Hans J. Klaussner, the German furniture tycoon who acquired Stuart Inds. in 1979 and rebranded it as Klaussner Furniture, passed away at the age of 81.
Born in Gengenbach, Germany, he spent six years in high school before apprenticing as a furniture maker and upholsterer. His father, Eugen Klaussner, founded Hukla Inds. in 1963, a German mattress company that expanded into upholstery in the early '50s. Hans Klaussner worked at Hukla, later seeking to acquire an American furniture company during his travels, as reported by Furniture Today. The acquisition of Stuart Inds. connected Klaussner with JB Davis, its CEO, who regarded him as a brother.
Photo © Gaetan L. | Dreamstime.com
'Hans was a gentleman and a great person and leader. He acquired Stuart Furniture in 1979 and quickly Klaussner became a leading global player in residential furniture. Hans and JB Davis were a force to contend with every year and in every venue. They were kind to our family and our business and we send our condolences to Vera and the entire Klaussner family,' says Tim Stump, President from Stump & Company in a post on LinkedIn.