New Plant, Esprit Add Value to Stoeckel & Grimmler
August 16, 2001
Munchberg, Germany — Stoeckel & Grimmler is reaping the benefits of a major modernization effort begun six years ago. The window fashions producer now has sales in the $20 million range.
In 1996, Stoeckel & Grimmler pumped all of its investment capital into the construction of a new window fabrics factory.
But the expansion, the largest in the company's 126-year history, did not go smoothly. After owner Hanns Bergmann chose to build in an industrial park along the highway, their Swiss builder went bankrupt in the midst of their job. Days before that, the major components were already at the site in crates before they could be placed in the building. This left young Bergmann and his father with a major headache. "I told my father 'the good news' and he took out a bottle of wine," Bergmann said. "We decided to build even though all of our financial reserves were gone. We had wired the money for the job to the original builder on a Wednesday and by Saturday, what was the fifth richest Swiss company was finished. Next time you build, pay only when everything is installed. We obviously survived," he said. "Never trust the financial information given to you, especially by a bank. "We ended up paying for the work we had already done and we finished the building on our own. According to German bankruptcy law, the Swiss construction company on the job still owned the components on the site."
In the process, the second story of the plant, which was to house the administration and marketing departments, was never built and Bergmann continues to run the enterprise from the original location built in 1875.
The 280 cm wide jacquard machines found a new home, but marketing stayed put. Stoeckel & Grimmler now owns 60 Sulzer jacquard looms with Staubli electronic heads. All of the old dobby machines are gone. In addition to the jacquard lines, the company makes fine 20-denier voile as well as trendy organza fabrics. It also has a sheer finishing machine.
"To import everything for a collection today is very inefficient because there's no time to wait for delivery. We had no choice but to go vertical. From conception to delivery using existing warps takes eight weeks.
"Tradition is good, but I fight for the future. We must sell concept. There's always a cheaper supplier than Stoeckel & Grimmler," said Grimmler, a graduate of the famous German textile engineering school Moechegladbach.
Today, Stoeckel & Grimmler with 122 employees, is exporting 25 percent of its pieces to Switzerland, Austria, Benelux and Scandinavia; 10 percent to Japan, Australia, Taiwan and worldwide, with the balance for domestic consumption. About 20 percent of the sales are in readymade window fashions.
And with the addition of the Esprit House license for all of Europe in 27 countries just one year ago, he expects to become a larger player in the European market. Esprit is a middle market brand well known worldwide and in the U.S.A. where it began. It is marketed by Home Décor™, Stoeckel & Grimmler's Sparneck-based daughter company. The division, which is also a major customer of Stoeckel & Grimmler, produces Home Décor branded readymade bedspreads, chair covers, table linens and heavy cushions for the German market.
"The consumer sees it, buys it and has it the same day with Home Décor," said Bergmann. Karstadt, Kaufhof and many furniture stores, sells home Décor.F&FI
In 1996, Stoeckel & Grimmler pumped all of its investment capital into the construction of a new window fabrics factory.
But the expansion, the largest in the company's 126-year history, did not go smoothly. After owner Hanns Bergmann chose to build in an industrial park along the highway, their Swiss builder went bankrupt in the midst of their job. Days before that, the major components were already at the site in crates before they could be placed in the building. This left young Bergmann and his father with a major headache. "I told my father 'the good news' and he took out a bottle of wine," Bergmann said. "We decided to build even though all of our financial reserves were gone. We had wired the money for the job to the original builder on a Wednesday and by Saturday, what was the fifth richest Swiss company was finished. Next time you build, pay only when everything is installed. We obviously survived," he said. "Never trust the financial information given to you, especially by a bank. "We ended up paying for the work we had already done and we finished the building on our own. According to German bankruptcy law, the Swiss construction company on the job still owned the components on the site."
In the process, the second story of the plant, which was to house the administration and marketing departments, was never built and Bergmann continues to run the enterprise from the original location built in 1875.
The 280 cm wide jacquard machines found a new home, but marketing stayed put. Stoeckel & Grimmler now owns 60 Sulzer jacquard looms with Staubli electronic heads. All of the old dobby machines are gone. In addition to the jacquard lines, the company makes fine 20-denier voile as well as trendy organza fabrics. It also has a sheer finishing machine.
"To import everything for a collection today is very inefficient because there's no time to wait for delivery. We had no choice but to go vertical. From conception to delivery using existing warps takes eight weeks.
"Tradition is good, but I fight for the future. We must sell concept. There's always a cheaper supplier than Stoeckel & Grimmler," said Grimmler, a graduate of the famous German textile engineering school Moechegladbach.
Today, Stoeckel & Grimmler with 122 employees, is exporting 25 percent of its pieces to Switzerland, Austria, Benelux and Scandinavia; 10 percent to Japan, Australia, Taiwan and worldwide, with the balance for domestic consumption. About 20 percent of the sales are in readymade window fashions.
And with the addition of the Esprit House license for all of Europe in 27 countries just one year ago, he expects to become a larger player in the European market. Esprit is a middle market brand well known worldwide and in the U.S.A. where it began. It is marketed by Home Décor™, Stoeckel & Grimmler's Sparneck-based daughter company. The division, which is also a major customer of Stoeckel & Grimmler, produces Home Décor branded readymade bedspreads, chair covers, table linens and heavy cushions for the German market.
"The consumer sees it, buys it and has it the same day with Home Décor," said Bergmann. Karstadt, Kaufhof and many furniture stores, sells home Décor.F&FI
