The Ettinger Story

The story of the Ettinger family is a remarkable success story. Constantly reinventing themselves throughout the ups and downs of 20^th century Europe, they have built one of the best luxury leather goods companies in the world and have anchored it positively for the next 100 years!
Find out some more about this story here:

The Ettinger Timeline

 
Gerry Ettinger, founder of the company

 
Robert Ettinger, the Managing Director

Gerard Ettinger

Founder, Ettinger London

(29 December 1909 - 30 June 2002)
 

Born in Prussia, Gerry’s early career was as a film producer in Rome and Berlin – working with Marlene Dietrich on one film – but in 1933, he ended up in England and found employment as the UK representative for several German factories producing leather goods, jewellery and gifts.
 In 1934, Herion of Pforzheim – a German leather goods manufacturer - offered him the exclusive agency for the UK and he was set up with an office in Regent Street in London and travelled round the country selling leather goods to department stores and shops such as Harrods, Asprey and Fortnum & Mason. The business soon became “G Ettinger Ltd”.
After the Second World War, Gerry returned once again to London where he was commissioned by Aprey’s to find leather goods which were then in very short supply. G Ettinger Ltd grew again from here as Gerry made Ettinger leathergoods in a London workshop and in Walsall in the Midlands. Using his connections and languages he continued to expand the business buying luxury leather goods from continental Europe and also acted as a buying agent for British and North American department stores.
In 1980 Robert joined his father in the business and in 1990 Gerard handed over the reins to Robert but continued working in the business until 2001, aged 91.

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Robert Ettinger

CEO

Ettinger London

Robert joined his father, Gerard, in the family business in 1980 at the age of twenty five after gaining retailing and business experience working for Mappins, the jewellers, in Canada and a marble gift manufacturing company in Germany. He took over the reins from his father in 1990 and since then the company has expanded gradually and considerably, being awarded the Wimbledon licence in 1992 and the Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996.
He has also been Chairman of the British Luggage and Leathergoods Association, has been actively involved with The Princes’ Trust and a Mentor for the Arts & Business’ ‘Crafted Campaign’.
Robert travels extensively around the world for business and pleasure, is multi lingual and has been a fully qualified ski instructor leading ski tours all over the world for the Ski Club of Great Britain.
He is married and lives in Kent and strongly believes in the importance of balancing business and leisure time.

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