Drinkware and Lighting
Founded in 1823 by Mr. Josef Lobmeyr and his wife Ms. Aloisia Lobmeyr, J. & L. Lobmeyr is one of Europe’s longest-standing family businesses and a global reference point for masterful glassware and chandelier craftsmanship. Over six generations, the enterprise has navigated imperial politics, world wars, technological transitions, and sweeping cultural shifts—while maintaining its dedication to meticulous handcraft and design excellence.
1. The Founding Generation (1823–1855): Mr. Josef & Ms. Aloisia Lobmeyr
Mr. Josef Lobmeyr, originally a glazier from Upper Austria, opened a Viennese shop in 1823 with Ms. Aloisia Lobmeyr. They sold Biedermeier-era tableware, chandeliers, and mirrors sourced from Bohemian glassworks. Mr. Lobmeyr quickly distinguished himself through efficiency and innovation. In 1835 he delivered a 4,000-piece prism-cut table service to the Imperial Household (royal households)—an achievement that cemented Lobmeyr’s relationship with the Habsburg court.
By the 1830s, Mr. Lobmeyr shifted from reseller to designer, commissioning unique pieces and establishing the company’s identity as a “glass publisher”. His international travels, including to Egypt, broadened the firm’s stylistic vocabulary and client reach.
2. The Second Generation (1855–1902): Mr. Josef Jr. & Mr. Ludwig Lobmeyr
Lobmeyr flagship store on Kaertner Strasse 26, in Vienna, Austria.
Upon Mr. Josef’s death, his sons Mr. Josef Lobmeyr Jr. and Mr. Ludwig Lobmeyr assumed control. They defined the company’s international expansion and artistic credibility.
Their achievements included:
In 1895, Mr. Ludwig moved the company headquarters to Kärntner Strasse 26 (Vienna, Austria), still the firm’s iconic home.
3. The Third Generation (1902–1938): Mr. Stefan Rath & the Birth of Modernism
Because Mr. Ludwig had no children, he brought in his nephew, Mr. Stefan Rath, son of his sister Ms. Mathilde. Mr. Stefan became sole owner in 1917 and transformed Lobmeyr into a central participant in Vienna’s emerging modernist movement.
He collaborated extensively with the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop), producing pieces with (designers):
Mr. Stefan co-founded the Austrian Werkbund (Design, Architecture, and craftsmanship association founded in Vienna) in 1912 and positioned Lobmeyr at international exhibitions, including the Paris Exposition Internationale (1925), where the company received the Grand Prix for Glass. His writings describe the metaphysical nature of glass—“molten rock”—and reveal a leader devoted to artistic integrity above commercial compromise.
4. The Fourth Generation (1938–1968): Mr. Hans Harald Rath & Postwar Reinvention
In 1938, Mr. Stefan passed the company to his son Mr. Hans Harald Rath. Because the family had partial Jewish ancestry, the Nazi annexation forced Mr. Hans Harald to temporarily relocate part of the business to Tyrol with support from Mr. Daniel Swarovski.
After 1945, Mr. Hans Harald revitalized Austria’s glass industry, co-founding a glassmaking school and new production facilities. He modernized chandelier design and produced:
His 1952 Alpha Drinking Set remains Lobmeyr’s best-selling glassware and one of its most recognized design icons.
5. The Fifth Generation (1968–2000): Mr. Harald, Mr. Peter & Mr. Stefan Rath
Following the sudden death of Mr. Hans Harald in 1968, his three sons—Mr. Harald Rath, Mr. Peter Rath, and Mr. Stefan (Jr.) Rath—jointly led the company. Their tenure expanded Lobmeyr’s global footprint and technical capabilities.
Key milestones included:
6. The Sixth Generation (2000–Present): Mr. Andreas, Mr. Leonid & Mr. Johannes Rath
From right to left: Andreas, Leonid and Johannes Rath, the sixth generation direct-cousins, top executives and owners of Lobmeyr
Today, the company is managed by cousins:
They reorganized internal structures, refreshed the product range, restored historic masterpieces (including the Met chandeliers in 2008), and expanded distribution to more than 300 stores worldwide. They collaborate with leading contemporary designers such as Mr. Ted Muehling, Mr. Michael Anastassiades, Mr. Martino Gamper, Mr. Sebastian Menschhorn, and the duo Formafantasma.
7. Key Practices for Continuity
8. Long-Term Challenges
Craftsmanship Dependency
Lobmeyr relies on highly specialized artisans—engravers, cutters, polishers, chandelier makers—whose skills are increasingly rare. This is a major long-term risk.
Growth vs. Identity
The family prefers remaining a small, high-craft enterprise. Yet market forces question whether minimal growth can sustain a 52-employee operation facing global competition.
Preserving Authenticity
In an era when “handcrafted” has become a marketing cliché, Lobmeyr must continuously communicate its difference: genuine artisanal production in Vienna.
To prepare for the next generational transition, the family established a formal family governance system, centered on developing a family constitution to guide ownership transfers, leadership renewal, shared values, decision-making, and constructive conflict resolution. As part of this framework, a supervisory board was created, consisting of six members—three family representatives (one from each branch) and three non-family professionals (two lawyers and a tax accountant). The board meets quarterly for half a day, ensuring structured oversight and disciplined succession planning.
Today, as Lobmeyr enters a new era, its greatest challenge is not innovation—where it consistently excels—but ensuring that a seventh generation will continue to carry its remarkable heritage forward.
Source: J. & L. Lobmeyr | We have been cultivating Viennese glass culture and the art of lighting design since 1823., Case_study_Lobmeyr.pdf, Les Hénokiens - Association internationale d'entreprises familiales au moins bicentenaires
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