Schiel Company History
2009 Complete Product for the Retail Channel
Schiel ventures into new logistical terrain with the Xplory® Rider Sibling Board from Stokke®. It is a complete product for the retail channel.
With it, Schiel takes over not only the development and production and combines individual components into a complete product, but the company also manages the demanding logistics so that the product is tested, packaged and made ready to sell for the retail channel.
Besides individual components, development is directed more towards complex assemblies. These assemblies combine all the associated components made of plastic and metal into a completely assembled product. 2007 More Intense Development of Assemblies
Delivered as a pre-tested unit, the installation time on the customer’s assembly line is shortened.
2006 Competitiveness in the Global Market
The Schiel company stands for the joy of innovation and the highest quality. It is necessary to expand this competitive edge through greater efficiency. Schiel works considerably more efficiently and with a greater orientation around service with the introduction of a new ERP system including workflow automation in 2006. Since then, the company has all processes from development up to shipping right in its sights and down to the second.
2004 Introduction of the New Tire System “loop”
Schiel has the new “loop” tire system patented and presents it for the first time at the Kind + Jugend fair in Cologne.
“loop” combines the specific benefits of pneumatic and cushion tires. It has pneumatic tire comfort without a tube and valve – with first-class handling and greater safety.
2003 – 2005 Second Generation Change
The years 2003 and 2004 for Schiel are times of change and reorganisation. Significant steps are taken for the future.
In 2003, the wigs division is closed. Consequently, the focus is now on the core business, i.e. plastics.
The second generation change in Schiel’s company history takes place on January 1, 2004. Melanie Westlin with her husband and authorized officer Martin Westlin carry on the company as the sole managing director.
The company is renamed Schiel GmbH in 2005.
1990 – 2002 Product Innovations for the Baby Carriage
Product innovations in the baby carriage sector are in the foreground in the 90’s due to the increased demand for more comfort and safety. All significant baby carriage manufacturers rely on the trendsetting product innovations from Schiel.
In 1992, Schiel bring its first complete assembly to the market. This hinged part, which makes multi-stage folding of two tubes possible, is still in use today. With permanent adaptation to the growing requirements of customers, it is used in a great variety of ways in many different industry segments.
The family-run company continues in 1993 as well. The two grandchildren of the company founder support the company from now on. Melanie Westlin takes over the plastics line of business as an additional managing director. Meanwhile, Marion Uebel and Ursula Schulz take over the wigs division.
In 2002, Marion is also appointed to be another managing director.
1970 – 1989 Expansion of Product Range and 1st Generation Change
While Anton Schiel concentrates solely on the manufacturing of wigs for dolls and costumes, Ursula Schulz meanwhile supports her husband Harald in the constant growth of plastics manufacturing.
1970 sees the plant expansion and spatial separation of the plastics and wigs lines of business. The investments that are made soon pay off. Schiel is the first manufacturer in Europe to make foam tires out of PVC.
At this point in time, the product range includes wheels for doll/baby carriages and garden furniture, tennis racquets, shoe soles, key rings, rakes and roller skates.
In 1989, Ursula and Harald Schulz take over management of the entire company, which from now on is managed under the name Anton Schiel Kunstoff und Perüken GmbH”.
1959 – 1960 Entry into Plastics Manufacturing
At the end of the 50’s, Harald Schulz dared to move into a completely new line of business. The idea of producing rubber tires for doll carriages from the residual material of plastic caps is born and is rewarded with tremendous success. Within a few years, this area develops into the second pillar of the Schiel company.
In 1962, Schiel is the first German company to produce disc rims made of plastic.
1948 – 1958 Founding Years
In 1948, the trained barber Anton Schiel starts his entrepreneurial work and founds a sole proprietorship to manufacture wigs for dolls and costumes for the local toy industry.
The work which was initially performed manually was replaced through an investment in modern machines, and wigs made of nylon hair as well as plastic caps for dolls could be manufactured cost effectively.
As of the middle of the 50’s, Anton Schiel is initially helped in the company by his daughter Ursula and a short time later also by her husband Harald Schulz.
