Albert von Julin facts for kids
Albert von Julin (born December 22, 1846 – died June 7, 1906) was a very important Finnish businessman. He was known for saving the company Fiskars Ab (yes, the one that makes scissors!) when it was having money problems. He became its leader, or CEO, in 1875. Albert von Julin was also the uncle of Gustaf Mannerheim, who later became a famous leader in Finland, known as the Marshal of Finland.
Contents
A Young Start
Albert von Julin was born on December 22, 1846, in a place called Pohja, Finland. He was the youngest son of John von Julin, who was a big leader in industry during the 1800s. Sadly, Albert's father passed away when Albert was only six years old.
After going to a school called Helsingfors Lyceum, Albert went to a special training program in Sweden. This program taught him how to manage businesses and factories. This kind of practical training was very rare in Finland at that time. It helped Albert learn important skills for his future work, especially as his company grew.
Taking Over Fiskars
Albert von Julin started his own business ventures in 1866. When his father died, his older brother, Emil von Julin, inherited a large part of the family's business, including the Fiskars factory. Albert, however, inherited other factories and a lot of land.
Albert was good at business. In 1875, he leased the Fiskars factory from his brother, who was having financial troubles. Soon, Emil's business ran into serious problems. Albert von Julin then became the "executive administrator" of Fiskars. His job was to manage the company until its assets could be sold.
It was a tough time for Fiskars. In 1878, there was even talk of the company going bankrupt. Since no one wanted to buy Fiskars' assets, the company had to become a limited company in 1883. This meant it was owned by shareholders.
Leading Fiskars to Success
As the new leader of Fiskars, Albert von Julin worked hard to fix the company's problems. He was careful about doing too much business with Russia, even though it was a big market. This was because the money exchange rates there could change a lot, which was risky.
Instead, he focused on making Fiskars' own brand stronger. They made things like iron tools, castings, and farming equipment. Albert von Julin was a natural leader for the factory. He owned more than 20 percent of the company, which gave him a lot of say. By the mid-1880s, he was fully in charge of Fiskars Ab's board.
Public Life and Family
Albert von Julin also served in the Finnish parliament eleven times. He usually represented his wife Sofia's family, the Bergenheims. He wasn't super active in parliament, but he did support other representatives and worked on some petitions. He also helped with customs issues related to railways between Finland and Russia.
In 1897, he received the title of vuorineuvos, which is an honorary title given to important industrial leaders in Finland. He was also active in local politics in Perniö. He helped plan a railway line between Helsinki and Turku.
Albert von Julin passed away on June 7, 1906, in his hometown of Pohja. After his death, his nephew, Albert Lindsay von Julin, became the new CEO of Fiskars Ab. His sons also took on important roles in other companies.
Albert von Julin also took care of his nephew, Gustaf Mannerheim, after Gustaf's mother (Albert's sister) passed away. Gustaf Mannerheim later became a very famous military leader in Finland.
What People Remembered
People remembered Albert von Julin as a smart and brave businessman. They said he was a respected and fair boss. He was also seen as a kind person who cared about his workers. He helped improve farming and the well-being of his employees, for example, by supporting health care and schooling.
See Also
- Mannerheim Family
