Franz josef popp biography

He also saw the development of the popular BMW Sport, a more powerful version—popular in motor racing circles. Factories were opened around the world and BMW's workforce grew from 23, to 71, employees. He was also known for his collaborative approach with labor unions and flexible manufacturing methods. His tenure ended after the failed Rover Group acquisition cost BMW billions, forcing his resignation.

The company achieved industry-leading profit margins through its focus on high-end vehicles and personalized manufacturing. Becoming BMW's CEO from toReithofer led the company through the financial crisis while increasing annual sales from 1.

Franz josef popp biography: Franz Josef Popp was

His hands-on management style emphasized factory efficiency and strategic investments in electric vehicles. The purpose was to explore opportunities for the production under license of German prototypes at the Austro-Daimler works. Unfortunately, these exploratory talks came to nothing. The Austro-Daimler works went on to develop their own new cylinder aircraft engine for the Austrian navy, although there was not sufficient capacity available for production of this engine.

It was necessary to find a production facility that was in a position to manufacture the engine in the quantities required by the military authorities. This company had the necessary skilled workforce and production facilities for manufacturing aircraft engines, but it lacked a competitive product since its engines were not successful as aircraft engines.

Franz josef popp biography: Franz Josef Popp (14

Given this scenario, Popp regarded the Rapp Engine works as an ideal production facility for manufacturing the cylinder Austro-Daimler engine. He lobbied hard for this solution and was successful in convincing the responsible authorities to take up his suggestion. Inhe was dispatched to Munich as the representative of the Austrian Navy to supervise production under license at the Rapp Motorenwerke Rapp Motor Works.

However, Popp was worried about unsatisfactory decisions and targets set by the technical and commercial managers. He became concerned that volumes determined contractually would not be complied with. To ensure compliance with production targets, Popp effectively began to take on the role of factory manager. Popp ensured that Max Friza very talented young engineer at Daimler who had recently applied for a position, was hired by Rapp Friz and Rapp were colleagues together at Austro-Daimler.

Franz josef popp biography: Franz Josef Popp was one

Popp understood that Rapp Motorenwerke very much needed a chief engineer with new ideas on making aircraft engines. This was intended to signal a new beginning to the outside world. Following its conversion into a joint-stock company, Popp was head of Bayerische Motoren Werke as chairman of the Board of Management, with the title of General Director.

At the end of the First World War, Popp was responsible for switching the young company from aircraft engine production to peacetime production. With this aim in mind, he worked towards creating a link with Knorr-Bremse AG, and from onwards, the factory started manufacturing Knorr brakes for the Bavarian Railway. In this way, he was able to break free from Knorr-Bremse AG and start up engine construction once more.

Franz josef popp biography: Franz Josef Popp. History on

The product range of BMW AG was expanded and soon it extended beyond engines for the aircraft industry to include motorcycles as broader sections of the population gained access to motorized transport. This was an area to which Popp devoted considerable attention. This was the first time that cars bore the BMW brand on the roads. This ensured that BMW had access to key know-how in an area of aircraft engine construction with a great future.

The expertise acquired through production under license allowed BMW to develop air-cooled radial engines under its own steam during the s. The company achieved industry-leading profit margins through its focus on high-end vehicles and personalized manufacturing. Becoming BMW's CEO from toReithofer led the company through the financial crisis while increasing annual sales from to million vehicles.

His hands-on management style emphasized factory efficiency and strategic investments in electric vehicles.