The way everything began

Anton Kathrein senior (1888-1972)

Parent company, the Kathrein company in Rosenheim

Catalogue for lightning and overvoltage protection, from 1926

"Kathrein is a talented pupil with outstanding dexterity", his teacher commented in a school report. Anton Kathrein sen. achieved top grades in his trade exams as an electrician. Inventiveness, diligence and endurance were the guiding principles of his live.

In 1919, he had an idea which was as much simple as it was revolutionary. He searched for a possibility to avoid the immense damage caused by lightning strikes in electrical nets - and invented lightning arresters for low voltage land lines. Anton Kathrein sen. held fast to his idea and established a one-man business in a Rosenheim cellar workshop.

As with many company founders, it was eventually his personality - technical brilliance and business acumen - which served to form an enduring basis in those early days.

From lightning arresters to antenna technology
On 29^th October 1923 you were maybe lucky enough to hear the 'Deutsche Stunde' accompanied by a tinny sounding Steinway grand piano on the radio from Berlin - a new communication media, the radio had just been born. Anton Kathrein sen. was one of those who at once realised its importance.

By early 1926, more than one million people in Germany were already registered radio listeners. Kathrein's answer: the inexpensive, easy-to-mount medium-wave wire antenna for all users. He was able to play a considerable part in the field of lightning protection due to his knowledge. Earthing switches and insulators provided effective protection against damages from lightning strikes for the wire antennas of the day.
His motto at the time used to be: "Maximum reliability and top quality".

Tradition and progress
The former 'backyard garage' has long since become a worldwide committed group that has kept on feeling bound to the company founder's primary credo - going for top quality. Well aware of this tradition, Prof. Dr. Anton Kathrein has been running the company ever since his father's death in 1972.

Since then, turnover has multiplied from 51 mill. German Marks in 1972 to over 1,300 mill. euros today. You can find Kathrein antenna systems wherever top quality, maximum reliability and long durability are required. 

Success and responsibility
In Kathrein's opinion and upkept in the company's guiding philosophy, economic success has always been closely bound up with social responsibility, too. Due to his long term commitment for economic and social issues, Prof. Dr. Anton Kathrein was decorated with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 1^st class and the Bavarian Order of Merit.

As a honorary professor, he teaches business economics at the advanced technical college in Rosenheim. Professor Kathrein is Vice-President of the 'Vereinigung der Bayerischen Wirtschaft' (Economy Association of Bavaria), chairman of the ZVEI, Landesstelle Bayern' (organisation of the Electro-technical and Electrical Industry, for the State of Bavaria) and Vice President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria.

The Kathrein group supports a whole variety of sporting activities e.g. in motor sports, the group-own, very successful rallye team, and also supports several charitable organisations. A special Kathrein Cultural Fund takes care of cultural issues and their growth in southern Bavaria.