Family entrepreneur dies: founder of the New Yorker fashion chain Friedrich Knapp is dead

The founder and owner of the New Yorker fashion chain, Friedrich Knapp, has died at the age of 73. The entrepreneur leaves behind three children and his partner, as the clothing chain based in Braunschweig in Lower Saxony announced. According to its own information, the textile trading company founded by Knapp now employs around 23,000 people and has more than 1,200 branches in 47 countries worldwide. New York stores can also be found in many German city centers. The “Braunschweiger Zeitung”, the “Manager Magazin” and other media had previously reported.

“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our owner and managing partner, who, through his courageous and visionary actions, made New Yorker one of the world’s leading fashion companies,” wrote managing directors Helene Steiner and Jonas Gnauck in a statement. Friedrich Knapp was a family man and “thorough-bred entrepreneur” who achieved outstanding entrepreneurial and social achievements. “We will honor his memory and continue his life’s work,” the managing directors continued.

Braunschweig’s mayor recognizes Knapp’s commitment

Braunschweig’s mayor Thorsten Kornblum (SPD) reacted with dismay to the news in a statement. Knapp was an “outstanding Braunschweig entrepreneur”. “He created a success story that many people dream of: built a label and turned it into a globally active and well-known fashion group. He ran it himself until the end,” said Kornblum. The mayor also acknowledged Knapp’s commitment to the city, for example in sports and culture. Supporting children was particularly important to Knapp.

As the fashion chain further announced, the family businessman had arranged the succession of assets and management after his death. The family is represented on the supervisory board by Friedrich Knapp’s daughter, Sophie Knapp. The company’s supervisory board said she works there as deputy chairwoman.