„Ich bin raus“ stands for the philosophy of Schöffel. On the sportive move in nature, leaving the daily grind behind for a while. Feeling and savoring nature in all of its facets – but without performance pressure and competitive character. Just for me, myself!
In any weather
Schöffel – for sure – is not the brand of downshifters. Instead it accompanies and clothes those seeking a healthy balance between intense work life and sportive leisure. Nature is the place to recharge the batteries again and gather new strength, where they self-discover themselves together with their friends and family.
Our products follow this philosophy. Schöffel outdoor and ski clothing concentrates upon what men and women really need “out there”: the highest degree of freedom of movement, functionality and protection at any kind of weather.
Schwabmünchner Blue
“Closely knit" is the beginning of this house, today belonging to the oldes family held companies in Bavaria. Stockings, socks, night-caps and Suebian pointy hats were in the range of items the stocking salesman Georg Schöffel. In 1804 he had received the concession for this. Schwabmünchen in those days is the stronghold of knitters. "Schwabmünchner Blue" is warrant for quality.
Closely knit
The more than 200 years of company history of Schöffel consists of episodes and events, strokes of luck and blows of fate. Already shortly after founding the small company Georg Schöffel’s son Josef must go to war. During the fighting the young man from Schwabmünchen saves the life of Bavarian crown prince Ludwig. The consequence: as lifetime annuity for Josef, which he invests into his mobile trade with stockings and ultimately opens way to the marriage with the countrymen’s daughter Theresa. Later the mobile merchants prepare landing and become resident in Schwabmünchen sesshaft with the textile company, which is passed on and expanded from generation to generation.
After the second world war a new page of the familiy saga is turned. Ludwig Schöffel, the designated company heir had died in Russia, therefore the younger brother Hubert, born 1930, takes his place and goes his own way. First the 28 years old realized an ambitious plan: He has a new and modern clothing shop built. 1960 it opened and managed by his wife Lydia, who died 1999, for decades both skillfully as well as prudently.
Second pillar of the family Schöffel
But Hubert Schöffel, merchant in sixth generation continuously aims for new horizons. 1961, year of birth of his son Peter, a Lederhosen factory in Schwabmünchen closes down. Hubert Schöffel doesn’t hesitate and treads new terrain. Already in September in the own manufacturing hall the sewing machines prattle away. Street pants are now Schöffels second leg. Soon 40 employees are sewing pants for men and children.
Hubert Schöffel recognizes the trend and in 1967 decides to invest in the construction of a new factory. The aim is to specialize in sportswear.
This decision marks a significant milestone in the more than 200-year history of the family-owned company, because Hubert Schöffel is up to date and successful: four years later, Schöffel becomes the market leader in trousers and in 1975 also for anoraks and hiking clothing. The idea to fasten the ski pants over the boot also sees the light of day as Jethose in Schwabmünchen. A new era has begun.
In the late 70ies new materials, coating methods and trends determine the textile industry. Hubert Schöffel is always on the lookout for alternatives. One of them is called "GORE-TEX®“, a wind proof as well as water proof, hard-wearing membrane. But already in 1981 the chaper is closed. Technical shortcomings unsettles customers and manufacturers. Only Schöffel and the Gore company realize their correctly determined common vision. To provide sufficient merchandise for an upcoming marketing campaign by Gore, Schöffel orders the required fusing capacity for processing the new material sufficient for 24.000 jackets – noted: without having one single piece in their book of commission. The start 1983 is two-tiered: Sport Schuster in Munich orders 70 mountain anoraks "Tibet", Gore places a full-page advertisement at daily newspapers. Already at noon of the day of appearance all anoraks are sold. In the coming months this runs up into the thousands. The triumphal procession of GORE-TEX® and Schöffel has begun. What follows are booming years along with the generation change in the house Schöffel. 1986 Peter Schöffel joins his parents’ company and after completing his apprenticeship in marketing and sales, he takes over management in the beginning 90ie.
How does it continue?
Over the following decades Schöffel develops to be one of the leading manufacturers of skiing and outdoor clothing in the German-speaking countries and also throughout wide parts of Europe plays a leading role as premium brand. The corporate group splits into the brand Schöffel and Professional Wear. Stringent concentration upon the clothing portfolio and the family-held company structure, quick and short-term decisions allow to massively invest TV-marketing. This is considered to be the crucial element for success of the Brand.
Over 200 years old but still young and full of ideas: Traditional and modern are no contradiction for Schöffel - they are root to success. To be open for the new, setting the trends instead of following the others, acting responsibly and sustainably, acting internationally but still nurturing the native basis in Bavarian Schwabmünchen – Schöffel goes its own way.
Schöffel, the Company
„One thing I can confidently do without“, says Peter Schöffel, managing partner in seventh generation and steering the company, „quarterly reports.“ Much more the long-term strategies are what he and his team actually follow. Focus is the customer, which wishes to savor, experience, hike and feel nature. Schöffel offers just the right products for them.
Schöffel is as longtime market leader in the field of functional sports clothing, acknowledges its own heritage, the region and the employees. Schöffel is one of the few big clothing companies in Germany which continues to train tailors and develops and designs the complete collection in house, from first draft to series production. The company group Schöffel, traditionally with high degree of own capital, is divided into the brand Schöffel and the segment of Professional Wear. In both corporate field the signs indicate grows and internationality. Around 200 employees work at the location Schwabmünchen.
Schöffel understands itself as manufacturer in best Swabian tradition, because all precision work is performed here. Only after the products meet the own, high standards, they are granted the das Schöffel-Logo. With an eye for details innovations are developed and high-tech materials are tested.
The business mentality of the family is what Hubert Schöffel brought to the point: „Our iron principle is: The Schöffels are there for the company - not the other way!“
