Who We Are
INDUSTRY HISTORY
Situated on the river Wupper 30 km northeast of Cologne, the town of Solingen was founded in 1374. Now famed for its blademaking credentials, this town of 120,000 people has been home to the Carl Schmidt Sohn brand since 1829.
Since the fourteenth century, fine quality sword blades have been made in Solingen, Germany. The presence of iron ore, and the proximity of the town to nearby Cologne (Germany's richest trading center) established Solingen as a metalworking center almost overnight. In the 14th and 15th centuries blacksmith smelters were found all around the town of Solingen adding to its reputation as the blacksmith center of Northern Europe.
Napoleon, who briefly ruled Solingen until his abdication in 1815 and after the battle of Waterloo, abolished the monopolies over its trade guilds, making Solingen's sword and cutlery industries grow rapidly as a result.
Swords from Solingen began trading across the European continent, in fact, Solingen's prized weaponry has been unearthed in places like the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the British Isles. The practice of trading was never lost on Carl Schmidt, eventually making it across the Atlantic.
SOLINGEN, GERMANY
ln 1829 Carl Schmidt began the production of sabres, and within the year was producing up to 2000 swords per week and employed more than 100 smiths, grinders, and laborers. ln 1869 as Germany was fast becoming a hotbed for industrial tool production, Carl Schmidt saw the opportunity to start producing knives, cutlery, shaving blades, scissors and pocket knives.
Eventually the overseas demand for knives grew, and Carl Schmidt began to increase its knife production once again. By the turn of the century, the majority of "Carl Schmidt Sohn" knives including the product lines “Continental”, “Solingia” and “La Casita” were exported all over Europe with great success.
Since then the Carl Schmidt Sohn brand has been known for their excellence in manufacturing high-quality knives and cutlery in Solingen. Today, the storied city of Solingen remains the knife-center of Germany where about 90% of German knives are produced by manufacturers like Wüsthof and Zwilling J. A. Henckels.
Our History
The Carl Schmidt Sohn brand was born in 1829 when Carl Schmidt, a former blacksmith, decided to start making swords.
Production had increased to 2000 swords per week and employed more than 100 smiths, grinders and laborers.
As Germany was fast becoming a hot bed for industrial tool production, Carl Schmidt Sohn also started producing knives, cutlery, shaving blades, scissors and pocket knives.
By the turn of the century, Carl Schmidt Sohn knives and cutlery had been exported all over Europe.
Carl Schmidt Sohn developed their product ranges into cookware and kitchen utensils.
By the 1990s, Carl Schmidt Sohn developed further product ranges, including their innovative pressure cooker. The CS-KOCHSYSTEME brand was up and running, expanding even further with kitchenware focused on versatility and affordable cookware.
After successfully expanding Carl Schmidt Sohn across Europe and North America, the brand developed its business into Asia through the export of knives to Japan.
By 1997, Carl Schmidt Sohn had a presence in 40 countries worldwide.
Carl Schmidt Sohn was awarded a Certificate of Special Merit by the German Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding achievements over their 175 year history.
With new products as well as an overall renewal of their corporate identity, Carl Schmidt Sohn expanded even further into Asia and Europe. At present, items in the Carl Schmidt Sohn's product line are recognized worldwide because of their award-winning designs and innovative concepts.
Carl Schmidt Sohn and CS KOCHSYSTEME enter the US market, and within two years open accounts with US retail giants such as HomeGoods, Home Depot, and Bed Bath and Beyond.
Our Team
AUSTRALIA
CARL SCHMIDT SOHN PTY LTD Unit 3B, 200 Governor Macquarie Drive,…
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Carl Schmidt Sohn - Brazil Segunda-feira à sexta-feira, das 9h às…
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CS Household Inc. 150 N Santa Anita Ave Arcadia, CA 91006 T. (626) 334-1888 F.…
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Carl Schmidt Sohn GmbH Saarstraße 14 - 16 42655 Solingen T.: +49…
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