02.10.2026
Anyone who has attended a Kuratle Group Christmas party will recognise him as the simultaneous interpreter for our staff from French-speaking Switzerland: Paul Sommer. He speaks three languages fluently – and he loves them all: “French has elegance, German has precision, and Italian conveys a zest for life with warmth.”
Switzerland’s linguistic diversity is something special to him. He has often heard admiration from customers abroad for our multilingual country. “Language brings people together,” he says. That is why, for him, selling is more than just advising. He sees customers as people – and it is in them that Mr Ticinoro wishes to awaken a passion for the handcrafted timepieces from the Ticinoro family.
A beautiful story: Trees tell stories
Whilst we are celebrating 40 years of Ticinoro, Ticinoro’s Sales & Brand Manager is marking his 50th anniversary as a ‘Hölziger’. By now, he could be enjoying retirement. But that’s not something he thinks about. ‘Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’ With this quote (author unknown), he sets to work every day with enthusiasm. New projects never cease to motivate him. He wants to pass this on to young people – just as he himself started out when he was young.
After completing his carpentry apprenticeship, which he began in 1976, he went on to qualify as a Swiss Master Carpenter. Wood has shaped his life. He has worked in engineering, production, consultancy and project management. Today, he draws on the wealth of experience he gained during that time in his discussions with clients.
And although he would never have wanted to do anything else, he surprises people by saying: ‘Selling isn’t my thing.’ He’d much rather inspire people through storytelling. He believes that every tree tells its own story.
‘Every extraordinary project begins with a wonderful encounter.’ When visitors enter the showroom at the Bauarena, he listens attentively to their ideas and wishes and gets to know the people behind them. Only then does he present the collections, from ORIGINALE to MISTERIO. One of the most frequently heard comments is the exclamation: “I’ve never seen such a beautiful floor before. I didn’t even know anything like this existed.”
A passion for elegance: Ticinoro embodies a value-
“We create unique architectural pieces,” he said of Ticinoro’s Swiss-made collections. He loves to see this appreciation of value reflected in his clients too, because, in his view, discerning clients ask the best questions. In such conversations, he senses an interest in quality and a desire to understand how genuine craftsmanship differs from a standard product. He feels at ease working alongside interior designers. “Because we share the same goal,” as he puts it. “We speak the same language.”
A special moment: The first commission
It was in 2018 that Paul was recruited to Ticinoro by George and Roger Kuratle. His first commission was – unsurprisingly – based in Ticino. Paul quickly realised what lies at the heart of Ticinoro: Ticinoro’s clients want to infuse their spaces with personality.
As Mr Ticinoro, he gets around a lot these days. Cities such as Paris inspire him in his work. He loves the urban blend of architecture, history and atmosphere. For him, the most beautiful region in Switzerland is undoubtedly the home of the sweet chestnut: Ticino. “Chestnut wood has a unique character, beautiful natural colour tones and a charm that you hardly ever find in other types of wood.”
To this day, the Kuratle Group continues to impress him with its family-run ethos. During conversations in the showroom, he always talks about the Group and our ecosystem comprising retail, production and logistics. “Many customers are surprised and delighted to discover that Ticinoro is backed by a family-run business with strong values,” he says. Paul is convinced: “Especially in a globalised world where so much has become anonymous, people value authenticity.”
Il signore del legno: Wood, nature’s gift
Paul likes to be quoted as saying that Ticinoro produces the most beautiful parquet in the world. But what does ‘beautiful’ mean? The beauty of a parquet floor arises from the interplay of wood, craftsmanship and natural light, he says. “Every Ticinoro parquet floor is individually crafted for each customer. The floor has its own identity and reflects the personality of its owner.”
Today, in Ticinoro’s anniversary year, he particularly enjoys looking back on the people he has met. “It’s always the people who stay in your memory,” he says. Long-standing customers have become friends.
He continues to have ambitious goals. In Paris, he is currently building a network of interior designers who share Ticinoro’s values: Swiss-made quality, craftsmanship and timeless aesthetics. “We need to be where trends emerge and where people are looking for exceptional materials,” Paul sums it up.
È passione: The man behind the salesman
Paul played New Orleans-style jazz and the banjo for 25 years. For years now, he has devoted himself to the world of cigars. “I’m fascinated by the culture behind it: the origins of the tobacco, the artisanal production and the stories of the people who create these exceptional products.” Does he have any role models? Paul names Nick Hayek. The CEO of the Swatch Group has the courage to believe steadfastly in his vision.
Time and again, Paul’s approach centres on three values: he is passionate (because he puts his heart and soul into everything he does), curious (because he never stops learning) and authentic (because he has always remained true to himself). So it comes as no surprise that wood is also a key theme for him in his private life: “After fifty years’ professional experience, you see buildings, furniture and interiors through different eyes.”
On the occasion of his professional anniversary, he feels a sense of gratitude. “Gratitude towards all the people I have had the privilege of getting to know. Towards the clients who have placed their trust in me. Towards the architects with whom I have been able to bring extraordinary projects to life. And, of course, towards Ticinoro, which is far more to me than just a parquet manufacturer.”
For him, it has long since become a family, a philosophy – and the conviction that genuine craftsmanship, beauty and quality will continue to have their rightful place in the future. “I hope to inspire many more people with these values.”
Una visione di qualcosa di bello: Keeping visions in mind
Paul feels at home on the international stage and is fluent in many languages. A favourite language? “I don’t have one. Sometimes I dream in French, sometimes in German,” he laughs.
Above all, Paul von Ticinoro is likely to be dreaming of the future – and that the Famiglia’s ‘Collezioni’ and bespoke creations will soon earn a reputation as exclusive Swiss parquet art.