Loewe

In 1923, brothers Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe founded a radio manufacturing company in Berlin, initially named Radiofrequenz GmbH. Their work was foundational, and in collaboration with physicist Manfred von Ardenne, they developed an early integrated circuit, the Loewe 3NF triple tube. This innovation led to the 1931 presentation of the world's first fully electronic television. The company thrived, but the rise of the Nazi regime forced the Loewe brothers, who were Jewish, to emigrate. Siegmund Loewe later regained ownership after the war, and the company began producing televisions at its new main factory in Kronach in 1949. Loewe introduced Europe's first stereo sound television in 1981 and the first internet-integrated TV in 1997. An IPO followed in the late 1990s. Despite its history of innovation, the company faced significant financial hardship in the 21st century. It filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013 and again in 2019, struggling against larger Asian competitors. In December 2019, Skytec Group Ltd acquired the brand, creating Loewe Technology GmbH and aiming to revive its legacy. Today, as an owner-managed company, Loewe continues to operate from Kronach, focusing on high-end televisions and audio products with a “Made in Germany” quality seal.