End of 19th century
... How it all began
The foundation stone for the company was laid at the end of the 19th century. The companies name at this time was Dau & Companie based in Hamburg. Purpose of this company was trading bookbinding supplies.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Hans-Hinnark Schmedt's, today's company owner, great-grandfather, bought the company.
The PräGnant was presented to the public for the first time in 1967 at the international trade fair "Drupa". This machine helped to make Schmedt internationally known.
End of 19th century
1970s
The company is developing
It was in the mid of the 1970s, when Schmedt was founded. The company was called "Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt" and had two sites: the wholesale trade in the Wandalenweg in Hamburg and the machine factory in Wessenstedt near Uelzen, south of Hamburg. In 1974 the individual business turned into a limited partnership and Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt was honoured by the Association of German Bookbinders for his services to the bookbinding industry. At the end of the 1970ies, his son Hans-Hinnark Schmedt joined the company representing the fourth generation of the familiy in the business. He installed the first personal computer and started adversing the products. Modern management was introduced in the Hamburg office and in the mid 1980ies, Hans-Hinnarks brother Jörn, a mechanical engineer, completed the management. From that time on, he has been responsible for the construction of the Prä machines.
1980s
Two business divisions establish on the market
In the meantime, machines were constructed with modern CNC machines. And the wholesale range grew steadily and became indispensable for craft bookbinders.
Schmedt became an important partner for anyone manufacturing hardcover books. Making use of computer technology and a modern merchandise management system , Hinnark Schmedt optimized the business and released the first catalogue together with a price list in the late 1980ies. Many bookbinders used these as a base for their calculations.
1980s
1990s
Years of growth
At the beginning of the 1990s, the company changed from a limited partnership to a general partnership and moved into its first own building. At that time, the company had 15 employees. In 1995, Schmedt had its first own stand at the drupa exhibition in Düsseldorf, and the Hamburg building was extended.
After the withdraw of the father Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt at the end of the 1990s, the company changed from the general partnership to a sole proprietorship (Hinnark Schmedt) and turned into H.-H. Schmedt e. K.
The factory based in Wessenstedt between Lüneburg and Uelzen, was expanded once again. Schmedt now had 15 employees in the factory and another 15 in the Hamburg office.
As of 2000
As of 2000
As of 2000, Schmedt turned into a modern company with two sites and a subsidiary in Munich (former Braunwarth & Lütke). In 2003, the wholesale branch in Hamburg moved into a larger building. More offices for more employees and a larger warehouse for about 10,000 products. After the drupa exhibition in 2004 the demand for machines increased so much that a new factory was built in Bienenbüttel. At that time, 40 employees worked for Schmedt. The first online shop was launched.
As of 2000
2007
2007
Schmedt becomes a brand and gets a new corporate identity and logo. In 2007, the machine division celebrates its 40th anniversary and the machines get a new colour design.
2008
2008
Schmedt presents its machines at the drupa exhibition on a 180 m² stand. Digital printing and the new photobook market demand for Prä machines. By now, 50 employees work for Schmedt and 6 apprentices are trained.
2008
2010
2010
The beginning of the 2010s are characterized by an economic crisis which also hits the graphic and book-binding industry. Schmedt adapts to the new demands and develops machines in a new modern design. At the same time, internal processes are optimized. The facility in Bienenbüttel is expanded by a new building. In Hamburg, a new demo center for demonstration all Prä machines is built next to the office building.
A new catalogue is released - for the first time designed as a hardcover book.
2012
2012
At the drupa exhibition 2012, Schmedt presents the new PräLeg and PräKant. This exhibition will be the turning point for the print and finishing industry.
2012
2013 - 2014
2013 - 2014
Our new webshop went online and improves the online business.
On the basis of new developments on the market, Schmedt has adapted its internal structures and its international distributor network.
As of 2013, the main focus is back on craftsmanship. New machines like the mobile foil-blocking press PräGnant XS and their presentation on craft fairs emphasize this engagement. Schmedt not only support the book-manufacturing industry by offering them suitable products and machines, but also by becoming support members of several institutions. In 2014, Schmedt participated at he Frankfurt Book Fair for the first time.
2015
2015
Since 2015. Schmedt operates as Schmedt GmbH & Co. KG to ensure the family tradition in the 5th generation.
Besides the Paperworld in Frankfurt, several events took place in our own demo center, such as the Hardcover Days with the presentation of the Hardcover Award and various other events with partners.
2015
2016
2016
2016 was dominated by the drupa exhibition and the new machines PräDeka XL and PräziSheet. Moreover, our online shop was relaunched and has become more comfortable to use.
2017
2017
2017 Schmedt attended several fairs and hosted the IV. Hardcocer Days in Hamburg. The prototype of a new binding system with Ribler technology was presented: the PräziBind system. Layflat binding for short runs.
Moreover our new general catalogue was released.
2017
2018
2018
In 2018, we attended several fairs and presented our machines. The layflat binding system PräziBind has gone into serial production.
The wholesale range is extended by printable cloths for digital printers and by a large number of conservation supplies.
2019
2019
Our first printed catalogue on conservation supplies is released.
We participate at the Hunkeler Innovation Days and host the V. Hardcover Days with workshops, new machines and the presentation of the Hardcover Award.
2019
2020
2020
Our new homepage is launched.