COMPANY HISTORY
Come with us on a journey through our company history
As part of the strong Schäfer Group, we can look back on 80 years of company history: 80 years of experience, intensive collaboration, and commitment. For over 40 years, we at Schäfer Shop have been making it possible for our customers to work efficiently, safely, and simply better with everything for the office, warehouse, and factory.
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2022: Recognition as Most Wanted Employer
The ZEIT publishing group and the employer rating platform kununu select Schäfer Shop as the fourth-best employer in Germany in the “Consumer and Retail” category.
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2022: Spatial planning with workplace solutions
Office and warehouse planning at the highest level: The expert team at Schäfer Shop develops space concepts for any requirements.
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2022: Award for the best B2B Catalogue of 2021/22
The jury of Versandhausberater, a German online consultancy firm for mail order, has selected our catalogue as the best B2B Catalogue 2021/22! Our modular concept, which ensures that every business gets the catalogue version that best suits their individual needs, ensured our win in the category.
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2022: Another consecutive win of the German B2B Award
We were able to convince the jury of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien (DtGV) again this year, allowing us to secure the German B2B Award for a second consecutive year.
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2021: Incorporation of Schäfer Shop Logistic Services GmbH
A huge step for our internal Logistics department: We open our third warehouse location, a state-of-the-art storage and distribution centre in Wetzlar, Germany.
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2021: Schäfer Shop wins the German B2B Award
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbraucherstudien (DtGV) recognises the efforts of Schäfer Shop in terms of customer satisfaction, customer service, and price-performance ratio.
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2021: Bronze Award in the EcoVadis Rating
We are rewarded for the sustainability measures we have implemented. This is the best possible motivation to keep going. A project group is put together to further drive the topic of sustainability.
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2021: New brand image
The year begins with some huge (outward) changes: Our brand is now represented by a new corporate design, in which our logo and claim embody what has always driven us: simply. better. workplaces.
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2020: 45 years of Schäfer Shop
We celebrate a big anniversary: It has been 45 years since we started creating positive work environments for our customers, where they and their businesses can thrive.
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2019: Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001 certification
We are fully aware of our responsibility to our environment and have our efforts and measures audited by TÜV Rheinland. The official certification body certifies our Environmental Management system.
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2019: New department: Customer Journey Management
Within direct reach of several economic centres and some of Germany's most digital cities, the new Schäfer Shop technology office is being built in Bahnstadt in Leverkusen Opladen.
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2018: house customised software SSI Commerce
As a pioneer in digitalisation, Schäfer Shop is developing its own platform technology that enables us to respond flexibly to customer needs and trends as well as to implement ideas quickly.
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2018: Technology office in Leverkusen, Germany
Within direct reach of several economic centres and some of Germany's most digital cities, the new Schäfer Shop technology office is being built in Bahnstadt in Leverkusen Opladen.
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2017: Spatial planning with virtual reality
With Schäfer Shop Real Vision, our sales force brings spaces that don't even exist yet to life. Virtual reality creates real experiences. The final implementation is decided by the client.
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2017: One point of contact for all questions
The project "One Face to the Customer" is launched! Every customer will have a dedicated contact person to whom they can turn with any questions before and after their purchase.
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2016: Branch closures
The company is moving with the times: As our focus turns increasingly to our field service and e-commerce, the branches will be closed by the end of 2016.
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2015: Development of the Premium Service
The Premium Service offers individual space concepts and provides complete implementation – from the initial idea to planning and conversion of the spaces.
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2015: 40th anniversary
A cause for celebration: The company celebrates its 40th anniversary with numerous offers and promotions.
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2013: Differentiated customer targeting in the catalogue
Strong focus on segmentation and individualisation of the customer approach.
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2013: Internal projects to promote employee and customer engagement become part of our daily work routine
The company is constantly working in interdepartmental, internal projects to sustainably engage both customers and employees.
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2012: Andreas Reuter becomes the new Managing Director
SCHÄFER SHOP has a new management team under Andreas Reuter.
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2010: Field service established
Professional advice and planning is now also provided directly at the customer's premises thanks to our field service.
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2006: Dirk Lessing becomes the new Managing Director
After 35 years of leadership, Wolfgang Reitz leaves the company. His successor will be Dirk Lessing.
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2001: In-house fleet of trucks
SCHÄFER SHOP's own fleet now consists of 40 trains and 177 swap bodies. This means the company also has a visible presence on roads throughout Europe.
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1999: Schäfer Shop goes online
The first SCHÄFER SHOP online shop is launched. From now on, commercial and private customers also have the option of conveniently ordering online as an alternative to the catalogue.
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1994: Construction of the administration building in Betzdorf, Germany
The large multi-purpose building for the SCHÄFER SHOP headquarters in Betzdorf is built. Virtually all of the company's activities are still controlled from here.
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1990: 20 years of Schäfer Shop
Taking stock for our anniversary: 20,000 offers for office and workshop in the 990-page main catalogue.
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1988: Further expansion at the Betzdorf site
The warehouse and logistics area is expanded by over 4,000 m², as the shipping division increasingly requires more space.
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1987: Our own proprietary office furniture and our first special catalogue
The office furniture division is born, with its own production plant at the Weitefeld site. At the same time, the first special catalogue for warehouse and factory equipment is sent out.
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1984: Foreign subsidiaries in the Netherlands and Switzerland as well as expansion at the Betzdorf site
The expansion into other European countries is progressing. At the same time, the site in Betzdorf (Germany) is expanded by almost 2,800m² and additional loading bays are installed.
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1980: Expansion of warehouse areas and a new office building
There is no longer enough space at the Betzdorf (Germany) site. The warehouse areas are expanded by over 1,500 m² and a new office building is erected.
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1979: Foreign subsidiary in Luxembourg
A separate company is founded in Luxembourg.
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1978: Move to Betzdorf, Germany
Time for a change of location: SCHÄFER SHOP moves from Burbach to Betzdorf in the Westerwald. An approx. 10,000 m² warehouse and a corresponding office space are built next to the already established SCHÄFER WERKE.
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1977: Foreign subsidiary in Austria
The Austrian foreign subsidiary is founded.
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1975: SCHÄFER SHOP becomes a limited company, and founds its first foreign subsidiary in Belgium
The company quickly becomes a leading complete outfitter for office and workshop. The catalogue is now 240 pages thick. SCHÄFER SHOP also sets up its first foreign branch in the Belgian capital.
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1974: Printing of the first main catalogue
There are over 3,500 different products to discover on more than 124 pages.
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1973: Wolfgang Reitz becomes Head of Department
Mr. Reitz brings a great deal of experience and new impetus to the company. The range is being expanded, and the catalogue size slowly increased.
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1970: Foundation of the SCHÄFER SHOP department by Hans Schäfer
First steps in the mail order business: Customers can now order various products from a four-page brochure, the "Shop-Zeitung".
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1953: Development of the fixed storage box
The development and series production of the unique fixed storage box is not only considered a milestone for the company, but also an innovation that leaves an indelible mark on warehouse logistics to this day.
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1937: Foundation of Schäfer GmbH
On 16th January, 1937, the following entry appears in the official register of Burbach (Germany): "Fritz Schäfer" – standardised production of sheet metal goods of all kinds. The first products are manufactured in the cellar of his home. These include transport boxes, stovepipes, filling troughs and cake trays.