Over the next two months, I will share a different company, organization, or person who makes products the “right way.” This means a true dedication to craftsmanship, a commitment to creating products for their clients by pushing the boundaries, an unceasing quest for excellence, and a responsibility to care for their team. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a new post will share exciting information about a company, some very well-known and some all known to those in the know, in 150-200 words. I aim to share with you individuals or companies who never compromise on what they make.
The first entry is about a company all of you know, Rolex. Rolex was founded in 1905 in London by Hans Wilsdorf and moved to Switzerland after World War I. He introduced the world’s first waterproof watch in 1926. The company has been at the forefront of watch development over the past 118 years, pushing the timepiece industry's boundaries on research and development. They introduce new technologies to improve their watches and don’t tell the public, now that is craftsmanship. Rolexes are made with a commitment to the company’s past for today’s generation with the mindset that future generations will proudly wear the timepieces.
Today the company is one of the world's largest non-profits, earning $13B in revenue with zero income. The company is still privately held by a foundation run by the founding families, and the ownership group stays out of the spotlight. This runs very counter to the founders of other large, international companies, i.e. Kuring and LVMH. Through their Rolex Awards, they partner with leaders focused on solving crucial environmental, economic, and social issues impacting the world.
Below is a great listen to learn more about Rolex.
Thank you for reading. This Wednesday, I will introduce you to a small tool company based in Portland, Oregon.
Comments