Friedrich Hackner
Creator of a Globally Renowned Product
The growing success of the FinnComfort shoe system also brought challenges. New production facilities had to be found on short notice to meet the rising demand in international markets. At the same time, tensions increased between the technical and commercial management. Eventually, the Finnish parent company parted ways with its German subsidiary. Mismanagement by the commercial director accelerated the downward spiral, and by the end of 1984, the German branch was forced to file for insolvency.
What followed was an exhausting legal battle over the rights to the developments and the logo, which had been contractually secured for Friedrich Hackner in the event of insolvency. A full-blown business thriller unfolded, even involving anonymous threats by phone. The outcome: Friedrich Hackner parted ways with FinnComfort in order to pursue his ideas independently from then on. The FinnComfort brand was sold to a German company. A court ruling later stipulated that the FinnComfort logo must no longer include the distinctive elk antlers.
Impulse Magazine
Impulse is one of the leading business magazines in the German-speaking world, offering in-depth insights into strategy, innovation, and corporate management.
The article appeared in the December 2018 / January 2019 issue.
Schuhkurier
Schuhkurier is one of the leading trade media for the footwear and leather goods industry in the German-speaking world, providing coverage of relevant developments, companies, and innovations in the industry for decades.
The article appeared in Issue No. 3, published on January 21, 1983.
