On January 4, 2022, Anton Paar celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Anton Paar, specialized in density and concentration measurement, rheometry and CO2 measurement, has recently celebrated its 100th
anniversary. Founded on January 4, 1922 as a locksmith’s shop, the company now counts more than 3,500 employees.
Early history
The company was founded by Anton Paar who, right from the start, involved his two daughters Hermine and Margareta (called Gretl), in the business. While Hermine was responsible for the bookkeeping, Gretl worked in the workshop. Later, Anton Paar gradually withdrew from the business and Gretl, at that time the first female master locksmith in Styria, took over the management.
The Kratky small-angle X-ray camera was the first scientific analytical instrument developed by the company.
The expansion
From the 1950s onwards, the company focused on measuring and analysis technology for several industries – from beer, wine and soft drink producers to pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies to chocolate or cell phone display manufacturers.
In 1963, Gretl's son-in-law Ulrich Santner (1932-2020) took over the management of the company and set the foundation for the company's expansion in the field of measurement technology, making contacts with universities and contributing to the transfer of new technologies from research to industry. Finally, in 1997, his son-in-law and current CEO Friedrich Santner joined the management. Under his leadership, many new sales and service subsidiaries were established, and complementary measurement technology companies were acquired.
Anton Paar now has 45 sister companies and subsidiaries as well as 50 sales partners and operates in more than 110 countries around the world. Friedrich Santner also focused on expanding internal research and development.
Sustainability and the fifth generation
The non-profit Santner Private Foundation has owned the company since 2003. The foundation has two purposes: to promote non-profit science and research as well as to prevent and combat drug addiction.
In January 2020, Friedrich Santner's sons Jakob and Dominik Santner joined the company's Executive Board, making it the fifth generation to be part of the management team.
"Talent, commitment and inner cohesion, in both successful and difficult times, have always distinguished us and our company. With these attributes, we are confidently entering the second century of our history," resumes CEO Friedrich Santner.