German pet industry pioneer Ernst Koch passed away at age 92
He founded pet accessories company KOCH in 1973 and published one of the first catalogs for animal supplies.
The company announced in an obituary that Koch died on January 12th. “Together with his wife, Ingrid Koch, he built their family business with a great deal of energy, passion and devotion,” it reads.
The company remembered him as a “well-respected company manager.” “Ernst’s joie de vivre will never be forgotten. There will always be memories of his life through thoughts, pictures, moments and feelings. You will always remind us of him and he will never be forgotten.”
Koch introduced a padded harness made of nylon, as well as collars and leashes which are currently manufactured in the Bavarian town of Landsberg am Lech.
The company is now in its third generation. In September 2020, his granddaughter, Julia Tanz, and her husband Silvio Tanz took over the company, which was rebranded to K.O.C.H. Heimtierwelt GmbH.