FROM A LITTLE SEWING BUSINESS TO A TEXTILE CORPORATION
It all started with a classified advertisement: "Wanted: small sewing business in or near Essen.” In November 1958, Klaus Steilmann, equipped with a capital of 40,000 DEM, started the production of ladies’ coats in Wattenscheid with 40 seamstresses.

Even in his first year, Steilmann’s innovative and enterprising spirit pushed the young business to a total turnover of 7.8 million German Marks and right amidst Germany’s major coat producers. The Steilmann label is recognised as innovative, fashionable, and quick.

Germany’s "economic miracle” results in soaring demands requiring mass production. The slogan "Fashion for Millions” is born – a leitmotif that has accompanyed the Steilmann Group to this very day. By 1963, Steilmann has climbed to the top rank among Germany’s coat and woman’s suit producers.

A LIVING NETWORK
Klaus Steilmann’s sense for customers’ wishes and new markets is the basis for the constant growth of the enterprise. Soon the range of products is extended over all segments of the clothing market.

In 1989, the designer collection "KL by Karl Lagerfeld” is created in co-operation with the famous fashion designer as a symbiosis between couture and commerce.

IN EXCHANGE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
Ecology and environment-conscious action becomes a central theme of the enterprise culture. The Klaus Steilmann Institut für Innovation und Umwelt (KSI, Institute for Innovation and Environment) is founded. In 1992, Steilmann publishes its first Environment Report informing about the Group’s activities.

In consideration of his engagement in both environmental and industrial-political issues, Prof. Dr. Klaus Steilmann is nominated a member of the "Club of Rome”. Furthermore, he is awarded the German Environment Award, the German Federal Cross of Merit, the German Cultural Award, and several other distinctions and honours.

Britta Steilmann is in charge of the environmental strategies of the Group. She sensitises the general public with the "Awakenings Award” event and presents her persistently environment-friendly fashion collection "Britta Steilmann – It’s One World”. The economy magazines Capital and Forbes honour Britta Steilmann’s innovative and ecological management with the "Manageress of the Year” award.

The Steilmann Group is the first enterprise of the clothing sector to be certified with the Eco Audit Certificate to the EU guidelines.

STEILMANN CELEBRATES FORTY YEARS OF CORPORATE HISTORY
A successful fashion corporation writing a chapter in the international history of clothing: The renowned Campus publishing house celebrates the occasion by publishing the volume "Mode für Millionen. Steilmann—ein Netzwerk von Menschen und Ideen” ("Fashion for Millions. Steilmann—A Network of People and Ideas”). The founder, Klaus Steilmann, as well as numerous famous politicians and businesspeople, scientists, and designers honour the corporation and give both an insight into and an outlook on the world of fashion.

INNOVATIVE PARTNER OF COMMERCE
The re-orientation of 2002 transformed the Steilmann Group from a product-oriented supplier into a marketing-oriented partner in European trade and commerce along the whole textile production and distribution chain. Our goal is to increase flexibility and to guarantee a change of assortment within shorter periods of time.

FOCUS ON KEY BUSINESS AREAS
Britta Steilmann decides to hand over her operational responsibilities as CEO of the Steilmann Group to Ute Steilmann (product and design). Klaus Friedrich is responsible for sales.

The group increases it’s focus on key business areas while giving up less profitable business sections, thus streamlining the entire group structure.

Customers confidence is proven by a 13% rise in orders for the spring/ summer 2004 season, a clear development against an overall downward trend in the fashion business.