family after his death.[2]
Early life and education
Oswald was born on 16 March 1904 in Lucerne, Switzerland to Arthur Oswald. His father was an attorney and member of the executive council of the Canton of Lucerne.[3] He had one younger brother, Victor Oswald (born 1909), who served as the president of the board of EMS-Chemie in 1980.[4] He completed the schools in Gais and Trogen, before attending the Agricultural School of Langenthal. Subsequently, he completed studies at the Federal Institute of Technology where he completed a doctorate.[5]
In 1936, Oswald formed Holzverzuckerungs AG ("HOWAG") in Zurich which manufactured fuel as a fermentation product from waste wood. In 1942, he expended the operations and opened new manufacturing facilities in Domat/Ems, in order of the national supply service during World War II. In 1956, he denied further subventions from the government and switched the production to synthetic fibers. In 1960, the company was ultimately renamed to Emser-Werke AG (since 1978 as EMS-Chemie).[5]
Personal life
Since 1944, Oswald was married to Éleonore (née Mathys).[6]
